Summary

The article emphasizes that success in a one-person business stems from passion, self-improvement, embracing discomfort, managing emotions, and rejecting conventional societal norms, rather than relying on traditional measures of intelligence, attractiveness, or wealth.

Abstract

The author argues that starting a successful solo business does not require one to be exceptionally smart, attractive, or wealthy. Instead, it necessitates a deep-seated obsession with one's work, a commitment to continuous self-improvement, and a willingness to step outside of one's comfort zone. The piece suggests that personal growth is directly linked to business growth and that managing one's emotions is crucial for long-term success. It also celebrates individuality and non-conformity, asserting that those who reject traditional societal programming are often the ones who drive progress and innovation. The article encourages readers to leverage their unique experiences and perspectives to fuel their entrepreneurial journey.

Opinions

Intelligence is not the primary determinant of success in entrepreneurship; instead, a burning passion and obsession for one's work are key.
Success in a one-person business is a result of daily, incremental self-improvements rather than big, one-time achievements.
Comfort is seen as an enemy of growth, with the author advocating for continuous challenge and risk-taking in pursuit of business success.
Emotional management is highlighted as a critical skill for entrepreneurs, with the suggestion that unchecked negative emotions can hinder progress.
The article praises those who defy societal expectations and norms, suggesting that such individuals are often the catalysts for significant change and successful business ventures.
The author promotes the idea that any niche interest or obsession can be transformed into a viable business opportunity in the age of the internet.
The piece concludes with a call to action, encouraging readers to start their one-person business today, leveraging their unique advantages and experiences.

Why You Don’t Need To Be Smart, Sexy, or Wealthy To Start Your One-Person Business

#5: You reject the traditional programming of society.

Intelligence is overrated.

I’ve got friends who have every advantage in life. They come from a non-broken family, their parents are well-educated, and they’ve grown up upper-middle-class with private education.

They’ve got unfair life advantages. But I ain’t complaining.

I see my immigrant, working-class background as an advantage.

Why? Because from a young age, I realized I had to hustle to get anywhere in life. I had no talent. I had no status. I wasn’t blessed with money or had parents who could open doors for me.

But that’s why I’ve achieved outsized success despite my humble upbringing.

Building a successful one-person business goes way beyond your looks and smarts. Here’s what you need instead.

#1: A burning obsession that keeps you awake at night

Writing occupies my waking thoughts.

My curiosity is like an adrenaline shot. When I’ve got an idea, concept, or thought, I can’t stop thinking about it. It sets up camp and refuses to leave. My mind will think about this idea until I resolve it.

A one-person business is simply the conversion of your obsessions.

If you only start a one-person business for the money or status, you’ll quit well before you achieve either of those things. I’ve been writing for over 4 years on Medium until I reached this point.

Become obsessed with something you love. Let it consume you.

With the internet, you can turn any niche obsession into a viable business. Through blogs, podcasts, or YouTube videos, there is an audience for anything.

If you have no obsession, you have no one-person business.

#2: Relentless desire for marginal self-improvement

I am slut for growth.

I have an endless budget to invest in books, courses, community, and coaching. I’ve never regretted doing a course. Reading a book. Even if I only get 1 idea. That’s all I need.

Your rate of growth in your one-person business will never exceed your rate of personal growth.

Success does not come from big leaps. Or one-off occurrences. Success is not an event, it’s a daily process.

Success comes from the accumulation of marginal gains. The 1% actions you take to improve yourself.

Self-growth = business growth

#3: A discomfort with comfort

Comfort is a liability to your growth.

Comfort kills ambition.
Comfort kills risk-taking.
Comfort creates a mediocre life.

We live in a world where comfort has been weaponized.

I am proud of my life, but I am never satisfied.

I’ve completely let go of the notion that I’ll stop when I achieve a goal. Or when I make this amount of money. Truthfully, I never plan to stop. I never want to feel comfortable for more than a couple of weeks at a time.

Humans are made to walk uphill.

Starting a one-person business is one of the most uncomfortable things you will do. You’ll be challenged. You’ll be pushed. You’ll want to quit.

BUT…

If you can embrace that discomfort. If you can lean into challenges. If you can keep going again and again, it’s only a matter of time before your business takes off.

Get (un)comfortable.

#4: If you don’t manage your emotions, they will manage you.

Don’t suppress emotions. Learn to manage them.

Imagine how much more successful you would be if you weren’t anxious, resentful, or angry all the time. These emotions might have helped you get started. They are useful fuel to take off.

But don’t rely on them for a long period of time.

Anger is a poison you drink hoping your enemy dies.
Resentment destroys relationships.
Anxiety robs you of your present.

Most entrepreneurs invest in coaching when they should invest in therapy.

Learn to empty the emotional minefield between your ears.

#5: You reject the traditional programming of society.

It’s the misfits, the outcasts, and the losers who have changed the world.

They had weird upbringings. Colourful sex lives. And questionable taste in fashion. But that’s what made them successful.

Steve Jobs lived as a college hippie for most of his 20s.
Kevin Kelly spent most of his 20s and 30s ‘goofing off.’

But why do the rebels seem to change the world?

Well, it’s simple really:

If you think the way everyone thinks, you’ll create a business that’s boring.

As George Bernard Shaw once said:

‘The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”

When you find yourself on the side of the majority, pause and reflect — Mark Twain.

Lean into your weirdness. Embrace your oddities.

Let’s wrap it up here

Being smart means f*ck all when you start a one-person business.

I know so many smart people who are lazy or let their fears and insecurities stop them.

You’ve already got the advantages you need to succeed in your one-person business.

Get started today.

Grab your FREE copy of my short e-book — 50 Short But Practical Life Lessons I’ve Learned From Reading 100+ Self-improvement Books