We stumbled across an article last week exploring the importance of reflection and how it is correlated with success and growth. It explained the interchangeable nature between the two and how reflection gives the brain a moment to pause between the chaos to untangle and make meaning of experiences. In turn, it is this “meaning-making” that is crucial to self-improvement and further growth. So, in light of celebrating our first birthday, we were inspired to use this blog as a means of reflection. It was only right that we publicly share our learning experience — because without you all along the way, this would not have been possible.
They say experience is the teacher of all things, and oh dear, how true this rings now that we look back at all the things we have learned so far. We will share some of the most valuable lessons we have learned in our first year. If you are just embarking on your entrepreneurial journey or yet to start, we hope you find them helpful.
Just go for it
Most of us are fearful of immersing ourselves in the unknown. Prior to venturing into business, we were questioning what could go wrong, the risks at hand, societal norms and listening to the voices in our head that were telling us things might not go as expected. This was a very uncomfortable way to begin, but we decided we would follow what we love, and as a result, we took a leap of faith. A year down the track, we can say with certainty that we are so happy we surrendered to all the expectations we had for ourselves and started our journey with complete freedom from our fears and external opinions. Every move forward in your life begins with a leap of faith, so trust us and just go for it!
Small habits make remarkable changes.
Too often, we convince ourselves that massive success requires massive action. We went into business with this preconceived idea that our success will be attached to ‘one defining moment’. We have learned from our first year in business that small wins actually matter – and they are the building blocks for organic, sustainable growth. Now that we think about it, James Clear, in his book ‘Atomic Habits’ was very deliberate with the word ‘atomic’. The word atomic signifies something so small that it is almost unnoticeable, but the energy it holds is quite immense in the long run. This is true for human behaviour that can either be transformative or toxic. So, if we reflect on our initial mindset when venturing into business, we have transformed our thinking from ‘overnight success’ to small identity-based habits that are going to achieve better results for our business in four, five or even ten years down the track (yes, we think long term now). So, wake up 1 hour earlier each day, listen to more podcasts with educational value instead of music, practise positive self-talk, or just read one more page. They may seem like little, insignificant practices, but success is repeating behaviours that make you whom you want to be. Chase self-improvement, and you will begin to notice how things improve around you.
The importance of a morning routine.
It sounds cliche that to be successful, you have to be willing to do what most aren’t. But it’s a fact. In fact, a solid morning routine is a repeating theme that is apparent amongst most successful people. Waking up early is a way to optimise productivity, but it is also a means of putting you on the same playing field or on par with everyone trying to reach their goals. For us, waking up at 4.30 every morning to exercise, meditate or express positive affirmations is a way to ensure we remain disciplined and over time puts us ahead of the competition. Not convinced? Let’s break it down: one hour a day x 365 = 365 more hours that puts you ahead of the competition. Ahead of everyone else. Times that by five years, it is 1500 hours more than what everyone else is doing. So, think of a morning routine as a prerequisite to success. You are only entitled to success when you show up for it and have maximised and exhausted every option you have, such as getting up early.
Yes, you can burn out doing what you love.
Entrepreneurship is a lonely game, and learning how to maintain a healthy work-life balance is a learning curve. Considering our work relies on creativity 90 per cent of the time, recognising the early signs of burnout has proved to be a very valuable lesson. Although we love what we do (with a passion), there are instances where things can become quite overwhelming because we genuinely care about what we do, and we want our work to represent our creative spirit. In hindsight, burnout has been the most tremendous lesson in our business venture thus far. It has taught us how to recognise when we need to outsource work, reduce work hours, take our shoes off and walk on the sand by the water and devote our little energy to the absolute necessary. We chose this entrepreneurial venture because we have something to show to the world, and we actually care about our work and what we do for other businesses. But sometimes, you have to step away. For your own sanity. Your own survival.
Push past your comfort zones (it’s liberating).
When we decided on our path to entrepreneurship, we ultimately chose the unknown. Since then, we can say that a little discomfort goes a long way in terms of personal growth. We can recall so many moments where we had to step out of our comfort zone and do things that would make us feel sick (literally). Like making calls to new clients, attending meetings, taking on and giving critical feedback, interviewing potential workers and connecting with journalists (just to name a few). At the time, they all seemed like daunting tasks, but we realise now that we can’t grow from boxing ourselves in. This is why we are now embracing putting ourselves in front of the camera (a goal we kept differing), and honestly, we’re having so much fun. So, our message is this: don’t limit your opportunities to fear because you honestly don’t know where they can take you. In the words of W.E.B. Du Bois, “Make yourself do unpleasant things so as to gain the upper hand of your soul.”
There’s power in teamwork.
It’s quite far fetched to think that you are going to achieve all your entrepreneurial goals alone. No one person can have all the skills required; hence investing in a team with different expertise and abilities becomes necessary at some point in the journey. For us, team building is a way to remove the need to wear several hats at once (marketing, social media managing, copywriting, photography, web design, ads, etc.) in order to focus on growing our business. Time is more valuable than money, so invest in people that can help you get to where you want to be, instead of wasting time doing everything. P.s — you’d be amazed how ideas evolve and come to life once complementary minds get together.
Although it gets lonely, challenging and uncomfortable, it’s been such an awesome ride so far in terms of meeting people from all walks of life, doing what we love, working with people who get our ‘why’ and living a life with purpose. What we’re most grateful for is the highs and the lows that have allowed us to evolve, grow and understand who we are in the process. So, if you’re reading this blog right now — just remember you don’t have to have it all figured out. Business, by nature, is dynamic, and so is personal development and growth.
