The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur

May 24Anything or Nothing

Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation.

Susan B. Anthony—“On the Campaign for Divorce Law Reform” (1860)

Who are you, in your estimation? How do you evaluate your self-worth?

It's easy to fall into a place where you're comparing your work to that founder in the office next door that just got funding, to a social influencer with a huge audience, to that woman you went to university with who just started her own thriving business, to your siblings.

Screw that!

Are you a good person? Are you learning and growing? Are you there for people when they need you? Do you open up to others about both your success and failures?

Define the values and characteristics that are truly important to you. Rely on them. Entrepreneurs are known for creating their own path, boldly breaking the mold to solve a problem. So, don't revert back by then applying someone else's ideas or rubric for what success looks like.

Forge your own path and your own definition of success. Then, push yourself further by sharing both your ups and downs with the people around you. By being anything or nothing in the world's estimation, you can be the best you can in yours.

Challenge Question

1. Who in your life practices vulnerability and drops their guard, unworried about how it might impact their reputation ...