09 lessons you should have learned from ‘09

Posted on January 21, 2010 by The Engineer

1.  Now is the time to take action.

If not now, then when?  The decade is over, the economy sucks, your job sucks, it’s time to take matters into your own hands.  2009 was the last year you should be doing something mundane, typical, and boring.

2.  Use your networks

Are you plugged into the right networks?  There are so many social and business networks out there now, you have to decide which ones are worth it.  It’s going to depend on you – what are you interested in – you should belong to networks that touch on all of your strengths and weaknesses.  In the networks where you have strengths, this will be your time to shine.  You will be the expert, you will help others succeed, and in doing so, you will succeed yourself.   In social and business circles where you are weak, you will learn, you will stretch, you will become better.  The best part?  These networks will most likely overlap, and you’ll be in the center of it all.

3. Push yourself

Don’t put off any longer those things that you want to do.  Want to start a blog?  Go register your domain.  Right now – GoDaddy.com. Just start writing out your thoughts.  Stretch your imagination – try new things, go out on a limb.  Why not?  You’re uniquely you, and there are thousands of people out there who will like your opinion, will think your jokes are funny, and will have very similar thoughts as you do.  What are you waiting for?

4. Write down your goals

We’ve all heard – a goal not written, is just a dream or a desire.  Write those goals down, post them on your bathroom mirror, on your computer, whatever.  Make sure you can see those goals every single day.  It works, believe me.

5. Find something to be a part of

It was already mentioned – there are thousands of networks, communities, groups, and clubs out there, just waiting for you to find them.  Real estate clubs exist all over the world, SEO clubs, knitting groups, dog training and guitar playing.  This goes back to networking – get into a group of like-minded people and start making some friends.  Friends help friends, and there will be someone there who needs your advice and vice versa.

6. Quit following all the rules

If you’ve always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.  2009 is over, and so is the decade.  I’m starting anew and it’s time to make things happen.  Will you?

7. Systems FTW

There’s are reason why assembly lines work.  If you are doing something over and over every single day, you need to value your time and your money a little more.  It’s time to expand and hire.  Virtual Assistants are ready and willing, looking for work – many are more educated than you are.  In order to have an efficient VA, you need an efficient system.  Open a Word Processing document, and start writing down exactly what you are doing all these time.  Take some screen shots, explain in detail, and then hire a VA to start doing this for you.  You’ll have free time to create, explore, promote, and work on your other projects that are much more important than wasting hours doing what you can outsource.

8. Charity never fails

It is my personal belief that we are entrepreneurs, making up the top percentage of the world’s income, have the charge to give back to humanity.  Philanthropy and charity are always a right choice.  Kiva.org and other charities are doing good in this world, and we can contribute.  Please do.

9. Work hard

I’m a big believer in work.  I’m not afraid of hard work, and I think it is almost essential to any projects I’m working on.  I’ve touched on reasons that work is important – and I think the more work you put in, the less chance you have to fail.  And of course I think you should be working as smart as possible.