I really had lots of fun on my 25th birthday last week Wednesday and, I want to thank all of you for your awesome wishes, I couldn’t have done it without your supports. The images below are some of the ones I captured while the celebration was going on so, just take a look:).
In case you don’t know, I’m 25 years old now and as you can see, I’m no longer a kid, I’m really getting old:) and, Its time I start being more serious because, time is not on my side. Throughout these 25 years that I’ve been in this world, I’ve learnt so many things; I’ve also met so many wonderful as well as awkward people. Life is full of experiences you know.
The more we’re growing up, the more we’re travelling to places, the more we’re meeting and making more friends, the more we’re learning. A friend once told me that life is a collage and that, we should always learn. This is so true because, no matter what you think you know today, the more you go out, the more you learn, and the more you discover that you know nothing.
On this post, I want to share with you the top 17 lessons I’ve learnt so far, hope you will also learn from them… Let’s get on it.
Lesson #1: You Need a Mentor or a Coach. This is one of the things that will hugely add to the success of your business. If you really want to be so awesome at anything, the first step should be to go seek for the assistance of someone who has done it successfully before.
I know that most of us cannot squeeze out 5k or 10k for a coaching program, especially when we’re just starting out. There are a lot of good mentors / coaches as well as information out there and you don’t necessarily need one-on-one coaching.
However, finding the right coach or mentor can save you many months, if not years, off the learning curve. Don’t be afraid to do your research and ask questions before investing your hard-earned money.
Just find a mentor or a coach if you want to radically shrink your learning curve. You don’t necessarily need to have a personal mentor, there are plenty of books, audio courses, master mind groups, etc. that you have access to. Find a couple of mentors and learn from them.
Lesson # 2: If You Are Feeling Down or Feel Like quitting……Then go to your local book store (or Amazon) and read THE POWER OF POSSITVE THINKING by Norman Vincent Peale. It’s a bunch of true short stories of people who overcame great odds. I’ve read a lot of books, but I read this particular book many years ago and, I still read it from time to time so, it has a special place for me in my heart.
Read one story per day until you finish the book. I guarantee you, your mindset will change and your batteries will be recharged:).
Lesson # 3: Fear, uncertainty, and procrastination. I call these the ” 3 big dream destroyers and the 3 big assassins of productivity” because everyone experiences them. I want you to realize that for 99.9% of people who start a business, at some point they are going to experience one of these (sometimes all three).
Therefore, you need to realize you’re not alone. I almost quit a couple times during my first few months online and I am so glad that I didn’t. If you are ever in doubt in what you should be doing always ask yourself this question:
“What’s the ONE thing that I can do today that will add to the success of my life or business?”
It could be publishing a new post.
It could be reading a personal development/motivational book.
It could be placing Facebook and Twitter buttons on your blogs home page.
It could be performing some keyword research
It could be writing and uploading a new e-book to a marketplace like Clickbank, Kindle store, e-junkie, etc.
It could be responding to your emails
It could be sending out an email campaign to your list
It could be finding ONE blog who will take your content as a “guest author”
It could be interacting and commenting on other peoples blog posts
It could be reading some stories on the newspaper
The lists goes on and on so, stop lazing about and get to work now my blossom friend?.
Lesson # 4: The best way to tell if a market is profitable is this:
1. Does It has advertising dollars? You can find out about this by conducting some research either on the search engines and by using keyword research tools to see what advertisers are paying for the keyword you wanna target.
2. If you head over to market places like Amazon, Clickbank, Commission Junction, CPA networks, you’ll find hundreds of markets, niches, and sub-niches.
What’s not simple is monetizing that market. Virtually everyone knows that markets like weight loss, dating, wedding planning, dog training, health issues, etc. are extremely profitable.
Yet people view them as highly competitive and saturated. Yet a new weight loss millionaire is created every single day. I’m not saying that if you’re a newbie that your first niche should be highly competitive, but I’m also not saying you should overlook it either.
Lesson # 5: The people you spend time with will determine your future. Studies started by the great Dale Carnegie and many others after him have proven that who you habitually spend your time with affects how you think and act.
It was very difficult for me to break up with some of my friends back then and to spend less time with certain friends, but I had to surround myself with positive, like-minded entrepreneurs who got it. Once I was able to do that, it became much, much easier to earn money.
Some people won’t understand why you might want to spend more time on your “business” than hang out with them. It’s not personal, usually, you just need to communicate to them that you have a dream and that you’re going to go for it.
You need to stay focused by focusing on your goals daily. With all the distractions out there it’s a miracle that people are able to stay focused. You’ve got TV, satellite or cable TV, video games, movie theatres, comedy clubs, plays, family, friends, holidays, new products, new seminars, social media sites etc.
Remember, there are new products coming out every single hour trying to convince you that you need their product or service for you business. Before you buy anything ask yourself honestly, “does my business really need this to grow?”
Lesson # 6: Treat your business like it’s a real business not a hobby. If I had understood this the first time I started, I would have been far better than I am right now. I treated mine like a hobby because I spent more time procrastinating and reading every post online than actually doing the things that would benefit my business.
Then after reading one of Steve Scotts kindle books “Internet Lifestyle Productivity” I learnt to set aside set times for my business. I also learnt to think strategically and write my thoughts down on a white board.
From there I was able to ascertain what daily tasks I needed to do. If I put a complete date by a task, I would go out of my way to meet that deadline. That really helped my businesses grow. Although, there are some times when many other things like my studies, power outage, etc do stand on my way towards meeting those goals.
Lesson # 7: Your 5 predominant habits will predict your future. So take some time and write them down. If any of them have anything to do with habitual complaining, blaming others, drugs, too much partying, spending too much money, or being negative in any way, then you already know what you need to change.
Your friends, family, and even your significant other might not understand what you are doing. That’s okay, as long as they don’t inhibit your progress. Just give them some time and, you will prove to them what you’re doing.
Lesson # 8: It is very difficult to build a multi-million dollar business on your own. You should try and outsource as soon as you can afford it. It will be very easier and better for you to focus on the main core of your business while allowing your VA’s do the other menial works especially the ones you’re not very good at.
I have 2 niche sites so far and, I know I can’t maintain the writing of their contents so; I have someone doing that for me. I also plan on outsourcing more works too as soon as I can afford it like building backlinks and the rest of them.
Lesson # 9: Never try to be someone you’re not. Whether you believe it or not, you have some awesome things about you. Find out what those things are and use them to find the Unique Selling Proposition for your business. And remember, mediocrity abounds on the internet, you can usually compete on value and service.
Try as much as you can to be you and not someone else, you must realize that you’re indeed uniquely made and therefore, no one else can be you. It’s always not necessary to try and impress someone by being a fake so, just be the best of who you are.
Lesson # 10: Trust no one. You need to trust no one in the beginning, but once someone earns your trust you better hold onto them. But the point I’m making here is that, people will need to earn your trust before you can award it them.
Lesson # 11: Take care of your customers and the competition will take care of itself. This might sound somehow strange but, that’s the truth. Yes, the competition out there is very huge but, once you treat your customers well and give them what they want then, you don’t need to worry about the competition any more.
Lesson # 12: Hard work really pays. I know you’ve heard this many times even here on TBC because, I constantly mention it. I therefore want to remind you about it again and again so that you will put more efforts and start working now for a better tomorrow. If you know the position you want to be in tomorrow, now is the time to start working for it.
Lesson # 13: Rome was not built in a day. This is another popular saying which my awesome friend Harleena Singh mentioned in one of her comments here and, I agree with that. What this simply means is that you shouldn’t expect overnight success.
It takes time and lots of tireless efforts to achieve anything good in life therefore, even if you’re not yet seeing your desired result like most of us, just be patient and continue working because, you will surely breakthrough sooner or later.
Lesson # 14: A man’s talent market ways for him. As stated in the book of Proverbs 18:16, A MAN’S TALENT MAKETH WAYS FOR HIM. This is so true and, I know you must have heard about this before too.
Its time you start building up your skills, start developing new skills. As a blogger or an internet entrepreneur, there are many skills that you might want to build more for the benefits of your business and to also upgrade your profile.
You can work more on your coding skills, on your SEO skills, on your writing skills and many more. Even apart from the online skills I mentioned here, you should also develop your leadership skills and many more.
The skills you built can open doors for you; it can open up many opportunities that can transfigurate your life for the best. Ask yourself, what other skill do I need to acquire for the success of my business and for the benefits of the people around me? This will help you to know where and where to concentrate more on.
Lesson # 15: Embrace God. Yes, I can’t finish this post without acknowledging him. If I start telling you what he has done for me, you will certainly be amazed. I would have been a school drop-out today because of an issue I had in school some time ago in fact, I was expelled but God in his infinite mercy, fought the battle for me and, I and other people that was affected was called back.
The holy book made it clear in the book of (Philippians 4:13) that “I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.” So, you need not be afraid of anything believing in that saying.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy. But with sound self-confidence you can succeed. A sense of inferiority and inadequacy interferes with the attainment of your hopes, but self-confidence leads to self-realization and successful achievement.
You must realize that he is the alpha and omega and with him, everything is possible.
Lesson # 16: If you want to succeed in life, double your failure rate. Believe me or not, the more you try and failed at something, the better you will become at it. Therefore, don’t be afraid of taking risks, don’t be afraid of failing because, that you failed does not necessarily mean that you’re a failure, it simply means that you’ve not succeeded yet and therefore, you will have to try again.
Realize that failure is often times, success in disguise. What have you been afraid of doing before? You need to get out there right now and get to it, attack it and you will be happy at the end.
My friend once told me that if I want to feel fabulous, that I should do those things I’ve been longing to do and, I’m also telling you that right now, go and do that which you’ve been longing to do right now and, you will definitely feel fabulous :).
Lesson # 17: No one can make you inferior without your permission. Do you agree with me or not? This lesson is very similar to lesson # 3 above. I just want to emphasize more on it. Lack of self-confidence apparently is one of the great problems besetting people today.
In a university, a survey was made of six hundred students in psychology courses. The students were asked to state their most difficult personal problem. 75% listed lack of confidence. It can safely be assumed that the same large proportion is true of the population generally.
Everywhere you encounter people who are inwardly afraid, who shrink from life, who suffer from a deep sense of inadequacy and insecurity, who doubt their own powers. Deep within themselves they mistrust their ability to meet responsibilities or to grasp opportunities. Always they are beset by the vague and sinister fear that something is not going to be quite right.
They do not believe that they have it in them to be what they want to be, and so they try to make themselves content with something less than that of which they are capable. Thousands upon thousands go crawling through life on their hands and knees, defeated and afraid. And in most cases such frustration of power is unnecessary.
We build up the feeling of insecurity or security by how we think. If in our thoughts we constantly fix attention upon sinister expectations of dire events that might happen, the result will be constantly to feel insecure. And what is even more serious is the tendency to create, by the power of thought, the very condition we fear. (Cited from the power of positive thinking).
Lesson # 18: Know when you’re squandering time. This is one problem with many people; they don’t know the big difference between activity and achievement. I’ve written a post about this here before but, I will like to touch on it again.
It is very imperative to know when you’re squandering your time in the name of being productive, this will certainly add to the growth of your business.
Lesson #19: Learn to Schedule Sometimes. Do you schedule at all? If not then, you really have to start scheduling blog posts now because, automation is always very good. I remembered sometime ago when i was very sick and away from my blog, my traffic went down and that was because i was unable to update it.
You never can tell what happens tomorrow, apart from being sick, you might also become so busy that it will be difficult to work on your sites but, if you already have some posts scheduled for a set time, it will be very easy for you because your blog will still be functioning even in your absence.
There you have it all and, I hope and believe that you’ve learnt one or two things from this post. I just don’t want all you learnt today to be in vain, you need to start working on yourself now for a better tomorrow.
Thanks for reading this long and, thanks for all your wonderful prayers and wishes to all of you during my birthday, I sincerely appreciate you all.
I will be glad if you can also tweet and share this post with your friends, I’m very sure they will learn one or two things from it as well:).
Let’s take the discussion further on the comment section below.
Emmanuel says
Hello bro,
Thanks a lot for these motivation. We are still in the wee hours of the morning here and its just fun reading this.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks Emmanuel,
I’m happy you enjoyed it :).
Harleena Singh says
Hi Theodore,
Ah…just the post I was looking forward to soon after your birthday 🙂
Perhaps you were writing 25 lessons and it took too long, so you stopped at only 19 lessons….was that so? Or else why only 19 lessons from a friend who just turned 25! Lol….(just joking)
Wonderful lessons indeed, and I like the way you have shared all that you’ve learnt all through your years with all of us here. Thank you so much for the kind mention, and I DO believe a lot in that saying…Rome wasn’t built in a day…things take time, people take time, relationships take time….so we shoudln’t try to rush through things, instead, give them their pace and let it come up naturally, isn’t it?
Thanks for sharing these with us….a good reminder fo everyone, and I loved your birthday pictures as well 🙂 Have a nice week ahead 🙂
Theodore Nwangene says
You’re right Harleena,
My plan initially was to make it 25 but, it was really getting so long which made me to stop at 19 :).How did you know :)?
Thanks a lot for all your supports dear, i really appreciate. And yes, i also believe in that post, Rome wasn’t built in a day and so, we should always take things easy.
Thanks for coming and, have a beautiful week.
Enstine Muki says
Hey Man,
Happy birth day once more!
I had no luck to be there live to feel the fun. However, the good thing is that friends around town came to keep you company.
Oh yes! at 25, you are really the man to face your challenges. This makes me think of a birthday post on the 27th of this month, my birth day too. Thanks for the post idea 😉
Wow! Lot’s of things learned and thanks for sharing them bro.
Many more years and many more blogging success
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks my man,
I also wished you were here to celebrate with me but, if God permits, you will be around next one i will do :). I’m happy you like the post man, thanks for coming and have a great week.
Lisa says
Theodore, you have sure learned a lot in a short 25 year period! Wow, you are wise for you age. Love the pic of your cake and seeing your friends too. I remember reading that book The Power of Positive Thinking several times many years ago. Great book indeed! #3 is so true – and the reason many people fail to succeed. Great points Theodore and hope you enjoy your new year!
Theodore Nwangene says
Hahaha Lisa,
I’m even saying that I’ve not done well this 25 years but, i thank God for everything though :). That book is indeed great and, i will always read it whenever i fall out of motivation.
Thanks and, have a fabulous week :).
Temilola Globalwalyy says
Hello Theo, Happy Birthday to you wishing you Long life and prosperity, i can see you really enjoy your birthday, with lots of wonderful people around you..
I really learn from this post today, but you should have at-least make it 25 lessons so as to mark your birthday for us.. wishing you all the best..
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks a bunch Temi,
Yea, i really enjoyed myself and, i wished you guys were here with me :). I wanted to make it 25 lessons initially but, the post was getting very long and, i had to stop.
Thanks for coming my man and, have a blessed week :).
Pst Bless says
Trully, it is not how long, or how far, but how well. You have quite some experiences and have met diverse persons, good and bad. God afforded you this privilege, every achievement you have seen so far is the finger of Almighty God in your little life.
I use to say: “There are no big men any where, we only have small men helped by a BIG God” and that is why when they turn their back on God He withdraws and their emptiness and smallness begin show. Give HIM praise for the little you have seen, and you have qualified for the greater things ahead, you have not gone a quarter. you have yet many wonders to accomplish, receive grace to accomplish your destiny.
A very happy BirthDay!!!!!
Theodore Nwangene says
Hello brother,
I really agree with all you said. God is indeed wonderful and without him, nothing can ever be achieved in this world so, its very imperative to always rely on him at all times.
I’m very happy you enjoyed the post Pst Bless, thanks for coming.
Okto says
Having a scheduled post to live is a safe bet for part time blogger like me. As you said, we can never know what will happen next …
Happy BIrthday!
Theodore Nwangene says
I’m happy you agree with me Okto,
Thanks for coming
Eric says
Hey Theodore. You’ve learned a lot of business lessons mate. I’m sure by your next birthday you will master your blogging skills even further and your business will benefit even more.
Theodore Nwangene says
I pray so Eric,
I really thank God for all i know today and i know that i still have lots more to learn. Thanks for coming friend :).
Rita lopes says
hi,
i am glad to read your post. thank you for writing and sharing with us and i liked it very much . Your every lesson is wonderful and specially the third one Fear, uncertainty, and procrastination. it not only lesson for you its for every one over here. You are good going well done
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks a lot Rita,
I’m happy you like it :).
Dima Al Mahsiri says
First, happy birthday 🙂
I can find many examples from my life here. And lesson five is one of them. Starting blogging was not easy for me ( I am still a newbie, by the way 🙂 ). But when I made my decision, I needed to ignore those who were telling jokes about making money online . They only look at the internet as merely : Facebook, candy crush, Pinterest, you know, that kind of stuff that will consume your time, and teach you nothing!
I am lucky that I have a great husband who is supporting me. And that was more than enough for me.
These lessons you stated here are very helpful for newbies, thanks a lot !
Theodore Nwangene says
You welcome Dima,
You’re very lucky indeed to have a supportive husband, its not easy at all but, you just have to keep on moving ahead knowing that hard work really pays.
Thanks for your awesome comment Dima and, extend my regards to your husband.
Adam Dukes says
What an awesome list! I am 7 years older than you and can relate to a lot of these. I wish I had started when I was your age. You are building a great community here. Like you said in #13 “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. Everyone wants success yesterday, but it takes time, persistence and patience.
I am checking out the book “The Power of Positive Thinking” as it sounds like something I could use on some days.
Again, excellent post and Happy Belated Birthday!
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks a lot for those kind words Adam and, welcome to my blog :).
I wish i knew more than i know now man but, I’m happy for the little i know :). Yea, you need to check out that book and, i can also email you the soft copy if you don’t mind. Let me know if you need it man.
Thanks for coming.
Kuldeep says
Hello,
First of all Happy birthday, Secondly i must say it’s a long post which covers almost everything. I really love your inspirational lessons you’ve learned. Time to move and hard work on other projects.
thanks
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks Kuldeep,
Yea, it’s really a very long post indeed and, i wished i could make it shorter :). I’m glad you enjoyed it though. Thanks for stopping by.
Suhaib says
Thank you, Theodore, for sharing this in-depth piece. When I started writing, the no. 6 lesson was my problem. I really thought that I was just doing it as a hobby.
Thank you for pointing this out. I think many people aren’t yet realized that their little hobby is a big business venture.
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks Suhaib,
I’m glad you like the post 🙂
Susan Velez says
Hi Theodore,
Glad to see that you have a great Birthday and you have definitely learned quite a bit in just your short 25 years. I wish I would’ve known all that when I was 25.
These are definitely some great tips for anyone who wants to get started online or take it to the next level. I too think that an online coach can definitely help you reach your goals a lot quicker than doing it on your own.
It’s been a while since I’ve read “The Power Of Positive Thinking” and maybe I need to read it again. Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a great day.
Theodore Nwangene says
My birthday was great Susan,
Hahaha, I’m even saying that I’m still lagging far behind at age 25 but, i thank God for the little i know so far :).
Yea, having a coach or mentor is indeed very crucial if one must reach his/her goal even quicker than he anticipated. The Power of positive thinking is a very awesome and motivational book that is worth reading many times over :).
Thanks for coming Susan and, how is your studies?
Tim Bonner says
Hey Theodore
I’m pleased to see you had a great birthday.
It’s been a long time since I was 25 but I remember how eager I was to forge forward with life!
I’ve almost given up on blogging a couple of times as well but it really does get easier.
Since I started making some money on my niche site, I’ve felt much more positive, although I do need to concentrate on putting more content out there.
Enjoy your weekend Theodore!
Theodore Nwangene says
So good to have you here again Tim,
Yea, i had a very awesome birthday indeed and I’m so happy for that :). There are many times i also felt like giving up but, i always find something that will motivate me to be going.
I’m happy to hear that your niche site has started paying off man now, its time to scale it up so it can earn more and more :).
Thanks for coming man.
Peter says
First of all Happy BIrthday! I read your article on the other blog and now clicked on this one to check out your blog. So that’s how it is to generate traffic from guest posts 🙂
collimoto says
I love your birthday gifts. please write an article for me @ http://www.collimoto.com
manpreet says
thanks for this great post. Although each one teaches us an unavoidable lesson but I strongly support the pre scheduling one and the procrastination one. The book you talked about – The power of Positive Thinking, I bought the book a long time ago but never read it. I am going to read it now. 🙂
Theodore Nwangene says
Hi Manpreet,
Sounds good. If you’ve bought the book then, you will have to read it man. I’m sure you will enjoy it and please, don’t forget to come back and tell me how it helped you.
Thanks for coming
manpreet says
Sure, I will read the book in December and exactly the way you told. One chapter at a time. I would tell about my experience with the book for sure. 🙂
Theodore Nwangene says
That’s awesome Manpreet,
Try and read it :). I will be waiting for your feedback.
Chris says
Hello Theodore,
Awesome article man, I really like the 6th lesson (treat your online business as real business) This is really important..traffic and readership is directly proportional to the handwork that we put in our business. and if we are not serious about our online business than we will never get what we are looking for..Thanks you for an informative article sharing with my friends.
Theodore Nwangene says
You’re welcomed Chris,
I’m indeed very happy that you agreed with me on this lesson. Thanks for coming and please, try and create a gravater image for yourself.
Aman says
Really nice article man, I loved all your tips, I will surly keep them in my mind through my blogging journey. BTW happy belated birthday.. 🙂
Theodore Nwangene says
Thanks man