One of the options for anyone wanting to change career is to be an entrepreneur. One of the things that stops people from even thinking about becoming an entrepreneur is the idea that it’s a young person’s game, that anyone over 30 has no chance. A couple of weeks ago I was at an internet marketing seminar where I swear the average age was about 60. They clearly thought you could become an entrepreneur later on in life.
Yesterday, this great email arrived in my inbox from one of my mentors, Neil Asher. Neil has a Digital Marketing Agency, called RoarLocal. They do an amazing job on the digital marketing front, with a powerful command of the best ways to attract traffic and sell your wares, and if you’re looking for help in that department, they are well worth talking to, or at least following. Neil is a living, breathing, example of career success as an entrepreneur. He has spent a lot of time studying what works in business, both in terms of practical strategies and mindset. This one is all about mindset.
So let’s hear it from Mr Asher. It’s a great read.
“Last week I turned 42
As usual I spent the day with family and friends and lay awake at night contemplating life and my place in it.
This habitual philosophising has become a hallmark of my birthdays and I’ve found it an interesting intellectual exercise.
This time however I got to thinking about getting older and being an entrepreneur as I age.
I know many of my friends who work in jobs have thought about breaking free and starting their own business and so I thought I’d share some insights into slaying the “I’m too old to start a business” dragon that lurks in us all.
First up, for many of us (myself included) the first thing we’ll try is rational thought, we’ll try and reason with ourselves.
Just know that this will NEVER work…
Shrinks spend years with patients trying to get them to be more rational about their lives with little effect.
Instead, know that the super ego inside your head is the scolding parent’s voice, or the dark asshole living inside you who refuses to allow you to claim victory for anything (or to ever feel pretty, or competent, or anything above the pure shame of being a flawed, horrible person).
That’s the voice that rises in volume late at night and during times of self doubt… and yes, it really is trying to crush your spirit.
Nobody truly understands why our “brain software” has this quirk in it. Sociopaths don’t have it, which is how they rise so quickly to powerful positions in business, politics and life.
They’re operating with shameless (and often ethical-less) efficiency, while the good people around them struggle with feelings of inadequacy and shame.
You can’t “think” your way around this voice. You gotta just roll up your sleeves and deal with it like you would a home invader — with viciousness and ruthless counter-moves.
Step One: Identify the voice, separate it from the other random chatter in your head, and give it form — I imagine mine as a snake in a suit, a truly despicable creature who’s just trying to ruin things. Giving the voice a “shape” makes it easier for the following steps.
Step Two: Confront the little bastard. This is a Jungian tactic for nightmares (“turn and face what’s chasing you”) that understands how our fears shrivel under close inspection. Turn to your invading snake (or whatever form you’ve made the voice into) and say, quote: “Shut the fuck up!” In your mind’s eye, move into the snake’s space and back the little creep up into the wall.
Step Three: Now imagine either a closed door or a big soundproof box. Force Mr Snake into it, and lock it up. Don’t even imagine a muffled sound coming out — he’s completely locked away, out of sight and mind.
Step Four: Get on with your pursuit of specific goals.
Sounds too simple to work, doesn’t it. Get over your doubts — this is professional-level brain management. (And yes, it works with nightmares, too.)
You won’t banish your fears forever — they’ll get out and try to slip into the conversation again tomorrow, or even an hour later. Doesn’t matter — you simply go through the process again. And again. And again, as many times as you need to until his absences get longer and his reappearances more brief.
It’s just a voice. A nasty voice that knows how to wound you, but plays no proactive role in your pursuit of a good life.
You do not “risk” any damage to yourself whatsoever by doing all this. You won’t turn into a sociopath (and you wouldn’t even need to know about this process if you were one already, as you wouldn’t even HAVE Mr Snake hanging around in the first place).
He’s not performing some secret vital function for you — he’s pure non-essential crap, like crumbs in your keyboard that play no positive role, yet show up frequently (especially if you eat at your desk, like most entrepreneurs do), and just need to be pounded out of the keys occasionally so you can get back to your work without the keys sticking.
I give you permission to use this tactic immediately. It works every time. You may need to get good at it, and Mr Snake may be better than you at escaping right now, but you can overcome that with a dedicated effort.
Good luck.
Oh, and the idea that there is some sort of benchmark age you should quit trying to become an entrepreneur is nonsense. Only in the rise of Hollywood over the last century has the idea that being young is essential to being creative taken hold. It’s bullshit. Older and wiser beats younger and dumber every time. The ONLY thing youth wins at is stuff that requires quick physical recovery or lack of regular sleep.
Extra Tip: Sleep is your friend. When I get sleep deprived, I feel actual depression coming on. A quick nap obliterates it… which means the “down” feeling was nothing more than my internal system feeling drained. Sleep conquers almost all the ills short of serious sickness.
Now get out and enjoy your weekend!
Neil”
If you want to know more about how to have a career success mindset,
check out my ebook, How To Have A Career That Really Works For You.
