For many, entrepreneurship is more than a career; it’s a calling. But in the Shark Tank generation, the tug of starting a business can be overpowering. Because the financial, emotional, and reputational risks of entrepreneurship are heavy, there are many good reasons not to launch a company. Start with these three:

Exploit a Loophole

“I’ll make as much money as I can before I get shut down” is not a business plan, it’s a crime. Many profitable business ideas are often against the rules -- and I’m not just talking about obvious sins. Instead of trying to outsmart the law, pour your creativity into something more worthwhile.

“I’ll make as much money as I can before I get shut down” is not a business plan, it’s a crime.

These loopholes include dubious social media growth services, questionable “nutrition” products, forex trading, and anything else you can only buy on Instagram. Even if you think of a novel business idea, be cautious! Research federal, state, and local regulations to figure out why nobody else is doing it yet before committing.

Extract Revenge

Pursue your dream, not someone else’s idea. The joys of entrepreneurship are complete autonomy and limitless upside. Working out of anger spoils the best perks of the job! If you aim to show up somebody else, you lose your independence. And if your goal is to keep up with the competition, you limit your potential.

While revenge can be a powerful motivation to just start, it’s not permanent enough to sustain momentum. The freedom to make your own decisions overshadows the late nights, extra stress, and constant uncertainty linked with working for yourself. After your anger fades, you may realize you cared more about beating somebody else than maximizing your potential.

Explore a Hobby

Businesses can grow out of hobbies, but hobbies rarely grow out of businesses. If you already enjoy an activity, you’re likely to spot many innovative business opportunities – and that’s a good thing! But starting a new business to explore a new hobby can be disastrous.

“Try it for fun before you do it for profit.”

Hobbies are fickle. Everyone outgrows old pastimes, develops new interests, and shifts focus throughout their lives. But growing a successful business requires commitment and dedication that extend beyond whatever is interesting at the moment. If you think you might enjoy a new activity, try it for fun before you do it for profit.

There are many good reasons not to start a business, but remember these three: Exploit, Extract, and Explore. Before diving in too deep, assess your motivations. If it falls into one of these traps, take a breath, analyze alternatives, and make an adjustment. It will be good practice for perfecting your next idea!

Adapted from the upcoming book, The Entrepreneur in You →