OK, so far I’ve had many people compliment me and look up to me for having the guts and grits to quit my corporate job, and jump into having my own design/marketing related business without even a university degree. I’m a highschool grad, age 21, lived on my own since I was 18, and had my own business since I was 20. And so far it’s growing, I’m learning, and I’m happy. I sense accomplishment in my life and I feel that it is moving forward, which is a great thing, and I’d like to share it with you guys.

Here’s my attitude in life and business

• I can do it. Do not think to yourself that “Oh man that’s beyond my realms.” or anything like that. I’m not asking you to be unrealistic, and yes, there are some things that you probably are not able to do. But what I’m pitching is more confidence, and the drive to accomplish it. Anything is possible if you really want it and feel the need to do it. Do not think “I can’t do it” but instead think “I could learn it and do it, but instead, I choose to not do it because it’s not worth my time.”
• I am a great guy. I know that from the bottom of my heart. I have my temper, yes, but I’m a good person, and I always work with the philosophy that whatever investments my clients make in me should return them good value. It has to be a win-win situation, not a money-grab for me. I know I have good intentions, and I am never hesitant to offer my services.
• Be efficient with your time, and be flexible. Think outside the box. I live in downtown Vancouver, and the traffic is rather brutal during the day. I never hit the bank during the day, and I always set my appointments to go against the flow of rush hour traffic. It’s 12:44 AM, and I’m about to go to the bank to deposit a cheque right now. There’s no way I’m driving tomorrow during traffic, wasting my time and money for parking (streetside parking is free between 9PM~8AM). This is a better way to do it. Unless you have to see a teller, you can just do it at night in the ATMs. Plan your days better, and you’ll get more done. I always see room for improvement in this area in myself as well, and the better I do, the better I feel.
• Keep balance. Despite how busy I get, and how I often feel the temptation to just work work and work more, I realize the value of balance in life. I play soccer in the sun, I hit the gym regularly, I see my friends often enough for social time. It keeps me sane, and it keeps my productivity up while I do work.
• Keep balance. This time I’m not talking about life balance, but also your business balance. Often, when you’re caught up with busy things in front of you, it’s hard to lose focus of the long term. Last year, I came out finishing a huge job, and I hadn’t bothered with any additional marketing. After that job was over, I had nothing big going for me for a few months, until after Christmas. I don’t think I was ever so broke on a Christmas, ever. I learned that lesson the hard way - always keep the current tasks and future marketing going, otherwise you’ll regret it.
• Always strive to be better. This is especially true for my business - marketing, design and technology is always evolving. I had to learn AJAX, more Javascript, DIV/CSS only layouts, etc. These are coming up, and more stuff will come up as time goes. I also learned how to use XML APIs recently and I’m getting a lot of business out of it. I’m moving forward and adding more skills to my brain. So is everybody else. If you sit there, you will starve to death.
• Appreciate what you have, and anticipate what you will have. Do not complain of what you have, and despair of what you do not have. That is a horrible attitude in life. I drive a ‘94 Suzuki Sidekick. I don’t think “Shit, howcome I don’t have an Audi? This Suzuki sucks.” Instead, I think “I’m grateful I have a car to go around to do business with. When I make more money, I’m going to get that Audi and enjoy it.” It’s positive thinking. And it makes you a happier person. People like you better. You get more contracts because your mood transcends on other people as you talk to them. This is scientifically proven. BE APPRECIATIVE.
• Mistakes do happen, but you should take them seriously. You don’t need to let a mistake bring you down and make you miserable; they are stepping stones on which for you to improve. Now, there are some people who are way to relaxed about mistakes - I think that’s going a bit too far with the positive thinking. If you’ve made a mistake, make a note of it so you don’t do it again. Be constructive and proactive, but do not be overly forgiving to yourself.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 19th, 2007 at 11:55 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.