Category: Journey

What have we paid for what we have got? The higher the price the greater something is valued. This price is not always monetary.  

• 3 years study for a degree
• 9 months carrying a baby

• 25 year mortgage for your home

• An hour a day in the gym for a healthy body

If you want to dance, you gotta pay the band.

Remember the rich kid at school. She didn’t seem to value things we would have treasured. If we’ve paid little or nothing at all for something how can we truly value it? There must be consideration.

In start up land, we need to remember the consideration we must give for chasing our dreams. We need to remember this when obstacles keep getting in the way, and when we have little cash (if any) coming in.  

Creation has a mindset. It is instinctual. It is in all of us, and that’s why we live in civilizations. We’ve created new ways, new things. People often mistake the emotional rewards of consumption with creation. When people are consuming they’re living vicariously. We replace the instinct to create, with consumption.

This world rewards creators. Business is about creating, which is why it can be rewarding. Conversely, most people associate success with consumption. Consumption is an illusion we’ve made or done something useful. It’s a shortcut. Hence, conspicuous consumption often exudes a sense emptiness.

Is this why we see so many balanced and satisfied craftsman, farmers and artists? People creating things have a air of contentment. A sense of self reliance. Even if what they are creating is a simple vegetable patch that feeds their family.

It’s because the true rewards in life come from the act of creation. Consumption is a poor substitute.

Create something.

It’s never been easier to be mentored on a specific subject, from experts, for free. There are even live feedback mechanisms from other interested experts. It’s called blogging and you may think this is a ridiculous entry giving you’re reading one right now.

It’s only ridiculous if you really understand the bloggersphere. Many of us don’t. I’m still learning. The real power of this medium is dialogue. My favourite blog has 25,000 readers a day. The publisher has his email address listed on it. When I email him a question he gets back to me within a day or two with an answer, a link, a blog entry or if I’m really lucky a free PDF copy of his latest book.

Go on, ask me a question!

A library card is the smartest card. You are going to need some new skills starting your business. If you’re a marketer, chances are your accounting skills could improve. If you’re an engineer…

Here’s what I do. I go to the business section at Borders.(any large bookstore / Amazon where they have a massive range). Find a book I want. Write down the Title and Author and request it at the library. They always get it for me. My library love great book requests. I’m their customer! 

I’m the first to read it and I’m getting value from my taxes.

A book is often the best consultant. Who said consulting was expensive?