How To Stop Worrying About Building An Audience And Just Get Started

Descending the summit ridge

Have you ever thought about starting some sort of venture and found yourself wishing that you had done it five years earlier? I certainly have, and I’m willing to bet that you have too. That’s what I  was thinking when I was in the process of starting this blog. I knew that growth would be slow and that it would be discouraging at times. I thought that if I had just started this blog five years ago when I first entertained the idea then I could potentially have a huge following by now and have surefire international fame and notoriety.

The best motivation I’ve found to combat the five year remorse is to just get started. If you don’t get started now then you could regret it five years from now, wishing that you had finally acted upon your idea. Just do it. If it’s going to take years to get where you want to go then there’s never a better time to start than the present.

Your Homework

What have you been putting off doing because it seems daunting or because you know that success is years away? Go ahead and put that idea into motion. Get started by doing something concrete that will help push the idea to fruition. Start that blog, contact that lead, just do something. Let me know what you’ve done in the comments.

Image credit: mikep on Flickr

The Kenny Powers Motivational System

Eastbound& Down

Kenny Powers (from HBO’s Eastbound & Down) has a propensity for quotability that’s second to none. Many of his best one-liners and quips are related to motivation and his general awesomeness. Between the frequent bouts of drug and alcohol use Kenny lays down teachings that make a lot of sense for everyone, especially people in the business world.

“Fundamentals are a crutch for the talentless”

The most successful startups, the ones that get all of the press attention and the ones that have crazy 10,000% yearly growth, are all based around exceptional products and experiences. They’re led by visionaries who want to dramatically shift entire industries and paradigms.

The lesson: startup founders need to go for it. Use the skills and tools that you have available and aim for the fences. Don’t worry about always playing by the book.

“I’m a champion” and “I’m a bulletproof tiger man!”

Self-confidence is an invaluable asset. Everyone from CEO’s to developers should be confident in their abilities and decision making.

The lesson: confidence pays great dividends. It makes everyone around you feel better, and confidence is contagious.

“From this moment forward Kenny Powers is just like everyone else. Normal. Not special. No hopes. No dreams. Pretending to be happy when he’s really super sad. Just an average guy with exceptional hair. Nothing more, and nothing less.”

Even Kenny Powers loses his mojo and confidence from time to time. During his darkest hour he contemplated just giving up his dreams of getting back to the majors and settling. This happens to everyone, especially overworked startups founders. Stick to the plan and you’ll eventually rise back to the top, a la “La Flama Blanca”.

The lesson: Don’t lose the faith. Keep working, keep plugging away, and you’ll get closer to your goals.