6 Learnings after 6 Months of Being an Entrepreneur!
Six months. I’ve been an entrepreneur and a business owner now for six whole months! After 30ish years in the ‘corporate’ world, it still feels odd to type that sentence out and see it on the screen. It also feels freeing. Exciting. Sometimes still scary. But most of all it feels like a world of opportunity in waiting.
So, what have I learned in these six short months, that occasionally also can feel like a lifetime? Well, glad you asked.
1) Inspirational people. There are a lot of people in this world and in my community taking their shot just like me. Some really smart people with great ideas and lofty aspirations. Young, old, every ethnicity, every background. No they won’t all make it, but it’s crazy how inspiring they are. Meeting them has been the highlight of this journey thus far. So don’t get in a cocoon, get out there, meet, learn and be inspired by a fantastically diverse group of individuals.
2) Help. The world is still full of some really wonderful people. So many helping hands, with no expectations of anything being in it for them other than to help. Also, I’m finding you absolutely, positively, must allow them to help in order for you to be successful.
3) Don’t burn it. No matter where you are in your life and career, entrepreneur or not...network. Or maybe better yet, be kind and respectful to people. Be the type of person people want to work with and associate with. It has been amazing the people from my past, and some WAY in my past, who have re-entered my life as clients, references, or project partners. They have been past employees, bosses, co-workers, suppliers and just about any other professional relationship. Never burn a bridge...sometimes old clichés are clichés for a reason. They are true.
4) Ups and downs. At least after just six months, it can still get scary. No matter how much success or confidence you had in the past, or have now, you will still go through periods wondering ‘can I be successful at this.’ At least I have. Luckily, they get shorter in duration. I think this is normal. I hope this is normal. Don’t let it get you down and definitely don’t let it define you.
5) Stay the course and also be flexible. I’ve learned you need to stick to what your vision was for your business, while also being willing to adjust and be open to something that you may not have seen coming. This is challenging. For example, in my case I’m learning, or at least being reminded, that writing is something I love doing...so although not in my original plan, I’m looking to expand on that somewhat. Don’t be all over the place where you can’t tell people what you do, but be open to a slightly different path too. You’ll never know what you will find on that path.
6) Do it. And finally, the thrill of being on your own is exhilarating. Doing it exactly (I hope) as you decide, not someone else deciding, is freeing. Take the chance. Bet on yourself. You can do this. And even if by some chance your business doesn’t succeed, it doesn’t mean you failed. All you’ve done is learn for the next time. Trying is succeeding. That is the ultimate lesson learned.
Hi, I’m Dave Lucas. I am passionate about people-first leadership and marketing. My experience includes 20+ years in marketing leadership positions at Caterpillar Inc., many as the Global Digital Marketing Manager, and 10+ years in leadership positions at various marketing agencies. I am now the owner of Lucas Partnering, which focuses on companies looking to leverage my experience to advance their marketing efforts to the next level. You can reach me at davidlucas@lucaspartnering.com.
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