Transition Back to Employee After Being an Entrepreneur

The way back to normal life?

Owning your own business is tough. It’s definitely not for everyone, and even the best business ideas sometimes don’t work out. In fact, this happens more often than not. While the numbers vary by study, it’s estimated that well more than half of all businesses fail - or at least fail to succeed. Additionally, other factors in an entrepreneur’s life can change and require them to go back to seek a day job, whether in the corporate world or even with another small business.

After being a freelancer for 4yo I thought it should be easy to buy into the dream of owning your own business and thinking that it will be better than working for someone else. After a few months into business ownership, I have had clients tell me that however many hours they might have to work in corporate, executing on someone else’s strategy would seem so much easier than having to come up with the strategy, do the marketing, sell the work and then deliver the work. Although being the CEO and the janitor isn’t for everyone, I truly enjoyed to realise my idea of how to deliver services in event management.

As time went by, things started to change a little. The more I integrated, the more I saw, understood and acknowledged. Oblivious as I was at the beginning, I soon realised that I was somehow treated differently than my fellow British colleagues. For a while, it didn't bother me, but after around 7.5yo in business in the UK I didn’t get the required traction back as suppose to. 

Facing political instability (previous blog) was just one of some reasons why my decision had to be made. The cultural approach within the industries have also been more and more of a struggle. As soon you’re not falling into the exact criteria the big competitors dictate, you can be sure not being respected as one of them and you will face certain struggles. Europeans do have indeed a different attitude how business should be done and how competitors play a role within your network - or not. I have since then read a lot about Europeans leaving the UK for the exact same reasons I faced several times (see also this blog).

31st December 2019 ... probably a date I will never forget in my life. After 9yo of self-employment in the UK and 13yo being my own boss I have decided to close down my business and going back to employment, working for someone else. However, us entrepreneurs should get credit for having had the guts to try. Especially us who come from a different country. We can talk about what we’ve learned in the process. We can talk about how much harder it was than we expected. We can talk about becoming a great time-manager and learning to be self-directed. We can also talk about how great it was to start a new life and bring cultural background with you. Or we can talk about being an “intrapreneur” -- bringing our international entrepreneurial mindset into a corporate environment. We can actually be a big plus for some companies out there. But this requires understanding for our “different” thinking and operating style.

I have been delighted for having received a new job offer within the industry. Knowing it would be a big step for me to close down my business I have also been excited to get the chance for exploring a new venture. I knew the further I go outside of my comfort zone, the more I’ll learn. 

The biggest roadblock for me as entrepreneur have been my inner game. There is often some shame or sadness associated with me having left my own business. I have also been afraid that I might lose the contacts I have developed with other entrepreneurs. After now 4 weeks in the new role I realise that the onboarding process is quite challenging. 

The longer decision-making cycles and defined processes and procedures in corporate seem overly burdensome since I have been able to make quick decisions and change directions easily in my own business. I probably have to exercise more patience - with myself and and my colleagues. As strange as it seems but even sitting in another office is somehow quite distracting. I shall try to get myself some decent headphones to listen to some tunes or even an inspirational podcast about creative exercise.

Also, having to go into the office and work a fixed schedule seems to require some adjustment. I feel almost like having perpetual jet lag. I am extremely tired, experience headaches and I struggle to concentrate in daily routines. My plan was going back to a dietary change and eat well again, to exercise again and to finally get plenty of sleep - all of it haven’t been hugely successful yet.

Unlocking my inner creativity again

Creativity isn’t only important for “creative” jobs. In a study by IBM, about 60 percent of CEOs polled cited creativity as the most important leadership quality, compared with 52 percent for integrity and 35 percent for global thinking. Why? Because creativity enables people to solve problems, respond to challenges and come up with innovative ideas. Creativity isn’t something you’re just born with; with some practice and nurturing, you can train yourself to become a more creative person.

To bring out my creative side again, I needed to bring the thoughts from inside of my mind, out onto paper. I started writing down all of my ideas onto paper, no matter how silly or impossible they may seem. Just the exercise of writing down my ideas helps me to boost my creative thinking. Apparently the process of writing down your ideas trains your brain to keep coming up with new ideas. It’s been said that creativity is contagious. In fact, according to ScienceDaily, "leaders can imbue their subordinates with confidence and creativity just by setting an example themselves." So, I also need to surround yourself with creative people again. They say by hanging out with creative people on a regular basis, their thoughts and behaviors can rub off on you, which can inspire you and boost your own creativity.

My plan is also to recall myself to the following 9 ways to rewire your brain for creativity:

1. Mindful observation.

Our ability to create begins with observing the world around us. How we perceive our surroundings and our environment fuels our creativity. This begins with mindful observation, or noticing and appreciating the details of your surroundings.

By improving your observation skills, you’ll tap into your creative energy and discover nuances and details you hadn’t noticed before. This will open your mind to new possibilities and help you build a repertoire of experiences that can ignite innovation. Being observant means paying close attention to the world around you.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the staggering amount of visual information that surrounds us. Start by focusing on areas where you want to make improvements. The world is full of interesting patterns and connections. Try to spot the relationships between things. Look for how things form or “click” together, and how people and things affect one another. These connections can be fuel for ideas and spark your creative process.

2. Change your environment.

Your drab surroundings may be zapping your inspiration. One easy hack to rekindle your creativity is to try changing your environment. Sometimes a bustling atmosphere can do the trick, so try packing up your laptop and find a restaurant, café or even a park setting where you can work for a while.

In addition, set up your workspace in a way that is conducive to being creative. This will be highly personal based on your preferences, but make sure you have a dedicated space where you create, and only create, whether in a work office or in your home.

Make the space comfortable, ensuring your desk and chair are at the right height and you’re well supported. Consider what colors you use to decorate. Blue is often considered good for boosting creative thinking, but you know yourself best. And consider clutter -- some people believe that clutter encourages creativity by promoting unconventional thinking. Others feel they can focus better in a tidy space.

3. Take a creative stroll.

We all know a sedentary life is bad for your health, and it turns out exercise is also good for your creative thinking. Simply getting up and going for a walk will improve brain function and boost your creativity. One study found that walking benefited creative brainstorming and enhanced “divergent” or unconventional thinking.

You can also turn a walk into an opportunity to practice mindful observation. Watch people in a crowded area. Take mental note of things that catch your eye and make a quick sketch when you get home. Or take photos along the way and create a weekly collage of the things you see. Try taking a “soundwalk,” in which you focus on the sounds around you and where they’re coming from.

4. Recharge your curiosity.

Creativity thrives on curiosity. Our ability to wonder, to dig into something and search for answers, ignites our creativity and fuels our innovative thoughts. But our thirst for knowledge can dwindle over time. We stop asking and begin accepting. Try sparking your imagination and creativity by asking questions.

Start living a curiosity-driven life. What piques your interest? Delve into it; examine and research it. See where your line of thinking takes you. You may discover that you thrive on the process of discovery. The more you know, the more your mind is awakened, and the more you want to learn. This will open your mind to new possibilities others simply cannot see.

5. Blue sky thinking.

Blue sky thinking means to completely free your mind and brainstorm without limitations. It means moving beyond the standards, boundaries and thresholds that we have built for ourselves and generating ideas that aren’t bound by cost, effort, time, technology or resources. It means freeing yourself of constraints, assumptions and self-limiting beliefs. It’s a great way to ignite your creative engine and spur innovative thoughts.

Start with a clear question with a specific goal. Remember, there are no bad ideas, so don’t berate yourself for a thought you might think is dumb. This is giving yourself the ability to think out of the box and explore ideas without dismissing them too quickly.

The idea is to unburden yourself with constraints that bog down your thinking, so be creative and wacky. When you’re done, look through the ideas. You can weed out impractical ideas or those that aren’t focused on the goal, but there may be nuggets of thought that can help you find achievable, pertinent concepts you can build on.

6. Incorporate “design thinking” into your creative process.

Design thinking is an approach to practical and creative problem-solving. It starts with empathy -- understanding what the end user wants, their constraints and desires. Because design thinking focuses on humans and understanding people’s needs, and then coming up with effective solutions to meet those needs, it can be applied to nearly any field.

The design thinking process consists of 5 stages: empathize, define, ideate, prototype and test. It marries both creativity and critical-thinking skills. It requires designers to generate lots of ideas and prototype them, so they become comfortable with failure.

It forces you to keep your mind open, to try out many ideas early on, so you don’t get too invested in just one. The process harnesses creativity through inquiry. At its core, it’s a structured, systematic way of solving problems.

7. Practice creating.

Creativity is a skill, and it takes practice to fine-tune it. The act of creating something actually spurs your mind to be more creative. Even for the most creative and innovative people, about 10 percent of their work is natural talent and 90 percent is labor.

You can cultivate your creativity by challenging yourself to create every day, in whatever way speaks to you, whether that is writing, drawing, photography, painting, dancing, singing or creating music. Push past your first ideas. We often focus on concepts we already know.

Don’t self-edit, but give yourself freedom to go in different directions. Let your ideas flow, then look at them more critically. Creativity is a process that takes time and effort.

8. Take time to daydream.

Allowing yourself time to “space out” and let your mind wander can boost creativity. Researchers have found that daydreaming can lead to creative problem-solving. When your mind wanders, it accesses memories, emotions and random bits of stored knowledge. The key to using mind-wandering effectively is to direct it toward an area you’re looking for inspiration in.

Focused daydreaming requires you to first research and explore the problem or issue you’re hoping to solve. Having a foundation of knowledge to draw on is important, so the subconscious mind can ponder it all. Then you’ll need to find a way to “switch off” and let your mind go.

Pay close attention to any ideas you come up with, and jot them down. A few ways to create a daydreaming mind include going for a walk, taking a shower or bath, going for a bicycle ride or lying awake at night or in the morning.

9. Build a creative portfolio that inspires you.

Reflect on what inspires you to be your best, creative self -- what helps you tap into your innovative thoughts and ideas? Are there certain blogs, books or videos that shake up your thinking and spur ideas? Are there activities that always seem to relax your mind and help you look at things in an unconventional way, such as journal writing, meditating or going for a run?

Build a portfolio of things that help you tap into your creative energy and original thinking. If you enjoy drawing, try keeping a sketch pad or doodle book. If you like to write, keep a notepad handy to jot down stray thoughts.

Make time to write every day. If you find inspiration in nature, try collecting small items from your time outside, or take pictures of scenes you come across and find stimulating or exhilarating. Arrange the items or pictures in a notebook or collage. Whatever it is you find interesting, motivating and inspiring, use it to help you rewire your brain and boost your creativity on a daily basis. 

A Farewell thanks to Brexit

It is surely not a secret anymore: BREXIT did hit the British economy!

An era ends for now - tribute to my life project

In the current political climate it’s an understatement to say a lot can happen in 24 hours. In my case It’s been an interesting few weeks and months, some which saw my business struggling of the uncertainty our clients face.

8 years ago I decided to relocate from Germany to the UK and to rebuild my business (Rock Ya Events Group Ltd.) in Scotland. The country I am very proud to call now my home! The home where you settle and where you want to stay for the rest of your life. Fairly quick I learned about the culture, the history and also everything what I needed to know about the tourism industry to start my first job as tour guide. I started to follow my personal dream - to explore and experience Scotland, my new home.

Everything went pretty much to plan and I have been able to form a business in the event and tourism industry. After a couple of years of guiding I have been able to generate a decent turnover as sole trader delivering travel expeiences next to my event business. A start of a great journey since this changed my business model and we developed to an Event & Destination Management Company with loads of great clients and projects. A journey which did reach the next level another couple of years later ... Private Limited status. This was certainly a new chapter not only in business life also as private person. Different approaches, more responsibilities and also creating job opportunities. Another mile stone reached. 

Anyway, this journey now seems to take a complete different direction. Lots of things changed not that long ago and reason for this is very much in every one's mind these days. As company working predominantly for the European market the political situation around the UK became more and more of a uncertain terrain and with this some sort of a hassle. I understand that this topic devides opinions and could also cause a bit of unease. But for quite a while now I have quitely listened to people talking about this situation. I tried to stay away from rumour as long as possible for the sake of not getting dragged into this too much myself. I experienced the change from "Will be fine" to "Not sure how this will end", about issues and fear regarding the uncertainty of what to do. Even after all this I still tried to stay away from all the scaremongering and overreaction, all the avoidable actions to be made mainly for preperation and protection.

The UK is renowned for its events industry. Worth an impressive £42.3bn to the UK economy in 2018, the sector is made up of over 25,000 companies – spanning from venues to marketing organisations and suppliers. With the UK consistently ranking third place in the 2015, 2016 and 2017 ICCA rankings as a destination for business events, it's responsible for a huge influx of international entrepreneurs every year. Hence it accounts for £19.9bn annually, overseeing 1.3 million conferences and networking sessions. The looming uncertainty surrounding Brexit, however, has made it difficult to pinpoint exactly how the UK’s departure from the EU will affect businesses involved in running and managing events. For instance, international trade and investment are fundamental to the events industry which relies on strong business connections and trade links.

Within 12yo providing unique and bespoke events to hundreds of clients in Europe we experienced a lot of great development and changes. Innovation and also creativity. But now it’s time to invest in myself, focus on my path and find a new assignment. Change is a constant we all live with and being the person we are, in our book, it’s not something to run away from. Instead it presents an opportunity for reflection, renewal and growth. The change also comes with new perspectives, new perceptions and purposes.

Without bringing politics to much into this.... since I had to apply for the Indefinite Leave in the United Kingdom under Appendix EU to the Immigration Rules (so called "settled status") with the British Goverment I have voiced my opinion to everyone who asked me and I can openly admit that I am a proud European citizen. One who doesn't agree with the current leadership of the United Kingdom and what also happened in 2014. However, as buisness owner I don't wanted to upset anyone or even cause any harm.  Interesting video for this here .

Although my email inbox is still filling up with tips and news about Brexit prevention, every day I hear, read and see the anxiety becoming more and more present. Companies start to change their concepts or close down, suppliers start struggling to deliver, clients cancel jobs, employers start to panic, staff are getting made redundant. But even more scary.... contracts with loyal staff are not getting extended and so these professionals have to start looking for job opportunities. This made me think and I started researching and wondering. Will Brexit affect me? Will I suffer from it? What could I have done better? Until I found out that there is nothing really what could have done different. But it is how it is ... the UK will most likely leave the European Union and with this will also loose a lot of economical connections. Scotland and some of it's businesses reached the point not knowing how to survive this ucertainty. How to overcome the struggle of loosing business and the financial long haul.

As founder and director of a SME in the event industry working closely with the European market I now sadly reached the point where I have to realise that I can't ensure a consistent service to our clients any longer due to the political uncertainty. After long and intense considerations, I decided to put our event department (Rock Ya Events) on hold until the economical and political situation settled down and developed more clarification. Although we will still operate with our existing DMC department (Rock Ya Scotland), we hope very much to come back soon in full scale continuing to create memorable and unique event experiences for clients who appreciate the dedicated work containing in our bespoke and unique services.

Whilst uncertain I’ll embrace the opportunity to reach out to all our clients we’ve had the privilege of providing and all the partners whose support has proved invaluable to say  

"Thank you!"

I sincerely hope we’ll find a means to continue working for and with you. I'll now look for alternative options, to which I can bring my extensive work experience and skills achieved within many various environments in the event and tourism industry to the table.

#positive #attitude #entrepreneurship #eventprofsUK #eventprofs #bettertimesahead #worklifebalance #development


Pierre Kruff
Managing Director
Rock Ya Events Group Ltd.

UKs ugliest word of the year

Back in the days, where the ‘ugliest word of the year’ haven’t affected society, we kind of made fun out of the choosen word. We used this unloved word whenever and whereever we could, just for fun.

Today, I am getting quickly annoyed of that word  everyone seems to talk about. The word what caused already a lot of problems, suffer and anger in the same time. The word everyone is not even about how much more damage it will cause. The word which started speculations, indications, closures and arguments. The word what let’s us from other countries look like unwanted immigrants. The word which would never caused such problems if we all would have listened carefully to John Lennon’s famous lyrics of “Imagine”...

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people living life in peace.

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people sharing all the world.

Do you also start thinking now about the “ifs” the “woulds” and the “coulds”? Then you feel my pain and you also might understand why I started to feel very irritated about the whole thing.... BREXIT

Often I get asked how this could affect me at all since I live now since such a long time in the United Kingdom. It’s quite easy to explain:

1) The contents of my shopping basket changed...

Almost 30% of our food currently comes from the EU, and it is likely that some foods, such as fresh vegetables and fruit, will become more scarce and more expensive in the event of no deal.

Increased import taxes and transport delays could all mean a rise in prices. And if a no-deal Brexit was followed by a fall in the value of the pound, that would also have the same effect.

Supermarkets themselves have warned that there could be empty shelves and higher prices. And Bank of England governor Mark Carney has said that, in a worst-case scenario, our shopping bills could increase by 10%.

The government has said that while a no-deal Brexit alone won't lead to food shortages, consumer behaviour could. Panic buying could mean food retailers run short of some products. 

In preparation, supermarkets say, they have been stockpiling some foods - but they are unable to do that for some fresh fruit and veg. Sainsbury's has also said October would be one of the worst times for the UK to exit the EU without a deal because warehouse capacity is already strained by he seasonal stock build-up ahead of Black Friday and Christmas, limiting supermarkets' ability to store goods ahead of Brexit.

Shoppers planning to buy from companies based in the EU, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland after a no-deal Brexit have also been warned credit and debit card charges may be higher and payments may take longer. 

2) We will need to take extra measures when travelling to Europe

Millions of people from the UK travel abroad each year - the vast majority of journeys made to Europe.

With this issues with passports, visas, border control, health cover, travel itself and bank cards will arise.

3) Medication might be not available or it may be more expensive

Ministers and NHS leaders say every effort is being made to ensure there will be enough medicines and clinical equipment available in the event of delays to imports from the EU. While there are regular fluctuations in medicine supplies, there are concerns a no-deal Brexit could make shortages worse. 

About three-quarters of the medicines and most of the clinical products we use come from or via the EU. 

4) EU citizens need to apply for 'settled status'

Just today I had to experience a complete different level of frustration. Visiting the local migrants help group to get informed about options, opportunities and help for applications. The UK government has reached an agreement with the EU, as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, that will protect the rights of EU citizens and their family members living in the UK.

There are about 3.7 million EU citizens living in the UK.

5) Importing goods from the EU may get more expensive

Importing goods from the EU is likely to get more expensive when free movement of goods ends with the UK's departure.

As a member of the EU, UK firms don't have to pay extra duties, taxes or have customs checks on goods travelling to or from the EU.

But after a no-deal Brexit, new rules will apply. UK businesses will need to apply the same processes to EU trade that apply when trading with the rest of the world.

Working in the event and tourism (inbound) industry (link) I am predominantly working with the European market. We organise corporate events, incentives and travel experiences in/to Scotland. With all uncertainties arising our clients have decided not to invest in an event or in travelling in UK. But with us specialised in tailor-made whisky tours we also face the problem coming up with the whisky market. What will it mean for us and how will we be able to generate business in future?

Running your own business as entrepreneur during such a difficult time obviously affects your entire life circumstances. Therefore also social contacts such as family, friends and colleagues and everywhere you can feel a tightness. Trying to find answers and security is tiring and you come to the conclusion that whatever will happen it will happen anyway. But thanks to Brexit supporters such as David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson the United Kingdom’s economy will crash...sooner or later. But the perspective on Brexit is changing... read here

Farewell Europe. Farewell “united” Kingdom

5 Simple Comebacks For Dealing With Rude People

Rude people really are annoying, but there's no way to get around it: you're going to run into one now and then. Here are 5 great ways to deal with rude people.

1. Tell them you appreciate their perspective.

When someone is being rude to you, they don't expect graciousness, or any kind of positive emotions to come at them. If anything, it'll disarm them and make them realize you appreciate different viewpoints, including theirs.

2. Thank them.

Put on a smile and say "thank you." It's a subtle way to acknowledge their rudeness and opt out of engaging them on it. It shows you're in control of your emotions.

3. Tell them they're right.

Just because someone is rude doesn't make what they have to say incorrect. If someone rudely points something out, tell them they're right. It almost always gives them pause. They expect you to argue, not concede.

4. End the conversation.

There's nothing wrong with saying a conversation with a rude person is over. You're in charge of who you talk to about what. If you're being disrespected, walk away.

5. Laugh.

Because what's funnier than laughing in the face of a rude person?

Stay focused and watch out for more blog post!

6 Insightful Questions to Ask Yourself

Hasn’t Your Hard Work Paid Off (Yet)?

Think back to when you were in school. Do you remember that one person who stood out? That person whom everyone thought would change the world someday? Parents and teachers showered the person with praise for their grades. Wherever you went, you overheard people talk about the things that person would go on to do one day.

Now fast forward a decade or two to the present day. Nobody has seen the person achieve anything spectacular or noteworthy. In fact, nobody has heard anything at all. Maybe you know someone like this. Or maybe, you are that person.

I used to think that the recipe to success was a combination of hard work and intelligence. But it turns out that’s not the case. While they’re important qualities, other factors come into play as well.

Developing Focus and Creating Opportunities for Yourself

Most people go about their lives trying to get through each day. Rather than working towards a long-term goal, they work aimlessly, counting down the hours until they can take a break or catch up on the next episode of their favorite show.

We all have aspirations that we want to achieve someday, but the problem is that they’re often just far-reaching dreams that bear no resemblance to reality. We might even have numerous goals, but we just can’t get around to doing it all.

And as Sylvia Plath once said — “Perhaps when we find ourselves wanting everything, it is because we are dangerously close to wanting nothing.”

Do you find yourself being pulled in numerous directions? Do you change your mind often about where you want to spend your time and energy?

If you said “yes” to both of these, then you need to figure out what exactly do you want. When you become clear on where you want to go, you can devote all your resources towards heading in that direction. With your destination in mind, you can increase your chances of success by doing the following:

• Connect with others.
• Open yourself up to chance.
• Make the most of your opportunities.
• Commit yourself to your goals.
• Believe in yourself.

When you work on each of these factors, you can combine your intelligence and work ethic into creating something of value.

*

With that in mind, ask yourself these 6 insightful questions on why your hard work hasn’t paid off (yet):

1. Do you reach out to new people?

Let’s face it — it’s easier to hang around old friends than reach out to strangers. When you meet up with the same people, you know what to expect and feel at ease immediately. But it’s just as important to introduce new people into your life as reuniting with old friends. Why? Because you get stuck in a bubble when you always meet the same people over and over again. The group dynamics are static, and people tend to recycle the same ideas. Whenever I meet a new person, I get to hear their story and learn new things. I learn about their experiences, their aspirations, and their perspective on life.

It can be tough to reach out at first, but starting small can help. Aim for a small goal, such as meeting one new person a week. You can reach out by introducing yourself to someone where you frequent or by emailing someone to share ideas or ask for advice. Maybe you’ll only talk once, or maybe you’ll keep in touch and collaborate on a project.

2. Are you taking risks?

There are two types of risks:

- Blind risks, which involve greater downside than upside.

- Calculated risks, where the upside is greater than the downside and it’s potentially life-changing.

 

When you take risks, you have to think about the potential loss and potential gain from it. Unfortunately, a lot of smart people opt out of both and choose the safe route. They follow the same path as their peers or choose a career that’s socially acceptable.

Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon, shared how he decided to quit his secure job at an investment company to create an online bookstore. Here’s how he used what he calls the “regret minimization framework”, in his words:

“So I wanted to project myself forward to age 80 and say, ‘Okay, now I’m looking back on my life. I want to have minimized the number of regrets I have.’ I knew that when I was 80 I was not going to regret having tried this. I was not going to regret trying to participate in this thing called the Internet that I thought was going to be a really big deal. I knew that if I failed I wouldn’t regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not ever having tried. I knew that that would haunt me every day, and so, when I thought about it that way it was an incredibly easy decision.”

Eventually, you need to consider what’s best for yourself in the long run. Would you be happier knowing that you took a calculated risk that didn’t pay off, or if you took the safe path?

3. Do you mistakenly assume that credentials lead to success?

“I went to [insert school], so I deserve [X].”

This is a line that I commonly hear from highly intelligent people who have worked hard all their lives and expect to be compensated for it. Sadly, that’s not how things work. High-achieving people tend to have an impressive alma mater, many achievements, and high grades. They’re used to being at the top and receiving praise for whatever they do.

While these things feel nice at the time, they can also lead people who have succeeded in school to believe they can coast on their previous achievements.

As Mark Twain said — “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”

So don’t stop learning. Read. Experiment. Talk to people. Use real-life experiences to supplement the knowledge that you already have.

4. Do you go out of your comfort zone?

Being stuck in the same environment for a long time makes it hard to adapt to new situations. You grow complacent and eventually become fearful of anything new, even if the changes are for the better. Embrace discomfort. It’s the only way to grow and get better.

For example, when I needed to contact people for feedback on my work, I was hesitant. But once I reached out to a few people and received a response, I decided to try it again. Now, it’s become a regular habit that doesn’t daunt me anymore.

If you find yourself making excuses and resisting something new, pause for a moment. Ask yourself: Will doing this make me a better person in the long run? Sometimes we don’t say “no” because something is unimportant. We say “no” because it’s the very thing we need to become better.

5. Do you stick to your decisions?

Smart, hardworking people are frequently told that they’re smart, they’re capable, and most of all, that they can do anything they want. This is where the problem lies.

You see, being smart and hardworking means that people tell you that you can achieve anything if you just put your mind to it. You’re told that there are all sorts of possibilities. The world is your oyster.

But having all sorts of opportunities can be just as crippling as not having enough of them. Being overabundant in choices makes it difficult to know what to do. As a result, it’s easy to dabble in different things and “see what suits you”. Before you know it, a decade has passed and you haven’t achieved much.

So if you’re thinking of pursuing a route, talk to different people and learn more about it. That way, you’ll get a better feeling for what suits you instead of diving straight in. Focusing your efforts on one goal yields much better results than dividing your attention among many goals.

6. Do you believe in your capabilities?

Smart people can be self-critical...and I am very bad for that myself. We look at the work we create and always find something wrong with it. While I believe this attitude can help people push themselves to do more, it can also keep them from getting started in the first place. Perfectionism causes to overthink, to doubt, and to do anything except take action.

When you use negative phrases to describe yourself, you eventually start believing that they’re true. If you have a tendency to do this, rephrase those sentences in your head. For instance, if you think “I’m not a good runner,” your actions will start to reflect this and you’ll give up. Instead, here’s a better phrase to use: “It’s not that I’m a bad runner. I simply need to train more often to become a better runner.”

See how the belief changes from something innate to something that’s within your control?

Everyone was a beginner at some point. But when you change the words you use to describe yourself and your work, it becomes easier to keep practicing and finding ways to get around setbacks.

Create Consistency to Succeed

Yes, intelligence and work ethic are important qualities for success in any field. But what we often overlook is consistency. Consistency means doing what’s required of you to reach your goal, regardless of what happens. It means putting in the effort even when the work feels mundane, when you’re tired, and when the results seem uncertain.

Believe in yourself, in what you do and in what you dream for!