Losing fOcUs

OK, so I am slowly gathering my thoughts, my ideas, my frustration and my focus, which have been all over the place the last two months. Ever since I came home from the US really.  I guess so much have been going on up in my head and so many impressions eventually blew my mind. Sometimes you don’t see it coming: the stress the confusion that most likely will lead to a sudden lack of focus and make you question if you really want this or not. But worst of all; losing motivation because you simply aren’t inspired. It’s not a good feeling. But as long as I’m aware of it it’s easier to deal with, because this feeling is not necessarily a true feeling.  It’s like being married; there are days you want to strangle your partner, however it doesn’t mean that you don’t love them anymore and you swore to be with them for better or for worse. So instead of thinking that I’m bored and I want to end it, I’m thinking that I need to work on myself becoming better to deal with these type situations. Cause they will probably come again. I’m sure.

Just to get it straight, I’m absolutely not bored of what I’m doing, but there are so many things that I have to do alone. I’m doing the accounting, the marketing and a whole bunch of other stuff that normally would be divided on a team of people. But since we have just started up and we are just two people the workload is just insane.  There are overwhelmingly many fields that  we are constantly being introduced to simultaneously, which we have no experience with. For instance I am not an accountant or tax expert, but to be able to be as cost-efficient as possible during start-up we are forced to do this. I did have some accounting in university...thank god! Still its hard with all the regulations.

Not only is it overwhelming and energy-draining, It gets really lonely too. People don’t understand how much I work and how important it is to get results. For instance they don’t understand how I can get up at 6am and stay away from alcohol for months just get results business wise. I feel alienated sometimes when people say that I should relax and go for a drink (I do drink when I feel like it). Its not like I have a problem because I have chosen to spend my time differently. Honestly it pisses me off sometimes that my friends don’t understand. Some of my friends calls me ¨ Yassmine The Machine¨, which is sort of funny, as long as I don’t get to hear it all the time. I know I have dreams and goals that most people cant identify with, but for God sake, I’m not crazy just because I’m ambitious! I think its rather odd to call a person who wants to stay healthy, who goes to bed early and gets up early to push for greater achievements crazy. That’s crazy!

It’s not like I’m some weirdo who loves to sit in front of my laptop alone working because I don’t have a life.  Of course I would like to go out more often and enjoy myself. Sometimes I sit in my tiny room and I’m sleepy and tired from reading a bunch of documents, drawing strategies etc wishing I was with my friends at that dinner I turned down to reach my deadlines. It sucks. But then again; the reward of progress is just such an amazing feeling. I love it, and that is what I must never forget. I must never forget that I am an entrepreneur-soul. I have plenty of ideas and I love to work. I have taken a choice, which I need to stick with: because without persistence and determination talent is useless. Talent is useless anyway if I don’t have skills and one of the most important skills is discipline, and therefore persistence. Its hard sometimes, but I’m sure its worth it in the end.

             

So many possibilities, so many thoughts...

New year. New possibilities. That’s what they say. What if there are too many possibilities? Sounds a bit weird, but I feel like there is so much more I can do than just what I’m doing right now. I mean there are so many other industries that fascinate me, and I have so many ideas it’s killing me.  Its frustrating knowing that you have ideas that probably could work (I know they would work), but also knowing that for one idea to turn into reality persistence and determination is alpha and omega, and with less time to work on each idea the chances for anything to become reality is very small. I guess focus is the key. Focus on as few projects at a time. I need to clear my head and vision my goal clearly and stop myself from thinking about everything else. It’s hard, very hard.

I don’t know what to write or feed you readers with right now, cause my mind is simply all over the place. I need a break from my own head. My biggest problem is probably that I’m always somewhere else in my head, way into the future most of the time. I’m barely HERE.

Actually I might have some vice words to share. If you feel like me doing something physical like working out might give your head a rest. Personally I enjoy almost any kind of sport, but I have fallen in love with cross-country skiing this winter. It feels really good being outside among trees and tons of snow breathing clean air through my lounges. I also love cycling, but there is something very liberating by doing sports out in the open. You should try it. So for now, I’m just going to clean up and organize my head.

See you soon! 

New year’s resolutions

Its really weird how time flies. I remember when I was a kid. I felt like time was moving so slowly, but now time is running like an Olympic champion. I am afraid I’m missing out on the real values in life. I’m afraid I’m running for the gold medal with my eyes shut.  

For me the real values in life are intangible. Real values are when I feel that I’m making a positive and significant difference for other people or the environment. It is also the love I get from people around me, mostly from my family and close friends and it’s the feeling of victory. It could be in sports or in business. Unfortunately I am a victory junkie. Sometimes the pleasing feeling of doing well takes up too much attention in my life, but its mainly because I’m so passionate about what I’m doing I don’t feel like I’m working. As a matter of fact I set out some rules for myself regarding what types of work I would be doing in the future already the second year in University. I said to myself that I would never, ever take on any jobs that weren’t particularly useful or interesting to me. Meaning I would only work on projects I felt genuinely passionate about.   

While most of my friends had part time jobs at some bar just to have an income I was being extremely picky and prepared to do almost whatever it took to get an interesting job.  One of my favorite jobs was for one of the worlds biggest credit rating companies in the world; Dun and Bradstreet selling credit ratings, which taught me invaluable sales techniques. Another great job was an internship for Tv2, Norway’s biggest commercial television channel as a journalist on one of the most central murder cases in Norway. The Martine Vik-case. But guess what, I really never felt like I was working during this time of my life…. well maybe when I was working for Dun and Bradstreet. It could get brutal on the phone sometimes, but besides from that I think it’s a smart idea to only do what you are passionate about because that way you hold out longer.

As much as I love what I do and often feel like I’m not working at all, just playing, I think that my number 1. New Year resolution this year will be to spend slightly more time just being, and not doing or at least spend less time working and more time on my hobbies which I have neglected the two last years. I used to play guitar, write songs, do some acting, painting etc. I feel like I need to take that back into my life.

I don’t like the thought of not being as efficient as possible, but I don’t want to become a workaholic. I need to change from being a victory junkie to a victory lover because to be successful in life is so much more than to be successful running a company. I want to be a good friend, daughter and a parent whenever that time comes. I would also like to stay healthy and have a rich life outside my company. So to all other young entrepreneurs reading this take a minute to think about what you really want in life, because I’m sure its not only to be the number one in business, or is it? We just need to work smarter.

(Note: The used is not my official new years resolution list. I am not losing 15 pounds...for sure!)

Just do it!

I just got home from a 3 weeks business trip to LA and Miami mixed with a little vacation so I’m sorry for not have posted anything during these weeks.

It was definitely scary to take the next step entering the American market. It was scary because I know how hard people in the US work to succeed. Americans are famous for being the best in the world in so many fields.

Successful people don’t try over there, they do it and the work moral is so high that most people who come from countries like me where you don’t really have to work (I am from Norway) cant stand a chance. We are simply too spoiled and lazy, so be aware of this before you get all crazy like me.  On the other side, I think you have to be slightly crazy (I mean VERY CRAZY) to think you can outcompete Americans and actually do it; because it’s a totally irrational thought to believe that you can become better than the best in the world when the best in the world in my industry have 20-40 years of experience. But the good news is if you really are hungry enough and you are willing to get out of your comfort zones to reach your goals Americans are more than willing to help you, even if you sound a little bit like a mental patient.

I had 9 meetings all in all during my trip and all with the CEOs of the companies. I was amazed how warm and helping they all were. Not even ONE underestimated me as an entrepreneur or competitor. In fact they all wanted to help me and I even sealed some pretty good deals over there with highly respected and experienced people from the industry.

Ok, so I was a little too generous making my offer almost stupid to turn down, but I think it is better in the long term for both my company and my clients to have experienced people with skills working for me, giving away a significant cut to my partners and employees than to get all obsessed about the money. I’m not really doing it for the money anyway. I’m doing it because its fun and because I know I can do well.

I’m more worried about doing it the right way with the right people than getting rich within the first year. I’m sure some of you would disagree to my generous business model, because you believe in capitalism (so do I), greed is good, but in this specific industry, the private investigation industry, skills and experience is so extremely important. I think making it easier for potential partners, being generous has made it easier for me, because I am more or less useless without them. Well…not really, cause I do have great ideas, I have worked as a PI myself, I’m really good at sales…(I used to be one of those annoying telesellers who would never take no for an answer) and I think different than most people. Plus I’m innovative and I spot opportunities where even my biggest competitors fail to see it, BUT they have more money than me which must never be ignored and they have invaluable experience, but most of all they have a history and clients; clients that I need.  I could do it without them, but at a slower pace. MUCH slower pace.  

Conclusion: Just do it! 

$$$

I always talk about how important it is to be so positive that it borders to not being realistic. Being too realistic sometimes limits your possibilities and we all know that the great geniuses of all times were known to be crazy and unrealistic… until they proved the opposite. Just look at Edison and Einstein. People thought they had simply lost their minds, however, it seems like that is exactly what you need: this touch of madness to be able to accomplish what most people haven’t done before you. 

And you know what? The wonderful news is that very few people dare to think unrealistically grand, making it easier for us who dare to do so to actually reach the top. Very, very few people are willing to even dare to think like a true pioneer. When this is said there is something that you need to be deadly REALISTIC about, and that is $$$.

You need to know how much money you need to be able to start trading and how much money you need to put away for unexpected crises or downfall in the market. You can never get enough $$$, that’s for sure.

Here are some posts that normally are certain expenses for any company:

-          Insurances

-           Licences and Permits

-           Marketing

-           Legal

-           Financial *Accountants, Financial advisor etc.

Then again don’t limit yourself because you don’t have the money. Its not like you are expected to have $ 100 000 from the day you start your research.   

As an entrepreneur you need to be willing to take risks, be creative and see the loopholes. Just OPEN YOUR EYES.  Sometimes that means testing your product/service before you actually start trading without all the permits and licences you are required.

This is often an important part of building your business plan, which you most likely will need when presenting your idea for potential investors. Taking risks doesn’t mean that you should do it blindfolded. Calculate the risks carefully before you try and test.

Don’t forget all the free help out there. There are so many people out there willing to help you. I have experienced so many positive people contacting me through my blog: lawyers, accountants, marketing advisors and so on offering free help and advice.

I’ve noticed that a lot of successful people are also very generous people. They love helping others and they love to see other people succeed.  So stick to these people and welcome all financial advices you can get, even if they are a bit off. You’ll learn what is right and what is wrong if you consult with enough people with the right experience in your field.

Killer

I don’t know if you have noticed it, but every other of my blog is motivational blogs, while the rest are how you actually build your business. The reason why I have structured it this way is because I think motivation and keeping that vision alive in your mind is just as important as building your business. A business without a vision is a house without walls.

I have met so many people who run their businesses with no drive. It’s so obvious they have forgotten why they even started that business in the first place.

It really frustrates me to look at companies I know could have done so much better if they had taken advantage of the situation, but because they have forgotten what they stand for and they are satisfied with good and not great they are unable to reach the goals they first set.

As a kid we learned in school that the most important thing was to participate and not win. Well, I had a dad that surely didn’t agree, so I was thought that the most important thing was to win.

As I work as a teacher part-time during the day I know that this psychology might not be healthy for kids, but I also know that if you play to win you will do your very best. I don’t see the purpose in doing anything if I’m not going to give it all. I’ve learned from experience that doing things 50% is a waste of time, and time is expensive.

The most important thing my dad thought me was not just to play to win but to keep winning.  He used to say ¨Its when you are tired that you should push a little bit more¨. This is also known as the killer-instinct. It’s easy to do well ones, but it’s hard to stay at the top and get up after defeat time after time. Cause you will fall; again and again, but that’s also the time to learn how to rise. Sometimes it can be very hard to get up on your feet again, not just because your sales number dropped significantly the last 6 months, but as a matter of fact it is often your closest friends and family who have the power to really make it hard for you to get up. They are the ones who really have the power to make you feel worthless.

Another thing my dad used to say which has helped me a lot is something that Will Smith says in the movie ¨The Pursuit of Happiness¨; he used to say ¨Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you cant do something. Not even me¨.  It is so important to protect your dreams and your vision. Your family and friends probably don't want to make it difficult for you, but and they probably don't have any idea how much pressure lays on your shoulder from time to time, and honestly this is just something you will have to live with. They can hurt you because you love them, not because they want to hurt you. The only way to avoid getting affected is to protect your dream and just know that that is the reason. Your family and friends will hurt you as long as you live, so just get over it. 

I can’t even tell in words how important this is to be aware of  ¨the fall and rise¨ (I know.. the expression is called the ¨rise and fall¨, but Ive changed it into the right order to how it should be).   

If you are not aware of this, and you don’t understand that the process of growing more powerful and staying in control actually involves defeat and learning how to get up I swear you are so going to stay on the ground!

You need to get up and kill it, again and again. That’s why keeping that vision alive is so important. I try to repeat the vision for my company at least ones a day in addition to my daily mantra, which is:

¨Everything I start I complete with brilliance¨.

So don’t be a killer, STAY a killer and you’ll see everything will go your way, cause the truth is there is not that many killers out there…

A good business plan is a good plan!

If you have read some of my blog you know that I think it is crucial to dear to think grand to be able to succeed in a fierce marketplace. Additionally you have to be motivated for more than just the $$$$, you have to be fearless, you have to be able to separate good advice from noise (don’t let anyone bring you down…or your sales down) and you have to be extremely hungry for success. By that I mean SUPERHUNGRY. Sometimes this means pushing limits until there are no limits and doing what other ¨normal people¨ consider crazy. Try to take away one of those things I mention and you are pretty much screwed one way or another. But there is one more thing you need (and a thousand more…lol) and that is a business plan.

First of all a business plan is pretty much what it says it is; a plan for the business. It can be deadly for your business not to have one. A business plan should evaluate all aspects of the economic viability of your company. The business plan should also include an analysis and description of your business prospects. It is in fact the business plan you will be showing to potential investors and banks for financing. The business plan is a very useful selling tool and a great way to remind yourself where you are headed, how and when.

The easiest way to implement a business plan is to keep it simple, specific, realistic and complete. If you make it too complicated you might end up not using it to check if you are heading in the right direction compared to the goals you set 6 months ago, and you might lose an investor over nothing. You see…the investors never really invest in the business but in YOU. They want to know how you are, if they can trust you and if you are a winner or not.

The business plan is not just for potential investors and banks, but it is for you and your employees as well. Planning is a process, not just a plan. DON’T FORGET THAT. The business plan should be the companies Bible. Amen.

Producing the business plan can be very time-consuming because you need to get the right facts regarding market statistics, financing and target market so that you don’t lead your company into a ditch. Not having all these facts right is like walking around blindfolded, which is just stupid! Why would you walk around blindfolded if you can see whats in front of you?

Based on the statistics and facts you need to analyze using tools such as the PEST (political economical social technological factors) analysis or the SWOT  (strengths weakness opportunities threats) analysis to understand your data and information gathered. There are a million other tools to choose from for  analyzing information, but you should at least include the SWOT.

A business plan is not something that is done in a week, so be patient and start digging for information. Go undercover if you have to. Call your competitor and pretend that you are a costumer, or better; book a meeting! Don’t be afraid that they will reveal your purposes, so what? Be creative.

Here is a website I found that has a lot of good stuff regarding the business plan.

http://www.myownbusiness.org/s2/#3

Good luck!