a little much

Forever running out of time. Literally. Overly self-disciplined people can be tough on themselves. Too tough even. Always pushing the envelope, trying to squeeze the lemon to the very last drop.

The feeling that coincides with running out of time is likely a result of biting off more than you can chew. Quick fix? Take smaller bites.

There are many frameworks and matrixes to organize professional work.
Take the ICE system, for instance, coined by Sean Ellis. Tasks that could accelerate growth for a company get scored. All three parameters, namely: impact, confidence, ease, are graded on a scale of zero to five. The tasks with the highest score out of fifteen are probably, from a strategic point of view, the ones to attend to first.

What about frameworks for people where business and leisure are heavily intertwined? Ideally, work can be switched on or off, at least in our minds. Still, for entrepreneurs, that’s often rather challenging to achieve.
An extra parameter is required. Joy. Does this task bring me any joy?

In an always-on world, reconsider if the task you think you have to do, is one that actually has to be done, or one that you are tricking yourself into thinking that it’s an absolute must?

For the remaining tasks, add joy to the impact confidence and ease mix for a kinder prioritization.

stupidity isn’t a handicap

In politics, stupidity is not a handicap. That’s what Napoleon Bonaparte allegedly once said. Does this thought-provoking statement hold ground in a business context?

The above statement can be interpreted in numerous ways.
Fake news travels faster than real news. So if ignorance truly is bliss, the politician (or entrepreneur) could literally spread lies unknowingly.

It could also mean that if a politician or entrepreneur is stupid at one point in time but has a burning willingness to learn and overcome ignorance, stupidity isn’t a handicap. It’s just a temporary setback.

The first definition is unsustainable in the long run. The second one shows enormous potential.

Be anti-fragile. Dare to admit you are currently “stupid,” but with ambition and eagerness to learn, all that can change (quickly).

very very long term

It’s not necessarily a problem if the people surrounding you don’t fully grasp what it is you’re trying to get at. While it’s certainly not a nice feeling to be misunderstood, it’s potentially powerful. All great innovators were ridiculed at some point, only to be revered later.

Don’t be discouraged if your entourage doesn’t understand what you’re trying to achieve. As long as you know, have a crystal clear vision and roadmap towards that vision, it’s all good baby baby, as Biggie said.

Years later, they will say, I was with them all along. I was a fan of the first hour. I always knew they would make it.

That’s your aim. Play to win in the long run.

humblebrag pie

Thinking you know all there is to know probably won’t get you far. Arrogance and a certain reluctance or unwillingness towards learning are lousy character traits for entrepreneurs.

Confidence, on the other hand, is an absolute must. Failing repeatedly and climbing back up requires a special kind of superpower. Without it, launching or running a business proves to be a rather substantial pain in the neck.

Finding that perfect balance between humility and confidence is a lifelong quest.