Probably the biggest misconception about having your own business I meet is this.

“You start your own company. Work hard for like a half a year and then you have people working for you. This means you don’t have to work anymore, you only check your bank account from time to time to see how your big pile of money is accumulating. You are basically on constant vacation earning money any given moment without even thinking about your business.”

Nothing can be further from reality.

As with most of “hard work” farming is a place to look for great examples.

You start with the seeds. Plant them and then take care of them. Then you harvest and you sell your crop – which is basically your reward for a year of hard and consistent work. If you don’t buy new seeds or keep part of your crop to plant again, you don’t harvest next year. Same with your company.

If you don’t constantly re-invest and re-invent your business.
It is destined to fail.

Sooner or later, any business will. Just like crops would without you taking care of them.
Even if you employ gardeners, it is still you as a driving force – leading, motivating, envisioning, setting example. No one would ever have such high emotional stake in your business as you. Which I believe is single biggest motivator for entrepreneurs.

If you go for your own business with the idea of half a year of hard work and then lifelong vacation. You better think again. It will not happen. Guaranteed.