Before Launching a Business, Ask Yourself These 5 Questions How to know whether the sacrifice is worth it.

Q: I have a startup idea…but how do I know whether it's worth my time to pursue — Nia, Chicago

That's a very important question. In fact, it might be the most important question — and many entrepreneurs bypass it on the road to independence. We're so excited by our 2 a.m. epiphany that we don't want to know the answer. We fear that this is our one and only shot, and that another great idea may never come. But if you skip this self-audit, you may face massive consequences for years to come.

The consequence is this: opportunity cost.