Thinking of starting up? Here’s a New Year’s resolution for you

Here you go again.

At the back of your mind is that business idea you have. It’s nagging. It has the potential to change the world – at least in some small way – and make you millions. You just know people will use your product. You’ve meticulously researched what you need to do next, which is probably why you’re reading this very article right now on StartupSmart.

Old Taskmaster has never set foot in your house, yet I know already there’s a copy of Eric Ries’ The Lean Startup either sitting on your coffee table or your Kindle. Perhaps both.

However, like a cowardly lion on the yellow brick road to your emerald city, the one thing you now lack is courage.

Of course, deep down inside you know that your boss will never give you the credit you deserve for all the hard work you put in. You know that you deserve to be rewarded properly for your labour. You know you would feel a lot happier if you had the freedom to control your own destiny as your own boss. In short, deep down, you know you want to do it.

But then the doubts and the excuses come. The sentences that begin with the words “But what if…?” The false sense of security that comes from being a certified member of the “gonna” tribe – you’re gonna do this, you’re gonna do that, you’re gonna do something else.

If you were a painter, you’d probably call your situation the tyranny of the blank canvas. The first brush stroke is always the toughest, they say.

Now, I know your old cliché about New Year’s resolutions. Your New Year’s resolution will be that you won’t make one. Well, while that was cute for the first 10 years you did it – now it’s just stale.

And look where it’s gotten you – still at the same old job earning the same old pay cheque. You’re going nowhere – slowly.

It’s time to choose a different New Year’s resolution this year. Even life altering.

That’s right, your New Year’s resolution will be to make 2013 the year you finally start-up.

Get it done – this new year!