Comments on: The Number One Question Entrepreneurs Forget to Ask http://artofgreatthings.com/2009/09/the-number-one-question-entrepreneurs-forget-to-ask/ Better Ways to Live, Work, and Change the World Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:27:59 -0500 hourly 1 By: John Sherry http://artofgreatthings.com/2009/09/the-number-one-question-entrepreneurs-forget-to-ask/comment-page-1/#comment-2291 John Sherry Tue, 18 May 2010 15:46:25 +0000 http://beyondfreelancing.com/?p=503#comment-2291 Cor Blimey Jeffrey what a question! I would never even contemplate that I could let people down consciously but there are plenty of scenarios and unwritten expectations that mean I most certainly could do that at some point. So I have taken a quick view and my response is I haven't prepared to let others down in what I did/didn't do, but I'm more concerned that I never let people down for who I am. Who is miles more damaging than what. Cor Blimey Jeffrey what a question! I would never even contemplate that I could let people down consciously but there are plenty of scenarios and unwritten expectations that mean I most certainly could do that at some point. So I have taken a quick view and my response is I haven’t prepared to let others down in what I did/didn’t do, but I’m more concerned that I never let people down for who I am. Who is miles more damaging than what.

]]> By: Jeffrey Tang http://artofgreatthings.com/2009/09/the-number-one-question-entrepreneurs-forget-to-ask/comment-page-1/#comment-231 Jeffrey Tang Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:42:47 +0000 http://beyondfreelancing.com/?p=503#comment-231 Whoops, nice catch, Patrick! I suppose I didn't mention loyal, dedicated employees as much as I really should have. Congratulations on the success of your company these 7 years - may you have many more to come :) Whoops, nice catch, Patrick! I suppose I didn't mention loyal, dedicated employees as much as I really should have. Congratulations on the success of your company these 7 years – may you have many more to come :)

]]> By: Patrick http://artofgreatthings.com/2009/09/the-number-one-question-entrepreneurs-forget-to-ask/comment-page-1/#comment-230 Patrick Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:39:20 +0000 http://beyondfreelancing.com/?p=503#comment-230 As an entrepreneur who previously failed a few times, I find that the group that I was hurt most by letting down is missing in your list... The employees. <br><br>They believed in my vision, invested themselves, poured their passion into the company, sometimes quit great jobs to join or had made plans for the future. Telling them I had failed them was one of the hardest things I had to do in my life...<br><br>Hasn't stopped me though, current company still going and looking good after 7 years :)<br>(In large part because I learned, and made sure to have backup plans, and take proper steps before it is too late, but I agree that setting proper expectations is quite important) As an entrepreneur who previously failed a few times, I find that the group that I was hurt most by letting down is missing in your list… The employees.

They believed in my vision, invested themselves, poured their passion into the company, sometimes quit great jobs to join or had made plans for the future. Telling them I had failed them was one of the hardest things I had to do in my life…

Hasn't stopped me though, current company still going and looking good after 7 years :)
(In large part because I learned, and made sure to have backup plans, and take proper steps before it is too late, but I agree that setting proper expectations is quite important)

]]> By: kye http://artofgreatthings.com/2009/09/the-number-one-question-entrepreneurs-forget-to-ask/comment-page-1/#comment-229 kye Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:37:53 +0000 http://beyondfreelancing.com/?p=503#comment-229 Jeffrey, I'm really moved by your comment. The feeling is mutual. Jeffrey, I'm really moved by your comment. The feeling is mutual.

]]> By: Jeffrey Tang http://artofgreatthings.com/2009/09/the-number-one-question-entrepreneurs-forget-to-ask/comment-page-1/#comment-227 Jeffrey Tang Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:45:08 +0000 http://beyondfreelancing.com/?p=503#comment-227 I believe that success is unsustainable if it isn't built on communication and honesty, no matter what industry you're in. And yes, that fine line makes all the difference. I believe that success is unsustainable if it isn't built on communication and honesty, no matter what industry you're in. And yes, that fine line makes all the difference.

]]> By: Jeffrey Tang http://artofgreatthings.com/2009/09/the-number-one-question-entrepreneurs-forget-to-ask/comment-page-1/#comment-228 Jeffrey Tang Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:43:25 +0000 http://beyondfreelancing.com/?p=503#comment-228 I completely agree, Charley. Having great relationships (like a wonderful family) is incredibly rewarding. I personally don't believe that you're limiting yourself at all - you've simply made a wise, rational decision based on what you value: the health, happiness, and well-being of the family you love. That's a pursuit of values if I ever saw one.<br><br>All the best to your triplets! If I can ever offer you any assistance, don't hesitate to ask! I completely agree, Charley. Having great relationships (like a wonderful family) is incredibly rewarding. I personally don't believe that you're limiting yourself at all – you've simply made a wise, rational decision based on what you value: the health, happiness, and well-being of the family you love. That's a pursuit of values if I ever saw one.

All the best to your triplets! If I can ever offer you any assistance, don't hesitate to ask!

]]> By: Links Around the Blogosphere – Just Do It! Edition http://artofgreatthings.com/2009/09/the-number-one-question-entrepreneurs-forget-to-ask/comment-page-1/#comment-226 Links Around the Blogosphere – Just Do It! Edition Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:25:39 +0000 http://beyondfreelancing.com/?p=503#comment-226 [...] Jeffrey Tang also wrote a great article this week on entrepreneurship and the approach one needs to take to develop the proper mindset.  When I write, I try to always ask myself, what can I do to be most helpful to my readers.  Jeffrey takes it a step further by teaching us to take a bolder approach.  The Number One Question Entrepreneurs Forget to Ask. [...] [...] Jeffrey Tang also wrote a great article this week on entrepreneurship and the approach one needs to take to develop the proper mindset.  When I write, I try to always ask myself, what can I do to be most helpful to my readers.  Jeffrey takes it a step further by teaching us to take a bolder approach.  The Number One Question Entrepreneurs Forget to Ask. [...]

]]> By: ckhicks http://artofgreatthings.com/2009/09/the-number-one-question-entrepreneurs-forget-to-ask/comment-page-1/#comment-225 ckhicks Fri, 04 Sep 2009 05:16:50 +0000 http://beyondfreelancing.com/?p=503#comment-225 Very insightful...there's a lot of pressure to succeed in the world of entrepreneurial exploits, and things get real when it's YOUR project/dream on the line. There's a fine line between "going for it" and making an "educated guess" here. I think you nailed it by emphasizing communication and honesty. How can we expect results unless we are willing to be honest with each other? Very insightful…there's a lot of pressure to succeed in the world of entrepreneurial exploits, and things get real when it's YOUR project/dream on the line. There's a fine line between “going for it” and making an “educated guess” here. I think you nailed it by emphasizing communication and honesty. How can we expect results unless we are willing to be honest with each other?

]]> By: Charley Forness http://artofgreatthings.com/2009/09/the-number-one-question-entrepreneurs-forget-to-ask/comment-page-1/#comment-222 Charley Forness Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:26:30 +0000 http://beyondfreelancing.com/?p=503#comment-222 I will also add that I would never trade that miracle of having my baby triplets for anything. This coming from an admittedly arrogant, reoovered self-centered, anti-family man. I changed and I wouldn't want to change back. I will also add that I would never trade that miracle of having my baby triplets for anything. This coming from an admittedly arrogant, reoovered self-centered, anti-family man. I changed and I wouldn't want to change back.

]]> By: Charley Forness http://artofgreatthings.com/2009/09/the-number-one-question-entrepreneurs-forget-to-ask/comment-page-1/#comment-223 Charley Forness Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:23:25 +0000 http://beyondfreelancing.com/?p=503#comment-223 I like how this post makes me think. We all have varying ways that we would answer that one question. Anastasiya is a mother of two, and also suffered the ill effects of her father's failed entrepreneurship. I am a new father of three, and I can tell you that parenthood definitely changes you. It stops being about you, and more about them. For me, I hold down the steady paycheck with the large corporation and I will do so until my side endeavors provide more income that my current job. My answer to that question differs because I don't want my children to suffer needlessly for my failures. <br><br>I still do those things I love, and I do in fact make some money at them. I've also built a good income from real estate holdings that I can rely on for several months should I lose my job. <br><br>I would like my kids to grow up and see that dad is doing what he loves and making money, just as I would hope to teach them that it is reasonably possible to do so. But I will always have multiple safety nets lying around so that they will never know needless suffering. <br><br>If I were single, I probably would have already quit my job and lived off my writing, gigging and real estate holdings. But for me, I have three preemies and a dependent spouse and I'm racking up over a million dollars in hospital charges (seriously, three babies in the hospital for over three months with multiple operations)that thankfully, my employer's health care plan covers, I definitely answer that question differently than the Single, unattached Charley Forness.<br><br>Great article, Jeffrey/<br><br>Namaste,<br>-Charley I like how this post makes me think. We all have varying ways that we would answer that one question. Anastasiya is a mother of two, and also suffered the ill effects of her father's failed entrepreneurship. I am a new father of three, and I can tell you that parenthood definitely changes you. It stops being about you, and more about them. For me, I hold down the steady paycheck with the large corporation and I will do so until my side endeavors provide more income that my current job. My answer to that question differs because I don't want my children to suffer needlessly for my failures.

I still do those things I love, and I do in fact make some money at them. I've also built a good income from real estate holdings that I can rely on for several months should I lose my job.

I would like my kids to grow up and see that dad is doing what he loves and making money, just as I would hope to teach them that it is reasonably possible to do so. But I will always have multiple safety nets lying around so that they will never know needless suffering.

If I were single, I probably would have already quit my job and lived off my writing, gigging and real estate holdings. But for me, I have three preemies and a dependent spouse and I'm racking up over a million dollars in hospital charges (seriously, three babies in the hospital for over three months with multiple operations)that thankfully, my employer's health care plan covers, I definitely answer that question differently than the Single, unattached Charley Forness.

Great article, Jeffrey/

Namaste,
-Charley

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