Entrepreneur Advice: Bite Off More Than You can Chew

By On · 16 Comments · In Biz Dev

I think the single biggest reasons for most of my break throughs as an entrepreneur has been from biting off more than I could chew. Every time I take on a new client, start a new job or begin a new project I go a little bit above what I think I can produce… then if they accept I am forced to make good. That is how you grow. Biting off more than you can chew is critical to becoming a successful entrepreneur and truly escaping the 9 to 5 for a better life that you live based around your choices.

Always say yes, until you want to say no.

I say yes to pretty much everything, if a client is like “can you build me a website, do my social media marketing and throw up my new building” I’ll say “yeah of course”. Why? Because I know no matter WHAT someone asks me 99% of the time I can find someone who can do it, and keep the difference. That is the beauty of the middle man. But sometimes I do say ‘no’ those times are when it is either a client I truly don’t want to work with or a job I truly don’t think I can do justice. You need to say yes to everything unless it is something you should say no to.

When you take a bite really lock on and go for the kill.

When you start a new project and you’ve bitten off more than you can chew it is critical that you go for gold. I mean really sink your teeth in and go at that sucker. Done with enough gusto even a task you are hopelessly unprepared for will become something to behold. Passion can often make up for experience.

Keep on Biting.

Every time I feel ‘stuck’ in my business I go out and find a situation where I can bite off more than I can chew. This often begins with an exhilaration from the ‘hunt’ followed by an ‘oh crap’ of the I-can’t-do-this-itis. But in the end the pressure and strain of biting off more than you can chew will push the normal extraordinary entrepreneur past his comfort zone into the area where you win.

Anyways, these are my thoughts on biting off more than you can chew… all in all I highly suggest it :) This is being published un-spell checked and two margaritas deep so forgive my misgivings.

Cheers!

Maren Kate

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  • http://www.the9to5alternative.com/ Alan

    Great advice. Just discovered this blog and look forward to following along as a fellow (aspiring) entrepreneur!

  • http://40daystochange.wordpress.com/ ami@40daystochange

    aha! a true secret of success. Was it scary the first time you bit off more than you could chew? and if so – how did you psych yourself up for it? Or have you always taken this approach? I'm more inclined to take little lady-like bites – but, as you say, if you want to really break through, you have to be willing to go for it.

  • http://www.ameaningfulexistence.com/ Karen Ruby

    This is so true! That's how we grow as individuals – always striving to do something more and learn something more than what we have done in the past.

    Love this –>”When you take a bite really lock on and go for the kill.” Being stubborn and persistent in realizing our dreams and goals is half the battle. We all should be unstoppable forces when we are going after what we truly want.

    Great advice!

    Karen

  • http://creativecourage.org/ Ben Weston

    I also love the “oh god I'm going to crap myself I'm so scared” feeling of taking on something big and then getting to the end of it and knowing that I was capable of taking it on.

    Great advice Maren!
    Ben

  • anon

    whats with the 4chan type imagery!?!?1

  • http://jasonpmcgee.com/ Jason P McGee

    I really like this post. It makes me think about all of the juggling I bring on myself by starting more projects while continuing with ones that I am already doing. Thanks for sharing!

  • http://www.thinkbigthinkmoney.com/ Ken Siew

    This is a good one. It takes a lot more judgment to determine if you should bite off something (or you'd get indigestion), but it's definitely worth doing. Tim Ferriss also emphasizes the importance of doing something that is out of your comfort zone every day, and push yourself over the limit of what you think you can do. It's often lower than what you can really do.

    Don't let any naysayers stop you from doing it. Will Smith said it in the Pursuit of Happyness: People can't do something themselves, they wanna tell you 'you can't do it'. If you want to be an entrepreneur that badly, go get it!

    Another great blog post! Thank you.

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    Thanks so much Alan :) Glad you like it!

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    I literally just ran into it head first because I didn't have any other choice, if you feel there is no other choice it makes it a whole lot easier to get into the right mind set. Up until a year ago I was paralyzed by “baby steps” but the last year where I have always jumped off the edge with no parachute it has really paid off.

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    what is it called a juggernaut? That is what you have to be when you are an entrepreneur I think.

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    I changed it because it was too small before, but now it is too big :( gotta fix it again.

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    No prob and I liked your blog, checked it out it was cool.

  • http://www.Escapingthe9to5.com/ Maren Kate

    I like that… doing something that is out of your comfort zone every day, i will try that more often :)

  • http://www.thesaleslion.com/ Marcus Sheridan,The Sales Lion

    Well Maren, now that you're likely 4 deep ;-) , thanks for this short and sweet post. That's one thing I really like about you. Your 'ballsy', if I'm allowed to say that :-) …but keep stretching youself and challenging everyone else to do the same. It's fun being on this journey with you.

  • ralphcarlson

    Go for it!

  • http://www.profitableonlinesecrets.com imran

    I completely agree with you, especially with the availability of freelancers to outsource to.

    In the past i read lots of books asking me to underpromise and overdeliver, but your post has forced me to rethink that a million times over. Thanks Maren Kate!