The Work Before the Work

If you’ve been thinking about business creation or entrepreneurship, you’ve probably noticed how quickly the urge to plan kicks in — even before there’s much clarity about what you’re planning for.

That instinct feels responsible.
It’s also often where people get stuck.

That’s something I explored here.

So if planning isn’t the right first move when you’re trying to decide whether business creation is for you, then what is?

This is usually the moment where the Operator gets uncomfortable.

Because the answer isn’t decide faster.

It’s explore differently.

The Explorer: Different Job, Different Rules

Explorer mode isn’t reckless.
It’s not vague.
And it’s definitely not “quit your job and see what happens.”

It’s built for a different job: figuring out fit.

This is usually where people ask for a framework. Or a checklist. Or a reassuring timeline.

That makes sense.
It’s just a little early.

Here’s the cleanest way to think about it:

Exploration is walking the terrain to see whether a path is worth mapping — before you draw the map.

When you’re considering business creation, efficiency isn’t the goal yet.
Orientation is.

The Explorer follows real questions:

• What kinds of problems do I actually enjoy engaging with?
• Where do I already have leverage or credibility?
• What pulls my curiosity instead of draining it?

At this stage, there are no KPIs, SOPs, or “right models.”

Not because they don’t matter — but because they come later.

Trying to evaluate entrepreneurship using execution metrics is like judging a relationship by the mortgage before the second date.

How “Should I?” Turns Into “This Makes Sense”

A common worry is that exploration will keep you stuck in indecision.

What usually happens is the opposite.

Exploration changes the question.

“Should I do this?” becomes “When does this make sense for me?”
And eventually, “Here’s what this could realistically look like.”

Conviction doesn’t come from thinking harder.
It comes from contact.

From small experiments.
From conversations.
From noticing what sustains your energy over time instead of draining it.

That’s how abstract debate gives way to grounded clarity.

The Actual Problem (and the Relief)

This isn’t about whether you’re cut out for entrepreneurship.

It’s about using the wrong mode too early.

Here’s the reframe that matters:

You’re not bad at exploring business creation.
You’re just using a muscle trained for execution.

Once that lands, the pressure in your system eases.

You don’t have to decide yet.
You don’t have to justify anything.
You’re allowed to learn first.

Nothing has gone wrong.

Sequencing Beats Silencing

This isn’t about ignoring the Operator. That would be irresponsible.

The Operator is essential — once there’s something concrete to operate on.

A healthier sequence looks like this:

First, the Explorer gets oriented.
It tests. It notices. It gathers real information.

Then the Operator steps in to do what it does best:
assess risk, shape a plan, evaluate tradeoffs, and decide what makes sense to pursue.

The Operator doesn’t disappear.

It just comes in at the right time.

Why I Trust This

I ran into this myself when I started questioning whether staying in corporate consulting was really it for me.

I knew I was ready for something else.
I just didn’t know what yet.

My Operator wanted a plan before permission.

That didn’t work.

What worked was exploration — learning just enough to make a decision, not to solve the whole thing; diving deep where my curiosity pulled me; and noticing what gave me energy versus what drained it.

Planning came later, once there was something real to plan.

The Work Before the Work

This phase isn’t about deciding to become an entrepreneur.
It’s not about committing to a business.

It’s about learning how to explore the question properly.

Not perfectly.
Rather, finding your signal.

You don’t decide your way into business creation.
You explore your way there.

No urgency.
No forcing clarity.

Just enough space for the right next insight to show up.

I’ll share [link to be added Feb 3, 2026] a practical technique for interrupting the Operator in the moment — and creating space for real exploration.

Helping you make room for what’s next,

Pierre

Certified Professional Coach

P.S. If your brain is already trying to turn this into a plan… congratulations. You just met your Operator in real time.

Photo by Denise Jans on Unsplash