This is in response to your blog comment

You said that it would be nice to here an episode where I would share some of the lows of starting out. As you can see, the episode you just listened to is episode 425 of Pursuing A Balanced Life. With the number of episodes that have been released, you might imagine that I’ve SHARED A LOT of my experience in the step by step process of doing this new career.

I’ve made an effort to not only share the “good times’ but ALSO THE BAD! There have been MANY episodes where I shared my struggles with getting this business off the ground.

In fact, I just looked in the archives and I easily found an episode titled “When Doubt Sets In.” This episode was only released to our gspn.tv Plus Members, but I’m providing the link to this episode here for you. Simply right-click the link below and save it to your computer.

http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-52775/TS-49675.mp3

And trust me, there are many more episodes that I have recorded that share the struggles I went through starting this business. In fact, I’m certain that there are at least two episodes that I broke down into tears in while recording.

(Please note: The episode linked above was recorded in 2008. Back then my rates were $50 per hour. As of November 1st, 2009, my rates are $150 per hour.

I know what you feel about trying to do too much up front. I’ve been there.

I know what you mean by feeling rather discouraged… I’ve been there! In fact, there were nights that I was so overcome with anxiety that I thought I was having a heart attack.

Feeling Burnt Out? Yep.. I’ve done that as well. When I first started this… I was working 12 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week. It was CRAZY!

But over time, I decided to lean on my faith and eventually came to the point where I decided to not work on Sundays anymore. When I did that, I actually became even more productive.

Realizing that you are doing things in the business that you don’t like to do? OH YEAH!!! For me, it’s accounting! Keeping track of Quarterly tax deposits, payroll, invoicing clients, etc, etc, etc… I can’t begin to tell you how many things I had to learn and didn’t have the best of teachers to help me! There were many frustrating things that I had to endure in the learning process.

I know what you mean that it makes sense to delegate many things to people who are skilled and do those things better but not being able to afford it at this time and taking it on yourself. I WAS THERE! In fact, there are still SEVERAL THINGS that I’m doing that I really need to hire someone else to do. I’m a control freak! And while things are looking good financially right now, it’s not at the point where I can afford to hire the help I need yet.

Yes indeed. I did a LOT of episodes of http://AlmostDailyDevotional.com where I share what God was teaching me through this process.

You asked a few questions…..

You wrote.. “I You nailed what you need to do this on the head. Can what you lack be learned?”

I believe that you must have a natural raw talent for what it is that the focus of your business is. You can grow in that area, but there should be raw talent there. In any area that is not directly a part of your area of focus, you can either learn the skills or hire someone to carry out those things.

I hired a CPA even before I could afford it. But I couldn’t do my business without his service. So there were many months that I paid him but didn’t pay myself.

You asked “Will it be worth it?”
That’s something that you have to answer for yourself. With my wife and I, we decided that even if we lost our home, it would be worth it. We knew that I NEEDED to do what I’m doing today. We were willing to sacrifice anything short of our faith, our marriage, and our children’s health and wellness. Outside of that, we would deal with any other circumstances that came our way.

When do you know that it’s time to call it quits?
Another question that depends on the individual. Again, for my wife and I, we were willing to give up A LOT to make this happen. I was COMPLETELY SOLD OUT to the idea that I HAD TO MAKE THIS WORK.

However, if things are not moving then it may be time to turn to some friends and wise business people for advice.

Is it worth going into debt to make it happen?
My personal answer is no debt. Now my first year of doing business, I had to actually withdraw $14,000.00 to pay myself for a few months in 2008. It actually COST ME MONEY to do business that first year. This wasn’t “debt.” I actually decided that I’d rather pay 20 to 25 percent in penalties and taxes to take the money from my pension rather than borrow money from a bank.

I do believe that business debt is slightly different than business debt. But I have strong personal convictions about ANY DEBT.

You wrote… “What do you do when you doubt the calling? ”
This is something I’ve NEVER DEALT WITH.. I doubted whether or not we were going to be able to put food on the table. I had never experienced more financial difficulties than I had after launching my business. But I NEVER doubted if this was what I was CALLED to do with my life. That certainty is what got us through all the difficult times.

You wrote… “Those are some of the topics you should dig deeper in with this.”
As I said, there are well over 400 episodes of this podcast available to our Plus Members. These episodes cover EVERY SINGLE STEP in my journey, even back to 2006 when I was podcasting as a hobby. All the questions you pose, all the thoughts you mentioned… All of that AND SO MUCH MORE have been covered in this podcast.

Have a listen to that episode I linked above and you’ll get a feel for the type of stuff I’ve shared…

I’ll be praying for you and Mike. Thank you so much for listening and I look forward to seeing you succeed in what God has planned for you!

In Christ,

Cliff

Good stuff. It would be nice to hear one on the lows of starting out. You really don’t hear people talking about the negatives, and the pain, stress and lack of income when you first start out. You really only hear about the highs and the positives. I realize you want to share the positives, and stay connected to positive people…BUT…for those of us that start to wonder if we made a mistake…it is good to hear from those who have made it, and to intimately share some of the struggles they went through up front.

We have been working at this business for a few months…probably trying to do too much up front. So, we feel rather discouraged, and burnt out.

But…on the same side, I know this is what we love to do, and want to make it work in my heart. Would like to see some money coming in.

You mention anxiety attacks…yup…having them! We are realizing I am doing things in this business start up that I don’t like to do…not my strengths or passion. But not able to pay someone to do some of the necessary up front tasks, we have to do them ourselves now.
I do see that I worry too much…and try to take control of things…so I have to give it to God and trust Him. It is a process.

Okay, I’m rambling…sorry.

You nailed what you need to do this on the head. Can what you lack be learned? Will it be worth it? When do you know that it’s time to call it quits? Is it worth going into debt to make it happen? What do you do when you doubt the calling? Those are some of the topics you should dig deeper in with this.

Good stuff though. Right on. Thanks for the encouragement…we will keep on keeping on.