3 Things I learned during the first year of my Startup
Discovering Work, People & Self
I’m 23 and plunged into the world of startups with my backpack of ideas and skills not too long ago. I’ve learned, re-learned and unlearned hundreds of things over the span of a year — which felt like a decade! Add in a turbulent wave of catching ‘the virus’ that is still changing the world in every aspect.
I didn’t have a vision when I started. Because I was aware that each entrepreneur and every company goes through its own journey, I knew not to hold myself to standards that I’d seen. So, I went in with an open mind, heart, and soul. I hope my learnings provide light and food for thought in your career, social, and/or personal life;
- [WORK] Embedding the habit of asking “WHY?” or looking for reason
Very often, as new business owners or someone in a new position, we like to seem agreeable and flexible about ideas and processes — while that’s good in its own way, I’ve learned that I can add more value for my clients by going one step further and asking “Why?”
Knowing why you’re doing something or why the person in front of you has asked for that particular task/outcome, brings so much more understanding and perspective to what you’re doing. In my case, knowing why a client wanted things a certain way helped me do it without losing my patience, and quite often, I was able to suggest even better ways to get the job done because I knew exactly what was needed and WHY.
Reasoning will open up spaces for more efficient possibilities and perspectives.
In the beginning, I’d end up doing something that I don’t understand or that I could do better. I would end up losing my mind because things didn’t make sense to me and I believed that the client was overriding my decision-making and capabilities (needless to say, that brought in a bunch of other uncalled-for drama).
It could be the smallest reason that makes your clients/employer ask you for a change in your design or document — asking why or what the problem is, can help you solve that better, learn more about their vision and consequently add (and gain) more value. It also shows your interest and willingness to understand your client’s needs.
Why did you decide on that option? Why don’t you like this section of the design? What about it isn’t sitting well with your vision? Why not the other one? Why did you choose this? What is the reason you wanted this change? What problem do you need to be solved?
2. [PEOPLE] Authenticity is highly valued and respected
People value and respect when you show them the real you. It is a way for them to relate, connect and appreciate who you are and what you’re saying. By being authentic, we show people how we want to be understood and treated right from the get-go — dissolving much scope for any misunderstandings or mistrust.
People who wear masks or play roles all the time will get tired of it. I have. And then things come crumbling down, for you and the people around you. Being who you are, moderating your different strengths and weaknesses in different situations, only makes you more receptive to life’s experiences and learnings.
Being authentic will teach people to value every word that you speak. Every gesture, smile, decision will hold more value and purpose.
When you get a new set of furniture from Ikea, you would read the manual before building it up so that you know how to handle tools and place each section. In the same way, when we meet new people, we need to show them how to be around us. It is so much easier when people introduce themselves and say “you can call me Ms. Jane” or “I’m not open to handshakes and hugs :D”, then I become aware and am able to show respect and make them feel comfortable, leading to valuable conversations.
Just like we prefer maintaining a distance with certain kinds of people, maybe someone else considers us ‘distance worthy’ on their list — that is much better than constantly exhausting energy to be liked by everyone. Not the best place to find yourself in. I’d rather have one person who likes me for me than a hundred people who like me for someone I’m not or never going to be. AND I’d rather people who don’t vibe with me maintain their space and peace.
3. [SELF] For the most part, you must be disciplined
“Everything in our surrounds reflected an uneasy peace, the peace of a world that was still in the process of growing and being created — a world that seemed to know that, in order to grow, it had to continue moving along”
— Paulo Coelho, The Pilgrimage
Growing up, “discipline” felt like such a bad and tough word. I associated it with being strict, feeling like I was being shouted at, to do things a certain way. It was not until recently that I unlearned that association and learned the true meaning of it.
I found my inspiration from the universe. I learned how the universe is a combination of routine and random. I’ve started seeing how the universe has a personality of its own. Not as a separate entity altogether, but including all of creation, human beings too. We are all part of that. Understanding how I fit into the mystery of creation helped me value the natural systems of the world and surprisingly, it made me a better person.
I learned to become open to experiences and growth. And disciplined in what’s important: health, learning, work, lifestyle — just like I’d learned. Motivation only takes you a certain distance, but discipline helps you pull through until the end.
If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that the universe loves and honors discipline. (I’ve learned that observing the sun, wind, water, trees, bees, and everything natural around me)
Thank you for patiently reading until the end, I hope this was of some value to you.
Please feel free to share your thoughts with me :)
