Comments on: Being and Entrepreneurship

By: Fred H. Schlegel

Fred H. Schlegel — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:59:32 +0000

Hi Andrew, I’d say taking off and working in a foreign land for a few years counts as a big step out of a comfort zone in my book. But you are right, different stimuli drive people to make change. For some it’s about money, for others it is control, and others it may simply be a search for happiness. The less valuable change looks to a person the less likely they are to make it.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 10:43:01 +0000

Hi Fred,

Sorry it’s been awhile since I have commented here.

Not having had the chance to read Walter’s post yet, I am not in a great position to make informed comment, but I love how simply he puts his ideas.

He would have a great marketing slogan – “Our pork straight to your fork,” or something like that.

With regard to Robyn’s comment, I can certainly see why many folks are reluctant to leave what they see as a secure paycheck in order to step out and start their own entrepreneurial enterprise. In short, it all boils down to comfort zones. Taking the entrepreneurial track means stepping out from the known and familiar and stepping into out of our comfort zones and into the unknown.

Not having ever made this step myself (but having thought about it), I can certainly understand the general tendency to avoid taking the plunge.
.-= Andrew´s last blog ..Should jumps racing be banned? =-.

By: Fred H. Schlegel

Fred H. Schlegel — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:29:57 +0000

Hi Robyn, I thought the study was interesting as well. It is a real reminder that decisions around taking on risk can be very personal decisions. Your story shows that as well. The percentage of folks willing to step away from an existing job for something that doesn’t exist yet is very low. But as you say, if you don’t step out and take those risks you may never test your limits and find out your true potential.

By: Fred H. Schlegel

Fred H. Schlegel — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:49:15 +0000

Interesting points J.D., especially the issue of perspiration as a key element of success.

By: Robyn McMaster

Robyn McMaster — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:59:46 +0000

Fred, I find it intriguing that people are willing to take a risk to avoid loss, but are not as willing to take that risk to make a gain. I could be numbered amongst those who were willing to take that risk. I quit my job and because I had a bigger vision of what I could accomplish with my gifts, I pursued a doctorate so I could gain the credentials to do what I wanted to do. This was all part of being an entrepreneur. For me the risk was huge and not small and required so much more than I thought I was able to do. Very few people are willing to take the risks to do the kind of work they’d truly enjoy.
.-= Robyn McMaster´s last blog ..Memorize More – Outsource Less =-.

By: J.D. Meier

J.D. Meier — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 08:06:08 +0000

… get our pork to customer’s fork … perfect.

I remember the first time I read something by Seth where he pointed out you need to know whether you’re an Entrepreneur or Freelancer. The freelancer is happy to master their craft, and get paid for their time, while the Entrepreneur is about being a part of something bigger than themselves and making ideas happen.

I think the surprise of being an Entrepreneur is that it’s less luck and more skills, network, and perspiration.
.-= J.D. Meier´s last blog ..What 16 Movies Can Teach Us About Life and Leadership =-.

By: Fred H. Schlegel

Fred H. Schlegel — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:15:36 +0000

Hi Kay, Great points in your comment and your post. I didn’t know about the rackspace initiative but what a good idea. It has the added benefit of keeping everyone focused on the value of a buck. (Something sorely lacking in more heady start up days of yore).

By: kay plantes

kay plantes — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:12:08 +0000

Is share your concern about large companies and entrepreneurship. So many merely acquire competitors and use cost savings (and lost lives) to meet earnings expectations. Of late (see my recent blog post) I have become fascinated by for-profit companies that also advance social causes in big ways so that for-profit and non-profit start to blur. Look at rackspace – wanting to expand, they chose a building in a run-down area and are using their location to help transform a low income public school and the lives of kids in that school. The more business leaders can see past the divide of for-profit and non-profit, they will find ways to do well by doing good.
.-= kay plantes´s last blog ..Non-profit for profit merger =-.