By Pranali Batra
The Questions
Would you rather be told what should be done, or would you rather decide what will be done? Would you rather feel overworked and perpetually underappreciated or work laboriously, yet feel liberated? Would you rather be blamed for most of the failures or know that you are solely responsible for all the successes? Would you rather work hard for somebody else’s vision or would you rather spend your worthy hours pursuing your own passion?
If you answered in the affirmative to the latter half of even one of the above questions, you should definitely read on to learn about your true calling.
The Mindset
What is it about entrepreneurship that has so many people shaking their heads in disapproval? Is it the magnitude of risk involved? Or is the lack of startup capital that is the main hindrance? More often than not, it is nothing but the outlook of the individual. The feeling of incompetence that people associate with themselves, usually forms the biggest obstacle on the road to a successful career. The hesitation, the ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ that keep crossing their minds, are nothing but excuses! Excuses-that will always be available if someone is not willing to venture out of their comfort zone. But if only they were to step out from the green room and take the centre stage for once, it may turn out to be the best decision they’ve ever made.
The Benefits
Everyone is aware of the benefits of entrepreneurship. What can be better than being your own boss, making your own decisions, managing your own affairs? Needless to say, the opportunities for growth and development associated with it, both personally and financially, far exceed those of employment. Entrepreneurship helps a person to become competent in multiple areas of strategizing, sales, marketing and financial management, thereby enabling all-round development. It helps to inculcate problem solving and creative thinking abilities. Moreover, the simple recognition of fact that you yourself are responsible for your own success or failure motivates people tremendously.
When entrepreneurial skeptics cite possibilities of huge losses as a major point in favour of employment, they are not totally inaccurate. However, the risk of losing money becomes a real threat only when someone goes about their business (pun intended), taking unnecessary risks or heavily overindulging in speculative activities. The threat of losing jobs is a far bigger reality in today’s volatile job market.
Secondly, unavailability of capital which usually is the biggest turn off for most, is perhaps the problem most easily taken care of. There are several businesses that virtually require little or no startup capital at all. Moreover, finance can be arranged from relatives or lending agencies as well. Be opportunity oriented and the way to attain the requisite resources will emerge automatically. Rather, what is tougher to attain is the right frame of mind, the attitude that you are capable of succeeding and that the work you will put in, matters!
Most importantly, the feeling of self worth that entrepreneurial success creates is perhaps unmatched. It is marvelous how not having to report to someone else, does wonders for a person’s confidence.
The Inspiration
Sameer Gehlaut is best known today in association with Indiabulls, which he established in 2000, after acquiring Inorbit Securities, a stock brokerage company in Delhi. However, few know that he had initially been an employee at Halliburton, which he joined after attaining a B.Tech degree from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
The Indiabulls group started its operations from a small office near Hauz Khas bus terminal in Delhi. The office had a tin roof and two computers. In less than ten years the group has become one of the leading financial services and real estate companies in India. In 2008, Forbes estimated that he had a net worth of $1.2 billion and is the 962nd richest person in the world and 45th richest in India.
Imagine if India’s youngest self made billionaire had chosen to keep working instead of starting his own enterprise, would he ever have attained such pinnacles of success?
The Lesson
Remember, entrepreneurship is not designed for a chosen few who allegedly have the ‘aptitude’ for it. Regardless of what your guarded thoughts may suggest, your age, experience (or lack of it), gender or finances, cannot become hindrances unless you let them!
Entrepreneurship is for anyone who has the courage to try. It is about not being afraid of falling. But mostly, it is about knowing that there is always a way up again!
