What I wish someone told me when I was starting out

There are things I’ve learned in the last 5 years of starting and growing my business that I wish someone had told me from the beginning. I don’t know that it would have had much difference – I tend to learn through experience. And am stubborn when it comes to receiving advice. Nonetheless, here’s what I would tell my younger self:

(1) You will gain so much – but you will also lose some things, too.

My friend Q once told me some great advice: “don’t be afraid to give up something you love for something you love more.” That has served me well over the last 5 years. I used to be really involved in my community and the theater in my town. I chose to let that go to focus on my business. I also gave up what I like to call a “normal” social life… because I talk to so many people during the day, I need to be still and quiet to recharge at night.

And that’s okay, I think. Those are choices. But what it means is that, as an entrepreneur, it’s harder to abdicate responsibility for how your life is. You have the time for what matters. Sometimes that’s work. But sometimes that’s baking bread or napping or visiting your people. The rough bit is actually owning the fact that yes, you’re choosing to do this. Your boundaries will become increasingly important – learn how to set them, openly and clearly.

(2) Creativity and sex come from the same place – learn how to roll with that.

I love making s*** up. It’s what I’ve built my business on, and what I help other entrepreneurs do, in bolder, gutsier, ballsier ways.

But know that for all the time you spend in your head and imagination, you need a counter pose. It’s like yoga. If you stretch your muscles one way, you need to go back and stretch them in the opposite direction, too. Or you will get lopsided.

So getting laid is one of the best things you can do for your business. That may not be true for everyone, but it’s definitely true for me. If you’ve got someone in your life who’s DTF, that is god’s way of telling you she loves you. Accept that gift. Regularly and often. Same thing goes for laughter. Your innovation and originality are fed on the nectar of your joy, of your willingness to accept and lavish yourself in the sensuality of your daily life. The more you do this, the more people will seek you out to work with you.

There’s more here, of course. But I have my writing timer set, and it’s about to ding. So I’ll say this: to be continued. Until then, I wonder: what have you learned over the past 6 or 12 months of your entrepreneurial adventure? I invite you to share in the comments below.

Mighty thanks to aussiegall flickr photostream for the adventure.