When people imagine starting their own business, everything seems perfect. They think about quitting their jobs, making a positive impact on the world, and living the lifestyle they always dreamed of.

I know, because I hear it all the time. It’s easy to feel amped up and ready to take on the world. But once the reality of needing to do the work sets in, a lot of people gradually let go of their dream and look for another shortcut to success.

Running a business is hard. Now, this isn’t meant to put you off from doing so. Not at all. Instead, think of it as a way of preparing yourself for the difficulties that lie ahead.

Starting and running your business is an incredible journey for those who are willing to walk that road. So if you think you have what it takes, learning about the harsh truths of running a business will help you to keep moving when you encounter obstacles.

Here are five things you should know before starting a business:

1. It’s a commitment

When people say that learning a skill or building anything requires a long-term approach, many of us just nod our heads. It’s as if we hear it all the time, but it doesn’t really register internally. As a result, many people get tired of working on their businesses and chase after something new because it feels fresh and exciting.

Starting and sticking to a business is like trying to master any skill. It takes patience and responsibility to nurture and grow a business. Sometimes working on it can feel boring, while other times it can be fun. The key is to be consistent in your actions.

“We only get to play this game one time…one life.” – Gary Vaynerchuk

2. There will be growing pains at every corner

“If I can just get this off the ground, then everything will be okay.” This is a common train of thought people have when they first start a business. They figure that if they can just get past the beginning, which they believe is the hard part, then it’ll be smooth sailing afterward.

While this may be a nice way to motivate yourself initially, the truth is that each stage of your business will have its difficulties. Once you’ve learned to grow your business past one step, then the next step will have a different set of challenges. You’ll have to continually think about how to get your business to grow, innovate, and sustain itself in a changing environment.

3. You’re not as good as you think

People, especially beginners, tend to overestimate their abilities. We think we can do anything we set our minds to. It’s only when we attempt something and fail that we realize our true skill level. That’s okay. It’s completely normal and just part of the process. You can keep improving by practicing and learning from those who are more advanced than you are.

4. You will learn a lot

Unlike most jobs, where you do the same things over and over again, starting a business requires you to be a jack-of-all-trades. You’ll have to manage many aspects of the business yourself, which will teach you a lot in the process. Sometimes you learn by trying things out, and other times you learn by making mistakes.

Outside of your business, you’ll also learn along the way by reading articles and books, attending seminars, or talking to other people.

“Learning never exhausts the mind.” – Leonardo da Vinci

5. You will feel like giving up

Do you ever hear successful people talk about those tough times they faced when they were starting out? That will be you. You will question your efforts. You will want to pull your hair out as you wonder what on Earth you are doing. You will want to quit. Everyone who tries something will have these thoughts going through their heads. The difference is whether you will give in, or whether you will keep pushing forward.

What are you struggling with at the moment? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below!