Entrepreneur's Corner

Eleven Commandments Of Life That Every Entrepreneur Must Strictly Follow To Be Successful

BY Steve Biko Wafula · November 1, 2024 08:11 pm

KEY POINTS

Entrepreneurs who wait for signs miss opportunities. One must seize the day, take the reins, and plow the land. Initiative is a divine spark—if you only sit by the fire, you’ll never see the stars. Those who achieve know that waiting is for those who never seek. True growth only flourishes in the hands of those bold enough to lead it.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

To give credit is to gather allies; to hoard it is to nurture enemies. Giving credit breeds trust and loyalty, two forces more powerful than any dollar ever printed. There is magic in recognizing others’ efforts, for those who feel valued invest tenfold in return. Business is as much a team sport as it is a solo journey. Your victory, if earned alone, will soon taste of ashes.

Success, as every wise owl in the forest will tell you, is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a relentless path paved with rough stones, yet garnished with golden opportunities for those who tread with courage, grit, and wisdom. There are rules, ancient and time-honored, which any entrepreneur must inscribe on their soul to attain true greatness. Let’s navigate these truths with a nod to those who’ve gone before, learned hard lessons, and left behind a treasure map in the form of commandments.

First, in the arena of business, treat every failure as a dawn, not a dusk. The seed, buried in dirt, pushes up toward sunlight precisely because it is encased in darkness. Every setback, every shortfall is a foundation stone, often rugged but essential to build anything worth keeping. Those who thrive don’t weep over broken ladders; they forge new ones from the very wood that splintered. To achieve is to embrace that brokenness as the birthplace of new vigor.

Knowledge is a candle; once it illuminates, the darkness loses its power. True entrepreneurs must become lifelong scholars, devouring books, learning from people, testing ideas like a blacksmith tests iron. To pause in learning is to invite ruin. A sharpened mind is the keenest tool, and the marketplace’s heart beats for those who know more than others and innovate when others grow complacent.

Assumptions are the unseen reefs upon which many a venture has crashed. Never take anything as gospel. Question the sturdy, dismantle the settled. Just because it has always been done one way doesn’t mean it’s wise or even worthwhile. A lion who observes first from a distance rarely makes a wrong pounce. Wisdom is born of curiosity, and questioning the small details often reveals the biggest truths.

An open hand loses no wealth. Teaching what you know doesn’t diminish your pool of knowledge; it broadens it, feeding back tenfold when others return the gesture. Sharing wisdom enriches the whole, building a legacy that outlasts one lifetime. And remember: what you give freely has a way of rewarding you unexpectedly in return, as teaching begets fresh understanding and clarity.

When emotions cloud our judgment, opportunities slip away unseen. To analyze objectively is to wield a razor that separates truth from sentiment. Cold, calculating analysis can appear ruthless, but only those who navigate without bias see the hidden paths to prosperity. To nurture your goals as tenderly as a gardener tends to plants, yet without being blindsided by personal feelings, is to secure success at every turn.

Humility is the root of all greatness. The highest mountain must first be grounded to the earth. A humble entrepreneur absorbs knowledge, even from unlikely sources, and never assumes superiority. He knows that mountains are not tall because they brag but because they are firmly rooted, accepting the storms and the rains alike. In a world overrun by pride, humility makes you invincible.

The sharpest arrow comes with the firmest bow. When others question, embrace the critique, for it is better to be sliced by words than to be dismantled by the market. Constructive criticism is a priceless gift, a compass for those willing to improve. A wise sailor learns from each wave’s crash; a wise entrepreneur learns from every pointed word. Shield yourself not from it, but with it.

Inaction is decay. Entrepreneurs who wait for signs miss opportunities. One must seize the day, take the reins, and plow the land. Initiative is a divine spark—if you only sit by the fire, you’ll never see the stars. Those who achieve know that waiting is for those who never seek. True growth only flourishes in the hands of those bold enough to lead it.

Doing what you love is the pulse behind longevity. Business devoid of passion becomes an endless toil. Loving what you do is the secret to enduring late nights, surviving turbulent quarters, and reveling in your work rather than dreading it. The heart that beats with love does not tire easily, and that spirit becomes a source of strength, a light to guide others.

And finally, learn to pray without ceasing. For the wise know that some things are simply beyond one’s control. The harvest, despite the best tilling, relies on rain. The same hand that sows in diligence must also rest in faith, trusting that fortune and providence will meet their efforts halfway. To pray without ceasing is to stay rooted in purpose and know, through the highs and the lows, that peace lies beyond achievement.

Each of these commandments threads a path, weaving together a fabric stronger than any single skill or technique. They stand together as the map and compass for those who walk the treacherous, exhilarating road of entrepreneurship.

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