33 business lessons I learned by age 33

14 years ago I started my first business, a web development company. I was lucky: despite the difficult path, I managed to transform the attempt of a 19-year-old student to play entrepreneur into a strong company that has survived two crises. Now we are fighting the third one pretty steadfastly. I will summarize and share the business lessons I learned.

Self-discipline and self-improvement

1. You must manage your habits, and not vice versa

Get rid of the habits that are harmful and form the ones that develop you (both physically and mentally).

2. Don't promise what you can't do

You can promise anything, but only your actions speak about you.

3. Order in the workplace is equal to order in the head

Clearing the clutter will make room for the things that are truly valuable to you.

4. Craftsmanship makes you unique

Constantly deepen your knowledge and strive for mastery in what you do.

5. A leader must be optimistic

No matter how difficult it may be sometimes, it is optimism that gives the energy not to give up the business halfway, and also to charge the team to achieve a result.

6. You must have a mentor

This is a trainer who is experienced in your field. He will look from the outside, point out mistakes and advise you to do something differently. An outside opinion is sometimes extremely useful.

7. Commit to learning something new each year

First, it allows you to focus and not be distracted by unimportant things. Secondly, a year is enough to master a new area of knowledge or skill and understand whether you want to do this further.

About leadership and working with people

8. Hire those who are smarter than you

And never be a petty tyrant. Surround yourself with those who disagree with you, and exclude from your close circle those who never argue with you.

9. Be persistent in what you need

Don't take rejection as personal. Other people are just as busy with things as you are, and anything can influence their decisions. Try again after a while. It's amazing how often a second try is successful.

10. Sense of humor - the ground underfoot

It allows you to overcome the most difficult crises.

11. When discussing a task, be sure to ask "When will it be ready?"

Announcing the term imposes obligations on the person. And it helps to exclude windbags that only feed on promises.

12. Ask stupid questions

Because, most likely, the other 10 people also want to ask them, but they are shy.

13. Fire fast

The third and fourth chances have never led to a positive result.

14. Recruiter is the number 1 person in a startup

Why complain that there are not enough personnel if there is no chief in personnel?

15. Build a team based on shared values

Belief in the same thing is the best glue for years to come.

16. Experience is overrated

It is impossible to make a team of stars: you can see how hard victories are given to Real Madrid. It is much more interesting to take people with burning eyes and a desire to grow and create a dream team out of them.

17. Speak and do confidently

When in doubt, remember that professionals are the same amateurs who are confident in what they say and do.

18. Strive to Be the One

Uniqueness creates maximum added value.

19. Support is the foundation of a relationship

Everyone has difficult periods, and very often people do not need ready-made solutions from you, but only support.

About development and changes

20. Think of crises and problems as training

This is an opportunity to gain experience and become wiser. Where there are no difficulties and problems, there is no growth.

21. Always ask yourself "What can be improved?"

This is the main question in the life of a successful entrepreneur. The difference between good and great is that nothing great is done the first time.

22. Learn to make decisions quickly

Most of them will be wrong at first, but as you grow and analyze the errors, more and more decisions will become correct. This is experience.

23. Stories of failure are more valuable than success stories

When you got out of a losing situation and managed to get up again after a fall, this is what shows the strength of your personality.

24. Separate the "creator" and "corrector" within yourself

When you create, the mind should be free from looking for mistakes. And when you think about what can be improved, the focus should be on the weak points. It doesn't work at the same time.

25. When you think that you have achieved something 100%, you start to move back

You cannot become an expert once and for all. You need to constantly learn, take on new challenges and improve your competitiveness.

About investments

26. Invest only in projects that you understand

If you are an IT expert, investing in a restaurant business is always a bad idea.

27. Business partners should always invest money

This is a guarantee of the same level of motivation and involvement in the project.

28. Constantly think about the market in which you work

Analyze how big, growing and competitive it is. A growing market multiplies your efforts and forgives mistakes. A competitive and declining market is always low-margin and requires extra effort.

About networking

29. Coffee is always a good reason to meet new people

And an equally good way to strengthen existing contacts.

30. To be interesting, be useful

Relationships with those who are several steps above you can only be built when you have value. The more interested you are in others, the more interesting you are to them.

31. Just add the right person as a friend on Facebook and be persistent

If you are able to convey your value to a stranger, then you are unlikely to be denied a meeting for coffee.

And finally

32. Reading the news is the most harmful activity

News is always scandal, sex and violence. And you can already learn about important events from friends.

33. Self-irony is an important sign of intelligence

The ability to laugh at our mistakes gives us the energy to move forward and become better than yesterday.

I am sure that in 10 years, when I re-read this material, many of the conclusions will seem silly to me. And it's completely normal to change your views and opinions. The opposite is worse - if I agree with everything.