Tweet version: “Starting a business is about providing value and making money. It’s not about blog readers, Twitter followers, or impressing friends.”
These words from Shakespeare describe many who claim the title of ‘entrepreneur.’
“…A walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.”
-Macbeth
They can be spotted at networking events, at parties, and online making lot of commotion and doing some serious talking about themselves and their experiences and ideas. But there’s little to no real business happening. The actions and results are lacking. It’s like playing pretend at entrepreneurship.
Business is about earning a living and adding value to the world and the people in it. It’s not about cocktail chatter or friends and followers, as fun as that can be.
Here’s the real problem. Some have latched on to this stuff as a plan, as a full-time occupation. They blog, tweet, email, network, scheme, and dream so that the attention comes pouring in.
There’s a market for sound and fury. Plenty of people will gladly trade some of yours for some of theirs. If that’s the currency you’re after, be advised: It has a lousy exchange rate.
Image by theparadigmshifter.
