Reality check - two years today

Thanks for the reminder LinkedIn. Today, two years ago, I formally started working on GURU Protect full time. A lot has happened in two years, and I am not where I thought I would be, but that's OK, because here is what I have learnt:

1. As a solopreneur, the task of getting from idea, to concept, to product is massive. Sometimes it feels like a mountain to climb, but despite my impatient nature, I am learning that these things take time.

2. Get something out early. By nature I am a perfectionist, a trait I valued in the past, which now holds me back. Working by yourself means you don't have the time or the resources to get it perfect first time. Keep the vision, but build and release something now, perfect it later.

3. Unless you have external funding (or savings), you need to have an income. Obvious, but I learnt the hard way! After 4 months of starting GURU, I was back Full time. GURU is completely self funded and whilst that is hard, I can only do it if I work full time as well.

4. Time. I don't have enough of it. Working full time means evenings and weekends on GURU. I think you can guess that patience has been one of the single hardest skills I have had to learn.

5. Comfort zones. My happy place is coding, behind a screen and keyboard. If that is all it takes to luanch a business, then sign me up now. Reality = being vulnerable. I have built and continue to build a great product, but its no good without customers. I am learning to put aside my fears and get out there. Ergo, release early, and get some feedback. Embracing the fear and breaking out of my comfort zone is a continual daily lesson.

6. Pivot. I am stubborn, there I said it. Early on I received some advice, it was counter to my plans. I dug my heals in, and continued down the path I thought was correct. I was wrong. I had to Pivot which set me back 6 months, but it was the right thing to do.

7. Advice. Everyone has an opinion, some negative, some positive and some constructive. The trick I have learnt is to stay true to my vision, but seek and review the constructive criticism from those that have been there before. I remind myself daily to take advice with an open mind!

8. Failure. These are my demons, my past, my mistakes, they haunt me. Its a lonely place building something on your own, which fuels doubt. Doubt creeps in from all sides and it has taken a huge amount of effort to keep going and realise that the past is a good thing. Failure should be replaced with experience, as failure is too negative a word. My past experiences help me make better decisions today.

9. Education. I never stop learning. I have found the best attack against hitting brick walls is to reach for a book. I find comfort reading about people who have the same issues and this gives me strength to break through. I also reach for a book if I dont know how to do something. Since starting GURU, I must have read nearly 30 books, on various different subjects. As a result I feel I am growing as a person and it gives me the mental break I need from time to time.

10. Its a hard life! I used to think why me, why is life so hard. Then I realised that I am being far to tough on myself and I should give myself a break. Problems become problems when you start to see them as problems. I have learnt that problems are in fact challenges, that can be broken down into smaller tasks. I love challenges!

Where will I be in another two years? My vision remains strong, and I will keep working towards it. My aim is to continue to grow as a person in the next two years, in the way I have over the last two years. That, is what will deliver my vision.