getting started.
I previously wrote about the sprout of an idea and how ideas can help you find more purpose in life. I’m constantly trying to build on top of small wins, however it is not always that easy. One thing I often forget is how much can change due to unforeseen circumstances that are out of my control. Just this year, thousands of businesses were closed and millions of people found themselves unemployed due to COVID-19. (As I started writing this last night, I got a text from one of my clients that we need to pause our activity until further notice).
Times are tough right now and we need to withstand the storm.
One thing I try to reinforce to myself is the value in providing value. Not many people are willing to provide value for free, but that is what it takes at first. I struggled to see the point in sacrificing my time for others with nothing in return. That’s how it works sometimes, the value loop does not always come back full circle; you have to deal with it and learn from it.
defining value.
Providing value can be as simple as listening to your peers. It can be reading and writing everyday to benefit your own ability to communicate with others. Providing value can come in all forms, but it does not always provide immediate results in return.
[ val-yoo ] (n)
monetary or material worth, as in commerce or trade:
the worth of something in terms of the amount of other things for which it can be exchanged or in terms of some medium of exchange.
The goal is to provide value in a multitude of different ways to a variety of different people, including yourself. Rather than debating whether or not something or someone is worth your time, I recommend biting the bullet and take action.
I am not good at getting started. I push things off, make excuses and wonder, what’s the point?
I force myself to think back to sophomore year in college. I was focused on parties more than personal health and knew I wanted to make a change. I started running and lifting weights with my good friend who was training for his upcoming college football season. I was embarrassed at the measly amount of weight I was able to lift at first, but getting started was the only way to kick things into gear.
delayed feedback.
The common problem people face when they are first starting their fitness journey or any other kind of discipline, is the time it takes to see visible results. It took me almost six weeks to see visible results after eating clean and lifting weights 5-6 days per week. But once I overcame that six week mark, I was hooked. The more I practiced, the better (and stronger) I got. The better I got, the more I practiced.
Impatience with actions, patience with results.
- @naval
Things aren’t fun when you suck. But the better you get at doing them, the more enjoyable they can be. Recently, I started ‘playing’ golf; it has become more of a beach party than golfing… (If you play golf you get the reference).
Providing value takes time, discipline and consistent repeated efforts.
One of the hardest things to do is to provide value consistently over time and avoid getting discouraged by the lack of results. Good things take time and I am the worst at being patient.
getting started to create with a purpose.
That’s what this blog series is here to do. I want to be able to provide value to others and myself for the long-term. I will continue practicing and work towards getting better at writing. I will publish meaningful content that is focused around entrepreneurship, starting businesses, advertising, investing and personal health.
getting good at something.
Each blog post I write, each website I build; I add new layers of iterations to my portfolio. Getting good at something takes time, but playing the game over and over will lead to something much bigger; if I provide value.
Play iterated games. All the returns in life, whether in wealth, relationships, or knowledge, come from compound interest.
- @naval
Be patient with returns in life, things don’t happen overnight.
I have a bad habit in overthinking and assuming things; mostly in a pessimistic way of thinking. Self-discipline has helped me overcome a lot over the past few years. Running, reading and writing are some of the most helpful ways for me to practice self-discipline.
If you have any questions on how to practice self-discipline or want to learn more about how you can provide value to others and yourself, feel free to reach out.
In my next post, I will dive into creating something and talk about how I collaborate with people like myself to create new income streams.
Thanks for reading.
- mm