Thinking of Starting a Business | Being a Entrepreneur | Shailesh Tandel | Business Mentor | Life Coach | Time Management Coach | Relationship Coach | Empowerment | Discovering Yourself | Living Life Fully | Startup | Living Your Dreams

After enjoying the Sunday thoroughly it’s so boring even to get out of the bed on Monday morning. It’s kind of a punishment of being forced to wake up, or something against our will, etc., etc.

I never got bored of going to work on Monday because I didn't have the habit of avoiding work from the very beginning, so every day be it a Sunday or Monday was the same for me.

The reason for saying this is because on the occasion of Mahashivratri, I began my journey in the business world by starting my first venture 32 years ago on Monday 6^th March 1989.

At that time I was not even 20 years old. With no business experience and barely enough money to spend or invest, I jumped into the unknown.

It was not a leap of hope, but a belief in myself that I could do it and a willingness to work as hard as I could. It was a leap to get what one wanted and a determination not to turn back no matter what.

I was adamant then and still am that the business can be done honestly. The belief that I had once…
‘Because you are honest or good to people that the world will also be honest and good to you’, was soon shattered.
Even after that I never gave up honesty in order to behave the way others did or in a rage, but I certainly learned to behave in such a way that no one would dare to take advantage of me.

It may surprise you but I was very clear from the beginning that I want to touch the sky but by having my feet firmly on the ground. Maybe that's why the head never got filled with air. And whenever I felt it had entered, I emptied my head and lowered myself to the ground realities.

Faced many difficulties and hardships with a smile but did not cheated anyone even by mistake, maybe that is why I am still living happily with a broad smile on my face.

By the grace of God I got the opportunity to begin my business journey on the auspicious day of Mahashivratri but very frankly I chose that day as it was falling on Monday and unknowingly got blessed by Mahadev.

11 years ago, when we wanted to launch Searchlight Within, we chose to begin it on the Hindu new year day, Gudhi Padava. However, I am very proud of Hindu tradition and civilization and I chose that day after deciding to take the workshops in Marathi to begin with.

Taking stock of all that I have seen and experienced in the last 32 years, I can definitely say that I have gained a lot. Be it money, respect or people's love.

Usually people think of taking a little risk when they are past 40 years of age and have good work experience or have a lot of money in hand. If there is a return, they take more risk just like they do in the stock market. In fact, those who earn in the stock market are those who devote full time to that work and invest properly. Those who come in with the desire to make a lot of money when the market starts to go up usually rush out with whatever they can get when the market starts to crash; Often at a loss.

Getting into business is not like winning the lottery. On the other hand, where you used to work for 8/10 hours, you may have to be prepared to work for 15/16 hours a day. Monday, Sunday or resting etc. should be forgotten. Be it a day or night, doesn’t matter; you got to work relentlessly and may be working without getting paid for the first few years.

This is the time when possibly you are a lone fighter and completely on your own. There may not be anyone to help, or even to boost your morale in this phase until you succeed.

You may find people opposing your policies or actions but not every opposing person is your enemy. In fact, many people may be really caring about you. After all, not everyone can handle constant failure, so it's natural to have some concerns, and if there is no one has any sympathy for you then you don't even exist for them. And it should be a serious concern for you as you're not even in the public eye.

But cherish the person who stood by you like a god in all this crowd for the rest of your life. Because if it wasn't for that person, you probably wouldn't have reached where you are today.

Again, get into business only and only if you are willing to give your life for the purpose of accomplishing your life's desires. Otherwise get off the fence that you are stuck for the long time and be happy doing what you're comfortable with. Don't blow your lifetime earnings like fireworks.

It is true that you should be taking measured risks and not the blindfolded, but once the goal is set and once you enter the arena then there is no turning back, be it wrestling or a business. It’s okay to take steps backwards, but no matter what happens you shouldn’t be running away from that arena at any cost.

Get into the field only if your mind is prepared and at the same time, you will be able to know your own real strength only after getting on the field.

And there is no fun sitting on the fence anyway, isn't it?