10 Things I’ve Learned Over The Last 10 Years As An Entrepreneur, Employee, And Consultant

A friend’s Facebook status update sparked my own reflection on the last 10 years as I’ve pursued, accomplished, and failed as an entrepreneur, employee, and consultant.

I might come back to this post and expand on one or more of the following lessons, skills, nuances, whatever you want to call them; but for now, here’s the quick rundown:

10 Things I’ve Learned Over The Last 10 Years As An Entrepreneur, Employee, And Consultant

1. How to say “no”.
2. How to ask “what’s your budget?”
3. How to put myself and my interests first (or at least in line with my contribution to projects, others, companies, etc.).
4. How to accept, learn from, and NOT be defined by my failures.
5. How to pick associates and read people better. Big opportunities often eclipse individual motives when collaborating with people who have uncertain intentions.
6. How to use past accomplishments as success stories and not ego.
7. How to build and nurture mutually beneficial relationships.
8. How to be an asset without getting screwed…too much.
9. How to find common denominators that manifest into synergy.
10. How to be good at what I do (and realize when I’m being lazy).