Business is far from unicorns and lollipops.  We may brag about our freedom from the rat race, our ability to be our own bosses and having a vehicle for living out our passions, but underneath it all, running a business can be tough and unforgiving at times. Is it worth it? Of course! But unless we’re honest about some of the “ugly truths,” we can’t truly appreciate just how amazing and robust this game called business is! So, here we go…

1. There will always be someone in your life who criticizes you.

And despite your best efforts to block yourself from them, they’re here to stay.  Perhaps this is a family member, a spouse, a client or a friend.  How you deal with this person and their criticism is what matters.  You have three choices.  You can A) Get pissed off and fight back, defending your actions on every attack, or B) Remove your ego long enough to listen to their feedback and keep your eyes on your vision.  Take what you like, implement changes and leave what you don’t like, or C) Get rid of them in your life.  Not always recommended for those closest to you, but still an option.

2. You will not get credit for the extra hours you put in, so don’t expect it.

You’re expected to over perform, over deliver and make it all happen.  (And you’re probably also expected to manage the kids, the finances, the household, your intimate relationship, your family and friends and your physical health).  Suck it up.  If you’re in this for the praise and accolades, ya ain’t gonna like this ride called entrepreneurialism.

3. Working harder does not equal more success.

In corporate, the more hours you work, the more you get paid.  In your own business, the more hours you work, the more hours you work (and the closer you are to burnout).  The key to true business success is leverage.  Leverage the people and talents around you.  Leverage your knowledge.  Leverage your connections.  Leverage the hell out of everything you’ve got so that you can work smart, not hard.

4. Not everyone is going to like you.

I don’t care how adorable and kind and big-hearted you are, there are going to be people who simply do not like you.  Don’t take this personally.  I read somewhere that it’s none of my business what other people think about me.  Quit trying to please everyone and stay true to your brand and your business.  And when you screw up and someone doesn’t like you because of it, learn from it and move on.

5. You will fail.  Miserably.  Over and over again.

Get used to it and quit beating yourself up for it.  Failing is good.  Failures teach you, mold you and guide you.  Embrace them!

6. You have to believe the impossible is possible for this whole thing to work.

You have to believe that money will come in when there is none.  You have to believe that you can manage the roles of business owner, mother, father, sister, husband, wife, nephew, dog owner and yard-cleaner when just thinking about all those roles makes your head spin.  You have to believe that you can change the world with what you’re bringing to the table! And when you believe…it all clicks!

The great news about these truths is that once you own them, life as an entrepreneur becomes a whole lot easier!