As many of you know, I have been in the process of developing a business.  The good news: it looks like I will be able to release “How I Converted a Romantic Atheist” on Monday!  The bad news: someone has already set up a company that uses my first product.

Yesterday, when I bumbled across it, my heart stopped in my chest and I could feel my skin go cold.

All my hard work, my dreams for helping others, all the money I’ve spent; all of it flashed before my eyes.  I felt humiliated and stupid and, for a second, I wanted to crawl into a hole for 3 months and try not to think about it.  I wasn’t fast enough, smart enough, or good enough.

I had failed.

The Bricks Walls Are There For A Reason

…to stop anyone who doesn’t want it badly enough.  I got myself together after about 10 minutes, but that lingering feeling of panic had me on edge.  Now what?  Now what?

Creation Not Competition

My company is not about blasting any competition out of the water.  Even when I felt I would be the first with this suite of products and services, and I figured someone would try and capitalize on ‘my’ ideas, I believed that customer service – not a product line – comes first and foremost.

This country is based on the idea that more than one company can execute an idea; it’s a major reason why we innovate.

I had to get back in touch with the belief that my company is not about what other people are doing.  It’s about what I am doing.  Just as you can’t go through life sidetracked by what the people around you are doing or thinking about you, so too can you not effectively run your business that way.

Really, there is enough to go around.  This mentality is not about scarcity but about creativity and abundance.  But boy did I need a reminder.

Lit A Fire Under My A…

You can believe that I was absolutely motivated yesterday.  I was forced to reevaluate my concept of what needed priority, analyze how I had been spending my time, and look at where I was spending my money.

Basically, I had a biz-life crisis.

Running Away

The temptation is to run away from the things that make us feel ‘bad’ or unworthy.  But one thing I have learned is that when you want to avoid something, when something scares you, that is the moment you need to stand up and step forward.

Stand Up and Step Forward

Be responsible for your actions.  Be ready for opportunity.  Above all, be persistent in your courage.