ALL CONTENT AND PHOTOS WRITTEN AND SUBMITTED BY NIALA RAMKALLAWAN
Truth be told, being an entrepreneur opens a world of possibilities that did not exist. From my years of experience advising and mentoring entrepreneurs, this decision can honestly be scary, downright intimidating and oftentimes a tough one, especially when you decide to give up a job to pursue your dream as an entrepreneur full-time.
Like all things in life, everything has its pros and cons. At first, it may seem like the pros outweigh the cons, and when you actually begin your journey, it may seem that the cons seem to be increasing. In reality, all successful entrepreneurs at one point or the other, have faced two things: setbacks/failures, and continuous learning.
Setbacks and failures are inevitable once change or growth happens. Making mistakes, failed attempts, experiencing trials or having a lack of courage to pursue challenges may all seem negative, but this curve ball life throws our way is to simply remind us that particular area requires improvement, otherwise a totally new and different approach is needed.
Both budding entrepreneurs and established ones due to our nature, need to understand as individuals, we crave knowledge. Learning NEVER stops regardless of your age. You are CERTAINLY NOT too old to learn something new or find a smarter, innovative or more efficient technique.
You know the saying ‘Knowledge is power’, well that is linked to learning and it is a process that will never stop as long as you live. With that in mind, be open to new ideas and go forth to seek information that you desire.
If you are aware of these two things, it will get easier. My advice... combine both, using your knowledge to create safety nets and put proactive measures in place to mitigate the impact of setbacks and failures. The rewards are worth it, so I encourage you to keep going, no matter how small the step, you are making progress.
Now for our Challenge for the Week.
I challenge you daily for an entire week:
To learn something new each day
(At least 1 thing either relevant to your personal enrichment, professional growth or to improve on an aspect of your business).
You can gain this new knowledge through research, asking questions, reading, conversing, browsing the internet or using YouTube.
(Now for the rest of the challenge)
Tell someone about the information you have discovered.
NOTE: It doesn’t always have to be the same person.
Now keep that drive going, repeat for the following week and the next until it becomes routine.
Quick question before we continue:
Are you familiar with the Law of Physics that states, “for every action there is a reaction?”
When you think about pursuing entrepreneurship, I want you to use this bit of knowledge to guide your decision, among other things, of course.
For an upcoming entrepreneur, young and even seasoned entrepreneurs will tell you this theory is true, and that every positive action can yield a positive reaction, or vice versa, and a few times maybe the opposite can occur as well.
Have you ever considered, that taking No Action could also be responsible for a reaction?
Then let’s use a scenario. Say a remarkable opportunity presents itself to you in the form of readily available funding/financing, accessible target market, marketing/advertising or even mentorship/expert advice, and you don’t respond at all, turn it down, or procrastinate and the time for the offer has elapsed. Then you took No Action, therefore it yielded No Reaction, or in some cases a negative reaction such as regret or self-reproach.
Since I want you to have a fighting chance if you are to pursue ‘the entrepreneurial dream’, I’ll give you a few pointers.
Here are a few constructive tips to guide your decision-making:
1. Seek advice or bounce ideas off someone you trust.
2. Do research, ask questions, make a couple calls, use social media, and source that information.
3. Get out there and be brave. Go build relationships, network, and attend entrepreneurial events.
4. Do something outside your comfort zone. You can volunteer, intern, travel or learn a skill.
5. Align yourself with a positive and encouraging support system. A combination of experts, businessmen, and motivational speakers, even new entrepreneurs.
6. Limit the number of pessimists and narcissists you let into your personal space and mind. Studies show negative thoughts tend to overpower positive ones. So in building a strong, optimistic and resilient mindset, choose your friends and those influencing you, by surrounding yourself with realists and optimists.
Mark Twain once said “the secret to getting ahead is getting started.”
With that, I encourage you to get up and chase what you want! NOW is the perfect time to give life to those dreams, manifest those ideas, implement those processes you envisioned, let the world see your hidden talent.
Trinidad and Tobago may be our home base, but DO NOT limit your thinking, your potential or yourself. YOU are more than good enough. It’s about time you show the world what it has been missing.
Source for image: https://www.insbright.com/wp-content/uploads/famous-Entrepreneurship-Quotes.jpg
About Niala
I am a Freelance MSE & Social Media Advisor, the Owner/Founder of Gia’s Creative Studio and YBTT Mentor/Advisor providing ‘Insights from a Creative Entrepreneur’ on transformational leadership, strategy, forging a legacy, motivation and success.
Niala Ramkallawan, MBA, BSc.
You can find me on:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/niala-r-71b12742/
YBTT - https://ybcaribbean.skysthelimit.org/volunteer-profile/15317
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/giascreativestudio/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/giascreativestudio.868/
