First, a little background.

After a few years in the corporate world of not doing much (by my own high standards, although others around me felt that I was doing great), I gave up a cushy job of high pay and low gratification. The lack of gratification, to be sure, was not my employer’s fault in the least; it’s just that I didn’t see much value in what I was doing, and hence couldn’t do it for long.

Other reasons for quitting: the job was cushy, but it was someone else’s cushion, and I also realized that the cushion would become just about 10-15% softer each year, or perhaps 30-50% softer if I were to change the cushion-provider in a particular year.

I wasn’t okay with that.

The biggest reason to start something of my own, however, is that I realized that I have this urge to create my own cushion, the size, color and shape that I want. It may not be a cushy cushion to begin with, but it will by MY cushion. So I decided to sit on the cold hard floor for some time while I create that cushion.

Here are the lessons that I’m learning as I go along:

1. Hustle is important: hustle is greater than talent, hustle is pure hard work, and that has no substitute. Talent is also important, but it isn’t entirely in your hands. Hustle is in your hands.
2. Intention is important: the intention behind what you offer, the intention to do something valuable, the intention to serve. In the long-term, it will show, and people will love you for that intention. Your intention will also show in the products you create, and how you offer them to your market.
3. Will is important: and it is different than desire. Desire is a wish; will is a wish backed-up by action. Will, in part, leads to hustle. It is the difference between “I want to do it” and “I’m doing it as we speak”
4. Self-belief is very important: Self-belief is the differentiator between starting and sticking, it helps one stay positive in times of distress, and it shows, and it attracts others’ belief in you. It is important when you need to get back up.
5. Courage is necessary: to confront people and situations who may seem to come in the way of you and your dreams, to say “no” when “no” is what you mean, to speak-out. Now that I think more about it, courage seems to be the manifestation of a strong self-belief.

I’m sure there are many more lessons, some that I’ll perhaps learn the hard way, and some that’ll dawn upon me without causing much damage.

The journey, essentially, is about these lessons, whether it is life, or life as an entrepreneur.

And the joy is in the journey.