Just start! Get in the game.
In my episode with Outlaw #6, Rich Lamai we discussed the process of starting a business and how and why the hardest thing to do is start.
Rich is a big believer in starting. He's learnt from his own experience when he started his fashion label with his brother. You learn on the job and you learn fast.
Episode Short - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f5M1AION7qY
The hardest part of following your dream is starting.
Too often you'll find a reason to not start.
Thinking too much early on can kill the idea itself. If you sit with it long enough you'll find a reason not to attempt it.
But, if you embrace your naivety and the unknown and you go out with a direction of travel in which not every detail is figured out, you'll get further quicker and you’ll learn more.
The key though is having an idea of direction, having a north point, an idea of why you want to do this venture and a vision of what it could be, without restricting that vision from evolving.
If you can loosely stick with why and what you want to do then you can allow in any curveballs that might take you on a slightly different route and possibly even enhance it.
Limiting Vision:
The problem a lot of us don't understand is that we aren't capable of predicting the future accurately.
I know this might sound obvious but it's very easy to believe we can predict what could happen because we analyse potential outcomes and then form a hypothesis of an outcome.
But, objectively, we can't predict with 100% certainty exactly what will happen when we start a business, hobby or follow a passion.
We develop these visions of how it could play out and attach ourselves to ideas and events that are solely in our heads.
We get too caught up in our imagination and are limited by only what we can conceive and we don't recognise all the other possibilities at play.
In my mind though, our lack of ability to see is the most beautiful part because it forces you to stick to the essentials of why you started in the first place.
Not knowing what could work is the perfect starting point because it will allow you to absorb more opportunities and decide if they are suitable and relate to your why.
One of my big realisations recently was that I am not capable of actually realising how big an idea could be or how it could be affected by other people and therefore evolve from their inputs. I can only think from my perspective and am therefore limited in my vision.
It is easy in your mind to have a clear idea of what you want to happen but it is impossible to foresee any hurdles or ideas externally. Sometimes these different perspectives can actually help you even more.
Here are some things I remind myself when I am looking to start something new.
Understanding your why:
If you can understand 'why' you want to start something then you have the golden ticket. A reason.
That reason is vital because it means it gives you the ability to see what fits and doesn't fit your vision.
When you can vocalise your 'why' and understand it you become far more powerful within the idea as you can explain and challenge anyone who pushes you on what you are doing.
You can understand the direction needed to take because it has to work with your 'why'.
Your first steps are never wrong:
So many people are scared of taking the first step in case it is the wrong step. In my opinion, the first step is never wrong. I’d argue that even the first 10 steps are never wrong, as you learn the most from them.
We can’t build the perfect business the first time around and our idea of perfect might change once we are in the process.
As long as we are moving forward and learning from each step then each step is important and right for you.
Don’t let the fear of taking a leap of faith limit you.
Failure is growth:
If we don't fail we don't learn.
Failure only gives you more knowledge as to what works and what doesn't. Failure has been built up as a thing to avoid in our society but slowly more and more people are realising that failure is success because it takes you that one step closer to your goal.
If you try and make the perfect move every step you’ll firstly move a lot slower but also you won't learn about what the mistakes taught others.
Life is about gaining knowledge and mistakes are the best ways to learn new things as they force you to step back and ruthlessly see the reality.
Perfection doesn't exist:
If I were asked if I wanted to live the perfect life where everything went well and I only experienced good, positive emotions, I think I would reject it for a life that gave me the full experience of emotions, struggle and success.
I want to experience as much as possible whilst I am alive and in some ways I think we need to apply that to business and following passions with the struggle and tough learning curves at the beginning and the success once we learn our lessons.
In business learning from our mistakes and imperfections only makes us stronger.
Perfection doesn't exist and imperfections can make outcomes better. If you are creative you might recognise this next point.
When I paint and it's not going well it is because I am scared of making an error, but the irony is my whole painting style has been built of endless mistakes and imperfections from past experiences.
These imperfections make me who I am as an artist and they have helped me evolve how I approach painting and seeing paintings.
Chasing perfection can be very limiting so embrace the idea that mistakes and imperfections can take you a lot closer to where you want to be.
Write and speak:
I was told by a friend that if you have an idea or theory you should write it down and see how succinctly it can be written.
Sometimes when you write you can see where an idea does and doesn't make sense.
Writing can help you shape ideas and critique the essence of them because if you can’t easily explain them in a short format of writing then maybe the idea is too complicated and can be refined.
Once you get to the point of writing down an idea succinctly enough you should then try talking about it with people who are intrigued by the idea and have the ability to challenge you on your positions.
Debating something will enable you to understand how the world might respond but also might give you a different approach to take when it comes to developing it further.
If you enjoyed this piece then here's a link to the whole episode with Outlaw #6, Rich Lamai.
I am Will Flindall, host of the Valley of Outlaws Podcast where I speak to those who have decided to take control of their life and follow a passion or instinct.
If you feel like you could be getting more from your life, then maybe one of the conversations I’ve had with the Outlaws might help you kickstart a change.
Peace x
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