There are lots of meetings in a week. Many of them are boring. It’s hard to remain 100% enthusiastic and energetic. Being an entrepreneur is hard. You must bring your A-game and you game-face to every meeting. You must make the best possible impression, and get the most out of every encounter. Otherwise you may…
Don’t jump to conclusions before a meeting
You’re meeting someone for the first time. You have pre-conceptions of the person (he’s nice, she’s arrogant, he’s rich, she’s friendly). You have pre-conceptions of the outcome (he’ll invest, she’ll sign up, he’ll join, she’ll say yes). If you take those pre-conceptions into the meeting, you will damage the meeting. You won’t form the right…
Don’t let your desire blind you
You desperately desire for a business partner You desperately desire to raise money. You desperately desire a big customer. You’re so desperate, that you let your desire blind you to: A dodgy business partner/shareholder/customer. You know better, but your desire has blinded you. You can’t avoid desire. Just don’t let it blind you.
Generalisations are generally true
It’s politically incorrect to generalise about nationality, race, gender, etc. And it’s unfair to judge an individual on face value alone. But life is unfair. And reality is politically incorrect. You need to move fast. If you are to move fast, you can’t spend too much time getting to know people. Pay attention to generalisations….
Stay away from shady folk
If she’s dodgy, stay away. If he’s shady, stay away. If there is doubt in your gut, stay away. If if you’re not shady, hanging out with shady folk will make you shady by association. Don’t take any chances. Stay away from shady folk.
Stay close to aspirational people
Decide for yourself the types of people you aspire towards. Stay close to them. You will learn from them, you will mimic them. You’ll be judged as one of them. Stay close to aspirational people.
Take things one step at a time
Business is fluid. The situation is constantly changing. Planning too many steps ahead is fruitless. Just take things one step at a time. You’ll find new opportunities present themselves, and you’re ready to grab them. But only because you took the step.
You can buy competence, you can’t buy character
When you’re looking for staff, shareholders, partners, you need to find people with competence AND character. If you pay enough, you’ll get competence. No amount of money guarantees character. So get your compensation right, and then put all your energy into differentiating between those who have character, and those who don’t. You can buy competence,…
Stop saying you’re tired
Yes, yes, you’re tired. So what. Who isn’t? Everyone is tired. And everyone has a good reason. Crying babies, uncomfortable mattress, long hours, whatever. Everyone has a story for why they’re tired. If you want to win you don’t have time for stories. Stop saying you’re tired. Get on with it.
The mind needs books like a knife needs a whetstone
For an entrepreneur, your mind is your most powerful weapon. The best way to strengthen your mind is in the cut-and-thrust of battle. Trial and error. Risk-taking. Doing actual business. But before you go to battle, you need to make sure your weapon is sharp. Reading keeps your mind sharp. Reading is your whetstone. It’s…
Different time. Different boss.
Bosses come and go. The boss of your biggest customer. The boss of your biggest supplier. Your mayor. Your state president. It happens. And when it happens, you need to adjust to the new regime. Otherwise you’ll lose. Different time. Different boss.
Do not deny who you are
Are you beautiful? Handsome? Nerdy? Sporty? Ugly? Spotty? Famous parents? Poor parents? Inherit money? Dad in jail? Whatever it is that you want to hide because you feel it gives you an unfair advantage, or because it embarasses, stop hiding it. Embrace it. Use it like armour. You can’t be someone other than who you…