Are you having a hard time being an entrepreneur in the tech world? What are your struggles? Have you ever wondered how you are supposed to keep up with all of the responsibilities that came with the goal of becoming the best in the world at what you do?
One interesting article entitled The Psychological Price of Entrepreneurship mentions one analogy made by Toby Thomas – the CEO of EnSite Solutions:
It’s like a man riding a lion. People think, ‘This guy’s brave.’ And he’s thinking, ‘How the hell did I get on a lion, and how do I keep from getting eaten?
Once you are on the lion how do you prevent from falling and getting eaten? How do you turn the lion that’s under you into a kitty cat? What exactly sets you apart from the others that have failed and couldn’t achieve greatness? Read on to find out!
Conquer Fear and Embrace Failure
Of course I was scared when I started my business. Scared of failing and getting eaten, of losing contracts, of letting my clients, family and friends down when the lion started to run faster than I was used to.
After almost one year, I managed to surpass every challenge along the way, embracing all the fears and becoming the best Technology Interpreter™ in the world, using some of these tricks:
Always reminding myself that there is something special about me
In my case, it’s my background, knowledge and experience that makes me special. Also, I’m a success-oriented achiever drawn by the tech world, not focused on the legacy I’ll leave, but only on the lives I’m changing along the way.
After all these months I’ve discovered that what actually makes you truly special besides the aforementioned things is how you spend your energy, thoughts, time, as well as how you deal with the challenges and the people that you encounter on your journey.
You’ve made this day a special day. You know how, by just your being you – Fred Rogers
Stop for a minute and think what it is that’s so special about you. Ask yourself what are those qualities that only you possess, what are those things that only you could do, what do you admire about yourself? Write them down on paper and every time you feel a self-paralyzing panic coming on, read it. Remember, you are “fearfully and wonderfully made”!
Life Is Full of Second Chances
Since life always gives you a second chance, called tomorrow, I wholeheartedly believe that everyone deserves a second chance and the benefit of the doubt, especially when doing business. This means that “I’m trusting you not to hurt me again” because I know your history and what you are capable of. So, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly in you but I’m choosing to see only the good.
We make lots of honest and stupid mistakes along the way in our quest to become a better version of ourselves. Receiving a second chance is the only way we can transform the mistake into a learning opportunity.
Give people a second chance, but not a third – H. Jackson Brown
People with the best intentions in mind definitely never need more than a second chance. If the first time is a mistake, the second time is a choice.
A second chance is such an uplifting and powerful feeling. The best outcome is the fact that people you are making business with become deeply loyal and committed. Considering my recent personal experiences, I have come to the conclusion that some people do change, by becoming better versions of the people they were just a few months ago.
I’ve long felt that people should not be judged by the worst moment in their lives, or by the poor choices they’ve made when the options were awful from the start. – Richard Branson – “Why second chances are important for business”.
Look back on your life, on all the people that deserved a second chance at some point and what the outcome would have been if you had given it to them. You might end up being surprised.
Since you’d like people to treat you the same way, imagine that it’s you who needs the second chance. How would you feel if you were given an opportunity to try again?
No Challenge Is Too Big
I remember that there were moments when I faced doubts about my ability to manage all the tasks and responsibilities. The growth was rapid and I wasn’t mentally and logistically prepared for it.
At the same time, defying social expectations and earning respect as a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry has been a struggle. Usually you walk into a crowded room and you can count the number of women there on the fingers of one hand.
The key to becoming a successful female entrepreneur and to rise above preconceived expectations is to remain true to yourself while finding your own voice.
Besides being passionate, focused on challenges, open to risks, in order to take critical business decisions you need a high level of confidence and you must believe that you are worthy in your mission to move mountains, take on the competition and defy the odds.
To be successful you must accept all challenges that come your way. You can’t just accept the ones you like – Mike Gafka
Overcoming your fears and insecurity is one of the biggest challenges in business but this is the only way to create a “successful growth mindset”.
I never considered failure as an evidence of stupidity but as an amazing way for enhancing my existing abilities as a leader.
If you get out of your comfort zone by making challenge solving a habit and you start testing the unknown, you’ll achieve the following (aside from growing and transforming yourself):
Meeting extraordinary new friends/partners that – I assure you – they exist beyond your familiar Universe.
Contracts that are way out of your league
New life skills that will keep you mentally sharp as you grow older
You’ll push yourself toward finding the happiness and opportunity in even the darkest of situations
Determination to keep moving forward no matter what.
Challenges boost brain power because they for force you to think. So, don’t’ freak out about what may come in your way, let them guide you and use them to your advantage instead.
Remember, the future is in your own very capable hands! Embrace every challenge and make it remarkable!
Solve real problems and shoot for the stars
From the very beginning I envisioned a successful version of myself in mind, a vision that connected my experience, my passion, my skills. This is how the Technology Interpreter™ was born.
At the same time I’ve noticed that there was a need in the software industry for a female human touch that promoted effective communication in a chaotic male dominated environment.
As I grew up, I learned about the essential role that honesty, hard work and modesty play in making the world a better place. And yet, there wasn’t as much focus on communication.
Fast forward twenty years later, I’ve come to realize that communication is in fact, the most important skill one can have in the modern world. We are taught physics, maths, history and grammar, yet no one bothers to show us how to express our ideas in a clear and effective manner.
Unfortunately, communication gaps are damaging the trust and confidence within a software company and, of course, they also impact clients’ loyalty.
I’m championing that every software development company should create and promote an environment where efficient communication = the best technology professionals.
Communication is by far the most important key to leadership success.
Build friendships with people who live with meaning and purpose
To celebrate innovation and to promote efficient communication around the world I’m doing the “The Technology Interpreter™ meets the coolest entrepreneurs and their companies” in which I’m sharing what makes their company so cool and what the key ingredients to business success are.
All these meetings and partnerships are so inspiring, especially since we are communicating with visionary entrepreneurs that make a difference by turning their great ideas into reality.
All these friends of mine motivated me to dream big, be fearless and pursue my goals.
Touch the life of other people and make a difference in them
I’m not preoccupied with my own success but also with the success of those around me. I’m always giving instead of holding back without expecting anything in return because “We rise by helping others.”
The more we give and help the more we receive. The best outcome yet isn’t the thought but the happiness that you are making a difference in other people’s lives because we have been designed to live for something greater than ourselves.
Never stop learning
Investing in yourself is the best investment you can do as a leader. Learning is the only way you can gain knowledge, be smarter and better informed than your competition.
Finding out new things and gaining knowledge is helping me with “Creating history, not repeating it” while leading Wingravity to new heights in the business world.
Conclusion
Becoming the best in the world at what you do starts with hoping for the best. As long as you’re working in the right direction, success will follow.
I am excited about what the future brings my way. I am determined and I feel I can conquer anything since there’s no finish line in becoming the better version of yourself, is there?
The best people never stop learning. If you want to be the best version of yourself, do what they do.
Keep on learning, embrace the uncertainty and meet people with vision to make better use of the power of true you. Enjoy the journey and be proud of your achievements even if sometimes there are no rainbows, unicorns and butterflies.
Regardless of your field of pursuit, if you want to rise above the crowd, it’s up to you to be Extraordinary, Heroic and EPIC!
That’s my take on being the best in the world at what you do. What’s yours? Please leave a comment sharing your thoughts.
