I turn 24 years today.. which means its been 4 years since I embarked upon my journey as an entrepreneur.. Yes 4 years.. When I look back its been an amazing journey to say the least.. I did so many things that I never thought i would do.. and failed so miserably at some as well.. again I never thought I would fail.. One thing that has been constant has been trial – error – learning – trail – error.. and so on.. This cycle just continues non stop.. It still is.. I learnt some key lessons which I would like to share today via this post..
1) Attitude Of Discovery – I learnt to have an attitude of discovery. The fact that you know and acknowledge that you DON’T KNOW can be one of the biggest starting points for developing an attitude of discovery. This attitude is what shall keep you pushing the bar and discovering opportunities which you yourself didn’t know existed in the first place. It also means that you LISTEN Moreand DIG DEEPER into issues sometimes without knowing what you are searching for.
2) Meaning Of Leverage – I learnt to leverage and leverage opportunities, people, places, my skills, time, money and everything I could to take my business ahead as an entrepreneur. Leverage is a very powerful word and its impact can be only experienced. There is a saying.. ‘Give me a lever large enough and I shall turn the world upside down with it’.. This rings in my head everytime I enter a client meeting or go for a sales call.
3) Power Of Focus – Try this at home.. move your hand anti clock wise on your head and other hand clockwise on your stomach.. Try and see if you can do it for three minutes.. 99% chance you will fail! Reason is you aren’t focusing on one thing. I learnt that as a young entrepreneur my energy drove me to do so many things and I lost focus frequently. This is where 4 years of experience helped. Focus is everything. Be best at one thing and the rest will take care of itself.
4) Charisma of Confidence – Nothing can replace self-confidence. Period. You need to back yourself. Entrepreneurship is all about decision making and then backing yourself with your decisions. It takes a lot of guts and sometimes a tinge of madness but confidence that you can make it will actually make you do it in the first place.
5) Payoffs Of Persistence – I know you might have heard the phrase ‘persistence pays’ and though its often repeated it couldn’t be repeated enough. Be persistent with persistence is what id say! Loads of people give up and thats their point of failure. Giving up is ok.. Not trying again is bad. Failure should make you smarter with your attempt the next time around and thats what persistence means. Keep at it.. and it will grow.
There are a few more learnings that I could have added to this list.. But I dont want to sound too preachy too soon (its only been 4 years). Also Im still on the road to discovering these learnings myself. Lots of people measure success with money or networth.. My last piece of learning (and probably the most important one) has been to measure success with my self worth i.e. how much I think Im worth given all the experiences and learning that Ive had. Its something that should stand you in good stead whether its boom time or recession time. 
Hi Rajiv Congrats Dear,
Hope you achieve new heights with each coming day, many many happy returns of the day…..
this is really good to know that you finally revealing your business mantra…….. whenever i think about u i feel very inspired cos u were a guy who started his journey through blogging and never leaved it….now a days people do blogging only keeping in mind their adsense and advetising income and leave it when they fail to make any success…that teaches me one thing keep doing things without the expectation of short term fruits cos in the long run you gonna defy all……….
Hey Rajiv,
Many many Happy Returns of the day yaar…
I remember the days of talking to you (over phone) on a possible alliance with jobs4freshers and techzing. hmmm…Now, you are two years older since we talk and definitely became smarter at dealing business.
Wish u all the very best in what ever endeavor u take up and I am sure, with persistence u will end up creating something substantial.
Keep Rocking mate.
Working with you is a pleasure and an awesome learning experience. The best part about you is your willingness to share knowledge and encourage everyone. The proof of it is young people who join you go ahead and turn into entrepreneurs themselves.
keep going on dear .. all the best and may you achieve success in all your endeavors
PS: Many Happy Returns Of The Day
I have known Rajiv for hardly a month (unlike most of you) and I must say he is an excellent guy to hang around with…Many happy Returns of the day brother……
Hey Dude,
First, Many Many happy returns of the day.
I’ve been following watblog closely since the time i met you in Watblog mixer at Bangalore, and then again at Mobile Ad Conf in Mum.
I must say you are doing a faboulous job of keeping us updated with the latest in W.A.T. space. Wishing you all the best in your endeavors.!
- Athar
Its quite a journey. I am regular visitor to WATBLOG and its impressive the way you expanded your company.
Congrats and Many happy returns of the day.
Godspeed
-P
A little late in wishing ya dude.. better late then never though..
Happy Belated Birthday. Here’s wishing you an excellent year ahead
Hope you had a blast.
RK.
good stuff dude, but only learnt 5 things in 4 years, better step up the pace
Hey Rajiv,
I just chanced upon your blog and I think its awesome. I quite like your flair and style and considering that you are all of 24, I think you have a long way to go indeed. I am very impressed and wish you all the very best.
Being an entrepreneur myself I know what it takes to stick it out and your current article is indeed bang on target!
Kudos and keep up the good work…. way to go dude!
Cheers!
A very Happy Birthday to you Rajiv. Keep rocking..
@rehan: lol…..I think we can say that the other points were not suited to be put on a media blog
Thanks all for the wishes!
Happy Birthday Rajiv!
I hope this year brings much success.
Rajiv, Here’s a little quick birthday tribute from me and Harshil,
We make a mention of this post.. (5 things …)
http://aamersantics.podomatic.com/
ENjoy
Great Stuff .. a must read for every budding entrepreneur
hi rajiv
Hearty congrats on completion of 4 years…
You Rock!…
Good Wishes!