How to pick up more drive for 2016–2 Cents of young marketing entrepreneurs
2015 has come to an end, another year went by with the speed of light. We have seen horror and joy alike in this year and surely everybody went through their personal ups and downs.
Talking about me, I started my agency “The Marketing Boys” by the end of 2015. While working for my own company, I’m finishing my mandatory internship in Kuala Lumpur up. Let’s put it simple: 2015 was tremendous.
I want to share some of the things that made 2015 a great year for me. I don’t dare to give you any advice on your personal life, but like you to think of the suggestions as a push in a direction that will lead you to more drive and fun.
Find your passion or deliver on it.
One of the main things that made 2015 so great for myself is the sole fact that I work in a field I am 400% passionate about — Marketing. It’s 6am right now and the sun is coming up behind the skyline of Kuala Lumpur. I finished working on a client’s website and started writing this article for you, because I simply love what I do. This is not work and therefore work becomes life, countless nights I lay in bed thinking about Facebook campaigns, Instagram posts and CSS. This might sound horrible for some of you, but becomes a serious amount of fun and joy once you found the topic you love and have a burning passion for. If you already have it, finally start delivering on it! Small reading tip for this: Old but gold -> Gary Vaynerchuk — Crush It.
Working out.
One of the key factors for me to be successful is to keep my drive up. I don’t mind working out 5 times a week, sleeping little and working all day. The problem starts once you get out of this routine, you start losing your drive incredibly fast. Skipping a workout because you are tired becomes a reasonable and easy to explain option, you start feeling the need for more sleep, more TV and definitely less work. Since work itself sometimes can be a bit unstructured, a lot more in entrepreneurial context than in an employment one, I take a lot structure from working out. Working out gives you the possibility to defeat yourself everyday, this will lead to self-improvement in terms of productivity and motivation at rapid speed. Doing sports is not about gaining muscles, looking better or showing off, it ultimately results in a daily challenge against yourself, pushing boundaries and showing yourself that you are capable of more than you initially thought. Take this feeling of capability into your professional life and you will grow faster than before, get more done and be happier. Besides the psychological facts you will also have more energy, feel fitter, sweat less fast and let’s face it: look better naked.
Find an Idol/Mentor.
Two people who have been incredibly important for me this year are Gary Vaynerchuk and Casey Neistat. Both publish incredibly videos and both are special for very specific reasons. Gary more on the business, he believes that there are always countless possibilities. Casey on the creative side, pointing out to us that showing personality and personal insight is great for your own brand. I want you to find someone you fully trust professionally, who’s drive you admire. Somebody you can take as inspiration and maybe guidance in the beginning. There are tons of people on the Internet for every field, who deliver great work and are easily accessible or maybe it’s your boss, your supervisor or if you are young even your dad or grandpa. What is really important is, is that all the advice you get, all the information and insights are applied by you in your own context. To be a blind parrot that just repeats what others say, will get you nowhere. Every mentor can only be an inspiration and guidance, however in the end you still have to walk yourself.
Reading Books.
Very simple and still a lot people don’t do it. I read around 22 marketing books this year, all about different topics from Adwords, SEO to print marketing. Reading keeps your mind, imagination, writing as well as “listening” skills fresh. You learn new insights, dig deeply into other people’s views on topics and gain new angles. Every page you read educates you, and entertains you in a remarkable way. Challenge yourself and try to read at least 10 books next year!
Stop wasting time.
Pick your favorite series or favorite game and consume less of it. We all love brainless entertainment, just watching a series for 3 hours straight, or playing 10 rounds of League of Legends (great game) is surely fun, but you’re also over consuming.
Watch an episode now and then once you completed the tasks you set for the day. Plan your week and days and stop working once you achieved those goals, then treat yourself with some entertainment. After a round or an episode go back to work and exceed your goals and crush your planning. You will get more done, be more satisfied and still have the feeling of enjoying games and series.
That’s it for now. It is 8pm here in Kuala Lumpur and we are heading for New Years Dinner now. 2015 was amazing and a year full of new experiences and knowledge. 2016 will outscale its predecessor by a lot. We will establish ourselves as an agency and as young professionals. We wish you all the best for this upcoming year, share your victories with us and what you learned from defeats.
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