Adrie's Blog

Roller Coaster

Inherent in the character of most entrepreneurs is that feeling that you can control everything, that you can manage all the problems that you will face. This is true to a certain extent and of course the right attitude to start with. You do what you want to do, throw yourself into your business with total conviction and you get better at it along the way. You solve problems as you come across them, by applying lots of energy and simply working darn hard to overcome them. All of this is so true - yet sometimes it takes a few hard hits for you to grow to yet another level.

In my thirties I had this period where I thought that everything I touched, turned into gold - I am sure you all recognise that feeling. People around me told me how good I was, and in the end you almost start believing they are right. Wrongly so - but I only found that out when the whole house of cards started falling apart. But it made me better, stronger. After such a time, you are well grounded and won't feel the need to go mad any longer. It is often the reason that all entrepreneurs, large or small, should have a strong mentor by their sides - that keeps them grounded and realistic at all times.

Today - with the financial crisis we all lived through, are still living through - you meet a lot of business owners that thought nothing could happen to them, but suddenly were faced with the reality of how cold and stormy it really is out there, that things are no longer so obvious and easy as they were... which is a good reminder to get once in a while.

On a whole different level are health problems, yours or those in your immediate vicinity because those touch you in a whole different way, at an emotional level that you cannot control or manage or simply overcome. And you have to deal with the emotions whilst business continues "as normal". Those are the moments that you realise how fragile everything is, and how relative. Those are also the moments that you realise that you cannot do it alone, where you need friends around you, that rock in your stormy sea that takes on your work without you even having to ask.

What you learn from this? That life is relative, it is short and it is very very valuable. Do those things that you enjoy doing, keep dreaming and chase your dreams but don't forget about the people that are closest to your heart. Focus, always, but never to the point of being blind to anything else.