Great post and I couldn’t agree more. I work in the entrepreneurial community and from time to time hear/read those “go for it” speeches. Rarely however, do you hear real world speeches (at least from the paid speakers) covering the risks and trials you will face as an entrepreneur, or anyone making a huge life-changing decision. I guess those messages don’t sell conference tickets!

About a year ago, Michael Gerber was in town and a colleague and I attended the 1/2 day conference. Michael, as you probably know, is author of the eMyth series of books which have generated lots of buzz and so of course being in the field, we wanted to hear what he had to say.

I guess I should have read the books first and saved my money. The entire point of his two hour presentation seemed to be something like “wait for that moment of entrepreneurial insight where everything feels right and you will be destined to succeed beyond your wildest dreams”. Great sentiment and very inspiring; real world it is not. (And my apologies if Michael is a friend of yours).

The problem is we all want to focus on the few who succeed; whose blinding flash of insight result in a life changing decision that takes them to ever higher levels of income and growth. What we never seem to acknowledge though is that for every person who “makes it” there are thousands who had a blinding insight just as real, that made a decision they will regret for years.

Now I’m not saying we should all avoid life-changing decisions. I’m agreeing with you that the best decisions are made paying equal attention to our head as well as our heart. It takes passion, drive and creativity to succeed no doubt. But anyone who doesn’t also take into account responsibilities, possibilities, and practical consequences is setting themselves up to fail.

I just found your blog and I am very impressed with your thoughts and comments. Keep up the good work.