Comments on: You Aren’t Authentic If You Don’t Stand For Something

By: Tara Joyce

Tara Joyce — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 01:55:23 +0000

Awesome. I am so glad to be of help to you, Zoe.

By: Zoe Mcduncan

Zoe Mcduncan — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 16:28:50 +0000

I would like to start my own business and so far everything I have read on your blog has been very helpful.

By: Tara Joyce

Tara Joyce — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:41:11 +0000

Thanks for the clarification, @jrandom42. I'll be sure to check out Penelope's blog.

And I like the analogy – “Money is the oxygen of business, if you aren't getting any, it causes the shutdown of all other systems and processes.”

By: Tara Joyce

Tara Joyce — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:40:32 +0000

A motto that I need to live by: “Instead of waiting for perfection, run with what you've got, and fix it as you go.” Too often I am frozen by the imperfection of my work but I am slowly learning that it doesn't have to be perfect from the start. More likely than not, even if it is 'perfect' it won't stay that way as things will evolve and change and what was once ideal will now seem obsolete.

Let's not even get started on what 'perfection' really means…

By: jrandom42

jrandom42 — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:30:20 +0000

Penelope is Penelope Trunk, the CEO of Brazen Careerist. Her own personal blog is: http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/ Just do a search on funding, and you'll see how it's been driving her crazy since November.
As for the business plan, far better to have a plan and not need it, than to need a plan and not have one.

Unfortunately, money does tend to dominate a startup because of one simple fact: Money is the oxygen of business, if you aren't getting any, it causes the shutdown of all other systems and processes.

By: gulliver

gulliver — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 03:13:50 +0000

'Debate?'

Ha! My role is much simpler... rock the boat.

There's many folk who, through uncertainty or timidity, miss much that would have been beneficial.

Plans are too often deceptive in suggesting 'things are ok, on course', simply because that was what was planned.

Titanic was also on course and 'where it was supposed to be at the time, knowing exactly where it was going'. That cost a lot of lives, and got us a bloody awful Celine Dion song (which, being a soppy sod I actually quiet like).

Would it have been better without a plan? Probably not. But that's not my point.

Often, those with a plan then try to hone it. Maybe that's smart, maybe it's not. I don't really care - as I said, my 'rock the boat' role is to encourage people to think, rather than simply follow someone's advice (particularly mine).

'Do it, then fix it as you go' is a good point from Paul Arden: 'Too many people spend too much time trying to perfect something before they actually do it. Instead of waiting for perfection, run with what you've got, and fix it as you go.'

'Get good at what you do, work hard, keep your wits about you' - that's my advice.

And don't get me started on 'goals'...

;-)

By: Tara Joyce

Tara Joyce — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 00:20:13 +0000

Thank you for much kind words, Kara. It means so much to know that you
connect with my thoughts. I feel so honoured to have the opportunity
to share my ideas with my fellow innerpreneurs. Thank you for reading.

By: Kara Sorensen

Kara Sorensen — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:49:33 +0000

Hi Tara,

I just wanted to write and let you know how much I am enjoying reading your posts. Your writing is so targeted, honest and insightful. I always learn something new, even if it's just a slight shift in perspective (sometimes, those are the best!). Thank you for sharing, I'll be back :-)

Best,

Kara Sorensen
@karasorensen

By: Tara Joyce

Tara Joyce — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:37:19 +0000

"There are three types of ends that people pursue:
1)Goals: those ends that we can expect to attain within the period covered by planning.
2)Objectives: those ends that we do not expect to attain within the period planned for but which we hope to attain later, and toward
which we believe progress is possible within the period planned for.
3)Ideals: those ends that we believe to be attainable but towards which we believe progress is possible during and after the period
planned for."

Fantastically interesting and so true. I think it'll be the topic of another post.

By: Tara Joyce

Tara Joyce — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 00:33:57 +0000

I'm not sure who Penelope is but I absolutely agree that planning is necessary at every stage of a business. No arguments here. I would however argue that a business plan is not necessary. A business plan doesn't guarantee profitability any more than no business plan guarantees failure. A clear purpose, which includes money generation, and steady action towards it is the best guarantee I can think of.

Create something of purpose that you are passionate about and authentically exhibit it's value to your ideal clients - that's my business plan of choice.

Thanks for challenging me. I enjoy it;)