Starting your own arcade fire…
The main reason so many of today’s best and brightest sell out to the Man is for lack of a viable alternative. The game has been rigged in favor of the mega conglomerates to such a high degree that they can buy up any medium-sized threats and run roughshod over everyone else. The entrepreneurial route is risky, and most of today’s talented young people would rather play it safe than put it all on the line for something that probably won’t pan out.
That mindset plays right into the hands of the evil men pulling the strings and has a negative residual effect on everyone else. The good news is that this trend is reversible, and the Internet will play a key role. Win Butler figured this all out years ago, and now it’s just a matter of spreading the ideas.
Tell the truth, no bullshit
It doesn’t matter what your desired profession is, if you’re going to make it as an entrepreneur you will need to build a network of allies. You need to be able to trust these people and more importantly you need them to trust you. There are a plenty of con men out there looking to exploit people. If you can establish yourself as a person of integrity, people will keep coming back to you. That unspoken loyalty is an essential element for sustaining long-term success, regardless of the profession.
Pursue happiness, not money
Let things evolve naturally. Don’t overstep or burn bridges. Always be taking on new challenges, but don’t bite off more than you can chew. Enjoy the freedom while you can. Live your life on your own terms.
Surround yourself with the right people
Always be on the lookout for talented people with good hearts and a commitment to the cause. One bad hiring decision can end the dream. Avoid carrying dead weight. Go after your (reliable) friends who are unhappy in their current gigs. Most people are willing to trade money for job satisfaction. You can offer them something the Man will never be able to give them: a chance to live the dream.
Resist the temptation to sell out, maintain your independence
The Man will never stop trying to lure you to the dark side. One trick the Man employs is to bribe his servants to recruit their friends to the dark side. Don’t be fooled by all the talk of money and benefits. It’s a trap.
Do you know how they’re gonna come at you?
Chances are your friend was roped in this way and he’s just repeating the con. In some cases, you can turn the tables and bring him back to the good side of the force. Remember that true independence must be earned and cannot be bought.
Never lose touch with your audience
As you grow and demand for your service increases, you must fight the tendency to neglect the ones who helped you get where you are. The people who were with you from the beginning are more likely to stay with you ’til the end than the ones who jumped on the bandwagon during the good times. No matter how good things are at any given time, there is always the potential for rough times ahead and you can never have too many trustworthy allies. Show your appreciation for the people around you, and they will appreciate you even more.
