Got what it takes to be an entrepreneur?

Say you've read the books, taken heed of the cautionary tales, filled out some standard checklists, and had many long conversations with friends and family. You've done your homework and feel owning your own business is right for you.

That's great, but let's be sure. If you recognize yourself in any of the following, reconsider before taking the entrepreneurial plunge:

You spend a lot of time personalizing your office. Sure, you dreamed of a bigger office; you're proud of your bigger office; you deserved that bigger office; and naturally you want it to reflect your personality. But say you plan to open a restaurant; since diners will never see your office. the only thing it should reflect is "cheap." Money should never be spent on anything that won't touch the customer. You will be too busy chasing customers to worry about whether your office befits your stature or aligns with your personality.

You manage your fantasy teams at work. When revenues and profits are a distant dream, trash-talking the other owners in your fantasy league the last thing you'll have time for. Starting a business is overwhelming. Exit your fantasy leagues now. Spend that time thinking about how you'll make profits.

You never empty your own trash. "Someone" takes care of that, you say? Your job is to focus on more important tasks? Not anymore. Entrepreneurs wear every hat. Besides, efficiency is everything: No movement should be wasted, no time savings are too small, and no expenses too minor to eliminate. If doing whatever needs to be done isn't something that comes naturally, stay where you are.

You are sure you could be a lot more productive if you only had a new (insert hot new tech tool). Think about the last computer, smart phone, software, etc. you purchased. Did it really make you more efficient? Can you quantify the gains? Or was it just fun to have? In your own business you'll be lucky to get the "must have" stuff. Even if you have the funds, "nice to have" is money wasted.

You can't get over the fact your department got shorted during the last budget cycle. Unless a VC comes calling or your dad funds your start-up, you won't really have a budget. Money spent doesn't come from an invisible corporate pot. It comes from your pocket. If you hate struggling with limited resources, hate seeing your great initiatives unjustly compromised by budgetary concerns and can't wait until you're in charge ... when you find out how limited resources are in a start-up, you'll hate running your own business.

You passionately discuss work-life balance issues. I feel the concept of work-life balance is an artificial construct, but let's pretend one does exist. If you think a lot about the conflict between work and life and you feel work is winning the battle, just wait until you start a business. Work will eat life for breakfast.

You sometimes say, "Wait, I've paid my dues." When you run your own business, you pay your dues every day. (The same should be true if you work for someone else: The only real measure of your value is the tangible contribution you make, each and every day.) Today, tomorrow, the next day: You earn the right to stay in business. No one cares about your experience or years of hard work. Dues are paid in revenue.

[bettyguzzi]

I preferred BNet independent of CBS for so many reasons, and to such an extent that I'm keeping track of how many times I link to CBS articles which have no relation to the like which led to them. This one is number 5.

[StartMyConsultingBusiness]

Running a business takes persistent hard work. If you're not ready to do the work, then just stick with your day job.

But, if you want to ditch your day job and are ready to take the entrepreneurial plunge, the biggest thing you can do to get started is to start someplace. Don't wait to make a perfect business plan--just make a handful of bullet points as your business plan. Start talking to prospective customers. Test your ideas and assumptions. Take actions--no matter how small--to move your business forward each day.

The harder you work, the luckier you'll be.

Greg Miliates
StartMyConsultingBusiness.com

[Vanitycar]

You hit the nail on the head Jeff, as you describe many of the very elements that "want-to-be" entrepreneurs have swimming in their heads. If many veteran business owners admitted it, they have also and so have I "had" those same "momentary" thoughts when dreaming about starting a business. Many of us that became successful business owners have endured growing pains, hard work,going without a paycheck and yes, emptying our own garbage. There is nothing wrong with any of these things as long as your heart, focus, grit and perserverance stays the course. I think the very things you have addressed should be taught in any course that is tied to being a business owner. It might save a lot of people heartache and disappointment.