Strong Work, you’re a Rockstar! 

Based on your responses, you’ve been working towards your entrepreneurial path for a long time. Your intellectual curiosity and drive to create, means you likely already have several fully formed ideas that are ready for market. What’s more, you have the skills and knowledge base necessary to nurture those ideas and grow a successful business.

But, perhaps most importantly, you have the constitution necessary to create, launch, and lead a business. You seek out challenges, you’re viewed by colleagues as a leader, you’re great at rallying others to your cause and can motivate them to do their best work. You understand the sacrifices needed to truly get your business off the ground. Because here’s the dirty little secret about being an entrepreneur: it’s hard, and it will demand more from you than most expect. Being aware of those demands and knowing that you’re prepared to meet them, no matter what it takes, means you’re ready to take the leap.

So, what are you waiting for? Hesitation is understandable, and in many cases, failure is inevitable, but if you’re like many physicians, burnout either looms large or burdens you daily. You know what they say about too much of a good thing. The good news is, choosing to become the entrepreneur you know you can be doesn’t mean you have to give up being a physician or that you’re a bad physician. In fact, becoming an entrepreneur will make you a better physician—and person. A new project to focus your energies and explore new passions will give you a new lease on your professional life.

As you prepare for this next big step, just let go of the fear. Regardless of whether your venture succeeds or fails, you are still building, learning, and developing new skills. As Michelangelo once said, “Ancaro impar”—I am still learning. Whatever the outcome, you will be better prepared for your next project.

For an overview of some of the issues facing today’s entrepreneurs, take a look inside my book, Entrepreneur Rx: A Physician’s Guide to Starting a Business. To get your copy now, click here. If you like what you see and want to discuss what your next steps are, reach out today.

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John Shufeldt is helping physicians bridge the gap between their medical expertise and entrepreneurial dreams. Connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.