Recently I had a chance to meet and discuss business with a couple of young freelancers/entrepreneurs.  (Shout out to Josh from KnowYourJunk.com and Amanda from Parker Design Company!)

I came away from the meetings feeling awed and inspired.  They were both confident and competent, mature yet realistic, fresh yet experienced already.  And they are doing, and getting traction with, what many of us dream of but have a hard time doing: starting their own business.

I was floored.

I’ve been out of college for 15 years now, and I feel like I’m finally getting started, doing work that has some value.   They’re starting out on the right foot from the get-go, making the rubber meet the road, squarely focused on things that they really want to do.  It’s impressive, and yes I admit, I’m a little envious.  When you start out on the right foot, you don’t have years of baggages and obstacles to chisel through, as they simply haven’t had as long a time being exposed to helpful ideas like “only one in five new businesses stay afloat” or “it’s too risky to go out on your own.”   Hey, they already have clients!  They already have revenue!  The hardest part is getting started, and that part is behind them.

Now, I’m not saying all this to berate my own path.  Some kids mature fast, others take their time.  It’s not an indicator of their potential.  In my own defense, I can think of a million reasons why I can create a different sort of value, having taken a little longer in battling Resistance, having had more years of lessons to learn and thus more able to relate to, and help with, others in similar shoes.

All I’m saying is that it’s inspiring to be exposed to the momentum of a young and fearless.  Oh yes, I know none of us are really fearless.  But I tell you, fear of the young is much easier to overcome than fears that have had more years to build and solidify.  If you are young and yet know exactly what you want to do, do me a favor and start now.  Delaying only makes it harder.  If you’re not exactly young, again, start now.  The greater risk lies in more time being spent being less than what you really are.  Your job isn’t that secure, anyway.  You being happy and fulfilled is the greatest contribution you can make, to your own life and to the World.

It’s a chance we can’t afford not to take.