Lessons Learned After 10 Years in Business (Reflections of a Corporate Discard)

And they said it wouldn’t last!

It’s been 10 years since I kicked off The Third Half – I thought it was timely to reflect on a few things that I’ve learned over that period. Call it insight. Probably more accurately, “trial and error”. Ok, stuff ups.

1. Routine and structure are important.

Really important, particularly in the early days when you have everything to do, and in another sense, nothing to do. At least no clients. Committed to being in the same place at the same time (a home office, a coffee shop, a library, it doesn’t matter where) is important. Work in blocks of two or three hours. Otherwise, those sock drawers are going to be immaculate. And you’re wife is probably going to get really, really annoyed.

2. Catch up regularly with people of a similar mindset, just to chew the fat.

Working on your own can be sole destroying, particularly when you’re accustomed to being part of a large organisation, surrounded by people, feeding off the energy. As a substitute, identify other “kindred souls” with whom you can bounce ideas around, and share in their challenges. People who “get” the concept of reciprocity. I’m eternally grateful to a small business “inner sanctum” – a dozen or so people, many of whom wouldn’t even be aware of the invaluable contribution they’ve made.

3. Understand that a lot of people are just “full of it”.

They’re unreliable, they’re unresponsive, they’re unimaginative, they over promise and under deliver. if they deliver at all. Acknowledge it, embrace it, get over it. The sooner you do, the less frustrated you’ll be, and the more empowered you’ll become. If you must, ponder briefly their motives – are they simply self absorbed? Are they lazy? Are they insecure? Or are they just really, really busy? So busy they can’t afford 15 seconds to send you an email saying thanks, but no thanks?  Then move on, because if you don’t you’ll become a victim, and we all know where victims finish up. #notmuchfuntobearound.

4. In a similar sense, if it’s going to be, it’s up to me.

Horribly cliched, I know, but very useful for creating the right mindset. When you’re a “one man band”, every decision, every action, every problem is yours. Not like corporate life. You have an issue with your email? Just dial the Help Desk – ext 528. “Sandy, please help mate. Computer’s stuffed…”  There are no Sandy’s in this world. This can be exhausting. The trick is to view these “niggles” as opportunities to learn new skills, stuff that for most of your corporate life you never envisaged yourself being able to master.

5. Finally, keep going. And going. Don’t stop.

Even when you’re feeling absolute crap. Most negative thoughts occur when we’re inactive. Get on with it. In the very early stages, I divided my days in two – planning and meetings in the morning, and working on a building site in the afternoon. I probably didn’t even know why I was doing it. I just remember Phil Jauncey telling me once: “Michael, life’ s a bit like water ski-ing. You can get up and fall down as many times as you like. The only thing you can’t do is stop.”