[BUSINESS ★★]
BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR IS HARD
(P1) Our society CRAVES INSTANT GRATIFICATION — we want things now and we want them fast.
(P2) Entrepreneurship is much cooler than it was years ago.
(P3) The thought of being an entrepreneur is extremely appealing, which has led to an ONSLAUGHT of products and courses with names similar to:
(P4) How to Earn SIX FIGURES in Six Weeks
(P5) Build an Online EMPIRE Working on Your Laptop at the Beach
(P6) Make Money 24/7 While You Sleep
(P7) Become Your Own Boss and Make Millions by Tomorrow
(P8) The truth is, entrepreneurship is hard.
(P9) There are no SHORTCUTS to success. You have to work extremely hard. Don’t believe anyone who tells you different.
(P10) So why are there so many DECEPTIVE products and courses related to entrepreneurship? The promise of instant gratification! Would people be interested in course and product titles such as:
(P11) Work Several Years for Little to No Pay
(P12) How to Get 3 Hours of Sleep a Night and Always Be Stressed
(P13) Quit Your 9-5 Job and Work Twice as Hard
(P14) Lose Your Financial Security While You Try to Succeed
(P15) Those titles wouldn’t sell because they wouldn’t excite anyone. Would entrepreneurship be a sexy topic if there were stories published about all the failures and SHATTERED dreams? NOT A CHANCE.
(P16) The truth about entrepreneurship isn’t mentioned nearly enough. Entrepreneurs need to know that it’s going to be hard and quick success is RARE.
(P17) You have to start with the understanding that failure is possible.
(P18) Entrepreneurs are brave individuals. Without risk, there is no reward.
(P19) You have to work harder than you have ever worked before.
(P20) While many courses and programs promise MINIMAL work, that just isn’t the reality.
(P21) You have to be willing to learn.
(P22) A successful entrepreneur is never done with learning. He or she is always looking for new information and INSIGHT. A successful entrepreneur reads books, networks with other business people, and establishes VALUABLE relationships.
(P23) Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy, but amazing things can happen when you start with realistic EXPECTATIONS, work extremely hard, and always keep learning.
WORDS: 340
SOURCE: http://www.businessinsider.com/3-hard-truths-people-rarely-mention-about-entrepreneurship-2016-1
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
If you found the passage difficult to read or had problems understanding specific words or idiomatic expressions, please discuss them with your tutor. The following discussion questions should be answered in your own words and with your own arguments.
- Briefly summarize the content of the article in your own words.
- Would you like to start your own business?
- Do you work long hours at your current job?
- Entrepreneurs have to be very PATIENT. Do you think you are a patient person?
- Do you know anyone who has ever tried a “GET RICH QUICK” program? Were they successful with it?
EXPRESSIONS TO PRACTICE:
What do the following expressions mean? Practice using each expression in a sentence; extra points if you can use it in conversation.
- Instant gratification
- Six figures
- Not a chance
- Get rich quick
