“There’s no school for entrepreneurship or at least no school that teaches you the lessons you will learn by being an entrepreneur. You can read all the books and articles you want, but until you’re actually out there starting and running your own business, you won’t really know what it’s like. I like to think of myself as a seasoned entrepreneur because I’ve made so many mistakes along the way. And trust me, I’ve learned some hard lessons. These are a few lessons I’ve learned that I wish I knew starting out.”
The importance of a good support system
We may not always realize it, but having a network of family, friends, and mentors can make a world of difference in our lives. A strong support system is essential to backing us up when things start to get tough and helping us to stay on track with our goals. In addition to providing emotional support, this network of people can often provide practical advice that helps us get closer to achieving our dreams. Whether you need someone to listen or a shoulder to cry on – or just the occasional good joke – having a solid network of support is invaluable!
The value of networking – don’t ignore building your network
Networking isn’t just something you do to get ahead in your career, it’s something all of us should be doing to get ahead in life. Getting out there to learn, ask good questions, and build authentic relationships can open up opportunities that otherwise may have never crossed our paths. It also teaches us valuable things: how to socialize with people, really get to know what makes them tick and understand how we are interconnected as a society. So don’t just stand on the sidelines; get out there and start building meaningful relationships that extend beyond your current circle of influence!
Don’t be afraid to delegate – you can’t be the expert on everything
We are so often convinced that in order to be successful, we have to know it all. But the truth is no one can possibly know everything, and sometimes it’s important for team morale and effectiveness to recognize that there are talents in other team members. Delegation allows us to build a team to overcome our weaknesses and build successes on the strengths of others – it’s nothing to be afraid of! That’s why gathering a team is so important: each individual contributes their expertise so that collectively we can tackle tasks far more efficiently than ever before.
Be prepared for setbacks – there will be many
This life ain’t no road to easy street – there are plenty of roadblocks and challenges along the way. We all know that things don’t always go according to plan. Being prepared for setbacks is key. Life’s a marathon, not a sprint – and when you face difficult obstacles, you have to remain resilient and keep pushing forward. Adapting and overcoming roadblocks is an important part of success, and it’s all about learning from each setback and growing from it. So sharpen your skills, show up ready to fight, and in the end, you’ll be proud of how far you’ve come!
Persevere through tough times – there is a light at the end of the tunnel
Life may get tough sometimes, but what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger! It’s important to balance looking after yourself with staying focused on getting through the tough times ahead. But don’t be afraid, because even if the tunnel is dark and seemingly endless, there is most certainly a light at the end of it. So take one small action each day towards persevering through your difficult journey – no matter how hard that might be – and before you know it, you’ll find yourself breaking out into the light.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” Chinese Proverb
Celebrate your successes – and share them with your support network
When it comes to success, taking time to celebrate is just as important as reaching the goal. Enjoy the journey, take a moment for yourself to recognize what you have achieved, and take extra pleasure in knowing that your support network was there with you every step of the way. Invite them in on your success, take a moment to give pause, and give praise to all those who helped you get there. When better times come around take stock of how far you have come and take that time to celebrate, especially with those who were part of the victory.
Entrepreneurship is hard. It also teaches you many valuable lessons. A great support system and network can help you through tough times and help you discover many things about yourself as an entrepreneur. If you don’t have a support network, start building your network now. And when things get really tough, remember to delegate and take care of yourself mentally and physically first and foremost. Most importantly, don’t give up – setbacks are inevitable but are almost always followed by celebrations.
What valuable lessons have you learned as an entrepreneur or in life that you would like to share? Comment below.