Tuesday, December 29, 2009

nine for 2009

As we reach the end of 2009, I am both thrilled to see it go and eager to appreciate its (sometimes painful) lessons. A year ago, two of us seethed over a particularly egregious act of corporate stupidity, knew there was more to life than what we had; and virtualwirks was born. As the year closes, I can’t help but share 9 lessons it has given in 2009. No doubt there are others, and even more to come.

1. If it weren’t for the rocks, the stream couldn’t sing. Living in Colorado, we’re graced with the magical sound of flowing water in mountain streams and rivers. That beautiful sound is there only because the rocks are barriers to the water flow. Rocks in our path can trip us, or makes us sing. This year’s rocks left me singing, even if I had to fall on a couple before figuring that out.
2. You need less than you think to thrive. When money forces you to make hard choices, you quickly discover how much waste and profligacy really exists in your life. Having to do without leads to self discovery, a better evaluation of what’s really important and a greater empathy for those who have even less. And those are good things to have.
3. You get gifts when you aren’t looking for them. We never seem to know a fundamental event until after it happens. Forced unemployment became redeployment, reconnecting with people – many I haven’t talked to in 20+ years – became more than social networking, and throughout the year things mysteriously happened that taught, contributed, and helped. 
4. Luck helps. Never assume there’s no luck in business. It’s there and worth appreciating. Our first deal came through an astonishing bit of fortuitousness. Luckily, it changed everything.
5. The difference between mediocrity and excellence is always something small. One of our clients told us that the reason we got the deal was not just because of ability, or price, or the offering but the real decision came because of a phone call 2 years ago when he needed help. That call – which I had forgotten about – took less than 10 seconds to dial, less than 5 minutes to conclude, yet made a lasting difference. 
6. Giving up is easy, but why do the easy thing? If starting a business was easy, anyone could do it. The entrepreneurial cycle naturally weeds out most of its entrants. Don’t ever let that which wakes you up in the night make every decision for you. And take a little satisfaction in mentally saying “I told you so” to those who called you crazy to launch in a down economy. But only a little, there’s still a long way to go.
7. People matter, and they’ll surprise you. Success is more about relationships that almost anything else. Cultivate them, leverage them, and be ready to pay them back. The single most surprising lesson was how many people said they’d be there to help and weren’t and how many we never expected to be there who were.
8. Figure out what makes you unique. At a time when so many people and businesses are trying to recover, you have to figure out what makes you special. We’re fortunate to be early in an emerging market. Don’t assume that “good leadership” or “great experience” means uniqueness. There’s many more like you in that regard. Think hard about what truly sets you apart because your success depends on it.
9. Give yourself permission – and go for it. Once your head and your heart tell you to do something, tell yourself you will. Breaking free is painful, nauseating, nerve-wracking, self-doubting, terrifying and many other things. But it’s also liberating, fun, and worth every second of it. 

Sincere, humble and unreserved thanks and appreciation to each of our friends, clients, supporters, and cynics in 2009. We appreciate you all and look forward to what’s next. Happy New Year!

– Jim

1. Roseanna says:

   April 11, 2011 at 6:54 am

   K9Iirb Sounds great to me BWTHDIK
2. Kerriann says:

   December 4, 2011 at 2:12 am

   That’s going to make thnigs a lot easier from here on out.