The stream of consciousness ramblings of a young entrepreneur…

So over the past few weeks, I’ve been spending a lot more time reading and trying to really figure out HOW I’m going to accomplish becoming truly successful.  I’ve got an extremely diverse background with emphasis in a few key areas.  That’s all great…but every day still feels like treading water, occasionally getting a mouthful…  I need to reach a point where I am comfortably sitting on a life preserver on top of the water; it doesn’t even need to be a boat yet!  Gotta start somewhere right!?  Haha!  What do I feel is the magic step to finally climbing aboard that life preserver?  Focus…

As those close to me know, over the past year, I’ve been going in 20 different directions.  The joke is, Don’t ask Marcus what he does for a living, ask him what he doesn’t do…  Most of my friends I grew up with have all graduated college, beginning their first few years in their lifelong 9-5 jobs or have chosen the route of procuring a post-graduate degree.  I decided to take the more challenging path…I’m one of the only ones in my circle who’ve managed to secure their income without taking the typical 9-5 route.  While some may look at this and respond - “WOW!  That’s phenomenal…” - trust me folks, there’s definite moments when I wish I had the stability & security of 9-5.  Now that I’ve been going through this for a few years now, it’s easier to sit back and review what made me successful and what failed to help me succeed. I’ve spoken with several individuals that I hold in high regard, individuals whom I consider successful in one form or another - professional or personal.  Most of these individuals have a substantial understanding of my life as it is today and they all agree when I bring up this subject.  I have put so much emphasis on sustenance and sustainability that I have lost the focus I need to be truly successful and get past this phase of entrepreneurship.

My biggest challenge today though is the one thing most every “life coach” would agree with, I’ve lacked a single minded focus for the past few years.  I’ve been sourcing revenue from 20 different opportunities rather than building on one focal point.  I am currently work on an ongoing contract basis with 5 different companies and am working on starting a few other opportunities right now.  Insane right!?  Well - the hardest part is done - I’ve already looked through everything I have going on right now and decided what my single most important focal point opportunity will be…  My ultimate goal and focal point for my efforts and energy.  The rest are a means of sustenance until my main is able to pick up the slack.

How do I plan on achieving that?  Systematically eliminating each individual distraction or opportunity that takes me away from focusing on my primary focal point.  Over the coming months, I need to generate enough sustenance so that I can begin migrating from 20 projects “moderately accomplished” to 10 projects “well done” and ultimately to sub-5 projects “flawlessly executed.”

By January 2009 I want to be able to fully sustain myself and my business partner (he’s married with 2 kids nonetheless!) solely on the efforts and growth of our current project.  I hope that those close to me can stick it out with me - it’s going to be a long year!

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