E13: Why We're All F*cked Up

Mar 19, 2018 48m 19s 9 insights
Steve Bartlett reflects on personal and entrepreneurial lessons, emphasizing the power of first impressions, understanding one's past, the critical role of focus, and a realistic, often challenging, perspective on entrepreneurship.
Actionable Insights

1. Value Every Encounter

Treat all interactions with genuine kindness and respect, regardless of the other person’s perceived status or ability to help you. These positive impressions can compound over time, leading to unexpected opportunities and support in the future.

2. Leverage Your Personal Flaws

Identify how your early life experiences (your ‘fucked up-ness’) have shaped both your positive and negative traits. Double down on your unique strengths derived from these experiences, and consciously work to mitigate or pacify the negative impacts on your behavior.

3. Prioritize Laser Focus

Maintain intense focus on your current primary objectives, especially when things are going well, and resist the temptation to pursue every new opportunity. Spreading yourself too thin by ‘dropping the pie reaching for an apple’ prevents you from realizing the full potential of your existing endeavors.

4. Envy Happiness, Not Possessions

Shift your focus of envy from material possessions, external success, or physical appearance to genuine happiness and contentment. By desiring happiness, you’ll naturally prioritize actions and mindsets that lead to greater inner fulfillment.

5. Embrace Startup Mindset for New Ventures

When launching a new business or expanding into a new market, consciously revert to a ‘startup state of mind.’ This involves actively engaging in foundational tasks like proposals, outreach, and pitching, even if you’ve delegated these in your established operations.

6. Cultivate Deep Self-Motivation

Develop a profound, innate sense of self-motivation that burns within you, rather than relying on external affirmations or daily pep talks. This deep drive is essential to sustain you through the long, often unrewarded periods of entrepreneurial effort.

7. Prepare for Daily Adversity

Mentally brace yourself to receive daily news that is ‘soul-sucking-ly terrible,’ as unexpected challenges and setbacks are a constant and inherent part of the entrepreneurial journey. This preparation helps you cope with the inevitable stress.

8. Acknowledge Entrepreneurial Sacrifices

Understand that entrepreneurship demands significant personal sacrifices, including potential strain on romantic and family relationships, and a lack of traditional work-life balance or holidays. Be prepared for these costs if you choose this path.

9. Re-evaluate Entrepreneurial Motivations

Critically examine your reasons for pursuing entrepreneurship, recognizing that money alone does not guarantee happiness and that many aspects of the entrepreneurial lifestyle are not conducive to overall well-being. Prioritize happiness as the ultimate goal.