Here are 12 pieces of advice I wish someone had told me, when I started out in business. I hope you find them useful.
- Be quick to forgive. While you’re holding a grudge, they are out dancing.
- Either you run the day or the day will run you.
- Become a better decision maker. Remember, the decision to be indecisive is also a decision.
- Always try to leave the people you connect with better than when you found them.
- Risk taking is underrated. If you win, you’re happy. If you lose, you’re wise.
- In the Google era, people can find 20 alternatives to you in 2 minutes. Embrace what makes you unique. That’s all you’ve got.
- Consider firing your worst clients. Then, invest the time you wasted on them, doing better work for your great clients. This works surprisingly well.
- Only take the easy route when it’s also the best option. Taking the easy route by default leads to nowhere worth going.
- Following the crowd is almost always the wrong thing to do. Warren Buffett has made billions using this simple concept.
- Spend as little time as possible with negative people. They sap your energy and if you hang around them long enough, they’ll steal your dreams too.
- Learn how to set and achieve compelling, measurable goals. It will improve your life more than any single business activity.
- If you really want the marketplace to trust you, show them… don’t tell. Talk is cheap.