Building a business, whether online or offline, comes with its fair share of ups and downs, as you might expect. However, when you're in the midst of a 'down' moment, it can feel way more intense. In fact, you won't be the first entrepreneur to decide that having a regular job isn't so bad after all, especially after a string of disappointments. It's no surprise that 60% of freelancers close up shop within five years.
Entrepreneurship is intense
You might wonder if there's still a clear distinction between work and personal life, especially in today's world. You might also wonder if there should be one at all. One thing's for sure: when you decide to become an entrepreneur, you enter a unique phase where your kitchen table is also your office, and 5 pm no longer means you're 'off the clock'.
That blur between work and personal life... it's amazing to look back on later with a grateful smile. But when you're in the midst of it, it can feel like an incredibly uncertain phase. And that has an impact.
No downs, no ups
When your business is doing well, you feel great. When things aren't going as planned, it's tough to relax. Either way, entrepreneurship has a huge impact on your mental well-being. On the one hand, it helps you develop a strong mindset that'll serve you well in all of life's challenges. On the other hand, it can be tough. Disappointing, too. Uncertain, exhausting, frustrating.
As cliché as it sounds, without those emotions, entrepreneurship might not be as appealing. It's the 'down' moments that make the 'up' moments feel so incredibly good. The combination of both is what makes the thrill of entrepreneurship so huge.
Overnight success doesn't exist
Awareness is your strength. You know the quote 'I'm an overnight success, it just took me 20 years'? No one becomes successful overnight. If they did, they'd likely give up at the first sign of disappointment that comes their way. Why? For the same reason people who win the lottery often spend all their money quickly: they skip the period where they build the mindset, perseverance, and commitment needed to handle success and wealth responsibly.
It's this period, the one you're in right now, that helps you hold onto your success when it finally arrives. And when things are really tough, this period is what enables you to build something from nothing in the future. After all, you've done it before.
You're doing it right now.
So, what's the truth behind ups and downs?
That they can't exist without each other. That they're two essential ingredients in entrepreneurship. And that, even when things feel really tough, these moments are when you lay the strongest foundation for your future.
Yes, entrepreneurship can be a challenge for your mental health, especially when you really want to succeed but it's not working out. Think of it like a muscle that's getting stronger: when success finally comes, you'll have what it takes to handle it. The beginning period, including the downs, is essential for that.
