From Fired to a Unicorn: The Power of Filling 5 Buckets

Six years ago, John found himself at rock bottom.

He had been working for a leading financial institution for over a decade, only to be unexpectedly fired one Friday afternoon. His world turned upside down. Shocked and uncertain about his future, he took a long walk around the city and wandered into a nearby bookstore. That’s where his journey began.

On a random shelf, John found a book by Steven Bartlett that would change his life forever. In it, Bartlett spoke about the “5 Buckets” every professional must fill:

1. Knowledge,
2. Skills,
3. Network,
4. Resources, and
5. Reputation.

John bought the book, and with nothing left to lose, he decided to pour himself into this framework.

Filling the Buckets: His Journey from Fired to Founder

1. Knowledge: John started by devouring every bit of knowledge he could. He spent nights reading about fintech, AI, and digital payments, determined to understand the evolving landscape. Slowly, an idea began to form: What if there was an easier way for lenders to automate lending and manage digital payments through a simple app?
2. Skills: With no tech background, John knew he had to develop new skills. He took coding bootcamps, learned about automation, and partnered with skilled engineers who believed in his vision. He applied every lesson he learned at his old job about financial systems and compliance, merging old expertise with new skills.
3. Network: Fired from his old job, his network had vanished overnight. So, John started attending industry meetups, fintech conferences, and startup events. He reached out to old colleagues, joined online forums, and gradually built a powerful network of mentors, investors, and other fintech enthusiasts who helped refine his vision.
4. Resources: With a solid idea and a growing network, John faced his next hurdle—funding. But he had invested in his knowledge and network, which paid off. Through connections, he secured initial funding to build his app, laying the foundation for what would become a revolutionary tool for lenders.
5. Reputation: As John launched his startup, he focused on delivering results—helping lenders automate the lending process and digitizing loan collection. Over time, his reputation grew. He became known as the guy who could solve real problems in the lending space. His customers trusted him, and his credibility soared.

The Unicorn Moment

Six years later, John's fintech startup has grown into a unicorn. His app, now used by thousands of lenders worldwide, has made lending more efficient and accessible. It processes billions in digital payments every year, helping both small and large institutions stay competitive in a digital-first world.

What started as a chance encounter with Steven Bartlett’s book in a bookstore turned into a step-by-step journey of filling each bucket, day by day.

“Losing my job was the best thing that ever happened to me,”

John reflects.

“It gave me the opportunity to rebuild—this time with intention.”

For anyone facing uncertainty, this story is a powerful reminder: No matter where you start, with the right framework, and by filling those 5 essential buckets, you can build something remarkable.

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