Entrepreneurial life: Succeed or succumb

Dr Sumedha Kushwaha
With hope but anxiety and courage but lots of self-doubt, few people take a leap of faith to start their own business. These could be for-profit companies, private limited firms or not for profits, social enterprises as they are fashionably called nowadays. At the beginning of this adventure, there is dearth of financial, social and emotional support. There is so much at stake that the repercussions of being at a loss tend to take away focus from the goal. It is our dear mind during this time which plays so skilfully.   
  On one side is the fear of failure which hovers over you before the process even begins and on another side is the day dreaming part which is a perceived joy of success that hasn’t even happened. And honestly, that tug of war is fairly common between both amateurs and tycoons. Everyone has sweaty hands and a pulsating heart when it comes to signing the final game changing deal. Being an entrepreneur puts you at so much risk. But gradually and hopefully if it starts picking up well - the social and financial parts are taken care of. But, the emotional and mental health remains barren.   
  For someone who has just started, nearly everything is at stake from relationships, family life, social life, your college degrees and years of hard work to what not. But still the passion for working and the satisfaction gained from those hours of team discussions, busy client meetings, series of calls, travel related to work, the friends and foes that we make on our journey, the endless To-Do-Lists - makes it all interesting. The dream that you have will  not let you sleep, you aren’t hungry for food anymore, you dress to impress daily - it’s another level of joy. And no matter what the turnover is, what numbers your ITR shows at the end of the financial year - no one can steal the confidence that comes with it, no one can match the decision making power you get after making wrong decisions,  no one can understand that feeling when you fall and get up yourself.
  A lot of people are not able to fulfil their highest potential because the comfort zone is so comfortable. Do not know though how rewarding it is? The belief that comes from within us is so unshakeable that sometimes when people outside are even cursing you, stopping you, trying to tell you how hard and difficult the time is- it all seems orchestrating like music. Music that is soothes and heals you. Work is worship, karma is the only dharma. So many of us during this time of pandemic must be feeling low. You could be a middle aged businessman whose orders haven’t reached yet or a class 12th student whose future is at stake or someone who just started a factory in January or a sportsperson who practiced the entire year for games which are cancelled this year or a government servant who hopes to come back home safely everyday - please don’t lose hope. This time will pass soon with whatever damage it has to do. Make sure to let it  not touch you too deep that it leaves an ugly scar. 
  Work will start pacing up gradually. Do a lot of self-talk - just sit down in a corner of your room or walk on your terrace and ask yourself how you are feeling. Do an emotional catharsis and write down on a piece of paper on what were the best and worst things that happened during these two months and what did you learn. Shout out and dance vigorously if you feel really choked up. Not to forget, if you feel the losses are taking a toll, cry your heart out in the bathroom. Just let it go. 
  Take help of your friends, parents, spouses, children to heal. It’s okay to feel low. But you have all the power to change dust into gold. Lift your chin up high, walk confidently and dress up brightly. Focus on the positives in life and just be happy that you are reading this article comfortably with your cup of tea because for so many others across the globe, last night was actually their last night.

The writer is Assistant Professor, Public Health Dentistry, RIMS, Imphal. Founder and General Secretary, ATTAC Society