The Dream — by Dan Lynn
By Dan Lynn
Ever since I started working, I dreamt about having my own business. I'd actually lay awake at night trying to come up with the idea. I told everyone I met that some day I would have my own business. Every time I wrote down my goals, owning my own business was at the top of the list. I went into sales at AT&T because "some day I was going to have my own business and would need to understand sales." I went back and got my MBA because "some day I was going to have my own business and an MBA would be valuable." When I left AT&T to go to ADP's small business group it was to "be around small businesses and meet small business owners because some day I am going to have my own business."
Now, don't get me wrong, I liked working for big companies. At the end of the day, they spent a lot of money training me. And, I was actually good at working for big companies. My bosses seemed to like me, I always had an impact, and I was promoted at a fairly rapid pace. However, I'd lay awake almost every night in pain. I wanted to have my own business so badly that it actually hurt.
Why?
I don't know. I was always fascinated with the idea. Not sure if it was because I hate to be told what to do. Not sure if it was because several distant members of my family were entrepreneurs - so I had it in my blood. Not sure if I just wanted to have control over my own destiny. Don't know. But what I do know is that I have always had an incredible burning desire to have my own business.
I was always amazed that other people didn't feel the same. However, now I know that there are actually 3 groups of people. First, those who have no desire to have their own business. This is actually a very large group. Gallup puts it at about 35% of the population. Second, those who say they would love to have their own business but will never do it. This is actually the largest group. It is about 52% of the population. Then, finally, those who actually start their own businesses. That's about 10% of the population.
My goal was not only to be a major force behind starting and building at least one great business, but also to motivate and help others do the same. I accomplished the first part, being a major force in starting and building a great business. As far as the second part, that's why I built KeyLearnings.ai. If you're in that 52%, the people who want it and haven't done it yet, I want to motivate and help you accomplish your dream too. Many of the great lessons in KeyLearnings.ai are for you.
Questions this Key Learning answers
How do I know if starting a business is truly my calling?
The author’s desire survived time, promotions, security, and success at large companies. He repeatedly shaped his career and education around eventually owning a business. Our analysis suggests that this persistence can distinguish a durable calling from a passing attraction: certain work feels tied to identity, even when its origin is difficult to explain.
Is it normal not to want to start my own business?
Yes. The author came to recognize that many people have no desire to own a business, even though he once found that hard to understand. Our analysis emphasizes that not feeling this pull is no deficiency. A calling is personal rather than universal, and entrepreneurship is not something everyone should feel compelled to pursue.
What do I do if I keep postponing starting a business?
The author describes a large group of people who want their own business but never begin. Our analysis notes that fear, uncertainty, and a comfortable present can keep the ambition hypothetical. If the desire persists, the lesson is to test it with one real commitment and ask, “Will I regret never finding out?”