An Entrepreneur's View of the Election

Here I am on the eve of the election doing what I never said I'd do (wade into the political arena), but enough of our audience has asked me for my take on the US election, which is crazy and flattering that you would even care what I think; but you asked, so here goes.

This is not going to be the article you think it is, with me analyzing candidates or talking one way or the other, but it is a real, serious look at ourselves.

Elections are one of the most emotional experiences of people's live.  Logic is rarely used when it comes to political parties, candidates, certain issues, and the overall general process.   There is nothing wrong with this; it is just the reality of it.  I prefer to stay logical.

The other reality is that no candidate is a savior and they probably won't do, or be able to get passed, 80% of what they promise to do in their campaign.   As entrepreneurs, we learn one thing really fast -  we can't wait for others to do things for us.  We must act, hustle, make our own luck, and make things happen. While others are worrying about what a candidate might or might not do, we are heads down figuring out how to overcome our challenges and further our businesses.

It's true that the leadership of a country can make it easier or harder for entrepreneurs to do business, but it doesn't matter, because we will succeed in spite of anything thrown in our way and will innovate where we have to, to survive and thrive.  

So, the first point I want to make is, "Rely on yourself, you partners, and your team, not some political candidate."

Rely on Yourself, Your Partners, and Your Team, Not Some Political Candidate...

The second, and more important point I want to make is that the real election is in your mind - every day. Each day you have to get up and choose your path, choose what you will focus on, and choose to persevere and thrive.  The game is real, and all of us fortunate entrepreneurs get to play it every day.  Some days are very hard, draining, and drive us close to quitting, but we know the next breakthrough comes in those times.

Successful entrepreneurs embrace the game, love the challenges and struggles it brings, and are obsessed with making our vision a reality.  We don't have the luxury of promising things we know we could never provide or deliver on because we would find ourselves out of business.  We have to deliver and find a way, no matter what obstacles stand in our way.  And if we truly can't, we make it up; we work harder, push further, learn from our mistakes, and don't let it happen again.

It is this election, in our mind, every day, where we choose to be an entrepreneur and embrace everything that comes with it - the bad and the unbelievably fulfilling, awesome good - that makes us who we are.  So ultimately, we don't need a political party or candidate.  All we need is the power that lies within us and the will to act.

Make no mistake, elections have consequences.  But if your candidate doesn't win, it is not the end of entire world as all of them would have you believe.  The sun will rise tomorrow, after you've already been up and hustling for a few hours, and you'll get the honor of playing the game another day.   Elect that.