Who's Going To Tell You?

 Who's going to tell you when you're growing up that you can explore the desires of your heart 

and  create your own business

and

do anything you really want to do?

And,

if someone does tell you

are you going to remember it

and take it to heart?

We are more likely to be pressured into choosing a major in college,

and then,

following through on that because,

after all,

all that money was spent on our education

and we 

NEED

to be doing something in whatever field we chose to spend money being educated.

Or,

we grow up and get married and begin creating our home and family

and

get a little bogged down 

with the daily stuff that makes up life...

and when we look for a job,

we take the one that fits our schedule

and is easy to drive to 

and

oooohhhhh

so many other parameters that make sense at the time.

And so it goes . . . 

the artist is doing data entry

and the dancer is working for a bank . . . 

and

 YOU KNOW 

what I'm talking about here!

So,

we dream a little . . .  and wish we could jump careers

and be what we always wished we could be.

We ponder and we scribble a plan on the back of an envelope

and we talk to our best friend about how we really

wish

we were able to live our dream

but . . . 

"maybe in a few more years . . . "

But we've grown up to be responsible adults with people depending on us and reputations for being reasonable and dependable and careful.

So,

we keep on keeping on

and 

count the years till retirement and pension.

Maybe

 THEN

we will take off and lead mountain climbing expeditions

or

open that Bed and Breakfast

or

antique shop.

Even then we look at the things that bring us our real joy

and know that there are

  perils and dangers and risks

oh my!

There are statistics about how many people start businesses and see them fail in the first two years.

We don't know where to start.

We aren't certain we can do it.

What if????

And so . . . . we don't.

We weigh the pro's and the con's and let the naysayers tell us we are too inexperienced

or too old

or too something.

I'm here to encourage you.

I'm here to cheer you on.

I'm here to lay out before you the questions you should ask yourself

if

you're debating whether

 you can follow your heart,

if

you dare to dream

if

you can begin to do the things you've always wanted to do,

if you can find your

 real joy

Let's take a preliminary quiz to see if you have the entrepreneurial spirit : 

1. Have you daydreamed about the thing you'd be doing if you didn't "have" 

    to be where you are?

2. Have you taken pencil to pad and actually tried to sketch out the desire of your heart?

3. Have people told you, "you should be doing" that certain something instead of what you                

    ARE doing?

4. Do you find yourself sharing this interest/dream with other people?

5. Do you teach others what you know?

6. Do people ask you to teach them about your interests?

7. Do you get energized just thinking about this desire?

8. Would you rather be doing this activity than anything else you can think of?

9. Are you an expert or set on becoming an expert in this field?

10. Are you hesitating because someone has convinced you you can't succeed?

11. Are there fears about the mechanics of proceeding?

12. Are you a problem solver?

13. Do challenges weary you?

14. Do people like you and enjoy being around you?

15. Do you have a reputation for being honest and trustworthy?

16. Can you work long hours?

17. Do you have a need to prove that you're right, or can you concede a point with grace     

     even when you know the other person is wrong?

18. Are you good with money management?

19. Are you willing to wash the windows, sweep the floor and clean the toilet in addition to  

      doing what you love?

20. Are you organized?

21. Are you a smiler or a frowner?

22. Can you keep your personal opinions to yourself?

23. Do you have a knack for reading people's body language or verbal clues?

       (are they healthy, depressed, sad, happy, anxious, scared, excited?) 

24. Are you a happy, vivacious, outgoing person?

25. Are you a good listener?

I don't think I really need to give the correct answers - but 1-9, 12, 14, 15, 16 and 18-20, 22-25 should be a happy, vivacious YES!  

13 and 17 should be a resounding "NO"!  

10 and 11 are designed for contemplation. 

 I hope 21 is "smiler" - cause that's what people are counting on from you!

If you took this preliminary quiz and feel you have most of the marks of an entrepreneur, then I think you're on your way. 

Continue on our journey

 and learn more about finding your

Real Joy