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People often ask me, how did you get into your current job?
Starting a company is easy, but maintaining it is much harder
Honestly, it hasn’t been an easy road. There was never a day when I woke up and decided to leave the safety and comfort of my corporate life and go on an adventure.
Starting a company is easy, but maintaining it is very difficult. Life is full of surprises, so sometimes I wonder out loud. Why am I doing this? Do you have what it takes?
But you are not alone. Here are some features and tricks that aren’t fully explained, but they’re by no means exhaustive, nor are they prerequisites for success.
aAuthenticityYou have to be who you really are. Being honest is probably one of the most important things that separate you from others. Don’t lie.
B.landYou are the brand.If you are an individual entrepreneur, you that’s all brand. What do you represent as a brand? And is it something the client wants to associate with?
HacuriosityBeing a problem solver is part of our mojo. Stay curious and ask why. And never stop learning.we probably can’t know allcan I?
D.decision and D.regularGetting started on your own can be a daunting task. It’s even harder to keep going. Being determined and disciplined keeps you moving forward and grounded. Once I make a promise to a client, I keep it. Think Energizer Bunny.
eexecutionA great idea is nothing but a beautiful deck unless it is executed.
debtOphthalmologyThe world is an exciting place. But don’t be like the squirrel. concentration. concentration. concentration. Starting a business is like running a marathon. Stick to your strategy and stay focused.
G.GenerosityHow can we incorporate generosity into our daily lives? We can all be a little more compassionate, especially during difficult times. Be generous and pay upfront when you can. Be the light of the world you want to see.
H.earthWhat is the difference between you and the machine? ‘I’m cut off. you must have a heart
MeHonestyYou don’t have to say this out loud. Good behavior is simply good for business. After all, it’s your reputation. Honestly, this is a must for everyone, not just entrepreneurs.
J.judgmentIt is important to be able to make sound decisions, especially in highly uncertain environments. Slow down and clear your head. And it gets better with time and experience.
K.IndiaChoose to be kind when you can be anything in the world. This should guide everyone, not just entrepreneurs.
L.listeningStop talking and listen more. Make decisions based not only on what you know, but also on what you learn from others around you, including stakeholders, colleagues, advisors, VCs, and customers.
M.motiveAs the end of the year review approached, we were all there and had someone watching over us (and not always in a good way). More important than ever. Don’t be lazy. Think of motivation as jet fuel. So let’s make a plan and go!
N.networkI need a village. Entrepreneurship is a lonely journey, so it’s even more important to be there to support each other, share learnings, and celebrate small victories. I cannot stress this enough.
pen mindListen to different perspectives and look at the problem through different lenses. We all have much to learn.
P.emergencyWhat is your go-to guide when things get tough? What keeps you up at night, and more importantly, what keeps you up in the morning? Ask yourself this: Why are you doing what you are doing? And be honest with yourself.
Q.qualityAccording to Henry Ford, “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” So make this a habit!
R.EligibilityCan your team rely on you? Can your customers trust your delivery? Remember the old adage: Don’t make promises you can’t keep.
S.tory tellingSuccessful leaders are also great storytellers.
T.rustTrust goes hand in hand with credibility and it is the most powerful tool you have. Building trust with colleagues, stakeholders, and clients can go a long way in helping your business grow and navigate turbulent times (hint: now).
cormorantdo not compromiseA relentless and uncompromising focus on what matters most: culture and vision.
ionHaving a vision is a great start. Being able to articulate it and encourage others to stand by it is even more important.
W.Hey. Notice how children always ask why. Learn from children!
eXPerimentIt doesn’t always work the first time. Give yourself space to identify and prioritize risks and conceptualize experiments to address them. Experimentation can help guide the way forward. And sometimes it’s okay if the experiment goes wrong. You have to learn from it and let it go.
worldyouKnowing what you know now, what would you tell your younger self? Would you have followed the same path? what would you change? Take it easy and give yourself a moment of reflection. I read a book. take a walk And take care of yourself.
Z.ExagLife is unpredictable and things are not as easy as we would like. But these twists and turns add to our lived experience and can make us stronger and more empathetic.
Remember, you got this!
About the author
Theodora (Theo) Lau is the founder of Unconventional Ventures. She is co-author of her Beyond Good and co-host of One Vision, a podcast on fintech and innovation.
He is also a regular contributor to industry-leading events and publications, including Harvard Business Review and Nikkei Asian Review.
