Confilicting Advice

There are a lot of ways that people over-complicate the process of doing something awesome!

 Here's some shitty advice:

• You need money to start a business or change the world
• You need to write a business plan in order to succeed
• You have to have a degree in that field, or at least a degree in something
• You have to be experienced in your industry
• You have to interrupt people with your marketing
• You have to work really hard 
• You need to give up your life

The above menu of 'advice' is typically doled out as soon as you mention your little idea that will actually change the status quo and make a difference. Been there, I promise it's true. Now, to be honest there is some truth to each of these statements.

This, in my opinion (take it for what it's worth to you) is a better list of to-dos:

• You need to invest in your business or world-changing idea.
• You need to spend some money, but you need to have a reason for spending it. Don't let the bad advice people give you cause a panic in your heart! The amount of money you need can vary greatly and can be raised (I recommend you raise it by working) over time. It doesn't need to be raised in one lump sum
• Business plans are dumb. 
• Do what works for you. Never do something because somebody says you need to
• I clarified my goals and path by deciding what they were and doing them.
• It wasn't easy to just do it; it took a lot of beating myself up about making the 'right' decision, but I got there eventually
• Plan your own way. Pictures, videos, writing, whatever works. The point is that it works for you
• What does a degree qualify you for anyway?
• A piece of paper doesn't qualify you to do anything.
• Build a reputation instead by doing free work for people or volunteering with them and leading them.
• If the experience myth were true, nobody would do anything
• You gain experience by taking action over time. Period.
• The clock starts ticking when you take your first action.
• People like being engaged more than they like being interrupted
• Try finding people that need something or want to be led somewhere and help them!
• People will follow you and your message if you are generous, bold, and will take risks for them.
• You need to work hard doing something that inspires you
• Anything less will cause you to give up and possibly go bat-shit insane
• "Interest and energy both wax and wane." Timothy Ferris, The 4-Hour Workweek
• You need your inspiration and excitement to fuel your work.
• You don't need to be as generous as, or live like Mother Teresa
• For a long time I had a hard time with this, I still do. I'm human. I thought that figures like Mother Teresa were the only legitimate world-changers. And that I must emulate their lifestyle. NOT that I compare to her work in ANY way. She's a badass++. That's a double plus if you were wondering.
• I'm pretty sure (about 99%) that you don't need to give up your own personal happiness or satisfaction in order to change the world.

The point is, do what you have to do and be as giving as you can be. In the long run we're here to help you. Just drop us a line.