Entrepreneurship Lessons from Travelling Solo

For a curious mind travelling is always a very enthralling experience. And be it the transition from struggle to success, or from learning to mastery, the association of travelling to various phases of progression underlines our fascination to the activity. There are many things which entrepreneurs can learn from the activity of travelling. As I recently discovered (and what I have written below), there are many lessons which travelling solo can impart to those looking forward to have their own ventures. These lessons are taught in every B-school and in every seminar, every lecture on effective management. However, to experience them first hand there can be no better way than to travel solo. So one fine weekend, after a particularly tiring week at work, I decided to take my 100 cc partner and go for a drive. About 200 kms, quite a few stops and some introspection later I realized the following teachings which travelling solo can impart to any budding entrepreneur. Taking risks The most difficult step is always the first one. More than taking the actual risk, its decision to take the risk that consumes a good amount of time. Once we decide to start our journey, we should begin immediately. While acting on impulse may not be advisable at times, acting on intuition seldom fails. When we share our plans with people we get a mixed bag of reactions. Some laugh. A few encourage. Others just let us be. It is at this this junction that we must choose our course of action. To take the leap of faith and charge ahead or to withdraw and plan and decide to come later. Our decisions at this junction decide our future course of action. Resource optimization Solo travel is enjoyed best when we travel light. This means that we need to make do with a limited resources. Letting go of that extra sweater in case weather turns bad. Or doubling up your bag as a pillow in rough terrain. These small things imbibe you with the skill to make the best out of everything that is given to you. Deadlines, limited resources, restricted accesses-all these are situations we face when we begin our own. Our success lies in the way we make our way through them. Planning on the move This can be understood as an extension of the point above. We begin our journey with as less baggage as we can. That ensures a smooth beginning. However, to continue remaining on the course we need to make decisions about what all will be required in the short term. Anticipating the hurdles and preparing for them by taking necessary precautions helps us in continuing our journey smoothly. Checking tyre pressures, or getting clarity on the route we are about to take, or even eating on a half full stomach are strategies we incorporate in order to face any unwanted situation. In business, having a plan B always helps. While the more adventurous amongst us might think that they don’t require it, in reality it pays to have resources, facilities and strategies on standby for any problem that may arise. Going local To any person interested in knowing about the culture and the way of life in a different place, there can be no shortage of experience he will have once he/she goes local. From places to eat to places not covered in online travel blogs, these are the things that provide the most value for money. Similarly, when we go local in our venture, we get the best prices from our suppliers and the overall costs are reduced. It makes procurement easier, helps in understanding the market better and can save a lot of time and money in market research. Dealing with local vendors makes us more aware about the best practices prevalent in our chosen territory, thus providing us with a wider viewpoint about the business scenario. Never doubting the obvious This becomes true especially in the case of lonely roads where maps do not work. We begin questioning ourselves and our confidence in the path that we have chosen. While doubting the obvious may pose a philosophical dilemma for many, in reality it’s just a waste of time. All we need to do is to convince ourselves that there is no going back. Once we are sure of that, we can enjoy the journey instead of fretting over the decisions made. Self-doubt is the biggest cause of suicide of many entrepreneurial ventures. True, those times are tough and only those who have experienced it will ever understand it, but it requires nothing more than a little faith to know that once begun, we are sure of reaching somewhere. Asking for directions Admit it, with the growing popularity of Google Maps and the navigation feature, asking directions has become almost obsolete. Some people may even consider the activity below their dignity. Using technology is fine, it is great and we all know how useful it is to us. However, the next time you are out, just try asking for directions. You’ll realize that people are more than willing to help. At times, they may even guide to a place that may not have found a mention in the travel guide/blog. In the same manner, when we are starting out on our own we are bound to face issues not previously covered in any literature, issues that are unique to us. In such a scenario, it is always useful to ask for directions/guidelines from others who have been there. Those who have faced something similar will tell you how they overcame the situation. From others you can learn new ways of thinking and approaching the problem. And these are the things which you’ll not find in literature or blogs of any kind (like this one). A venture is a journey, replete with its own beauty and potholes. What is required is that we should not be daunted by the twists and turns of the road. We should keep on moving ahead, for the process of learning and growing is never ending. As for me, I realize that my destination is the journey itself and that’s the spark that keeps my engine roaring.