New year resolutions for startup entrepreneurs

Every year, everyone will try a list of resolutions. Blah blah blah. Why bother? Nobody is going to follow it. Truth is, to the average man, resolutions are just doing it in January, struggling to remember what it is in February and heck it is gone by March.

Startup entrepreneurs are admittedly the worst lot to keep new year resolutions. With so many hats they wear and with ever-changing schedules and plans, resolutions are the lowest priority to think about.

But hey, aren’t entrepreneurs the agents of change and out to disrupt the way things work, for a better future for mankind? So if entrepreneurs do not commit to make the change within themselves, how can they change others?

After asking a number of entrepreneurs on their new year resolutions, I sliced and diced out a list of some really simple resolutions that an entrepreneur can keep and remember.

Acting on your favourite quotes

TIA had a recent article on what your favourite quote is. Many tell me their favourite quotes, but I wonder how many do really act on it and make it part of their value system? Go read that favourite quote and start writing down some tangible ways that you can to act on it. Live the quote!

Complimenting and encouraging your teammates

Getting people to join your startup is a God-send. Amidst the competition for talent, your people are not the best paid in your bootstrapped startup. It gets worse when the media goes splashing out how much bonuses paid workers are getting and having friends galore are all telling you about their promotion and pay raises makes you worry about whether your staff is staying with you past December. So keeping up the morale does help. I heard of usual stories of tech engineers saying they are not appreciated for their work. So it is a good time to say to your guys, ‘great job!’ (be sincere and not force a fake smile). Whether you like it or not, you are the boss and people do like compliments from their boss!

Pay-it-forward

A tech ecosystem thrives on the community which have acts of kindness, advice and mentorship. I am sure you have benefited from people who helped you willingly in growing your startup. Do resolve to help others, within reason, when they come seeking your help. You will never know how the good karma you created will come back to you at the time of need.

Networking

Entrepreneurs are not all extroverts. Many I see always claim going for events are a waste of time. But hey, sometimes, coming out to join a networking event might be useful. I do suggest the Tech in Asia community networking events hosted by our dearest Daniel and Huiyi! If you have no expectations and just to make friends, who knows, the right people might just become good partners in your entrepreneurial journey.

Zen your life, take easy breaks

You do have some really passionate entrepreneurs who work non-stop over a period of time, either planning on a project or meeting deadlines. Resolve that you will take easy breaks. Remember, that is not going to the coffee counter and getting another dose of caffeine, or worse sneaking off for a smoke break! Go walk ten minutes and smell some fresh air (no looking at smartphones) and then come back to work. No buts, just go and walk.

Exercise, quick and easy

An entrepreneur friend of mine, who recently had a borderline diabetic diagnosis, was given a simple regime of working out at home 10-15 minutes a day. He calls it cheap, easy-to-do and efficient. In fact, he lost 10kg (combined with his diet) and quit his gym membership as he found the morning exercise more effective. He told me on how he is also more sharp minded. Enuff said, go google and start looking at those simple exercises to do. Your health is wealth, as those insurance companies say to push you more health policies.

Cut the potato chips and excessive salt!

It is a guilty verdict for many of us. Once on the laptop or tablet, there are thousands of things to do, and the hand sub-consciously reaches out into the bag of sin to munch on. “It is energy food,” whined one entrepreneur. Yeah, energy for the flab and destruction for the mind to make it sleepy. I think he forgets he is getting heavier which is a disincentive for him to get up and walk. Resolve to stop snacking unhealthy stuffs.

Stop those mobile games and unnecessary time-wasting activities

We are all guilty of smartphone addiction. It happens during spare time, waiting for the food, waiting for friends to come. It helps relaxes the mind. I say, have a list of lesser priority tasks on paper and work on those during the in-between times. You are already staring at enough screens at work. So unless you are a gaming company, resolve to stop the mobile games and spend time on more productive activities.

Read a business book or inspirational autobiography

We all need new inspiration and ideas to help us grow and develop our thought process. Osman Husain has a simple list of 4 books to read. So set up a time, go to a favourite Starbucks or coffee joint and read on. Who knows, you might meet similar entrepreneurs next to you whom you can chat up with and spur each other on.