The Funding Guru » motivation

What are Angel Investors Looking For? The Six Key Motivations of Angel Investors (#2)

Andrew — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:00:09 +0000

One of the best Angel Investors I ever had was Professor Howard Stevenson - while driving through Princeton's leafy backroads recently I had my radio tuned to NPR and was listening to Fresh Air or some such audio contribution to my ears and brain - I'm a sucker for public radio....what can I say - and after the show wrapped up, the radio broadcaster went into their 'sponsor' regurgitation telling me and anyone else listen who's dollars had made that particularly good show possible. In this case I almost swerved off the troad to hear that Howard Stevenson and his wife's fund had paid for the radio show I'd just enjoyed. Now that was the second time I had enjoyed the output of something that Howard had contributed too...and the reason I say that is because Howard Stevenson was my first ever angel investor in my first real company. Related posts:

Fire Walk Your Way to Success!

Andrew — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:01:20 +0000

Firewalking has occured for centuries, and some believe, for thousands of years. What is it? Glad you asked…

Fire walking is the act of walking barefoot over a line of smoldering coals or stones, from one end to the other – coals which can reach temperatures of 1,800-degree (1,000 °C).

So why would someone…anyone of sound mind and body anyway (and especially someone who wants to stay that way) walk nonchalantly down an alley of super hot burning coals as if they are going for a nice leisurely stroll along a country path? OK, so, mostly the hustle their way across the bed of firey objects – but they still do it…

Now, I won’t bother getting into how the first person managed to walk across hot coals – it could be any one of a number of reasons – head down in a book while walking across the village, being famished and running across the BBQ pit to get that last slice of wooly Mammoth – could have been any number of crazy reasons – but what is interesting is, over the years, it has become a symbol of commitment and faith – a proclamation that by being absolutely committed, that the human spirit can prevail and achieve beyond what is expected.

This has been grabbed onto by those coaches and motivational speakers – so much so that many of them use a fire walk at the end of their seminars…the particularly passionate are encouraged to show their commitment, passion and fervor by undertaking their own fire walk.

Do NOT Try this at home!

So what has any of this got to do with Fund Raising or interacting with Angel Investors or Venture Capitalists?

Often the most challenging part of any process or achievement – especially something that is really worth achieving – is starting…

…and I would suggest that one of the main reasons for that is the mental hurdle that people impose on themselves believing that failure will be a pain exercise – to the point where subconscious they may actually be telling themselves that dreaming about success, without actually taking that first step forward, will be less painful than actually going for it…

The reality is people like to minimize pain – and perhaps right about now you are nodding your head – of course, sure, why wouldn’t people try to minimize their pain – well, sure, but the real problem is, people tend to blow up the SIZE of that pain beyond what is actually is…

If you have a fantastic business idea or actual business – going out there and raising money can be daunting – you will probably have many conversations, undergo many pitches where you stand there with high hopes only to have them dashed but this is part of the process – it’s part of what’s necessary to find the right investors – you will be rejected but when that happens, say a small ‘thank you’ and breath a sigh of relief – you have just taken one more step across the coals towards finding the right investor and have avoided walking forward with an investor that would not have been right for you or your business.

So – go out there and start the walk towards the right investor – after all – you are not required to walk across burning coals to find them – you just need to have commitment, passion and be prepared to put one foot in front of the other…

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Forgive the fact that sometimes there are some days between postings – I’m actually spending time developing a program to give entrepreneurs the insights they need to go out there and engage with angels and venture capitalists and raise the money they need for their businesses – my intention is that these lessons, once learnt, can be used over and over again by entrepreneurs throughout their careers – the challenge is – to do it right takes time and focus – so, apologies these blog posts don’t happen every day but there is a great reason why not…

I would really appreciate your comments on this posting, does the metaphor work for you? And please – don’t try this at home…we are not suggesting anyone actually should walk across coals!

4 Seconds to Success when Raising Money

Will Smith Interview – The Power of Positive Thinking

Andrew — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:01:46 +0000

If you look through this blog, you will NOT see posts from motivational speakers or other members of the “change your life in 15 minutes a day ” brigade – My personal view is there are no magic answers or quick and easy ways to obtaining life success. But – I do believe that a positive attitude combined with having a clear vision of your personal goal and focusing on the tangible steps to obtaining it and then…and this is the toughest part…getting off the sofa, or out of the bar, or off Twitter or whatever else you do to pass time…and taking ACTION.

..those simple (but difficult) steps will enable you to realize your true potential.

Here is an interview with Will Smith where Will discusses the power of positive thinking – I recommend you watch it and consider taking onboard those elements that make sense to you.

Does Will make some good points? or do you think he’s full of it? How do you motivate yourself? Are you motivated in your life?

Andrew

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