Mementum

The days here in Jersey City have been brutal lately.

The day begins at 7am with a symphony of jack hammers restoring the area’s sidewalks for reasons unbeknownst to local residents. In a way it’s nice, though; the 3 or 4 hours proceeding it provide the small period of workable temperatures for those of us without air conditioned luxury.

But it’s the Summer nights that make you really appreciate the JC; the cool breeze whisping across our deck, the calm air free of sirens and honking horns, and the gentle skyline reminding me every night of humankind’s potential.

This juxtaposition of opposites matches the young entrepreneurial life as well, on both daily and larger scales. The emotional highs and lows, the feasts so quickly followed by the famines. It seems that just as soon as you reach new levels of success you’re faced with new levels of challenge, self-imposed hurdles, and personal questioning.

One of the greatest forces I’ve found that keeps things in balance is that of focus, in life and in business.

What is your core business; the core skill set that will create the most opportunity for you?

What is your definition of success and how will you know when you get there?

What are the kinds of projects and partnerships you’ll say “no” to?

There’s more, but you see where it goes. In my limited experience thus far though, much of this questioning leads to that last question. What will you say “no” to?

There are few periods of greater scarcity than while starting a business (much less two). If you don’t identify what an ideal opportunity looks like (and actively seek that – and only that – out), you’ll probably run out of juice before your greatness is realized.

I think that applies to everyone’s life, too, not just entrepreneurs.