Entrepreneur's Corner

10 Brutal Life Lessons For Entrepreneurs In 2023 That Life Has Taught Me As A Kenyan Entrepreneur: No Easy Walk

BY Steve Biko Wafula · November 29, 2023 09:11 am

KEY POINTS

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Being an entrepreneur is not easy. It requires courage, passion, perseverance, and a lot of hard work. But it also offers rewards that are beyond measure: the satisfaction of creating something valuable, the freedom of being your boss, and the opportunity to make a positive impact on the world.

However, entrepreneurship is not a smooth journey. It is full of challenges, uncertainties, and failures. Along the way, you will encounter many life lessons that will test your character, resilience, and wisdom. Some of these lessons are brutal, but they are also essential for your growth and success.

As we draw close to another pivotal year in our lives, I would love to share with you 10 brutal life lessons that I have learned from my personal experiences of 2023. These are lessons that life has handed me mercilessly, lessons that I have seen others go through with so much pain, and lessons that I have continually read about. I hope they will help you as they have helped me. Please do share with others and leave a comment with your views.

Things don’t get easier; it’s you who gets stronger.

Every level of growth presents a set of new challenges and opportunities in equal measure. As you progress in your entrepreneurial journey, you will face more complex problems, more demanding customers, more fierce competitors, and more unpredictable markets. You will also have more responsibilities, more expectations, and more pressure.

But don’t let these challenges discourage you. Instead, see them as opportunities to grow, learn, and improve. Every challenge you overcome makes you stronger, smarter, and more confident. Every opportunity you seize makes you more valuable, more influential, and more successful.

Remember, things don’t get easier; it’s you who gets stronger. So embrace the challenges, and don’t give up on your dreams.

Every battle won is preparation for the next.

When you think you have finally arrived, it’s just the beginning of another round of battles, tears, and growth. Make it count. You may have achieved a milestone, a goal, or a breakthrough in your business. You may have celebrated your success, received recognition, or earned a reward. You may have felt proud, happy, or fulfilled.

But don’t get too comfortable or complacent. Don’t think that you have reached the end of your journey, that you have nothing more to learn, or that you have no more challenges to face. The truth is, every battle won is preparation for the next. Every success is a stepping stone to a higher level of achievement. Every victory is a catalyst for a bigger challenge.

So don’t rest on your laurels, or settle for mediocrity, or stop striving for excellence. Instead, use your success as motivation, inspiration, and fuel for your next battle. Use your success as a platform, a foundation, and a springboard for your next growth. Use your success as a reminder, a proof, and a testimony of your potential.

Remember, every battle won is preparation for the next. So make every success count, and don’t stop fighting for your dreams.

The way that you make people resilient is by voluntarily exposing them to things that they are afraid of and that make them uncomfortable.

The world doesn’t get easier, you get tougher. You don’t become less scared, you become braver. One of the most important qualities of an entrepreneur is resilience. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity, to cope with stress, and to overcome obstacles. Resilience is what enables you to persevere, to adapt, and to thrive in the face of challenges.

But how do you develop resilience? How do you become tougher and braver? The answer is simple: by voluntarily exposing yourself to things that you are afraid of and that make you uncomfortable. By stepping out of your comfort zone, facing your fears, and doing what you think you can’t do.

When you do this, you are not only challenging yourself but also training yourself. You are not only testing your limits but also expanding them. You are not only confronting your weaknesses but also strengthening them. You are not only experiencing discomfort but also learning from it.

By voluntarily exposing yourself to things that you are afraid of and that make you uncomfortable, you are building your resilience muscle. You are making yourself more capable, more confident, and more courageous. You are making yourself more resilient.

Remember, the way that you make people resilient is by voluntarily exposing them to things that they are afraid of and that make them uncomfortable. So don’t avoid the hard things, embrace them, and don’t let fear stop you, let it drive you.

Commitment is needed to start. Consistency is needed to finish.

It takes a solid commitment to begin a journey, but it’s consistency that powers us through to the finish line. Stay dedicated, stay consistent, and achieve your goals. Starting takes guts, but it’s the daily grind that transforms commitment into victory. Entrepreneurship is a journey, not a destination. It’s a process, not an event. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

To start your journey, you need commitment. Commitment is the decision to pursue your vision, to follow your passion, and to take action. Commitment is what gives you the courage, the motivation, and the drive to begin.

But to finish your journey, you need consistency. Consistency is the discipline to stick to your plan, to follow your routine, and to execute your strategy. Consistency is what gives you the endurance, the persistence, and the momentum to continue.

Commitment and consistency are the two key ingredients for success. Without commitment, you will never start. Without consistency, you will never finish. Commitment and consistency are the two sides of the same coin. They complement each other, and they reinforce each other.

Remember, commitment is needed to start. Consistency is needed to finish. So be committed to your goals, and be consistent in your actions.

Stop chasing stimulation. It’s okay to be bored, to be silent, or to be alone.

Sometimes you need to detox from overstimulation and instant gratification to re-center your spirits and path. Don’t resist the simplicity of stillness. Let it quiet your racing thoughts. In solitude, find peace and clarity. Restore your spirit, and rediscover your path. We live in a world that is full of stimulation. We are constantly bombarded by information, entertainment, and distractions. We are always seeking new experiences, new sensations, and new pleasures. We are addicted to stimulation, and we are afraid of boredom, silence, and solitude.

But stimulation is not always good for us. It can overwhelm us, distract us, and exhaust us. It can make us lose focus, lose direction, and lose ourselves. It can make us forget what matters, what fulfills us, and what makes us happy.

That’s why we need to stop chasing stimulation and start embracing stillness. Stillness is the state of being calm, quiet, and serene. Stillness is the state of being present, mindful, and aware. Stillness is the state of being connected, aligned, and balanced.

Stillness is not boring, it’s refreshing. Stillness is not lonely, it’s liberating. Stillness is not empty, it’s full of wisdom, insight, and inspiration.

Stillness is where we can detox from overstimulation and instant gratification, and re-center our spirits and path. Stillness is where we can quiet our racing thoughts, and listen to our inner voice. Stillness is where we can find peace and clarity, restore our spirit, and rediscover our path.

Remember, stop chasing stimulation. It’s okay to be bored, to be silent, or to be alone. Sometimes you need to detox from overstimulation and instant gratification to re-center your spirits and path. Don’t resist the simplicity of stillness. Let it quiet your racing thoughts. In solitude, find peace and clarity. Restore your spirit, and rediscover your path.

The tool is money. The goal is freedom. Never confuse that.

Money is the tool, but freedom is the ultimate goal. Keep your focus sharp and your priorities clear. It’s not about the wealth itself, but the power it grants for a life of true autonomy. Success isn’t defined solely by wealth but by the freedom to choose and pursue what truly matters to you. Money is important, but it’s not everything. Money is a means, not an end. Money is a tool, not a goal.

Money is a tool that can help you achieve your goals, fulfill your needs, and support your dreams. Money can give you security, comfort, and convenience. Money can give you access, opportunity, and influence. Money can give you options, choices, and possibilities.

But money is not a goal in itself. Money is not the ultimate measure of success, happiness, or fulfillment. Money is not the source of meaning, purpose, or passion. Money is not the reason for living, loving, or giving.

The goal is freedom. Freedom is the state of being free from constraints, limitations, and obligations. Freedom is the state of being able to do what you want when you want, and how you want. Freedom is the state of being able to live according to your values, beliefs, and desires. Freedom is the state of being able to express your true self, pursue your true passion, and create your true legacy.

Freedom is the ultimate goal because freedom is what makes life worth living. Freedom is what makes you happy, fulfilled, and satisfied. Freedom is what makes you authentic, creative, and impactful. Freedom is what makes you you.

Remember, the tool is money. The goal is freedom. Never confuse that. Keep your focus sharp and your priorities clear. It’s not about the wealth itself, but the power it grants for a life of true autonomy. Success isn’t defined solely by wealth but by the freedom to choose and pursue what truly matters to you.

7. Support yourself. Speak highly about yourself. Motivate yourself. Pray for yourself.

Never talk down about yourself, the subconscious mind is always listening. Your self-perception is important. Self-support and self-encouragement are essential components of personal well-being and success. Treating yourself with kindness and positive self-talk can have a significant impact on your self-esteem and overall outlook on life. When you motivate and pray for yourself, you’re affirming your worth and potential. It’s a way to build self-confidence and resilience, which can help you navigate life’s challenges and pursue your goals with determination. Remember, self-love and self-care are not selfish; they are necessary for a healthy and fulfilling life. As an entrepreneur, you are your boss, your leader, and your cheerleader. You are responsible for your actions, your own decisions, and your results. You are also accountable for your thoughts, your feelings, and your attitude.

That’s why you need to support yourself. Support yourself by acknowledging your strengths, appreciating your achievements, and celebrating your progress. Support yourself by setting realistic goals, creating effective plans, and taking consistent steps. Support yourself by seeking feedback, learning from mistakes, and improving your skills.

That’s why you need to speak highly about yourself. Speak highly about yourself by using positive words, affirmations, and compliments. Speak highly about yourself by expressing gratitude, optimism, and hope. Speak highly about yourself by avoiding criticism, comparison, and negativity.

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That’s why you need to motivate yourself. Motivate yourself by reminding yourself of your vision, your passion, and your purpose. Motivate yourself by inspiring yourself with stories, quotes, and examples. Motivate yourself by challenging yourself with opportunities, risks, and rewards.

That’s why you need to pray for yourself. Pray for yourself by connecting with your higher power, your inner wisdom, and your divine guidance. Pray for yourself by asking for help, protection, and blessing. Pray for yourself by thanking for everything, trusting in everything, and surrendering to everything.

Remember, support yourself. Speak highly about yourself. Motivate yourself. Pray for yourself. Never talk down about yourself, the subconscious mind is always listening. Your self-perception is important. Self-support and self-encouragement are essential components of personal well-being and success. Treating yourself with kindness and positive self-talk can have a significant impact on your self-esteem and overall outlook on life. When you motivate and pray for yourself, you’re affirming your worth and potential. It’s a way to build self-confidence and resilience, which can help you navigate life’s challenges and pursue your goals with determination. Remember, self-love and self-care are not selfish; they are necessary for a healthy and fulfilling life.

8. Your character is who you are when nobody is looking.

If you want to excel, be yourself. Your character defines you, and authenticity will take you places. If you aspire to greatness, be mindful of your actions when nobody is watching. Your true character shines through. If you seek fulfillment, be kind and compassionate. How you treat others reveals who you are at your core. Your worth is not measured by the noise but by the depth of your character. Character is the essence of who you are. Character is the sum of your habits, choices, and actions. Character is the reflection of your morals, ethics, and values. Character is the expression of your personality, attitude, and behavior.

Character is what makes you unique, trustworthy, and respectable. Character is what makes you reliable, responsible, and reputable. Character is what makes you attractive, influential, and impactful.

But character is not something you are born with, something you inherit, or something you acquire. Character is something you build, something you cultivate, something you develop.

Here are 5 ways to build your character:

Be Humble. Humility is the beginning of wisdom. Humility is the recognition of your limitations, your flaws, and your mistakes. Humility is the willingness to learn, to grow, and to improve. Humility is the ability to admit when you are wrong, to apologize when you hurt someone, and to forgive when you are hurt. Humility is the quality of being modest, respectful, and courteous. Humility is the opposite of pride, arrogance, and ego.
Live out your principles and values. Principles and values are the foundation of your character. Principles and values are the standards that guide your decisions, your actions, and your life. Principles and values are the beliefs that shape your worldview, your perspective, and your purpose. Principles and values are the convictions that define your identity, your integrity, and your legacy.
Practice self-discipline. Self-discipline is the key to your character. Self-discipline is the control of your impulses, your emotions, and your desires. Self-discipline is the regulation of your thoughts, your words, and your deeds. Self-discipline is the mastery of your body, your mind, and your spirit. Self-discipline is the power to do what you should when you should, and how you should.
Be accountable. Accountability is the measure of your character. Accountability is the acceptance of your responsibilities, your consequences, and your results. Accountability is the acknowledgment of your actions, your outcomes, and your feedback. Accountability is the willingness to answer for your performance, your progress, and your improvement. Accountability is the quality of being honest, transparent, and reliable.
Be intentional. Intentionality is the direction of your character. Intentionality is the act of choosing your goals, your plans, and your strategies. Intentionality is the process of pursuing your vision, your passion, and your purpose. Intentionality is the practice of aligning your actions, your habits, and your character. Intentionality is the quality of being deliberate, focused, and consistent.

Take your financial life seriously. Money is a defense to a lot of challenges.

Sign up with @TheAbojani and you will not regret the move to get financial literacy from them. You’ll never regret improving your financial knowledge. Indeed Money helps you fight a lot of things, it gives you power and authority over your daily life decisions, So try your best to be financially strong or at least independent. Act broke. Learn finances. Generate cash flow. Invest in acquiring assets. Prioritize wealth over a quick buck.

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong. Instead, start being excited about what could go right.

Shifting focus from fears of potential negatives to the excitement of possible positives can change your entire perspective on life, entrepreneurship, etc leading to more proactive and optimistic strategies.

REMEMBER THIS: You learn a lot by being silent and just observing. Silence allows us to truly listen and gain valuable insights from our surroundings. The quiet studious man is the one who you should be watching.

Life is full of challenges and opportunities, but also full of lessons and wisdom. We can learn from our own experiences, as well as from the experiences of others. We can also learn from the silence and observation of our surroundings. The most important thing is to apply what we learn to improve ourselves and our lives. By taking our financial life seriously, by being excited about what could go right, and by being silent and observant, we can achieve more success and happiness in life. These are some of the brutal 10 life lessons that we should all remember and practice.

About Steve Biko Wafula

Steve Biko is the CEO OF Soko Directory and the founder of Hidalgo Group of Companies. Steve is currently developing his career in law, finance, entrepreneurship and digital consultancy; and has been implementing consultancy assignments for client organizations comprising of trainings besides capacity building in entrepreneurial matters. He can be reached on: +254 20 510 1124 or Email: info@sokodirectory.com