What if this happened to you?

John Paul
Today’s lesson is about one of those big decisions that change the life of entrepreneurs forever.

It’s a big decision that can come with big consequences.

And if you make the wrong choice, you could live with regrets for the rest of your life.

The lesson I’m about to share is inspired by an interesting email I received this week.

It came from Gabrielle who’s based in Canada.

Here’s the excerpt:

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Hi John-Paul,

I can’t tell you how much you’ve changed my thinking since I’ve been following your emails.

I’m at a crossroad in my life right now and I think I have a big decision to make. And the deadline I set for myself (January 2020) is fast approaching.

I have this innovative idea I’ve been developing for the last 5 years. I’ve been working on it part-time with some partners while I kept my job.

The business is about to take off and the time has come to choose between my stable well-paying job and an innovation and business that could totally change my life.

Your advice would mean the world to me.

Thanks.

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First off, I’d like to thank you for sharing this learning opportunity with us Gabrielle.

We may all live in different countries but the challenges entrepreneurs face are roughly the same around the world.

I particularly feel your pain because I was once in your shoes.

I’m glad I made the best decision by choosing the path that has totally changed my life.

However, there are others who made the same as mine but regret it today.

That’s because it’s a personal decision that nobody else can make for you – not your parents, friends, siblings, spouse or mentor.

Other people can only advise and give opinions. But it’s you who will have to MAKE and OWN the decision, and LIVE with the consequences.

So, in this email, I’m going to give you my own opinion from two perspectives.

My first perspective is as a person who has been in your shoes and made the same decision before.

After nearly 10 years in employment, I know what it feels like to quit the prestige of a corporate job and the safety of a steady manager’s salary.

My second perspective is as a consultant who has worked with over 100 different entrepreneurs who had to make this big decision.

As a person who has seen with my own eyes and through other people’s eyes, I suggest you take this advice seriously.

The decision you’re about to take is all about "risk."

And when it comes to risk, there is really no good or bad choice.

That’s because some people have a high tolerance for risk, while others are total risk-avoiders.

So, how do you know where you belong?

Some people think they are big risk takers, but when it’s time for the big decision, they either procrastinate, bury their heads in the sand, or pee in their pants.

So, here’s the big question:

Is your "fear of loss" bigger than your "desire for success"?

The answer to this question is the key to making the best decision for yourself.

Your fear of loss includes: the fear of losing a stable income/salary and going broke, and the fear of losing social status and the prestige of working for a known brand/company.

Your fear of loss also includes your fear of what people will say about you and your decision, and the shame of being a failure and embarrassment to yourself and the people you care about if your business doesn’t work out or succeed.

These are some of the biggest fears you currently have.

Now, let’s look at your desires.

Your desires include the chance to pursue your true passion and build something that will make you proud and fulfilled.

It also includes your desire to be recognized, respected, celebrated and rewarded for your innovation, creativity and impact by those you care about. This includes the bragging rights your friends and family will earn when you succeed.

These are some of the biggest fears you currently have.

Now, let’s look at your desires.

Your desires include the chance to pursue your true passion and build something that will make you proud and fulfilled.

It also includes your desire to be recognized, respected, celebrated and rewarded for your innovation, creativity and impact by those you care about. This includes the bragging rights your friends and family will earn when you succeed.

Your desires also include freedom and flexibility around the work you do and the kind of income you earn, being your own boss, and having total control and responsibility over your life.

So, now that I’ve helped to detail the options, which will you choose?

Some people choose Fear.

For some people, the pain and fear of potential loss is bigger than their desire to take a chance at pursuing their dream.

For them, stability and security is far more important. And they have a point.

For some in this group, they can’t bear the loss of income, status or identity that employment has earned them.

And for some, it’s just the fear of what people will say.

Some people choose Desire.

For some, the desire to pursue their passion is much bigger than their fear of loss or failure.

For these people, fulfillment, purpose, passion, fun and freedom are far more important than stability and security.

For many people in this group, the fear of regret is far bigger than the fear of loss.

They would rather take a chance and take the risk, than spend their years in regret and thinking about what could have happened if only they chased that dream.

It’s up to you to decide.

Remember, once you reach this stage, it’s hard to avoid the decision.

Even if you delay the decision, that procrastination in itself is actually fear in disguise.

For me, I had to make the big decision a few years into my marriage – and we already had a 4-month-old child at the time. Even though I had a manager role, I was living salary-to-salary and barely had any savings.

Even though I was very afraid, my desire to pursue my big dream was bigger than my fears.

For me, it was liberty or death.

It was the scariest and most dangerous decision of my life and career.

But it was also the single biggest decision that opened doors that have changed my life and business in many amazing ways.

Since then, I’ve gone broke several times.

Since then, I’ve been to hell and back. And I'm now used to enjoying the ride.

I’m also sure people close to me may have said a few things behind my back. But who cares?

And still, I wouldn’t change that decision even if I had a second and third chance.

I’m so in love with the work I do and the person I’ve become that I just don’t know why it took me so long to make the decision to choose this path.

But again, it was my personal decision.

You have to make your own decision and OWN the consequences. Nobody can do it for you.

I hope this advice makes sense?