By Anupam Koul Anupam Koul is founder and CEO of Marlborough engineering solutions provider Envisage, Inc. Reach him at 508-386-9648 and akoul@envisageinc.com.
Updated: December 9, 2019
Know How
The 10 commandments of entrepreneurs
By ANUPAM KOUL
Living the life of an entrepreneur is not for faint of heart. So arduous is this journey that entrepreneurs spend more days in the low of a valley and less straddling the high of a peak. My personal saga is no different. Here are 10 commandments guiding me in my ongoing entrepreneurial journey.
Work hard, play harder. Entrepreneurs need to seize initiative; they need to be ownership-oriented as opposed to task-oriented. This switch requires a mindset shift and persistent effort. The role demands toiling into stress, fatigue and burnout. Regular breaks should be intentional. Understanding what this journey entails and mindfully enjoying it is critical for surviving and then thriving.
Breathe deep, think deeper. Nobody likes the all-pervasive uncertainty. Entrepreneurial trails are more beset with uncertainty. Anxiety and depression manifest as unwanted byproducts. Breathing helps reduce stress. Clear thinking sharpens focus. Doing so makes one feel in control. It heals the frayed nerves of an otherwise beat-up entrepreneur.
Say less, do more. Words are cheap. Actions speak louder than words. This is more prophetic today with old ways of doing things already having broken new ground. Saying less, following through, and demonstrating dependability through a unison of word-in-deed is key to lasting as an entrepreneur.
Worry little, care more. One cannot control outcome on anything in life. The thing to be controlled is one’s effort. Worrying about outcome is an exercise in futility. Entrepreneurs should endeavor a passioned pursuit of their work and execution of same with careful diligence.
Hunger to sow, sow not to hunger. Life is not about outcomes but about enjoying the journey. The quest for a desired outcome can easily drive an entrepreneur into despair. Adversity can detract from the goal and obscure its very meaning. Immersion into the act without regard to its outcome should help overcome disappointments.
Think long, act short. As in a masterful game of Pool, every shot should be taken in pursuit of strategic goals. Each action should be accretive towards attainment of the end objective. Entrepreneurs need to act deliberately and fail fast. Inaction is not acceptable. Focus should be on pocketing one ball at a time.
Keep friends close, family closer. Good company makes a journey more bearable. Friends are the elixir of life, and family the one constant in an otherwise ever-changing world. Entrepreneurs need both.
Exercise much, sleep more. Exercise helps alleviate stress, improve mood and regulate body. Sleep rejuvenates both mind and soul. Needing to burn the candle on both ends is a common misconception entrepreneurs labor under. Contrarily, caring for oneself should always come first.
Count blessings, discount miseries. Each day for an entrepreneur is a Groundhog Day. Trying to stay upbeat can be a chore, but a necessity for weathering storms. Eye positives, count blessings and look at setbacks as a temporary blip on the radar.
Prolong peaks, minimize valleys. Understanding that both peaks and valleys are temporary helps one stay grounded. Doing more of what landed one on a peak and trying to rid oneself of traits that put them in a valley helps entrepreneurs navigate an otherwise stomach-churning roller-coaster ride.
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