From the monthly archives: May 2012
Patricia gave me this caterpillar 20 months ago in anticipation for all the changes that I would go through swtiching from one vocation to my current.
While at the home of Esther on 29 May 2012, I told the group of friends I was with about all the changes that had taken place in me since embarking on my journey as a social entrepreneur. On hearing my story, Esther quickly went to her room and presented me with a butterfly pendant as an “award” for having emerged as a butterfly. Esther didn’t know about the caterpillar that was given me 20 months earlier.
It’s been about 20 months since I started on my journey as a social entrepreneur. I remember asking my fellow lifelong learner awardee and entrepreneur friend what is one advice he had for me as I begin my journey. Cayden Chang said, “It’s passion that will keep you going.” How right he is!
I’ve made more mistakes than I care to mention. Passion keeps us going but it’s humility that will pick us up when we fall and help us keep going.
Last Thursday 17 May 2012, I had the privilege to attend a talk by Milton Chang, serial entrepreneur, angel investor, and author. With some hesitation, I bought his book mostly because I was afraid it might share the fate of my other books that end up collecting dust on my shelf.
I’m glad I bought the book.
Milton’s book is easy to read and makes a lot of sense — I know because I’ve made the painful mistakes he said could be avoided! I wish I had read it in 2010 when I plunged headlong into Digital Storytelling as a social enterprise.
In his section on “Adopt the Proper Attitude,” Milton says you can be successful in your own way so long as you…
- Work with people who can relate to to the way you work.
- Having the self-awareness to know your strengths and weaknesses.
- Pick the business you can succeed in.
- Have the humility and respect to hire and delegate responsibilities to people who complement your weaknesses.
- Avoid arrogance because it will distort how you view yourself, taint your judgement and discourage people from supporting you.
The path toward entrepreneurship is never straight. I wish I had power like the big headlights of a car to see far ahead of me. Most of the time, however, what I hold in my hand is a battery operated flashlight — sometimes barely bright enough to see one step in front of me.
Entrepreneurship is not for the fainthearted or the proud. I’m at a stage where I am taking stock and what I call, “Recalibrating.” This time I hope I will do better with this guidebook in my hand.
