I Hope you’re having a wonderful day so far. I woke up at 9:30 am, ate a big stack of pancakes with syrup and now I’m sitting outside on the patio writing this. This is my version of the good life!
I’ve been knee-deep into writing a new book which also means I’ve been doing boatloads of research. I learned that no matter how much you think you know, you actually don’t know much at all.
So I want to share with you 7 things I learned about leading a successful business lifestyle that seriously shocked me.
Make Sacrifices - "Either you sacrifice for your dreams or you sacrifice the dream" -Khushi Mathur. In other words, you need to sacrifice things for your goals or your goals will become your sacrifice. Delayed gratification always lasts longer than instant gratification.
Be a Proactive Person - A reactive person is someone who complains and focuses on the things they can't control. Politics, weather, economy, other's opinions, and what people think about you. A proactive person focuses on the things they can control. Their attitude, education, skills they can learn, enthusiasm, habits, and hobbies. Ask yourself what you can do. Take responsibility. Anything is possible. At the end of the day, you write your life's script.
Focus on your Inputs - Many people see a desirable outcome but don't understand the input is the secret to get the desired outcome. For example, you see someone driving a Lamborghini and automatically think, "incredible, I want a career like him because driving a Lamborghini will make me happy". So you go up to talk to the guy and surprisingly he gives you a job. You are so excited because you believe your luck has turned around and you will finally be happy. 2 months into the job you quit because you haven't been paid any money and you were miserable working there. The problem was you were focused on the outcome of the dream rather than all the hard work it takes to achieve your dream. Instead, you should have been focused on the work and the dream will come. Learn to love what you do and enjoy the journey. If you don't, the desired destination may never come. Your Inputs = Your Outcome
Business is all About Solving Problems - The most famous inventions in the world simply solve problems. When the internet first came out, it was fairly difficult to navigate. Then Google came along and solved the problem of complexity. After Google launched, more and more people used the internet because their problem was solved: simplicity. The first iPhone by Apple solved many problems. It combined the telephone, text message, music, the internet, and so much more onto one handheld device. Because Apple solved a universal problem, people worldwide started buying their products.
Lions Don't Care About the Opinions of Sheep - When you first start out as an entrepreneur in business, it is really hard not to care about what other people think. Society teaches us the importance of picking up social cues. When talking to someone you see their facial reactions, verbal cues, and body language. We learn what's cool and what's not cool. When you first start a business you suddenly become a black sheep. People think you have changed and you're different. People may say that your idea is not going to work or you should just stay at a University because this idea you have will fail. Sheep will gossip about a lion but the lion does not care. You need to learn to ignore them. First of all, don't ask for people's opinion. People will give their opinion anyway. Don't win with verbal arguments. Win with your results. If you are serious about being an entrepreneur, act like it. A lion does not concern himself with the opinions of sheep.
Stay Lean and Frugal - If you buy things you don't need, soon you will have to sell things you do need. When people start to make more money they can become too involved in their lifestyle like buying valueless "toys". Soon enough, your business suffers and the downward spiral begins. Live below your means. Don't get trapped buying useless stuff. Smart business people don't allow the money they make from their craft to distract them from the founding principles of their craft. Focus on the game. Be dedicated to the game. The money will follow.
Keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing - Throughout your career in business, you will have to sacrifice many things to elevate yourself and your business. To continue climbing, you will need to drop some baggage. Sacrifice things so you can stay focused. The main problem your business is solving should continue to be the main thing you do. If something you do is working really well for you, continue improving that thing so you can stay ahead of the times. Focus all of your energy on a few tasks and those tasks will accelerate you further than you thought possible.
All the best,
Dan
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