Five Tips from Grandparents for Entrepreneurs
*Jawdrop*?
Why is it sometimes so unbelievable for today’s youngsters when they hear their grandparents are visiting them one fine day, on their own? Or when your grandpa ( or for that matter any old man) tries to walk without his walking stick, why does it give you a mild tremor, for weren’t they the heroes of their heydays just like we are, today? *Wink wink*
Call it being oversweet towards my grandparents or just being plain honest, the following are some of the facts that I noted and thought of sharing with you because as goes the age old saying- ‘Old is Gold’, so are the examples they set forth for us, without them even realizing what they are up to!
1. Never quit trying even if others tell you otherwise or if they tell you that you have lost your *zing*
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Just like the oldies ( I would rather call them the ‘Bold’ies here!) who just seem to have grown an extra bone somewhere and just can’t quit being extra-stubborn at times, when it comes to things which they once did on their own.
2. Take help if you must but still walk with your head held high
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It is not always possible to complete all the tasks in a fixed time without anyone’s help (because at the end of the day, we are all Homo sapiens who need their magic potion called sleep to help them be ready for a new day). That is when you can smile and request someone gently for their help. Sometimes all you need is a pat on your back or a friendly hug. And with that be rest assured that you will definitely have a smoother road ahead.
3. It is alright to falter in your steps at times
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Often, those who believe that winning requires unfailing efforts and unfaltering steps forget that it is acceptable to ‘not be successful’ at times.
If you really think that failing is the end of the world, then you wouldn’t be reading this now. Did you just ask why? Because my dearies, I did have a spectacular past dotted with academic failure in a bright one otherwise, which ultimately led to those events being streetlights of the unknown road ahead. I will get back to that someday! 😉
4. Call that friend who at one point of time meant a lot to you but over time and circumstances, somehow slipped to being just a ‘contact name’ in your phone book
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After moving towns and changing jobs and almost living their entire lives, they keep rewinding every once in a while (The latest ad by Google India also speaks of that. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHGDN9-oFJE ).
Yes, every entrepreneur is under constant pressure to innovate, develop and beautify the existing label that is the product of his blood and sweat (sometimes literally too 😛 ). In such a competitive scenario, some bonds fade away and some memories tend to slip back. Get a grip!
Your dream is definitely important but then so are your roots. A catching-up with an old friend gives you a spring in your step and definitely a smile on your lips because they are mirrors to your achievement, to your journey till now. Call him/ her now. Fix a coffee rendezvous now!
5. Live to the brim even if there is a fear of spilling down!
Life is unpredictable and will always be. You don’t have to constantly keep thinking –
- What if my product fails?
- What if my next step goes terribly wrong?
- What if my company suddenly has to shut down due to unavoidable circumstances?
Relax. You are still in the present. If the ‘Bold’ies can smile and walk around by swaying their walking sticks in mid-air without the fear of the inevitable curtain fall on their lives, then you definitely can let your hair down once in a while. ( And no you haven’t wasted 5 minutes of your existence reading this. You just earned a new perspective ;-))
I would definitely have shared more but then sorry folks, my grandma just called me for the third time to dial her old friend’s phone number who stays in Kerala. Adios till we meet again! 😉
Thanks, Divya for the great info! I am in the process of doing all this. I’ll guess I have to do this because I know time is indeed important.. Thank you so much!
You are welcome , J.Kaplan. Stay in touch !