I’m often asked – if you could go back and do it all over again, what do you wish someone told you? When I was on the jet for a recent work trip, I sat down and put my advice in writing – so for those who are just starting their career, or starting a new business, here is what I wish I knew back then…
Don’t make excuses because nobody cares
Plain and simple. We’ve all experienced hardship in our lives, so the biggest mistake you can make is to make excuses for why you can’t do something.
You might get a free pass once in a while but to rely on that would be a big mistake.
Focus on what you need to get the job done — and then go do it!
Take risk when you’re able to
It can be hard to take a risk (big or small), like quitting your job to start your own business, when you have a family and kids to look out for.
That’s not to say it can’t be done, but it is very difficult. I’m a fan of taking risks earlier in life when you likely have fewer responsibilities and more flexibility.
I’m also a believer in not burning the ships – that means testing before you go all in 100% to make sure you have a customer base first for the business idea you have.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it
𝙀𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜, 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙡𝙩 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚. You have to be willing to give up your free time, your social life, and sometimes even your family time. You have to make a lot of sacrifices and you have to be driven to succeed.
But you know what — every entrepreneur I work with will tell you it’s worth it. I would tell my younger self to dream bigger and take more risks early. I didn’t realise what I was capable of back then.
So, get going, you have got a long road ahead of you…
He inspired the youth on his LinkedIn page
