23 things I learned in 2011
- Being busy makes you work more effectively.
2. There is always something to admire in someone.
3. Ask for 5 minutes of a busy person’s time. Listen properly and they will give you more.
4. Technology disrupts. Embrace the impact to stay ahead of your competitors. Then rethink who your competitors are.
5. It is possible to read 10 books in 5 hours.
6. Go out of your way to meet interesting people and connect with them.
7. If it’s not challenging, you’re not looking deep enough.
8. Emotional intelligence is possibly more important than any other type.
9. Your values define who you are. Choose wisely and act appropriately.
10. People spend money on stories, personalities and emotions, not products.
11. There’s no such thing as a silly question, so long as you ask the right person at the right time.
12. Be thoughtful.
13. Success means different things to different people.
14. It’s OK not to have a plan.
15. Starting at the bottom is unglamourous. Starting at the top is difficult. Do both if possible.
16. If one person has unwavering faith in you, that’s enough.
17. It’s important not to take yourself too seriously.
18. Teachers and mentors will come to you when you are ready- but it helps if you ask first.
19. Being away from people when you need them is difficult. Being away from people when they need you is much harder.
20. Being different just for the sake of it is no better than following a crowd.
21. Popcorn is essential.
22. If you want something to be truly successful, it should be able to function without you.
23. Smile
Note: this article was written in January 2012 during a year long placement with the New Entrepreneurs Foundation. Originally published at ushmanef.tumblr.com.
