Hi everyone,
I don’t know how this question fits because I cannot find anything online that correlates depression with starting a business.
Basically I’m starting up my own business because I’m so tired of taking crap and abuse from employers and co-workers in my life. I’ve done it for too long and am trying to find my own way out. I’d like to think I’m actually providing something of value besides just hating taking orders.
So I guess so far it’s been okay but a very slow start still.
I wont have funds forever and I see myself becoming less and less employable. Time does not really seem to be on my side here.
Anybody have these kinds of problems?
Alot of days I just want to end it all. Still here I am.
3 comments
Stress correlates to starting a business, it’s pretty much the most stressful job in modern capitalism (depending on the business, naturally). I don’t envy you the task. Starting a business tests simultaneously knowledge of market, ability to perform and customer service. When you are your entire business it feels a little mad as you try and do all the tasks that need doing.
I keep wanting to go back to “it’s only money”, but that cliche won’t help. Instead try “Don’t ruin your health, it is a more expensive loss than you realize.”
You are of value, the fact that you are willing to try and innovate and work hard enough to start a business shows a level of ambition that is heavily lacking in the current working world.
You need an exit plan, and not for life but for your business. There needs to be a point at which you’ve invested all that you can and you need to go back to working for someone else. That’s not the end of the story for you, hopefully you’re learning to be a better business owner and gaining skills along the way. Almost every successful business owner has a few failed businesses in their history.
If it isn’t for you, then that’s okay too. It isn’t for me unless I have no other choice. I’ve owned a small (microscopic) business, and both of my parents tried their hands at it too. They still made more working for someone else, and though it is humbling to realize that not everyone is suited for something, that is an example of the lessons people learn from starting businesses.
Sales is a tough job, it’s about smiling when you feel like crying and doing good self care in the meantime. It’s an acting job, and a tough one. When I was younger (and mind you I’m still relatively young) I learned in sales training that there are always a certain amount of people saying “No” that a salesperson has to hear before getting to the “Yes.” It’s a rough thing to work through, but a certainty that eventually as you tweak your product and your pitch someone will catch on. Then you know what works, and you’ll spend time figuring out how to get to yes with more customers.
I’m not trying to sound like an inspirational speaker, because I’ve been there and stopping trying to build the business I was working on was a good decision. There’s a time to quit, you just have to do it in such a way that it doesn’t destroy you.
Hey heartless viking.
I appreciate your story.
Please don’t take this the wrong way, I’m even glad I’m here talking to anyone about this issue I’m facing even if you suggest I quit in the long run.
However, I am not the type to quit, yet I’m still the type to get suicidal. I know, some sort of ambivalence issue I got going on. This is me talking to you on a good day. Apathy and grief; the usual suspects, on a bad day.
My only exit strategy I could live with is building a system/business that allots me a percentage of the company revenue for the rest of my life instead of working for another.
I cannot work for others because I’ve done so for so long and all I get are crumbs and a low level position just to survive. I know this topic can go a bit deeper. I know I should be grateful, but I see people soaring I’ve known in my life and I’m still struggling.
I know I can’t change your opinion of me but it is good to come here to discuss these kinds of issues not really discussed on the web.
Basically, I cannot work for others under many conditions. There would be exceptions but that also is another story.
But the gist of it is, in my situation it’s either work for others or do your own thing. And I think I would kill myself if I worked for someone again without taking a good shot at business.
Yet even while running the business there are times I want to end it all but it does make me a feel a little better.
A stalled business can mean anxiety, to be sure. The good news is, depending on the business model, the internet tools, mobile phones, and computer based tools we have now let a business of even one person have resources that only a sizable or least decently profitable business could have had say twenty years ago.