Why hire people if there’s so many free guides and AI?

I was toying with this question as I started to learn the ropes of building a consulting business and marketing my services.

I met this question a few times in my life — before enrolling for my bachelor’s degree, before doing a self-awareness course, when I decided that I’ll write a book.

Each time I wondered if I could do it by myself and each time I decided against it.

Sometimes because I tried doing it by myself and failed for a myriad of very good reasons.

Sometimes because paying for a digest of someone else’s knowledge is a shortcut and time is expensive.

Having someone tell me where to look and what to notice saved me time on finding it out myself.

A funny truth about truth and knowledge, that I discovered only recently: once you understand something, all the different explanations of it sound the same; until you do — they all sound different.

This makes learning what to learn excruciatingly complex.

Another benefit of having a guide who knows the route is having someone who sees your progress and can tell you about it.

If you’re not familiar with the process, how can you tell you’re advancing? How can you be sure you’re going in the right direction?

It’s not impossible…it just takes much longer alone.

What startups and abusive relationships have in common

Both start with an overwhelming excitement, the almost tangible potential of this “being it” — your personal gateway to the life of your dreams.

Those who don’t see it are just jealous, you say to yourself as it swallows you whole.

Every bit of your life becomes a valid sacrifice because it’s temporary — once you’ve reached the goal, you’ll get everything back better than before.

It is not temporary.

You never reach the goal.
It moves when you get too close.

The dream fuels you with just enough energy to keep going, never enough to break free from the curse.

Every day that goes by, every effort invested, make it harder to give up. Surely, you’re just a step away…maybe two.

You read about others succeeding. They can’t be better than you…so why them? When will it be your turn?

Letting go of the dream hurts. Burning years hurts.

Those are not the only options.

Earning from a startup is similar to doing a trek in the jungle.

It’s doable and it can be fun — if you know what you’re doing and you have a map…or a guide who knows the way.

Throwing yourself into the thick of it and hoping for the best (also known as the spray-n-pray method) is a privilege of the male and the young.

Letting go of an idea is easy when you know what you need to sacrifice to bring it to fruition and it’s not worth it for you — before you invest years and tears.

That’s my service — helping you research your idea, plan the MVP, and estimate the effort to get that bread.

Want a quick feedback with zero commitment?
Hit reply and tell me about your idea.

Cheers,
Ela Shapira
The Startup Doula