Starting a business is all in the mindset 

 I meet many would-be entrepreneurs who complain that they have not started a business. They fire blame for their lack of progress in all sorts of directions – at banks, venture capitalists, taxes, regulations, competitors and so on. But in most cases, the true reasons for our failures lie within us: these demons are what I call The Enemies of Achievement. Here is my list of top excuses: 

 我见到的很多准企业家都抱怨还没能建立自己的公司。他们将自己的举足不前归咎于各方面原因，包括银行、风险资本家、税收、监管、竞争者等等。但在大多数情况下，我们失败的真正原因在于自身：我称之为“成就的敌人”。以下就是我总结出的最常见原因： 

 拖延

It is amazing how reliable we can be at putting off something difficult but worthwhile. We find endless excuses as to why now is never quite the moment to address the issues that really matter. As the shaving products tycoon Victor Kiam said, delay is “opportunity’s assassin”. And while we dither, others charge ahead and reap the rewards. 

令人非常惊奇的是，我们如此不可救药地拖延一些困难但却很有价值的事。我们会找到各种各样的借口，来证明当下永远不是解决重要问题的好时机。正如剃须产品巨头维克托?基亚姆(Victor Kiam)所说，拖延是“机会的刺客”。我们在犹豫的时候，其他人就已经抢先一步并获得了硕果。 

Hubris. 

傲慢

A modicum of success can be corrupting. It allows us to become lazy and self-satisfied, and forget those who helped us do well. Abstemious habits can wither, while delusions of grandeur replace them. All this undermines the basis of any initial progress. It is vital to keep industrious and one’s eyes on the ultimate prize.

一点点的成功可能就会让我们堕落。它让我们变得懒惰和自满，忘记了是谁帮助我们获得成功的。有节制的习惯可能会退去，取而代之的是夸张的妄想。所有这些都破坏了最初进步的基础。保持勤奋、始终朝着最终目标迈进是至关重要的。  

 Indecision.

 优柔寡断

It is impossible to create a serious concern without giving directions in a resolute manner. A hesitant and vacillating personality inspires no one. The uncertainty of the US government’s fiscal cliff negotiations frightened the world.  

如果没有坚定的方向，是无法建立严肃的事业的。犹豫、摇摆不定的性格无法激励任何人。美国政府“财政悬崖”谈判中的不确定性“吓坏”了整个世界。  

 As Abraham Lincoln said: “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” The same applies to individuals.  

 亚伯拉罕?林肯(Abraham Lincoln)曾经说过：“美国从来不会被外部打败。如果我们踌躇并失去自由的话，肯定是因为我们被自己打败了。”这句话同样适用于个人。  

 Impatience.

 没耐心

While a sense of urgency is a valuable trait, this should not mutate into a lack of persistence. Plenty do not reach the heights because they give up too easily. Most of the best projects I have ever carried out have taken twice as long and been much more difficult than expected. But in the end they were worth it.  

紧迫感是一种可贵的品质，但这不应该变成缺乏恒心。很多人之所以走不到顶端，是因为他们过早放弃了。我开展过的大部分最佳项目所需要的时间都是预期的两倍，也要比想象中难得多。但最终结果证明这是值得的。  

 Lack of focus.

 不专注

In the 21st century, it is easier than ever before to lose concentration. But true victory only comes to those who seize upon a mission and pursue it in a single-minded fashion. The easily distracted tend to fall by the wayside.  

21世纪，人们比以往任何时候都容易失去重心。但只有那些坚持使命并且不达目的不罢休的人才能获得真正的成功。容易分心的人往往在中途就会失败。  

  Pessimism.

 悲观

There are always a thousand justifications as to why running a business is a bad idea; but they are mostly just excuses. Cynics and negative thinkers never change the world, and have always been wrong in the long run. To do something bold requires a positive spirit and a sense that luck is on your side. It is a curious fact that if you adopt that attitude, then the tide will often turn for you.  

我们总能找到一千个理由来说明创业不好，但主要都是借口。愤世嫉俗的人和消极的人永远无法改变世界，并且长远来看都是错误的。大胆的行动需要积极的心态，并且认为自己是幸运的。令人惊奇的是，如果你持有这种态度，那么幸运之神就会降临到你身上。  

 Cowardice.

 懦弱

A little fear can be a powerful catalyst for action – but too much risk aversion means a life of disappointment and lost chances.  

一点点恐惧可以是行动的强大催化剂，但过度规避风险意味着一个充满失望、失去机遇的人生。  

 As Macbeth said: “Present fears are less than horrible imaginings.”  

 麦克白(Macbeth)曾经说：“当下的恐惧并不如幻想中可怕。”  

 Being too comfortable.

 贪图安逸

entrepreneurship demands long hours, constant striving, and an imperfect work/life balance. Pleasure seekers who lack the necessary grit and stamina for the long haul, and are unwilling to make personal sacrifices for their careers, are unlikely to have what it takes to make the grade.  

创业需要长时间工作和不断的努力，也不会有完美的工作/生活平衡。那些追寻享乐却又缺乏长期奋斗中必要的毅力和耐力的人，是不愿意为事业做出牺牲的，也不太可能具备成功的要素。  

 I suffer regular attacks from most of these evils myself, and need to constantly fight against their depredations to get anything done. But from experience I know they can be defeated even if only temporarily. The single great weapon we all possess is willpower – it is a question of how much self-discipline we choose to exercise.  

 我自己也经常犯上述大部分错误。而如果我想要取得任何成就的话，就需要不断与它们作斗争。但从经验来看，我知道它们是可以战胜的，即使只是暂时的。我们都拥有的一个强大的武器就是意志力。问题是，我们有多大的自制力。