Spring Break was awesome!

5 days in Destin, FL & 3 days in New York City. But it’s great to be back home!

Over the last week, I hung out with Marla and Steven (Sam’s Spring Break was the week before.) Consumed around 25,000 calories. Read five books. Saw 2 Broadway shows (Newsies and Anything Goes). Celebrated Carrie Wilkerson’s 40th birthday! Ran 44 miles. Relaxed… and yes, worked!

All of that is 100% in line with the current issue of INC Magazine. Their article “What Drives Entrepreneurs” revealed different motivations between founders and non-entrepreneurs.

The main motivation for entrepreneurs? Autonomy.

The main motivation for non-entrepreneurs? Security.

Entrepreneurs like to call the shots. We like control. We are fine with calculated risks. We think more about the experiment and experience than “having” to succeed. We love knowing the difference and impact we are making.

Non-entrepreneurs, on the other hand, are employees. They like being told what to do. They like the predictable paycheck. On average they want something more, but are too afraid to leave the comfort.

And there’s nothing wrong with that. The world NEEDS employees. They are essential.

Yes, as entrepreneurs we are different. We’re wired differently. We view the world differently. We don’t expect something for nothing. We take responsibility for our own income. We create jobs. We generate products. We work hard. We play hard.

One of the things that drives me crazy about the information publishing industry is the pursuit of mediocrity.

By that I mean the glorification of the status quo.

For example… the way I started this letter. Telling you about my past week. The hucksters of the world would paint that scene and tell you that you DESERVE the same. In fact, if you just follow their program you can have the same things.

That’s stupid.

You see the hucksters want to elevate their lives so that you want what they have. But wanting exactly what someone else has is status quo. To want to be someone else is accepting the average. Become the best YOU, don’t be a chameleon.

You have to envision your own perfect life. Just like I did almost 20 years ago.

As you know, Sherri died when Sam was 5 weeks old. Right then I made a vow. I would be present for my family.

I made that decision based on MY circumstances. I didn’t let someone else tell me what my life needed to be… I decided.

You need to decide too.

You need to write down exactly the type of life you want. How your life will benefit those around you.

You need to decide if you are going to be an entrepreneur, embrace the risk or be an employee. Neither answer is wrong, but the decision has to be made.

Then you design your business to reflect the life you’ve pictured.

Success is NOT an Accident,
Paul

Feel like you have nothing new to contribute to your niche? Think you’re not unique enough?

I’m here in VPS airport and picked up a golf mag. I don’t play much anymore, but I wanted to see what what was new.

Guess what…

Nothing.

There are still articles on the same things as 20 years ago.

Driving. Putting. Chipping.

Sure, there are new pictures. The fundamental principles, however, are the same.

Stop stalling because you think you don’t have something different enough. Go with the basics. Reframe with your own style.

Success is NOT an Accident,

Paul