In my last article, I mentioned that I’m on the final stretch to turning 34 and have developed a habit over the years of analyzing and crystallizing the lessons learned from one year to the next.
And it’s not just the lessons, but also what I discover about myself—David, the human being, throughout this journey called life.
However, this year marks another milestone: it’s been 15 years since I earned my “entrepreneur’s diploma,” starting with my first company.
After finishing high school, I packed my bags and moved to Bucharest. I opened a real estate agency in the midst of a crisis… And that’s how it all began :))
Anyway, back to the point.
These days, I was reading an old article I wrote at the 10-year mark, featuring 10 lessons I’ve learned over the years. When I finished reading, I found myself deep in thought and decided to compile another summary, this time with 15 lessons.
However, I often tend to overanalyze and overthink (this also relates to my personality foundation; for those familiar with the PCM model, I am a Thinker), and so, after about an hour of dwelling on my thoughts, I got frustrated because there were just too many… data points. To analyze and synthesize :))
So I asked myself, what would it be if I had to choose just one thing out of everything?
I mean, if someone were to ask me tomorrow what the single piece of advice I’d give someone after all the experience I’ve accumulated so far would be, what would it be?
I don’t sell therapy services and 99.99% likely never will :)) but if I had to say one essential thing, or rather, one essential tool, it would be therapy.
Because I don’t know any other way as effective in leading to a profound self-awareness and, consequently, to a higher level of consciousness.
And not just in the life of an entrepreneur but in the life of anyone who desires a higher, more conscious, and more authentic quality of life.
And I’ll explain.
But before I go any further, I feel the need to clarify: I am not referring to any specific type of therapy, because I myself have tried many methods, in various forms, and have studied others, and the conclusion I’ve come to is that it very much depends on the stage each person is at and what they feel suits them.
I believe that any “technical” need or skill can be easily acquired (not always easy, but doable), and at least today, practically all are within reach.
What is not at all simple, nor easy, is working on yourself.
And let me give you a personal example.
You probably already know about my relationship with education.For years, especially since this industry started to gain momentum in Romania, I’ve devoured courses, workshops, etc.
Looking back, I wasn’t part of the approximate 95% who only consume and don’t implement. I can firmly say that my implementation rate was often around 80%.
Sure, the quality of implementation can be questioned in some cases .
For instance, I implemented my first KPI system about 8 years ago, I believe. But what good is a KPI system if, when it comes to consequences, we pretend it’s raining?
What kind of implementation is that? :))
What’s the use of all the “biggest knowledge, methods, and systems” if I, despite knowing I needed to fire underperforming people, and even funding their salaries out of my own pocket (sometimes money I didn’t even have, forced to borrow), just because I couldn’t be able to fire them?
How did another course help, or other implementations and the latest techniques in team performance, if I treated the team like they were my family, and employees like they were my children?
Would you kick your family out of the house? Most likely not.
And worse than that, is coming to realize this and still, not being able to act. This comes with some rather unpleasant internal processes.
Whether it’s guilt, criticism, or even shame.
Or conversations like: “Hey David, what’s wrong with you? You go to all this effort to pay this guy, you do this, that. He doesn’t deliver, look, he’s been here for so long, and has produced almost nothing. Or he crushed some projects. How foolish can you be?”
And so much more.
But, guess what, you can’t fight your emotional system. I mean, you can try, but it will kick your ass, as they say .
Did I mention that I made my first firing while working with a business coach because I was embarrassed not to go through with it?
I mean, I paid 750 euros per hour (and this was years ago) for him to tell me what was already obvious to me and everyone else, and also that he would follow up after the meeting I was supposed to have with the employee where I needed to do the firing.
I remember it as if it were yesterday.
That moment was horrendous for me. And yes, I made the firing with the heart of a flea, because I was dying of embarrassment to look into the coach’s eyes and tell him I couldn’t do it.
It was a terrible day for me.
Or, the fact that for years I complained that I couldn’t find a good salesperson? Somehow, I didn’t have someone on the team who could sell more than me.
And look, how the company’s sales depended solely on me. David the hero.
And do recruitments, train the team, bring in specialists, change processes, do this and that (not saying they were useless).
But almost useless, because how could a sales performer have space to come in if there wasn’t room because of me and my own inflated ego?
What if someone better did come along? What would happen to me?
Would I no longer be the hero of the family?
I could go on with examples for at least another 100 pages.
And goodness, how often Life has invited me to take my lessons. And I just wouldn’t.
But when you don’t take lessons the first time, the cycle repeats. And they come back harder, tougher. It depends on each person’s level of resilience, but sooner or later, you reach the point where you are forced to take them.
That’s why, unfortunately, some of us end up getting sick, or suffering losses, or having accidents, or falling into depression, and so on, until we wake up and take our lessons. If we wake up.
And for this reason, I believe therapy would be the essential tool for each of us and if I were to recommend just one thing to someone from all that I have learned so far, it wouldn’t be any specific techniques.
This is not how to make a million euros in six months or 10 techniques to increase your sales in 90 days.
But to work with yourself and your inner being, no matter how hard it may be at times.
Because the rest, I am sure, will fall into place exactly as it should for each individual.
Let’s take another example.
Does anyone still believe that there isn’t enough information out there about everything that a weight loss process entails? There are so many materials on losing weight that a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to follow or apply them all.
This niche is a whole industry on a global scale, huge. Huge, when we talk about market value.
Does anyone still believe that people need new information, new techniques, or more innovative programs?
Most customers in this industry remain loyal. They just change the coach, the program, etc., and start over again. And so on.
Can you imagine how different this industry would be if people worked more with their emotions, if they spent time getting to know themselves deeply, understanding their life stories and how they got here, rather than spending time searching for the next miracle diet?
I don’t fantasize that we would live in a perfect world if we all worked more on our inner selves, because after all, balance is needed.
But I am convinced that in a world where people’s levels of consciousness are higher, we would all have a higher quality of life, even if not without challenges.
Just as I am convinced that the more an entrepreneur works on his inner self, the more his challenges will take on different nuances.
And yes, I do have a fantasy.
I believe that a critical mass of entrepreneurs with a higher level of consciousness can bring a profound change in society.
Sustainable. Lasting. Other synonyms.
I feel like closing with one of my favorite quotes, as simple as it is profound:
“He who looks outside dreams; he who looks inside awakes.” – Jung
PS: Just for fun, I asked ChatGPT what it thinks the top 5 benefits would be if we lived in a world where most people had a higher level of consciousness.
Here’s what it responded:
Here are five main benefits that could result if the majority of people in the world reached higher levels of consciousness:
Global Peace and Harmony – At higher levels of consciousness, individuals experience a state of non-violence and acceptance. Therefore, as more people reach these levels, conflicts, violence, and wars could become less frequent, contributing to a more peaceful and harmonious world.
Increased Empathy and Cooperation – In higher states of consciousness, people develop a deep empathy for others and a better understanding of the interconnectedness of all people. This could lead to more effective international cooperation and easier resolution of global problems, such as climate change and inequality.
Reduction of Suffering – Higher levels of consciousness are associated with a greater ability to cope with personal suffering and to help others do the same. Therefore, an increase in global consciousness could lead to a reduction in human suffering, whether physical, emotional, or mental.
Prosperity and Equitable Resource Distribution – With increased consciousness, individuals are less inclined to pursue excessive material gains and more likely to make decisions that benefit the entire community. This could lead to a more equitable distribution of resources and a reduction in extreme poverty.
Personal and Spiritual Development – Finally, one of the most significant benefits of a higher level of consciousness is profound personal development. Individuals would have access to greater internal clarity, creativity, and better mental health, contributing to a healthier and more culturally and spiritually dynamic society.
These benefits are interconnected and can reinforce each other, creating a virtuous circle of human progress and well-being.
Not bad, right? 🙂
