The thing that sets apart the entrepreneurs who find success and those who fail is this thing called motivation. See, it has a lot to do with the confidence you have in your work, and without it — well, you might just fail.
As the young entrepreneur you are, you actually have a lot to be grateful for. Not just for what you have in life, but because of the fact that you are trying to do something exciting with your life.
Unfortunately, many of us young people on the Internet looking to start some kind of business online can’t quite grasp the constant motivation that is so desperately needed to find this success. This is why I believe so many young entrepreneurs online fail, and why so many people seem to think that’s all we do. Teenagers especially.
But I think we have it pretty easy in many cases. I know this personally as I run two blogs and a freelance business that we have a lot to be motivated about.
There’s time
Some have more than others, but the fact of the matter is that we’re young and we have more time to get something going than someone who is older and in their 20’s or 30’s already looking to start a business.
What specifically do young entrepreneurs have more time for?
- Time to find what works and what doesn’t work; to fail or succeed
- Time to find their niche.
- Time to plan.
- Time to live.
The older you get, the less true these things remain. So, get off your ass and make the best of this thing that so many of us young entrepreneurs take for granted — time. One day we won’t have it, and we will sincerely miss it and regret every minute we wasted.
Fewer Responsibilities
Taxes1? Bills? Raising a family? Are you kidding me? The toughest decision I had to make all day yesterday was whether or not to see 2012 or Law Abiding Citizen in theaters. Don’t talk to me about bills or anything, I have a few years before I have to worry about that.
If you’re a teenager, what’s your biggest worry at the moment besides your business? Either my life is so worry free that I have become ignorant of the worries of others, or your life just isn’t as full of as many worries or responsibilities as you think.
Born and Raised for Social Media
Nearly everyone at this point in time has heard of or used a website like Myspace, Facebook or Twitter for example. As a part of this young generation, you were basically born with the skills needed to use these sites. When is the last time you have used a social media site? I’ll even bet you found this article through Twitter.
But social media is the key to a successful business. But don’t just take my word on it, do a little searching around the web and you will find out how important social media has been for even the most successful Internet entrepreneurs.
You’re Building Skills Valuable to your Life
Whether you realize it or not, interacting with others online, doing some freelance work, and even blogging are building some pretty important skills for later on in your life.
Whether or not you do become a successful Internet entrepreneur, the skills you gain from trying will follow you wherever you go.
You’re not alone
You aren’t the only young person on the web trying to start a business and career. Thousands of others are trying to do the same thing, and many of them are willing to help.
Here are a few recommended resources for young entrepreneurs to go and find some great resources (besides here of course):
- Retire@21 — Fully loaded with a blog & forums on young entrepreneurship.
- Youth Bloggers Network — Connect with other young bloggers.
- Teens in Tech Network — Many resources for “teentrepreneurs.”
Your dreams are still big
With the tools available to us in this modern world, what’s stopping us or holding us back from making our dreams become a reality? Is it impossible for someone under the age of 18 earn a full time income from blogging? What about a 17 year old? There’s nothing holding us back, and I say the bigger the dream the better.
Well, I’m pumped
I don’t know about you, but after writing and reading this article I now fully understand what kind of opportunities I have and why I won’t miss any chances to better my life and create a better future for myself.
What about you? Do you share the same thoughts as me on this topic of motivation, or have you yet to really find what motivates you to pursue your dreams?
1 Business taxes excluded, if/when you get to that point.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Great writeup.
I think the power to go for trying again & again, with nerves of steel & hands of iron, Young people have that ability to take on Innovations & Challenges hardly.
This is not the only reason why they become Young Turks, but they also become the real source of inspiration to many Young, showing them the ray of light that leads them to success.
Thanks,
Riddhi Mohan
.-= Riddhi Mohan´s last blog ..Don’t Kill Good Ideas or Life gets Harmed | See How Wheels & Fire were Invented [Video] =-.
Great post – for young people the world is truly their oyster. They should not be afraid to try anything and as long as they put in the effort they will reap the fruits of their labor.
Nice article, Alex! And cool use of endnotes!
As per usual, you’re right about a lot of things. Specifically, this is probably the best time ever to be a young entrepreneur.
.-= Nick Tart´s last blog ..Don’t Buy a Book Without Finding Where It’s Cheapest =-.
Wow, this is the first time I’ve felt old in a long time! I’m 24.
I think it’s great that you guys are excited about getting things going early in your life. I too experienced this as a teenager, although it wasn’t so much about blogging and entrepreneurship as it was following my passion.
Finding out what you want to do when you’re young, and going for it, is the best thing you can do.
As a teenager, I was full of ignorance and naivety (and I still am) and all of these benefited me.
Keep in mind that responsibilities come up pretty quick. If you can fuel your life with creativity and rely on yourself for funds (don’t get credit cards, don’t get in debt, and don’t take investors) then you’re going to move up the ranks pretty dang quick!
I’m of the adage that I never want to retire. Rather I’d like to take mini retirements based on a continued success through life.
Having started out young, I can do this.
I really liked this blog and will be following it now, although I’m an old fart.
loved it…!!…A cool one…!!…Really very Good Alex..!
.-= Shubham´s last blog ..Apple Tablet: Preview Video =-.
Wow! It’s amazing what younger generations are now capable of doing, and the cool thing is they just keep on getting younger and younger…
Impressive work!
Great motivational article for young people Alex! I stumbled on your blog while looking for motivational articles for my kids. Your young readers do have incredible opportunities today. Go for it! Shoot when I was your age a portable calculator was hi tech. Amazing!
Nice post. As a person involved in business I can say that being motivated to achieve something in life is the key to success.Youth have energy and spirit to do mistakes and learn form them. Younger can learn better and implement there learning fast.
.-= Arindam@SEO´s last blog ..Namecheap Coupon Codes for January 2010 =-.
What a fantastic post!
What motivates us to pursue our dreams is our desire of a better life and our passion. Without the burning desire and passion nothing worthwile can be achieved. So for all young entrepreneurs out there do what Steve Jobs says ‘Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish’
There’s nothing holding us back except OURSELVES.
Limiting beliefs are what keep people locked in fear of the unknown. I say ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ because its easier than you think.
Once you decide and commit to do something then the universe will help you out. It sounds silly but its really the truth. Its happened to me.
I commited myself to going to Yanik Silver’s Underground Online Seminar when I first heard about it then I applied for a Young Entrepreneur scholarship then I got it! And now I’m actually going!
And its all because I made the commitment to go even though I didnt know how!
What a fantastic post!
What motivates us to pursue our dreams is our desire of a better life and our passion. Without the burning desire and passion nothing worthwile can be achieved. So for all young entrepreneurs out there do what Steve Jobs says ‘Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish’
There’s nothing holding us back except OURSELVES.
Limiting beliefs are what keep people locked in fear of the unknown. I say ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’ because its easier than you think.
Once you decide and commit to do something then the universe will help you out. It sounds silly but its really the truth. Its happened to me.
I commited myself to going to Yanik Silver’s Underground Online Seminar when I first heard about it then I applied for a Young Entrepreneur scholarship then I got it! And now I’m actually going!
And its all because I made the commitment to go even though I didnt know how!
.-= Aaron Darko´s last blog ..Sohail Khan’s Top Tips For Young Entrepreneurs =-.
Motivation is the biggest thing that makes many and also breaks many. Speaking the truth now, I believe that it is difficult to become successful online. Many don’t stick in there and just give up, finding it too much to continue.
We as human’s seem to equate time and effort with seeing a return of some type. When that return does not meet our perceptions of what the returns should be, we seem to look for the closest exit.
@Chris – I know how you feel, it is easy to feel old when you see what the “really” young entrepreneurs like Alex are achieving these days.
.-= Cemil´s last blog ..Finding Topics To Write About =-.
Nice blog, being 21…..i must admit that this also made me feel old(you guys are really with it). Have to say that I’m from Nakuru, Kenya in East Africa. (this should show you how far your blog is being read)
I agree with you. Working online is a great opportunity. Everything around you can be a potential topics for your blog (just as an example). In short, no trash at all. You just need to be creative in order to be successful.
We Just gotta find the courage to start and be consistent.
One of the hardest things to do is to act on blind faith. What I mean by that is, when we are working hard and dont see any results we tend to get disheartened and most people give up. Its the successful people that keep going until they see a result which then gives them more motivation and belief to carry on.
We don’t have to be at our goal to feel alive – we just need to make progress
.-= Aaron Darko´s last blog ..Matt Mickiewicz Interview – Making Sacrifices To Enjoy A Better Future =-.
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