Independence means, literally, not being dependent. Not needing someone else, or another company, or a crutch. Not needing money, or love, or attention. No dependencies means you have power. The power to act without fear. Your power is your independence. Don’t give up your power.
Make sure you have options
The worst mental state you can be is one of fear. Fear comes from being in a corner. Backed up with no options. The way to avoid fear is to always make sure you have options. Never put yourself in a situation where you MUST sell your company, or you MUST raise capital, or you…
Repetition repetition repetition
When you’re building a business, name recognition helps. Make your brand known. Start by using the same name on every piece of collateral you have. And then just expose it to the world, over and over. That’s how people will find out about you. Repetition repetition repetition.
Take a step back and think about the future
You’re so focused on your current mission, you forget about what’s around the corner. Step back. Look around. What do you see? Inflation? Technology changing the world? Biotech curing all health problems? Property prices going down? Ask yourself how you’re positioned vis a vis the trends that are shaping the future. For example: Inflation. If…
Lift heavy weights
It’s no good being in-shape and fit when you’re 60, if you can’t lift heavy things. Cardio is good for your shape, but you need strength training if you’re going be independent. The alternative is to always be asking others to carry your bags. Being dependent on others is not the path to success. Lift…
If you have time to sleep, sleep
Sometimes you go through slow patches. Not a lot of work, phone not ringing, no sleepless nights. No real need to wake up early in the morning. Don’t stress. You’re being given an opportunity to recharge your batteries. To do the stuff you want to do but you never have the time to do. The…
Read the right books
Most books are good for you. At worst, they’re just a waste of time. But some books are actually bad for you. The wrong ideas and lessons, well framed, are very dangerous. Steer clear of good books written by authors that have issues. Those books are the wrong books. Find good books written by authors…
Keep reading books
The simplest way to learn is to read. Not only do you learn new stuff, but you get better at reading (which makes it easier to learn new stuff). Most usefully, reading fires off neurons in your brain, creating unexpected connections and insights. Reading makes you creative. Creativity is best way to find a game…
You’re in the arena, appreciate it
Sometimes the stress of the job can get a bit much. The pressure, the responsibility, the tension. Sometimes you think to yourself, “I’d rather not be doing this.” Stop. You are lucky. There are thousands of people who wish they had the opportunity to in the arena. Fighting it out in the dust, the crowd…
Go with it
Most times, you control events. You are the master of your destiny, of your business. But sometimes, things happen that you can’t control. Your first reaction will always be to fight the current. If the fight is going nowhere, there’s only one choice. Go with it.
Pick the best person for the job
In all walks of life, there are politics. Agendas and egos and rumours. Its especially hard when trying to find a leader for your business. Great leaders, by definition, carry a lot of baggage. To get ahead, to create stuff, they’ve upset people. Those people then do their best to shout them down. If you…
Start meeting people
Landed in a new city? A new industry? A new country? The reason it’s hard getting going is because you know no one. Opportunities come via people, if you don’t know any people then you can’t find things to do. So go out and meet people. Its a numbers game. The more people you meet,…