I'm often asked: 'If you could go back and give yourself advice at the very beginning — what would you say?' Here are five things I consider foundational.
Tip One: Environment
Surround yourself with people who are just as crazy and ambitious as you are. Average income, level of thinking, standards — everything averages out to the level of your closest circle. 'You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with' — Jim Rohn. Not a metaphor. A law. If you want to change your results, change your environment first.
Tip Two: A Promise to Yourself
You must promise yourself not to give up. This isn't 'I'll try.' This is a decision. Make attempts and find the strength to get back up. Again and again. Not because it's easy — but because you've decided. The moment you allow yourself to quit — you will. That permission is the most expensive thing you can give yourself.
Tip Three: Learn from the Best
Learn. A lot. From the best. Not from those who 'also started out,' but from those who are already where you want to be. Investment in your mind is the only investment that can't be taken away. Books, courses, mentors, masterminds — everything that accelerates the path. Copying a cheap route usually costs more.
Tip Four: Don't Wait for the Perfect Moment
The perfect moment doesn't exist. Start with what you have and improve as you go. Version 1.0 is infinitely better than the version that exists only in your head as 'someday.' The market doesn't wait for you to be ready. Your first clients aren't looking for perfection — they're looking for a solution to their problem.
Tip Five: Selling Is Not Dirty
If you create value — you are obligated to know how to sell it. Being embarrassed to sell means stealing from those you could have helped. Learn to sell before you build the product. Find your first client before you have a finished service. Money from the first sale is the best validation that you're going in the right direction.
Frequently Asked
How to start a business from zero — where to begin?
The main advice: start by selling what you know how to do before you've even created a 'product.' Money from the first client is the best confirmation you're on the right path.
What mistakes do beginners most often make in business?
Waiting for the right moment, perfectionism, fear of selling, building a product nobody needs, and wrong environment. In this article — 5 principles Igor Graf mastered at the start that will save you years.
How important is environment for success in business?
Critical. According to research, your income tends toward the average of your closest circle. If you want different results — change who you spend time with.
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