No idea is ever alone. It always comes with a bear or two. Or six.

When I had the idea to start a business, 22 bears showed up.
Twenty-two bears! Can you believe that? They called themselves Idea Chaperones, and they wore matching t-shirts and whistles.

It took four years to convince them I didn’t need a company to take care of me.

Now that the idea they originally opposed has turned into something enjoyable and profitable, they wear smoking jackets and opera glasses and talk about how hard they worked to get here, and the importance of maintaining a certain level of comfort. We can’t be taking risks on unproven GUIDES, PRODUCTS, or EBOOKS.

At the moment, five bears are clustered around this website guide I’m writing, saying the most disagreeable things. This post addresses each bear individually with the reasons why I am finishing this. A calm bear is a productive bear. (Havi calls them monsters.)

1. Why-Bother Bear

“Why bother? No one is going to buy this anyway.”

It’s true. This could be a total failure, sales-wise. Perhaps only one person will buy it, and they’ll ask for their money back. But I want to see what happens. I can’t bear to let this thing I’m excited about go unexplored. If I don’t finish this, then I’ll always wonder what would have happened if I had. I will be no closer to creating more things like this than I am now. Trying is the win.

2. What-If-Nobody-Cares Bear

“No, really. What if nobody cares?”

This guide mirrors my own process. Even if I don’t sell a single copy, I can incorporate this into my one-on-one work so I can go deeper with clients, perhaps even expanding my capacity. This could become a building block for workshops, too. It can be integrated into everything I do, so I can, in theory, do more.

3. How-Much-Is-This-Costing-You-to-Work-On-This Bear

“Do you know the value of your time, and how can you justify turning down work to work on THIS?”

Giving this to my clients could increase my profits by expanding my capacity. Plus, the more things I try, the more valuable I become to my clients, and therefore to myself. Even if those things don’t work out. Me trying stuff and failing is actually going to help me, because I’ll be able to help my clients avoid making the same mistakes. And if I succeed, I can help them succeed, too. Most people are giving in to their fear of trying stuff. I’m not. That makes me valuable to them.  Plus, I’ve already paid Sparky, and he’s making some amazing illustrations! And I get to make the words to go with them! At this point, it will cost me more not to finish this.

4. You’re-Not-Internet-Famous-So-You-Can’t-Make-a-Product Bear

“It’s not like anyone knows who you are. Why-Bother Bear has a point.”

At minimum, this will make me look good, which could lead to fun and interesting opportunities. I’ve heard from so many random people because of the douche-free bio post. Who knows how many more random people might discover this?

5. This-Is-Going-to-Take-Too-Much-Time Bear

“You don’t want to make less this year than last year, do you? That’s what will happen if you turn down work to work on this. How can you help others grow their businesses if yours can’t even grow in a straight line?”

When I finish, I’ll have something for clients to do when I’m too busy to work with them right away. Something to keep them occupied while they’re sitting on my waiting list. So it doesn’t feel like waiting.

What I hope these bears realize is that these are their ideas, too. I want them to go away now, and come back after I’ve finished this. We can all have idea porridge together. And maybe go for a bicycle ride. We love bicycles!

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