ALL CONTENT AND PHOTOS WRITTEN AND SUBMITTED BY NIALA RAMKALLAWAN
From time to time as entrepreneurs, we worry and stress about a project or task not starting, experiencing delays, not going as planned, not progressing or getting beyond our control. We’re so busy planning and executing, we forget the importance of monitoring, evaluation and reflection.
But as Entrepreneurs, our power and ability are innate, it lies within us and we are the drivers in our entrepreneurial journey. As an Entrepreneur, YOU are your own personal brand and driving force. With my love for acronyms, “ME” in the title of this post refers to what I call a “Moving Entrepreneur (M.E.)”. Some of you may challenge my choice of adjective and say, ‘Is that the best she could come up with?’ when there are so many other options, such as motivated, magnetic, masterful, methodological, mindful, meticulous, modern and the list goes on.
But I specifically choose ‘moving’, as I believe a true entrepreneur is not any one element but a unique blend and combination of several varying elements. Zero in a bit closer and focus your attention to each title with their respective description and you’ll understand clearly what I’m referring to. Often times, a certain situation will demand a different persona, and it will also determine your reaction to various stimuli in your internal and external environments.
The popular and trusted Oxford Dictionary, defines moving as something “in motion, kinetic, movable”. That’s what we are. We are individuals who are continuously moving, either on to new things, going forward, forging partnerships or executing new ideas. We’re never in the same place as yesterday, and will definitely not be in the same place tomorrow.
The CEO of Space X, Elon Musk puts it this way, “If you get up in the morning and think the future is going to be better, it is a bright day. Otherwise, it’s not.”
Movement can occur in any direction similar to those cardinal points on a compass, it can determine which way you go and also lead you to your destination.
If we had Jack Sparrow’s compass (from the movie Pirates of the Caribbean), as entrepreneurs we would all be very fortunate. To those of you who aren’t familiar with the said compass, instead of the needle pointing in the direction of North, it points to what the person who possesses it wants the most, like what your heart desires.
Having that kind of direction and guidance would be rather helpful and save us a lot of time, effort and other resources. Since we don’t have that instrument, we need to work with what we do possess, which may require us to improvise in what we do and capitalise on opportunities as they arise. With that in mind, here are some:
Guiding Tips to get YOU moving:
- Attend networking events
- Form partnerships and collaborations
- Attend training and obtain qualifications from recognized and accredited institutions
- Be open to a Mentorship experience
- Know when to call in professional, expert and specialized help
- Get up and do your research, there is a wide range of reading material on every subject area available in both print and digital forms
- Lean on support from your close and personal networks – family, friends, relatives and co-workers
- Do weekly and monthly Self Reflections
- Monitor any new changes implemented, perform evaluations and make the necessary modifications - Get rid of what doesn’t work and improve on what does.
Most avenues listed above are available by institutions which provide entrepreneurial and small business support such as The Timely Entrepreneur, and Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago. So it’s time to get moving.
Our Weekly Challenge
Picture yourself as a participant in a Marathon/Road Race with your Registration Number pinned to your stomach, your athletic gear on, brand new comfy shoes on your feet and your body primed just waiting for the Starter to sound the whistle. Now GO and push on, whatever you DO, just MOVE and DO NOT stop.
Keep your head focused on the journey, it is yours alone to make and it will determine if you’re cut out for the task, which I have absolutely no doubt that you are.
Keep in mind, all the while once you are moving, you are progressing. No matter the pace, be it fast, slow or in between, you can walk, jog or run. Just keep your head up, stay focused, determined, motivated and GO.
Let this question always be in your mind. The world is eagerly ready and waiting for you to make your mark. The question is: “Are you ready to get a move on?”
Sources:
https://www.lexico.com/synonym/moving
https://shockwaveinnovations.com/the-8-personas-of-successful-entrepreneurs/
https://chiefcontent.com/what-success-looks-like-for-an-online-store/
https://mappalicious.com/2016/02/13/infographic-how-to-be-wise-as-an-entrepreneur-and-in-life/
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/
