The quote below is tough to read with conviction because we’ve all been victim to that nasty thing that truly prevents us from achieving more – excuses! Sure, at times we justify our actions by listing reasons why something wasn’t done but were the reasons actually excuses that we eloquently dressed in their Sunday best so they would not stick out like the proverbial sore thumb, soon to be forgotten?
Hey, we all make excuses. If you don’t think so then you’re making an excuse right now, this very second. So, the next time you try to come up with a reason to justify an action or inaction, think long and hard about whether or not it’s actually an excuse that you may be looking for to… sleep late, not exercise, push off that project, stay in your job, plan that visit to the doctor, make that call, continue your education – well, I’m sure you get the picture. If not, there you go again justifying with reasons when they’re really excuses. Have a great day.
Aspirations And Goals: What’s The Difference?
Aspirations and goals are crucial to your pre-MBA strategy. Think of them as your true north, your guiding star in the application process and even throughout your time in business school. Why? Knowing the reasons for pursuing an MBA will help you choose the right program for you – and help you get the most out of your MBA experience.
Let’s face it: An MBA is a serious investment of your time and money, so understanding exactly what you want to get out of it is critical. Plus, most adcoms will also be looking to see that you have described a clear, realistic goal in your application.
You’re likely motivated by both goals and bigger-picture aspirations. What’s the difference? What is an aspiration?
- A goal is something that you plan to do or accomplish in a specific period of time. One way to look at it is this: Industry + Function + Timeframe = Goal. Example: “Immediately upon earning my MBA (timeframe) I plan to become a consultant (function) at a top strategy consulting firm (industry).”
- An aspiration (or vision) is broader both in impact and timeframe. Example: “As a manager, principal, and partner (function + timeframe, since this shows career progression) at a major consulting firm (industry), I envision developing an enhanced form of consulting where clients rely on our firm to take initiative – to prevent and foresee problems, and not just solve them after they occur; to inform them of opportunities, and not just evaluate those they may have discovered (broad impact). In addition, I would like my consulting experience and business acumen to benefit Favorite Cause X. My management skills and my proactive approach would allow Organization Y, where I have volunteered for the last two years, to make the most of its limited resources and have a far greater impact on Favorite Cause X (broad impact).”
Read more at PoetsAndQuants.com
“Don’t set your goals by what other people deem important.” – Jaachynma N.E. Agu, The Prince and the Pauper
Why more and more young Americans are becoming entrepreneurs
Are Americans becoming more and more entrepreneurial? New research may point to a growing trend.
According to a new survey, out of a pool of 1,000 millennials, 1,000 Gen-Xers, and 1,000 Baby Boomers, millennials were found to be most likely to have some type of small business. By a long shot.
Nearly one in three millennials (30 percent) said they have some type of small business or side hustle, with 19 percent saying it’s actually their main source of income.
One in five Gen-Xers also have some type of small business, but only 11 percent of boomers were able to say they run their own small business.
Millennials were also by far the least likely to say they had no interest in starting a small business, with only 28 percent saying this. For comparison, three in four boomers (74 percent) said the same.
The survey, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of GoDaddy, undoubtedly pointed to one clear fact: young Americans are ready to be their own boss.
Young Entrepreneurs are Redefining the American Dream
For young entrepreneurs, the American dream has changed.
There has been a massive shift in values.
Rather than looking for a job with good benefits and the opportunity to become a homeowner - young entrepreneurs are seeking freedom. Freedom of time and location.
This shift in values is shaping what the future of work will look like. It’s almost to the point that if an employer wants to hire and keep high-quality employees, they have to deliver more rewarding, flexible, and innovative opportunities that allow employees to build a lifestyle around their job.
As the new-normal shifts and technology continues to evolve, remote working opportunities and the ability to earn money online are becoming easier to obtain and more prevalent across the world. The vision baby boomers once held near and dear to them is not the dream of any generation proceeding them.
What Is A Startup?
Startups are young companies founded to develop a unique product or service, bring it to market and make it irresistible and irreplaceable for customers.
Startups are rooted in innovation, addressing the deficiencies of existing products or creating entirely new categories of goods and services, thereby disrupting entrenched ways of thinking and doing business for entire industries. That’s why many startups are known within their respective industries as “disruptors.”
You may be most familiar with startups in Big Tech—think Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google, collectively known as FAANG stocks—but even companies like WeWork, Peloton and Beyond Meat are considered startups.
The Most Important Factors for Startup Success
Growing a successful startup takes time, talent, and solid business acumen. It is well-known in entrepreneurial circles that approximately one quarter of venture-backed startups will find long-term footing in their respective industries, and 50 per cent of those will make it past their fifth anniversary.
These statistics don’t mean only 25 per cent of all entrepreneurs have worthwhile ideas. While it’s understandable why some people want to tie the future of a startup venture entirely to the idea behind it, the ultimate success or failure of a startup is actually driven by a complex and diverse set of factors, decisions, and circumstances.
Read more at Salesforce.com
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