I was raised by a single mom and had no brothers.  I’m not sure whether these were contributing factors or not, but as a boy I never really acquired the character traits necessary to fit into the “tough guy” mold.  I played sports, including football and baseball, all through my school years and in college, but I was never the “bull,” I was more of the finesse guy on the field.  Despite excelling at tough sports I always felt like a coward around my more courageous friends.  It’s a tough slot in life to be a boy that is aware of his own cowardice.

I remember the day as a young adult when I figured out that I had what it took to be that “Man of Steel” when it was necessary.  I was at a concert with my sister and we had showed up early enough to a general admission concert to get three rows from the stage.  We were excited and ready for the show and when the first stroke of the guitar happened, all hell broke loose.  The crowd surge was unreal and out of control. After a few seconds of panic, I thought to look at my sister and I saw sheer terror in her eyes.

When I saw that, an animal in me was awakened and I scooped her up and began fighting our way out of the crowd.  Mr. T could’ve been standing in my way and I would’ve gone through him as well.  It was the moment that I knew I had what it took to protect myself and the people I love.  It was that knowledge that has served me from then on, and has also helped me shrug a childhood belief that served as a limitation in my life.

How does this relate to ONO or a Family First Entrepreneur?  We all have deeply personal limitations or belief systems that don’t serve us.  Usually we get through them as life forces us to confront them.  In the world of entrepreneurism, diving in involves choice.  As a result, many of us choose to do nothing.  I continually am asked, “How do I start?”  This is a huge question and because we all have different battles, the answer will vary from person to person.

The way I do it will be different than the next person.  So rather than trying to define it for you I will tell you there are several great books on this topic.  The magic is to identify there is a problem and then be willing to do what it takes to find a fix and get to work.  There is no pill for people that have a problem getting started, so if you find yourself in this category invest yourself in the solution and fill that gap with knowledge.  Secondly, if that doesn’t work, force yourself to do the first step, only that.  Then when you are there, force the second step, and so on.  You will learn that the magic of this is merely experience, that once you’ve done it, you can do it again.  So do it all ready.  I know that sounds insensitive but your kids and your sense of self confidence are waiting for you to get started.