All, Business, Entrepreneurship, Personal Development, StartupLeave a comment

When you think you want something, think again.

When you think you want something, either:

  1. Stop lying to yourself that you really want it. Ask yourself: do you only want it in theory or also in practice?
  2. Just shut up and start doing it, and see if it’s really true that you do want it. Maybe it’s not really true. Daydreaming (in theory) is nice.

A good goal is something that drives you to take action in the present moment.

If you are scared of something, pay attention to that.

Fears are a temporary glimpse at reality. It can be helpful if you address it. Mitigate the downsides that you’re afraid will happen. Ideally, get to the point that the odds are in favour of this thing working out.

“Everything I’ve learnt — I’ve learnt in reflection (through journaling)”
 — Derek Sivers

Don’t just echo your thoughts. Internalise it. Reflect on what you have learnt. Whenever something feels like a fact, ask if it is really true.

Ask: Why not now?

Realise what your priorities are.

The longer you wait, the smarter you get.

Daydreaming about ideas is nice. Doing some research, fantasizing about how it will all work out gives you hope and excitement. After some time, the idea fades. A new idea would appear. After more time, that will fade too and something else will jump in.

What does this mean? You are just enjoying daydreaming. One shiny idea after another.

An idea from Derek Sivers: Try planning detailed possible futures — as some kind of middle ground between purely daydream and a specific plan.

Every now and then, look at your list of “possible futures” and make one happen when you think the timing is perfect.

Advice for people who are looking to pivot their career: Make a list of “possible futures” for whether you would or would not pivot your career. Read “So Good They Can’t Ignore You”.

Build up your career capital. When you want to make a pivot, spend and use it wisely, so that you can do it laterally.

Wanting to grow your business means you are looking at just one leg of the table. Remember the other three legs.

Ask: Why do you think you want or need to grow?

When someone wants to start a business without knowing what to do, it is like saying I want to put a bandage on a wound that does not exist.

A business is a solution to a problem. If there is no problem, then there is no need for a solution.

A business is an act of service. If the problem goes away, you don’t have to do this business anymore.

Are your clients or customers screaming “please grow your business”? If the answer is no, don’t pay attention to that. Focus more on serving them and solving their problems.

Your actions say more about your values much more than your words.

Actions reveal your true values, what you really want, and what you truly prioritise.

Observe what you say vs what you do. Learn to let go of some goals.

All, Business, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Personal Development, StartupLeave a comment

Here’s why you shouldn’t aim to be original

Nothing in this world is completely original because nothing comes from nowhere. All ideas and creative work builds on what came before. It’s all been said before, yet too often we let the pressure of creating something original cripple us from actually processing these thoughts or inspirational ideas into actual work. “Oh, I could create the next UBER, but wait, that already exists.” “This would look nice but I shouldn’t do that, it’s too similar to *name of inspirational artist*’s work, I need something more original. How do I be more original?”

Why do we do that to ourselves? All great ideas were once inspired by good ideas. That’s how ideas get better. If it weren’t the case, the world would be dominated by monopolies in every industry or stuck in a rut. Furthermore, having competitors challenge the “original ideas” keeps them on their toes and prevents them from getting lazy. In essence, anyone who wants to create something great should understand that it’s all been said before, but it might not have all been done before.

It’s possible to create something greater if you stop focusing on producing something that sprung from an idea that is not anybody else’s idea. This takes the pressure off. Then you can create something that’s truly your own if you pay attention to wherein lies the difference, the opportunity gap, what you can do to improve it or make it unique to yourself.

That’s how GRAB/GO-JEK came around, with new ideas of GRABPAY and GRABFOOD now challenging the original notions of the shared economy being limited to just shared riding. It’s how Airbnb differentiates itself from other platforms like HomeAway — it hosts more than 4 million listings in over 191 countries, and anyone can become an Airbnb host and rent out spaces from a small room to a whole, big house. The platform also thrives on its unique and creative home experiences like staying in a house made entirely of lego bricks. Users can rent anything from a tree-house to Donald Trump’s childhood home (if you’re into that sort of thing).

So, don’t be original, be a remix.

Be a mash up of what you choose to allow into your life. You are the average output of all your influences. Embrace them.

Don’t think of how to be original. Don’t let originality intimidate you, don’t try to escape creating by taking the easy way out. “I would really love to write something, but I can’t think of a unique topic to write about. Until then, I shall not write and look for something unique to write about.”

That mindset breeds severe procrastination and inefficiency. Try this: Write about what you like. Create ideas similar to those you admire. If you like something, don’t plagiarise it. Plagiarising is passing someone else’s idea exactly as your own. Instead, read up about it. Explore everything involving the creation of that idea or piece of art. What influenced the artist? Was it her thoughts? Was it her daily habits? Her family? Did she take a walk in a beautiful park before feeling inspired to write that story? Picture yourself in those activities. Feel what she felt. Seek out the influences that lead to good ideas or good art. Then, solely focus on creating whatever you like while considering these influences. Write the story you want to read. Create the kind of art you’d love to see in galleries. Let your work be messy, with the sole focus of pleasing yourself.

Don’t wait for original ideas to come to you. Start creating before you’re ready. You are ready.

Remember, you don’t have to be great to get started, but you do have to get started to become great. Life is not about finding ourselves, it’s about creating ourselves.