As I find myself craving more and more experience, knowledge and advice about the entrepreneurial world, every day seems to bare an abundance of results. I’m the kind of person who looks for motivational expressions to govern my life. A few years ago, I stumbled upon a quote by Gandhi that stuck with me, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Growing up in the digital age, I have watched the accelerating impact that humanity is putting on the earth and subsequently I want to see the world turn away from the dangerously high CO2 emissions that are produced.

With that being said, I have integrated my goal into viable idea that could slowly make a difference. With the assistance of my partner, we are creating a community development that is self-sufficient and eco-friendly. By harnessing the power of the sun and wind, we will generate a sufficient amount of energy to power our community. We plan to construct each home from recycled materials and integrate new technologies to make our community less harmful to the planet.

Little did I know when we started this endeavor was the commitment I was getting into. I think a majority of people fail to realize what it takes to start a business. For example, in my case, there are two of us to completely learn every aspect of this business on top of our current situations. For myself that includes three jobs, 65 hours a week. Add the research required to educate myself on what it takes to do what we strive to accomplish with our business and now you’re looking at over 100 hours a week.

As a 19 year old, it feels grueling. But as an entrepreneur at heart the drive to make something of myself overcomes the grueling feeling. In that regard, I believe that same drive is what makes every entrepreneur unique in their own way. It is in fact what separates the successful from the ordinary.

“All of the top achievers I know are life-long learners. Looking for new skills, insights, and ideas. If they’re not learning, they’re not growing and moving towards excellence.” – Denis Waitley