#NewEntrepreneur #Lesson17: New Goals

How fitting it is to start a new post in this series in the new year with the number 17 (if that isn't a happy coincidence, I don't know what is).

For a lot of us, 2016 was a crazy year filled with intense highs and the lowest lows. Among the few good things for me was that it allowed me to turn my passion into something a lot of young women read everyday. I learned new things about servers and something called PHP. I learned how to make business plans and strategy presentations (Samar and Pandurang will disagree, but hell, I tried!). I surprised myself very often. What’s been most rewarding though is to look back, and for the first time, see most of my resolutions come true.

Resolutions are great to make, but let’s be honest — they’re fucking hard to keep. In the past year, I’ve been lucky enough to keep some and toss a few aside. As I look to 2017, I have some new goals to think and act upon:

1. Be disciplined about who you listen to. There are only three groups of people you should lend a serious ear to: (a) those who love you unconditionally, (b) those who are in the trenches with you, and (c) those who have already done what you're trying to do.

2. When you are building something, your vision and passion are everything. Nobody will believe in your vision as much as you do, or have as much passion as you do for that vision. Never quit on either.

3. Learn to stand your ground and say ‘no’.

4. Ask smart people for help.

5. Take a moment to recognise accomplishments, however small or big.

6. Find the people you cannot thrive without and get them on board.

7. Find a happy medium. The startup pace isn’t going to slow down, so figure out how to jive with it.

8. Always trust your instincts.

9. Don't let other people’s dark side deter you from the guiding light of your vision. People can surprise you with their lack of loyalty. Don't worry about the people who leave. Focus on those that stay.

10. And no matter what, just keep swimming.

Here’s to 2017 and for all of our resolutions to come true.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!