I hear similar reasons all the time that discourage would-be entrepreneurs from behaving entrepreneurially—starting business ventures, non-profits, or just projects they enjoy. This series helps you overcome the top ones I hear. Click on the entries in the Table of Contents to the left to see the posts in the series.

Entrepreneurship isn’t for everyone, but if it’s for you or your business, counterproductive myths don’t help you. Successful entrepreneurs succeed despite them, so they probably don’t fall for them. I described the myths and countered them with productive beliefs that motivate people to start ventures.

Starting companies and entrepreneurial ventures is one of my greatest joys. If you sense it could be yours too, I hope this helps.

The four counterproductive myths in this series.

1. You need a great idea to start a business.
2. Working for an established company helps prepare you for starting a venture.
3. I should make some more money before starting my venture.
4. Starting a venture is riskier than working at an established firm.

The four productive beliefs:

1. Better than a great idea is a decent idea, the ability to listen to your market, and flexibility.
2. Starting a venture prepares you best for starting a venture.
3. You can venture with other people’s money if money is an issue and you can make money while you start your venture.
4. The risk to the entrepreneur of starting a venture can be as small as he or she wants.

Table of contents

• Four counterproductive myths about entrepreneurship, part I
• Four counterproductive myths about entrepreneurship, part Ia
• Four counterproductive myths about entrepreneurship, part II
• Four counterproductive myths about entrepreneurship, part III
• Four counterproductive myths about entrepreneurship, part IV
• Four productive beliefs about entrepreneurship, part I
• Four productive beliefs about entrepreneurship, part II
• Four productive beliefs about entrepreneurship, part III
• Four productive beliefs about entrepreneurship, part IV

• ← Four myths that discourage you from entrepreneurship and how to overcome them—The Series
• Read KQED’s story about Joshua Spodek adopting inquiry-driven project-based learning at NYU-Poly →