13 lessons in 2022 that I'll take with me forever
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Read time: 4 min
The year has been hard. I was let go in the Spring and I was the main earner in the family. My wife was (is) still coming back from her concussion and that was only the beginning. We had to muscle through two surgical procedures and COVID this year. OOF!
But as the saying goes, "Breakdowns lead to breakthroughs", I was able to replace my income with consulting work and reach 995,811 views on my LinkedIn content this year. I was even able to bring David Aaker, hailed the father of modern branding onto my newly launched podcast.
So here are the 13 lessons I've gained along the way:
1. People are gifts
The good interactions leave you energized and maybe even become a life long relationship. The bad interactions help you grow. No matter what happens, when people come into your life, see them as gifts and be open to receive them. I have gained so many "friends" from LinkedIn and my podcast this year. It's been 🔥.
2. You are not your job
Our identities are so wrapped up in our work and rightfully so, we spend so much of our time working. But when I was let go, I had to find myself again, recover what was repressed or set aside.
3. Everybody starts from 0
Gaining followers, building email lists, selling my services as a consultant... every endeavor starts with a first step and we are all on our own journeys to get where we need to go. So instead of being disheartened, know that there is no race, just the acting of running.
4. Everything can be figured out
Starting a business can seem daunting, but like everything else, any problem can be tackled as long as you take the time to figure it out. There is an abundance of resources to help us through anything. I mean, I fixed my dishwasher by watching a 2 min youtube video... amazing!
5. Nobody is paying attention to you
We are self-centered beings in the end, our reality seems like the reality of others, when in fact everyone is consumed with themselves. After being laid off for 6 months, I still have people saying - oh! I didn't know you left the agency? So keep telling your story.
6. Everyone is making it up as they go
It can seem those who have "made it" got their shit together. The truth is, everyone is trying their best, making it up, trying, failing, learning and trying again! So make it up, just GO.
7. If you don't own your time, others will
As a solopreneur, my time is mine to structure, but that has not been the case for decades. If I don't schedule time for the most important things to me, it will get eaten up, leaving me with the scraps of time to spend on what matters to me.
8. Everybody puts on their pants one leg at a time
We tend to put our idols on a pedestal and be anxious about talking to those at the pinnacle of their careers. But the truth is they are just people, their public personas are just that. It really hit home when I was able to get David Aaker on my fledgling podcast. A dream come true and a stark reminder.
9. Things can seem impossible until they are done
Starting a business, supporting a family as a consultant, it can seem daunting and impossible, but once you've passed that goal, it seems so ridiculous that we doubted ourselves in the first place. Keep going for "impossible".
10. Your emotion and creativity is what differentiates you
Our skills are replicable, AI will get better and better. Our secret sauce is our emotions, our passion, how we interact with others, the way we make others feel. It's the crazy ideas and the big swings.
11. Shedding what's embedded in my mind is a constant process
We are programmed from a young age on what we are "supposed to do", how we are "supposed to think", and what success "supposedly is". Why should we be working long hours in order to feel like we're productive? Why should making more money mean sacrificing more family? It doesn't. Un-think it.
12. When you help without expectations, good things will happen
Give and expect nothing in return. By virtue of you being a little farther along means there is something valuable you can share. Karma is real, and good things will befall you - I've had many serendipitous things happen, one of which is appearing on the cover of Freelancer Magazine!
13. There is an abundance of problems to be solved, choose wisely
There are countless companies and individuals who need help. Many problems to be solved. What you need to do is to pick the problems you want to solve, are great at solving, and the wealth will come your way, along with joy and fulfillment.
Ways I can help you:
Subscribe to Healthy Brand Mondays: Leverage brand thinking to accelerate your growth
Download free guides and tools: Learn from my years of experience as a brand strategist
Work with me: Be a podcast guest or hire my services for your brand