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I recently turned 40. As this creates some introspection, I thought I'd share 40 business practices that have shaped my career.
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40 business lessons by 40 years old
by Jonathan Mills Patrick jonathanmillspatrick.com
Run up hill
The best time to start sprinting is when everyone else is slowing down
Build your brand earlyDon't worry about getting it all "figured" out, but do find a
niche that fits you
Experience>theoryAdvanced education is critical, but real world experience
beats the study of theory all day, every day
Eat your frog second - Brian Tracy wrote a great book about "eating your frog" or doing the least
desirable item first. I believe you should eat your ice cream first (a positive item) to get your momentum going, then your frog
Rise and shine at your own time
I don't buy into the early risers are more productive theory. You know your sleep cycle and productive times better than anyone, so stick to them
Be activeSome of my best business ideas and problem solving
have come during exercise
Do it for the moneyI know this won't be popular. But if you are going to pursue a profession that you aren't passionate about then you might as well chase the money
Follow the painAnytime you experience a pain point with something there is opportunity
ahead. Find ways to solve problems and there is the potential for a business
No partners allowedDo all the joint ventures you want, but avoid partners in
business. Particularly family
Find your nicheFocus on a specific area in your industry. If you are in Marketing
then become an expert in one area, but know the others
MentorsFind mentors that are where you want to be that are willing to take the time to teach you how to get there. That includes through reading their books
Who are your five?You are only as strong as the five people you spend the most time with. Make sure they share your vision, values, and drive
Find a passion This one isn't for business. Find something outside of business
that you are passionate about. This keeps you grounded
Have a Plan BStart your own business. It's a great learning experience, as well
as allowing something for you to supplement your income with
Stay ahead of trendsDon't be a follower. Find trends that excite you and stay
ahead of them
Know your strengthsWhat things make you who you are and come naturally
to you. Focus on those...
Outsource your weaknesses
...and ignore everything else. I spent months one time trying to be good at something I had no aptitude toward nor patience for
Play nice, until they don't
Being nice in business will take you a long way. But know when not to be nice as well
Say noDon't try to be all things to all people. Know when to say no to people that demand your energy, money, and time
Pareto's PrincipleBetter known as the 80/20 rule. Spend your energy, money, and time on the 20% of activities that yield 80% of the results
Be scrappyFight for your rights when it's appropriate. I once had someone try to claim my business idea as his own at a conference. I almost got my team thrown out of
the event, until the truth came out. Then my imitator all but got thrown out
Play both offense and defense
How do you improve the bottom line? You can increase your revenue or control your expenses. I recommend both.
Rediscover yourselfIn "Quitter" John Acuff says that "finding" your passion is more about
rediscovering something you were already passionate about but had forgotten
Simplicity is bestKeep it simple, whatever it is
Be razor focusedAvoid trying to do too many things at once. Focus on
one or two things that match your interests and skill set
Be a people personLife is about relationships, like it or not. Learning how to read,
get along with, and impact others is an enormously powerful skill
The ladder or the laptop
Decide early if you want to climb the corporate ladder or would you rather make a comfortable living with some flexibility
Be a studentAlways be learning. Whether through books, podcasts,
or conversations with others
Know your "why"Probably one of the best books of all time, Simon Sinek's
"Start With Why" is a must read
Release early and often
Paralysis by analysis will cripple anything. Sometimes knowing too much is a bad thing. Don't be afraid to move ahead with a project that is mostly done
Be willing to failThe best baseball batters get a hit about every third at
bat. And they get paid millions.
Every 3 questionsWhat topics do others tend to ask your advice on? Anytime you are asked the same question 3 times you have a business opportunity
Products are easier than services
I've sold products and I've sold services. There is something inherently easier about selling a tangible thing. Services can be turned into products, such as
knowledge into ebooks
Trust, but verifyWhat takes the longest to earn, but can be the quickest
to lose? Someone's trust
Protect your repOne of my mantras is to do the right thing. It's not always easy and it has cost me on many occasions. But doing so has kept my reputation in tact
Which package works for you
You are not a non-profit organization. There has been a cost for you to obtain your level of expertise. Charge a fair price for that access
Pen and iPadI've spent years trying to decide if I was a pen/paper or technology kind of guy. The answer is what works best for you, which sometimes is both
Give and be willing to receive
Having a servant's heart is all well and good. But there is no reason to feel guilty for receiving your fair share
Who do you know?Learning the art of networking and connecting with complimentary,
not competitive, professionals has made my career
How can I help you?Being willing to help others first with nothing expected in
return has earned me plenty of return favors
So...how can I help?Feel free to reach out to me if I can help you launch or
grow your business in any way. Click here
About the authorJonathan is passionate about helping business owners accomplish their dreams by providing the best information and resources available regarding business finances, management, and marketing.
He has worked in the financial industry for nearly fifteen years. First as a top ten insurance salesman for a national company, a financial advisor, and finally in the banking industry for the past ten years. Over that time he has been involved in over $500,000,000 in transactions involving lending, angel investing, and venture capital facilities. As a senior executive at a financial institution Jonathan has been part of a team that has averaged double digit growth over the past few years. He has also lead that same company to be named SBA Lender of the Year for 2012 and 2013.
Jonathan is an entrepreneur himself, including launching a business to business networking site in 2011 that reached membership in 45 countries.
He has been named to Knoxville’s prestigious “40 under 40″ group and serves on the Boards of both the Fairview Technology Center and Community Health Alliance.
Jonathan is first and foremost a husband and father. In his personal time he enjoys helping people accomplish their health and fitness goals, including teaching others the benefits of exercise through mixed martial arts training. Jonathan has worked with a variety of people to reach their weight goals, including multiple 50+ pound “losers”. He enjoys running, reading, and time with his family.