Comments on: It’s Not All About Money—Building a Business is your Chance to Make a Difference

By: Migration Mark

Migration Mark — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 09:44:24 +0000

Sounds like an awesome book man.
I’m still pushing to do things that I am good at and things that I have passion for. If you are happy with your job (or lack of it), have awesome friends, make a difference for others, and are able to do some of the things you enjoy (travel for me), you are as good as a millionaire in my eyes.

By: AJ

AJ — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:09:14 +0000

I agree with the idea that its not just about making money. Money is not a guarantee for happiness. It’s doing what you love to do, rather than what you have to do.

Following your dreams, is not easy. It takes passion, dedication and hard work. But only those who really really want it follow this path.

Hence, being a real entrepreneur is not about how quickly you raise your bank balance, its about how good of a change you brought in.

Good post

By: John Bardos

John Bardos — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 04:49:33 +0000

Great article as usual Cody.

I think the problem that many people have is that they don’t really want to work. The goal for most is to retire now then do nothing with the rest of their days.

Starting a business or working on a cause that you care about takes hard work and dedication and quite frankly, most people are not willing to put in the effort.

To real entrepreneurs, living a great life is about working crazy hours and sacrificing to get their own unique ideas into the marketplace. Entrepreneurs are not deferring their dreams for some fantasy utopia in the future. They are doing what they love everyday. Most successful business people with the means to retire comfortably could never just sit around and do nothing. They will always have a need to get started on the next project. Working hard and making a contribution to the world is their dream, so they live it everyday.

However, I think that the vast majority of people will never understand that work ethic. As Thom points out, that is different than trying to chase easy, passive income. In my view a great life is not about quitting work and doing fun things everyday. As you point out, that is not what Komisar is talking about, either.

Real entrepreneurship is about changing the world. Great things do not happen with 4 hour work weeks. Many people mistake following your passions with quitting work and having fun. Passionate entrepreneurs still work hard. And they probably always will be putting in that effort. The satisfaction of bringing ideas into the world is worth the effort.

By: Thom

Thom — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:24:53 +0000

As Guy Kawasaki says, “make meaning”. Entrepreneurship – successful entrepreneurship – relies on people with belief and a mission to change things, not people trying to scrape some cash out of an online business or MLM. There’s a big difference between wanting to be (or being) entrepreneur and wanting to have your own business so you don’t have to work for someone else. I’m not saying that the latter is wrong, just that – as this article points out – there’s a difference there and it’s one worth being aware of when you’re starting out.

By: Greg Rollett

Greg Rollett — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:05:06 +0000

Trusting your opinions here – copped the book for a plane ride to NYC in 2 weeks.

All joking aside I am sure the book is great and the advice is solid as always. To answer your question at the end, I think one of the easiest and most difficult ways to turn your passion into a business or income is through education. Teaching in today’s age is not about government funded education and SAT scores, but about sharing things that help others become successful at something. If you are that person, teach. If you can create value, you can create income. That’s just my 2 cents and how I am monetizing my life.

By: Liz @ ExtremeTelecommute

Liz @ ExtremeTelecommute — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:26:24 +0000

Oh, how many times have I heard that! “Wow, I’d love to do what you do BUT…”

My dad summed up the danger of a deferred life: “You know, most people work all of their lives so that they can have their dreams–but they lose them along the way. Live your dreams while you’re young or you’ll miss your life along the way.”

…or something like that.
BTW I love your blog!

By: Liz @ ExtremeTelecommute

Liz @ ExtremeTelecommute — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:22:55 +0000

Oh, how many times have I heard that! “Wow, I’d love to do what you do BUT…”

…or something like that.

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:35:57 +0000

Ya the idea of a deferred life plan scares the crap out of me. Yesterday I heard a guy at a table beside me saying something along the lines of how he would rather be hugely stressed for the next 15 years in order to earn a lot of money and retire at 45 than spend the next 30 years being moderately stressed making not so much money and retiring at 60. I don’t even think it crossed his mind that maybe there is somehting out there that he will actually enjoy. It was a depressing thought.

I’ve been fortunate as my hobby has turned into an income earner. I don’t make loads but it gives me enough to do what I want… travel on a budget and volunteer all over the world. And when I do have to work it’s ok because I’m truly passionate about what I do. Win win!

I think that guy should consider spending a bit of time looking for his passion rather than resigning himself to 15 years at a crap job for a payoff later.

By: Nate

Nate — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:30:05 +0000

Very cool post. This book looks awesome I just put it in my books to buy folder. I like his thoughts on the ‘deferred life plan.’ That plan sucks, and I don’t know why so many people follow it.