My Lessons of 2017

My Lessons of 2017

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01 JANUARY 2018

written by Mike

MY LESSONS OF 2017

 

As another year is coming to an end, I look back at the last 12 months and try to reflect.

The first question that most people ask is usually – why did it go so fast?

There is a theory that, in my opinion, describes changing the perception of time as we grow older.

When you are one year old, another year is 100% of your life. Therefore it seems long. When you are 10 years old, a year is 1/10th of your life – still a significant chunk. When you are 30, a year is only 1/30th, when you finish 50, a year is 1/50th of your life. Your perception changes as 12 months seem to be less significant.

There was a massive difference between 15 and 18 years old. 30 and 33? Not so much.

The conclusion is that with age your perception on every new year will be that it passes faster than previous ones. However, it’s just that – a perception. In reality, we have the same amount of time as everyone else – a child, a teenager, a president, a neighbour. The only decision we make is how do we spend it.

Looking at 2017 there were good and bad moments, there were adjustments, changes that I didn’t ask for but happened nevertheless.

A new business, moving house, family issues had an impact on my well-being and day-to-day life. Some lifted me up, others put me down, but in every situation, I learned a lesson. Not at the very moment, but after the storm, there was usually something to take away.

In my last post of 2017, I wanted to write a few lessons that I think I understood or at least observed. I diary of some sorts and I guess a guide for next year.

 

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Writing down goals is powerful tool

As far as I remember I always planned and scheduled – I like to be organised. However this year I doubled down on it. I hanged a large calendar on my wall where I marked down essential dates and crossed every passing day – it reminded me how fast they pass.

I have a big whiteboard where I wrote goals for 2017; looking at it now I crossed about 90% of what I had there – it makes me feel good, it seems like I did accomplish something. Apart from the above I also have a smaller whiteboard where I write monthly goals as well as organiser where I put daily tasks.

Crossing these out as I work gives a sense of achievement and makes leisure time much more enjoyable – I know that I’ve completed what I had to and I can enjoy the rest of the day stress-free.

Writing down tasks and goals must be the most powerful tool available to all of us. We often don’t remember what we have done a week, a month ago – it may seem that we don’t do that much at all. Right now I can quickly check what I was up to last week or two months ago.

Significant accomplishments are memorable, but it’s the smaller ones that will push you forward.

 

Change happens over time

Some events can change the trajectory of our lives in a split second. However, most changes happen over time and aren’t that easy to pinpoint. Once you have your goals and daily tasks written down – work away. Only after few months, you can check if you are making any progress.

This applies to every aspect of our lives – health, work, relationships.

We want everything to be ready now, to show the results this minute. However you won’t get fit after one workout session, most don’t get married after one date, and big projects take months, even years to finish.

Understanding the rules of time and growth is crucial. Otherwise, it is so easy to get discouraged, to feel stuck and to abandon the course. Unfortunately, each time you pick something new – you are starting a new cycle. Staying the course will almost always take you to your destination.

 

Things take more time than intended

Building on a previous paragraph – not only change happens over time but more than likely projects will take more time than you think.

The project you wanted to finish in a week, will take two. Deadlines will need to be adjusted; you will need to work overtime. Setting realistic goals is one thing, understanding that there are unknowns that can throw you off course is another.

When you are on a strict schedule, it is hard to manoeuvre so always plan for unexpected.

Is the deadline on Friday? Write it down for Wednesday so you have two spare days if something happens (and it will). However don’t work thinking that you have spare time, forget about it.

Best case scenario – you finish earlier, and everyone will be happy – you are a hero. Worst case scenario – something was messed up and needs quick change – fortunately, you have spare time to adjust and finish on time – you are a hero.

Plan for the worst, be ready and be prepared.

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Actions speak more than intentions

Years ago I read something that changed the way I think about my life and other people.

The quote was ‘people judge others based on their actions, but themselves on their intentions’ which is also similar to a quote from Batman Begins ‘it’s not who are you underneath, it’s what you do that defines you.’

An example would be a road rage. Let’s say you are rushing home because of an unexpected event; you need to get there as soon as possible. Therefore you justify your actions on the road based on your intention – you need to get home, they need you there. However, when you reverse the situation – you are driving calmly and see someone rushing – more than likely you won’t think ‘that’s ok they probably had an urgent call’, but you will judge the person based on their actions – irresponsible driving.

Most people think they are good people because they think so (and often say so), but do they back it up? No one sits in your head, no one can read your mind. The only way you can accomplish a change is by taking action and setting an example with what you do, not with your intentions.

 

Focus is the name of the game

‘Shiny object syndrome’ affects most of us. We learn about the new thing, new business opportunity, a new adventure that awaits. We are quick to drop everything we do and grab onto the ‘next big thing’. However, only by focusing on one thing and by giving it all you have you will see the results.

The crucial theme to realise is that the most successful people – business owners, athletes, artists, scientists, aren’t different than the rest. They are not lucky, they are not unique but they have something that most of us lack – the focus. The focus to sit down for an uninterrupted period and work on a problem, study the issue, practice the skills. Even from my own experience, I can see that the time when I was jumping from one idea to another didn’t amount to much but when I focused on one thing – it made the difference.

Of course, not everyone wants to do just one thing, and I’m all about experimenting, however, when you choose to start a new hobby, business or project – don’t get distracted and focus on it. Once you are happy with what you established, start something else.

 

You can’t accomplish much by yourself

There is a time when we think we don’t need anybody’s help; we can do all ourselves, we are afraid someone can mess up our work. Fortunately, I learned a few years ago that only as a team you could succeed, the need to delegate and supervise.

In 2017 I cemented the belief that without the team you can’t go far. Everything in nature is connected, relationships are the basis for growth. Brainstorming, delegation, motivation are all crucial elements of every job. Starting anything is difficult but doing it on your own is much harder. There is a science behind research on what kills people the most, and it’s loneliness. Here is the video:

 

Things rarely turn out as intended

Planning and scheduling are vital however I also learned that more than often things don’t stick to the plan. That’s why, in my opinion, preparation is the right way to have a framework but being stubborn or too rigid will hurt the plans. Darwin’s theory says, in nature the fittest survive, and it doesn’t mean the strongest or fit as in healthy. It describes that the ones who know how to adjust to changing the environment, who know how to pivot.

For me, it’s important to know my goals and targets, but I don’t stress how I will get there.

 

Relationships need work

This year I witnessed a few breakups, parents divorce and arguments between friends. Every time something like that happens my mind goes back to Clayton Christensen’s speech about relationships and work.

We all understand that to be promoted, to earn more money, to get a better job we need to work hard. However, we don’t apply same rules to relationships. We think that when it comes to our partners, things will just work out somehow.

Unfortunately in a year, five or thirty it can all fall apart.

Communication is the key. Understanding that we need to work on relationships as much as on our projects and hobbies is crucial. It’s easy to take things for granted, especially when you are in an established relationship but all can break in a second if we are not careful.

Think about putting as much effort in relationships as you put in your work and the results will show.

 

Everyday habits make all the difference

Habits can be good or bad. Think about your average day, from the minute you get up to the moment you go back to sleep. What are your everyday habits, actions that you take without thinking? Is it exercising? Smoking? Reading? Gaming?

What do you gain from these? Can you improve or replace the bad ones?

I learned that in life you rarely have one event that changes it all and it’s about small things that you do every day consistently.

I’m not talking about being productive all the time, I read, watch Netflix, waste time on the internet. However, the minute I realise the habit is harmful I cut it out. Watching Netflix or gaming may be your favourite thing to do in the evening, to relax after work. However, if you do it all day every day, then it turns into a bad habit.

Be transparent and honest, write down every action you take for a day or two and analyse if you can improve or get rid of something that drags you down. Healthy habit will change your life in the long run, for the better.

 

Situation can radically change within few months

There are days and moments when we can’t see the exit when all goes wrong at the same time. For me what helps in that kind of moments is repeating to myself ‘NOW’ – it is happening now, I don’t have money now, I’m ill now, the project is going badly now.

What I mean by that is, I understand that current situation can and will change, often 180 degrees.

Of course, it won’t change itself, you still need to take action but looking at every major event from the past – I realise it was just that – an event that passed. Sooner or later the anger will pass, resentment will go away, new job and opportunities will appear – as long as you let them.

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Don’t get comfortable or preliminary happy

Following the last point – it works both ways. What comes up must eventually come down. Every time I got a bit too comfortable or was too confident, I got served a harsh lesson.

Predicting your future based on past events won’t always work. Working harder to get to the top is fine, but staying there is much harder. The minute you get too cosy in your job, your business, your relationship that’s when the unexpected happens. I’m not saying we shouldn’t celebrate or enjoy the successes; rewards are what drive most people. However, each time I celebrated too early – I got slapped.

Until you know that’s it’s a done deal – stay on your toes.

 

Being content is my desirable state

Emotions define us, however, because of them most problems arise. What I learned, after years of emotional imbalance, that content is my desirable state.

Being content with life, death, work, relationships, my surroundings is my key. To not regret but also not think about it too much. To be able to say, that it didn’t work out as intended but I tried my best, and I’m content with the result.

To get rid of extreme emotional states, to live my life calmly and stoically. To understand that my life doesn’t mean anything and therefore I’m free to live it the way I want; that soon I will be gone, and everything I created will be forgotten.

To be content with that is to be satisfied with nature and natural cycles of life.

For some people, it sounds sad and bleak. For me, it is the most liberating thing that happened.

 

Lashing out as dangerous catharsis

Even though I know my desirable state, and want to be content with my life all the time – I can’t cheat human nature. I am emotional as most people and more than often, emotions win. From time to time there is a situation, an event that needs an emotional response. To get it all out, to clear your head, to balance the state. It can be a death of a close one; it can be a divorce of your parents, it can be a breakup or business going bad.

I learned that emotional response won’t fix the problem but can often fix what is inside. No matter how much meditation, exercising or yoga I do – there is a time when shouting helps, when arguments are needed, when crying is all we can do.

It’s ok. Last time I shouted at my parents, I wasn’t proud of it, but I needed it. I know it didn’t fix anything and I did apologise the next day. It wasn’t for them; it was for me – either release the bottling emotions or risk my sanity.

I wouldn’t recommend doing that in 99.9% of situations, but if something like that happens, it’s okay. We are only human, and no one is perfect.

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The past gets forgotten

A couple of things had me thinking about how I live my life. One was a quote that said something along the lines ‘those who live in the past live a depressed life, who live in the future life a life of anxiety’ meaning, that it’s the only present moment that matters. The other reflection was when I looked at some old photos – I could hardly remember what happened 5, ten years ago. It’s all foggy; some moments stuck but the rest is blurry.

To live a good life is to live in the present.

It got me thinking – would I rather live a shorter life my full of joy? Or long life, but the last years would be dreadful?

Imagine having a remarkable life – 80 years for example. But last ten would be lonely and sad. Unfortunately, in my opinion, the last ten years would overshadow the whole life like the last part of great movie or spectacle can ruin the entire experience.

The past gets forgotten, in your life as well as in history, therefore we need to make sure that present moment counts. Be content with now, and the future and the past will get in line.

 

Age is just a number (or is it?) 

I turned 30 this year, and if someone says that age is just a number, they are both lying and telling the truth. It is a number; however, in modern society, it is also a milestone, a point of no return. Does it mean that you have to start playing by some rules? Not at all. I still don’t know what I want to do, or why I’m even here, and that’s fine – I probably won’t ever figure it out.

However, the number can be a downfall for a lot of people. I’ve seen it in myself, I’ve seen it in my friends. There are loads of articles about midlife crises, but identity crisis around 30 is a real thing too.

Some have established families and jobs; others are just starting out. When I was a kid I thought 30 was old – now it seems like it’s only a beginning.

It is an essential milestone because it shows that nothing will change unless you want it to change but also how fast time passes. I know that I can be 40 in a blink and it’s all up to me.

Waiting for something to happen never works and at 30 you know how some things work. The question is – what will you do about it?

 

 

 

I think that’s it. There were many other lessons I learned in 2017. Was it a good year? It depends. I learned a lot, so I can say it was good. I hope I will learn even more in 2018. I reckon that if I don’t forget that most things don’t matter, it will be ok.

This year ends on a sour note, with parents divorce and family in distress.

However, what goes down, must eventually come up and a bitter end often means a good start of something new.

See you in the New Year.

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Before You Quit Your Job

Before You Quit Your Job

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02 DECEMBER 2017

written by Mike

BEFORE YOU

QUIT YOUR JOB

 

There are countless articles online on how to go freelance or how to start a business – I know because I read a lot of them.

However, one thing that sometimes gets forgotten is, what to do before you quit your job, before you take the step, before you make that crucial decision that has a potential to change your life.

I’m a strong believer in planning. On the one hand, I understand that it’s rare that things will go according to the plan, but writing down goals and strategies help with initial anxiety, and when the chaos creeps in – you can refer to the notes.

I won’t be talking about jobs, freelancing or how much you can make as a business, but rather what steps I took before I did quit my last full-time position, and what you can do to prepare yourself, for when things go wrong.

It’s safe to say to many people fantasise about quitting their jobs, being their boss, having the freedom to do whatever they want. However, as attractive as it sounds, it’s not that simple. More than often, instead of creating a business, people create a job for themselves but without the benefits of working for someone else.

Michael Gerber describes this paradox in ‘E-myth‘. Of course, it doesn’t mean you can’t be a freelancer. I did write about it before – in my opinion, the best way is to combine the two. Learn skills that can make you money but also have another stream of income from other businesses.

 

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For everyone, the journey will be different, so I will outline the steps I took before I handed my notice.

First, it was a decision to leave. There were many different reasons for that, however at that time, over 2.5 years ago, I was 100% certain I wanted to leave my current employer.

That was in April.

Even though I knew the end was coming, what I didn’t do was quit my job on the next day. I’ve done that before, but it was when I knew I could find another position next day.

This time I didn’t have that luxury, so I decided to leave at the end of December same year. Yes, December.

I gave myself eight months to figure out the next steps. At that time I didn’t know what to do; find another job, move to a different industry, change careers, start freelancing, open a business. Next months were full of research, experiments, going to trade events and conferences. I went through the motions, being both excited and depressed for the most time.

Finally, I went back to the drawing board and started from scratch. I asked myself.

What are you good at?

What can make you money straight away?

What do you want to do in 5,10,15 years from now?

I got rid of a short-term planning anxiety and started to focus on long term goals. In the end, the decision was to freelance from home, do simple jobs online such as editing audio and videos as I work on other projects in spare time.

Good.

What’s next?

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Finances were the next issue to tackle. I had some savings, but I planned for the worst – what if I can’t bring in any money for the next six months?

Plus I needed to upgrade my system if I wanted to work from home.

I calculated an absolute minimum I needed to survive – rent and food and ‘startup’ cash. It meant no parties, no holidays, no extra spending for an unknown time. Having all the numbers written on paper, I got a loan from the bank.

The loan was an addition to my saving but helped to ease the anxiety and fear in the beginning. It helped, especially that for the first four months I didn’t make any cash and was burning through the savings fast. I handed my notice, and on 1st of January, I was officially self-employed and adamant to make it work. Two years later – I’m still here.

My word of advice is to plan and prepare for the worst. People tend to optimise for best-case scenarios, especially when things are going well. If you are 100% sure you want to leave a paid job and start a business on your own – have a plan A, plan B, plan C and worst case scenario rescue. It’s all so you can sleep well at night, knowing that you prepared. Even if things go ok, there will be days when you will question your decision.

Days when you ask yourself if you are good enough, if you can make it, if you are just wasting time. Enough money in your bank, skills that you know can make you money straight away and friends/partners that keep pushing you are invaluable – don’t dismiss it.

The first year after leaving my job, my net income was slashed to 1/3 of what I was making before – that opens your eyes and can make you depressed, and that was a year of hustling, freelancing and frugality

Two years after and I would never go back to a full-time job (unless there is some unexpected turn of events) – even six months can make a drastic difference in your life.

It takes time, discipline, hard work and drive.

Is it all worth it in the end?

That’s up to you.

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Are you working IN or ON the business?

Are you working IN or ON the business?

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29 OCTOBER 2017

written by Mike

ARE YOU WORKING

IN OR ON THE BUSINESS?

 

Who doesn’t want to be their boss?

To make the hours, take holidays when you want, not answering to anyone when you make a decision. It sounds fantastic, and even though it wasn’t my main reason to leave a good job, I can’t say I didn’t think of that. Two years have passed, and I can say that ‘doing it’ on your own is not easy, and not for everyone.

One of the distinctions that I can make is the difference between building a business and being a business. These are not exclusive but it is vital to know the difference, and Michael Gerber ‘E-Myth’ best explains that.

The truth is that most don’t create a business – they create a job for themselves. When I left my last workplace, I started freelancing.

Is freelancing a business?

It is on paper, but in reality, it was a job that I had to attend every day, even though it was done from home. That’s the biggest mistake people make, according to GerberAfter the grand opening, they quickly create a job for themselves and start working in the business rather than on the business.

 

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So what I could do differently?

Well, if I wanted to start an editing business I would need to find people who edit for me and my job would be to bring new projects – make sales. The profit made by paying the editors and charging the clients would be mine – as a main shareholder in the business. Hence why most small businesses fail. You can’t grow the venture if you are doing the work, which is, of course, a classic catch-22. Most people start a small business on a shoe-string budget; every penny counts, therefore, doing most of the work is the best way to save and reinvest.

But what if you want to do the work?

What if you enjoy it?

That’s not a problem, according to Seth Godin

He started various businesses but calls himself a freelancer. If you are a writer, musician, producer, consultant – you are de facto a freelancer. That is, you charge a client for your advice and time you spend on the problem.

Let’s take me for example; I enjoy producing Casefile podcast – writing music for it, editing it, mixing the show. I could hire someone to do the work for me and start a production business, but I don’t want to. I like being part of the team.

My partner is a graphic designer; she too is a freelancer, she trades expertise and time for money. However, on the last project she hired someone else to do the work, she is dealing with the client and the freelancer and takes a fee for being a person in the middle. Business should be a machine, a machine that can run even if you are away on holiday, even when you sleep.

Freelancing does not make you money when you sleep, as you are the money-making machine.

 

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So what is the best way? What is the magic answer?

Like with most things in life, there is none. First, you need to know yourself, what do you like to do, how do you envision your future. Next, take steps based on that vision.m. Starting a business is a lot of work, and there is a high risk of failure.

Are you comfortable with that?

Do you know how to bring clients and sales to the table?

On the other hand, freelancing has a ceiling. There will be a time when you won’t be able to charge more per hour of your service than the maximum, with a business you don’t have these limits. For myself, I reckon the best way is to mix two options.

If you are a freelancer, that means you have a money making skills. It can be graphic design, editing, marketing – it doesn’t matter. You know that worst case scenario you can always make money to cover the bills, you know you can rely on yourself. 

Then you can try your strengths in business. Learn how it works, experiment, fail and try again. It will still be scary, but there will be a comfort on the back of your mind. You know that even if you close the venture, you can always make money with you, with your skills.

I think it gives an easier way to take risks because it won’t make you too desperate. It also mitigates some of the risks, and business (and life) is all about risk control.

How can you try and experiment but protect the downside and your assets at the same time?

What is the best way to turn the opportunity in your favour?

If you are on a fence and thinking of quitting your job, ask yourself first – what is that you want to do and achieve?

What is the best way to do it, while protecting your current situation?

And then, if you are bold enough, leap.

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What Are Your Strengths?

What Are Your Strengths?

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20 OCTOBER 2017

written by Mike

WHAT ARE

YOUR STRENGTHS?

 

It is easy to get excited about new trends, latest tech, attractive and innovative opportunities.
Even by looking at podcasting, everyone seems to be excited about the medium.
Podcasts are getting popular and more people are taking upon them – celebrities, actors, radio personalities are using the audio as the latest opportunity to expand the brand or business.

Everyone’s on it now! I’ve gotta do something!

While it is usually a right business decision to be the first mover, in my opinion analysing strengths and weaknesses and then planning strategy based on that is a better bet.
The first step should be identifying what you are best at.
Let’s say you do want to start podcasting,
Do you want to be the host? Or maybe a writer? Sound editor?
Or run an advertisement company?

Then think if you are best suited for the role.
For example, I like to sing but I know that even with the best training I would not be the best singer, I’m not naturally skilled at it.
Same with sports like basketball or football. I can train to be very good, but it’s not something that comes easy for me.
Identifying the strengths and being self-aware will help you in the long run.

Base skill does not have to be narrow either, next thing should be thinking about what do you like to do.
Maybe it’s reading books?
Does it mean that you should be an author?
Does not hurt to try, but if your strength is not writing but communication and social skills, then maybe being a literary agent is a better choice.
Connect the dots between your strengths and your likes.

Next will be getting the third leg of the stool – what job can you do?
It’s easy to say follow your passion, advice that we hear every day from people who made it to the top.
Unfortunately is not that simple.
Once you start charging money for your hobby, it’s not a hobby anymore – it becomes a job.
It doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy your work, quite the opposite – you should like it, but even with something creative like writing music or writing books it’s can become a struggle.

If you want to get paid, understand that there will be times when you don’t feel inspired, but still have to do the work.
Also, it’s crucial to understand where the future jobs and trends are going.
Over time, specific jobs fade and go away, and new ones come into place. Staying flexible and unafraid of change will help you in the coming years as automation becomes more common in our lives.

 

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So, for now, you have a base skill, your likes and job trends. Finding something in the middle is extremely hard and may take you a while to narrow.
Also, your likes and strengths can change over time.

You may have an excellent eye for aesthetics which prompt you to train as a graphic designer which you might have enjoyed for few years.
What if you eventually get bored?
Or design stops being as lucrative as it was a few years back?

You could make a change to brand strategy, social media marketing or VR design. The turn will be easy to make as you would have years of experience behind a belt and your natural knack for aesthetics will still play a significant role.

That all sounds great but what if you are not sure what you are good at?
Not all is lost!
A good exercise would be to ask people around you, your friends, your colleagues, your workmates.
Ask them what do they think you are good at?
Is it speaking? Empathy? Drawing?

The further the relation, the better. The easiest is to ask your parents, but their answer will be the most biased.
Get ten people to take your ‘survey’. Tell them you want to change careers or looking for a new direction, looking for their help.
See if any of the answers repeat and how different are they from what you thought.

Usually, we know, deep down, what we want to do and what are our strengths.
More than often we still need external validation to take the leap and to act hence personal coaching or business coaching is always so popular.

Take personal training, it’s easy to find workout routines online and design a schedule on your own but more than often people train much harder when someone is looking over their shoulder.
It doesn’t need to be a personal trainer it may be a workout buddy.

It’s not easy to find something that you are good at, that you enjoy and that it makes you enough money to keep doing it.

I think it was Seth Godin who said that it is better to have a successful business than a passion that fails as a business.

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Should You Give a Free Advice?

Should You Give a Free Advice?

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03 AUGUST 2017

written by Mike

SHOULD YOU GIVE

A FREE ADVICE?

 

Before we try to answer that, let’s look at where we are now.

We are entering the biggest revolution humanity had since industrial time – age of information. Thanks to the internet, all knowledge is here, and it’s free. We can have any question answered instantly, without going to the library and this is just the beginning. And the changes are seen everywhere.

For example?

The end of “faceless” companies and organisation. Thanks to social media, customers can now have a direct connection with their favourite brands. Audio companies, podcasters, producers. They all have (or some of them at least) Facebook pages; Twitter feeds, Instagram accounts.

We can follow them, ask them questions, comment on their content. “Behind the wall” secrecy is gone, IP laws are still in play but they are antiquated, and soon we will need new ways of doing business. Protectionism won’t work, people need and want transparency. Especially from professionals who help with subjects such as business and entrepreneurship.

Look at Pat Flynn, it’s the community that drives his business. The stories, financial reports, encouragement. If that was hidden from a public eye, I doubt he would enjoy the success he has.

So what should you do?

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Let’s have a look at some thought leaders of our time.

On the front, you have people like Gary Vaynerchuk who in his work “Thank you economy.” explains the principle of reciprocity. Give people until they want to give back, and they will, it’s human nature. We don’t like the feeling of debt.

An example could be my friends, a yoga teacher. I told her she should be selling yoga mats and other accessories after her classes. I would rather buy a yoga mat from her than from a random shop online. She is an excellent teacher, and I want to support her business because when you add value to people’s lives, they want to give back.

Kevin Kelly in his books “New Rules of the New Economy” and the latest “Inevitable” writes about the same issues, but from a technology point of view. Everything will become cheaper, instantaneous and abundant. Attention becomes the currency of the future and to get the attention you need to offer value. Free advice, tips, and content that helps people, without any hidden agenda (we are savvy enough to see through it). As the information will surround us the answer to your business will be in providing the best experience – human experience.

So again, what should you do?

Go outside and start training people for free?

Well, not quite.

In his book, “Free” Chris Anderson gives many different business models based on advising for free. You could give an “evergreen” advice through videos, blog, and posts but charge for a personalised plan and “premium” content. Skype calls check-ups, weekly meeting. That could be built into a subscription model your business is based on. Online lectures could be free, with video recordings available for everyone. 

Maybe more insightful content, books and special events could be a premium that you charge for?

Every business is different; every customer is different. By looking where social media and the internet is going, we know one thing. Content is a gateway to your business. Building an audience and loyal customer base takes time and effort, asking for money upfront won’t work in the future, you need to offer something first.

Your neighbour is not the only competition you are facing now; it’s the whole world.

So better start now.

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