Do The Work.
Let’s talk about it!
In the summer of last year, I came up with the bright idea to start a digital marketing agency. Given that I’ve worked in both retail and corporate sales in the past 5 years, I figured my outgoing personality will thrive in the marketing industry.
I also saw it as an opportunity to help out friends and colleagues who are entrepreneurs, but didn’t have the time and resources to market their business.
But lowkey, I just wanted to start “my own” business.
A friend of mine who was aware of my desire to start a marketing agency, approached me, and asked that I design some logos for him. Obviously, I was absolutely thrilled about the opportunity. And two weeks later, I had designed 3 taxi logos for him. I got paid $100 CAD which I thought was decent for my first gig.
Here comes the climax to the story; with that boldness, I decided to come up with the name of my digital marketing business. I created an Instagram page, and I made the number one entrepreneur rookie mistake, of incorporating my 4 weeks old business for $890 + Tax CAD.
Harvey F. Silver once said
“Impulsiveness is the enemy of deep thinking.”
People who aren’t self-reflective, end up making bad decisions, because they don’t really know what they want in the first place.
This is just one example of the many times I’ve made some impulsive decisions.
If you’re like me, who’s more of a doer, than a thinker, here are some steps we need to take before doing:
STEP 1 — Ask Yourself Why?
Before doing, take some time to reflect and ask yourself…
What’s my why? why is this so important to me?
Keynote: Understanding what your motive is, is the most important step to setting achievable goals.
STEP 2 — Write it down
Write down your whys, make a pros and cons list, and analyse your answers.
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Most importantly, be real with yourself.
Keynote: While your whys may be pertinent, know that it may help you get started on your journey, but may not sustain you in the long run.
STEP 3 — Set realistic expectations for yourself.
No two people are the same. Billy may bench 40 reps without taking a break, while Mandy might just do 20. In the end, both people are working towards their body goals, no matter the pace.
Sometimes, we’re so caught up in our heads, constantly playing the comparison game whether we know it or not, forgetting that we are all unique, in our own various ways.
Keynote: Make sure your goals are SMART Goals, that is, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely Achievable goals.
STEP 4 — Do the research
Speak to people in the same field, reach out to people with relevant experience. It will be a good measure to see how much effort is required.
Their experience will guide you through your decision making of what to do, and what not to do.
Keynote: When faced with complex decisions, gather all the raw information, write it down. Then take a break, clear your mind, then come back to it later. The decision you make afterwards is more likely to be the right or at least a perfectly acceptable one.
STEP 5 — Don’t sweat the small stuff
Don’t stress over things that may very well be out of your control in the moment, or may soon be in the past. Just start and keep going.
Keynote: After each decision you make, ask yourself how you felt afterwards and what about that experience you can apply in the future.
Then do the work!
TL;DR —
- Identify your goals.
- Write down your whys.
- Set a SMART achievable goals.
- Join a group for accountability and to help you focus on your goals.
- Pace yourself.
- Set a deadline.
- Reflect.
- And finally, give thanks.
