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have to make the same mistake someone else did I can learn from their mistakes. I know that I will make mistakes but I can mitigate my risks by learning from others. (That is also one of the purposes of this blog)

2. Patience. Believe me you need a tremendous reserve of patience when you deal with a business or a baby. It takes time for the baby and your business to grow. I remember there were times when I wondered if starting a business was worth it. Now-a-days I sometimes think, if having a baby is worth it. Looking back, I did not regret my decision then and I know I will forget that thought when our little princess will look up to me in the morning and smile. But it takes patience to get through those moments of doubt.

3. Use a bouncing board. I seriously recommend this. I regularly talk to few friends who have gone though the early teething problems of infant rearing. Not only for suggestions but also to vent. Similarly use a bouncing board for your business ideas. Ideally, you should not be in business by yourself. Even if you are, you must have a board of directors who can act as your bouncing board. If not a board, at least a mentor.

4. Mission. I have seen this in older babies and I, no doubt, will see history repeat itself. Infants and toddlers behave as if they are on a mission. They stay focused on one thing and only one thing at a time; be it watching Dora and her friends find her lost stuff or playing with blocks. This is one area where business owners tend to deviate a lot. They fail to focus. They want to be all things to all people. Their business stumbles from one client to another never really growing. They end up as a statistic part of the failed startup business group. Focus on your target market; focus on your deliverables. Keep it simple. Small businesses grow by developing a niche not by being Jack of all trades. Find a niche and prosper.

5. Sleepless nights. Your Guide to Entrepreneurs has this submission by Barry Moltz and I will quote the fifth point from there: "As an entrepreneur, I sleep like a baby. I go to bed at 11:00 PM and at midnight, I wake up screaming my head off." Need I say more?

Welcome to the world of entrepreneurship and, of course, babies.

I think I am a bit of a soup now as my wife discovers me by my computer instead of focusing on getting the baby to sleep. Adios.

Learn more about this author, Charan Atreya.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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