In January 2009, I finished writing my book ”“ a (hopefully) humorous (brutally) autobiographical snapshot of growing up as a chubby child and even chubbier teenager.
Written during my long daily commute on the train back and forth into Manhattan, this literary exercise took me from the slim 1970s to the body-conscious, “Let”™s Get Physical” 1980s and beyond. Writing gave me the often-described dizzying head rush that only comes from the emergence of one”™s own entrepreneurial spirit.
Then as quickly as the spirit materialized, it died. The passion just withered away, as my manuscript now resides on a thumb drive awaiting publication.
However, let me offer a little CSI Westchester post-mortem analysis on the death of my own spark.
Perspiration. Unless you are famous (or infamous), getting a literary agent ”“ and by extension, a publisher ”“ to take a risk on a no-name author who must build his or her brand in a highly competitive marketplace is a difficult proposition requiring countless hours of phone calls and an expansive letter-writing campaign ”“ neither of which I was willing to do. I was working around-the-clock, and my tight calendar couldn”™t fit another eight-day week. This was excuse No. 1.
Rejection. When your personal life is on display for the world to read, do you really want a stranger telling you it stinks? Self-doubt set in. Excuse No. 2.
Distraction. The demands of your job will fill the vacuum of free time you have left after you subtract your family”™s need for your undivided attention. It”™s a mathematical equation that proves something else will draw your interest away from investing time in your personal project. Excuse No. 3.
Extraction. Eventually, the excuses pile up and present you with undeniable reasons for ceasing and desisting from this foolish endeavor. Bring in the body bag and remove the patient from the room.
This is why I genuinely admire any individual who ”“ in the face of perspiration, rejection and distraction ”“ moves forward toward starting and building his or her own business. I was unable to do it, yet throughout Westchester there are many others on a daily basis who persevere and begin their personal journeys toward success.
Sure, many fail, but far more reach critical mass and benefit the county in such amazing ways.
The sanctity of the entrepreneurial spirit is a powerful force and exactly the right cure for mending America”™s economic ills. Enough paralysis by analysis, Mr. President. Unleash business owners ”“ especially small-business owners ”“ with a mixture of tax credits and incentives that will fuel the sparks.
Government is not good at creating jobs, as evidenced by the nation”™s climbing unemployment rate. We can create first-floor windows of opportunity by minimizing the risk for those willing to start (or expand) a business, and let business owners build the rest of the skyscraper.
Simply, government should eliminate onerous laws and regulations, offer tax credits and financial incentives and provide meaningful consultation and assistance ”“ then get out of the way.
Hey, maybe that”™s my next book? Â
Laurence P. Gottlieb is director of economic development for Westchester County. Reach him at lgottlieb@thinkingWestchester.com.
