sumed by another hectic life where I do not have much control. From simple things to making sure I work out regularly, keeping my energy flowing, to ensuring that I spend quality time with my daughter- it is these short, worry-free moments of sheer freedom and connection that make my life so worth it. 3. Grab the motivational highs and make the most of them
I hear you. There’s no one to celebrate your achievements unless you brag about it endlessly. There’s no one who has worked together with you to acknowledge all the sweat and tears you have put in, for weeks and months now. If you do not find a way to give yourself a pat on the back, no one else will be bothered to do so. Part of being positive and optimistic is to top up those motivational highs that you get during your early days. It might be a new client, more business or it could be something as simple as people referring you and appreciating what you do. Make the most of it and let this positive energy flow back into your plans, taking them from good to great.
Robert Kiyosaki Image via RichDad.Com
4. Outsource non-value added, time consuming tasks
Don’t we all just love DIY as entrepreneurs. Even when someone else is offering to help. Even when we can afford it. When the time is right, evaluate what are the non-value added tasks in your business that could be outsourced. Instead of continuing to exercise control across all areas of business, approach it with a savvy business mindset. Your time is billable. If you are spending two hours every day keeping your social media alive, you are doing so at a much higher hourly
rate (your fee) that an intern could manage for one-tenth of that amount. 5. Talk to other likeminded entrepreneurs
Connecting with people who are on the same journey as you is surely a breath of fresh air. On one hand, you could benefit from some hands-on practical business advice and on the other you’ve found someone who truly understands what you are going through. Don’t shy away from building mutually beneficial relationships, even with people not in your industry or line of work. I’m sure you have learnt the importance of networking by now– it is not a nice to have, it’s a must have. 6. Practice patience
After years of solid corporate experience, entrepreneurship will be a challenging journey that might make you question everything you know about, well everything. And that is precisely when you need to be a walking and living example of “patience is a virtue.” You. Will. Get. There. It might not happen overnight, but it will happen if you keep at it with this insatiable hunger for success that you started out with. Even if you fail a few times, know that it will only serve as a stepping-stone to something bigger and better. Does anyone remember what the founders of Twitter, LinkedIn, PayPal failed at before succeeding with these ventures? No. Always remember that, and keep at it with your dream! Connecting with people who are on the same journey as you is surely a breath of fresh air. On one hand, you could benefit from some hands-on practical business advice and on the other you’ve found someone who truly understands what you are going through.
Carpe diem The National Achievers Congress 2016 in Dubai seeks to inspire its attendees
I
n a first for the Middle East region, The National Achievers Congress 2016, a conference aiming to “educate, equip, and empower” attendees to achieve their professional and personal goals, comes to Dubai this year. Organized by Najahi and Success Resources, the Congress will be held on November 18-19, 2016 at Festival Arena in Dubai. In its 23rd edition, the global event brings together a line-up of international speakers and influencers to address participants in the region to inspire them in their entrepreneurial pursuits. Keynote speakers at the event include Robert Kiyosaki, businessman and author of personal finance book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Emirati business consultant and author Ali Al Saloom, British entrepreneur and mentor Baroness Michelle Mone of Mayfair, OBE, among others. A few areas that the Congress aims to focus on are finance education with emphasis Robert Kiyosaki on “making your money work harder for you,” developing strategies for business success, investment avenues for entrepreneurs, and others. Sponsors for the 2016 edition include The Dubai Business Women Council, Etihad Airways, and others. In addition to the forum, the event is also offering entrepreneurs and business leaders attending the conference their own booths to showcase their ideas and products- however, only 40 such booths are available, and so requests for the same should be sent to info@najahi.org at the earliest. These platforms will allow exhibitors to interact with potential sponsors, VCs, government officials, etc., as well as royal dignitaries like H.E. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Cabinet Member and Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, who will be visiting the event on its first day. Established in 1992, National Achievers Congress is a platform that brings together experts in business, finance, personal development, and other fields to share their success stories and “inspire” participants. Sir Richard Branson, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, and others are a few of the well-known personalities who have been part of the Congress in the past. www.nationalachieverscongress.ae
november 2016 Entrepreneur
59