“Great, kid. Don’t get cocky” – Han Solo
Perhaps a little hypocritical coming from Han, but it rings true nonetheless: there is nothing that stands in the way of progress like resting on your laurels.
“Strike me down, and I will become more powerful than you could possibly imagine.” – Obi Wan Kenobi
The best teacher in entrepreneurship is often failure. Get back up, learn from your mistakes and go at it again.
“There’s always a bigger fish.” – Qui-Gon Jinn
There’s always a bigger obstacle ahead, another problem to tackle. The key is to keep your eyes on the prize and to plough ahead anyway.
“Is that possible?” – Rey
I never ask that question until after we’ve done it.” – Han Solo. No matter if you’re trying to successfully navigate an asteroid field (the odds of which are approximately 3,720 to 1 by the way) or to create a new product, remember that every innovative idea was impossible before someone made it happen.
“Your focus determines your reality.”- Qui-Gon Jinn
In other words: you get out of it what you put in. Persistence and dedication bridge the gap between what you have and what you can be.
“Do. Or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda
When it comes to running your own business, half-heartedness isn’t going to get you anywhere. Make a decision and throw all your time, hard work and, most likely, money into it.
“In my experience there is no such thing as luck.” – Obi-Wan Kenobi
Don’t wait for opportunities to present themselves. Be proactive and make your own luck. After all, if you don’t ask the answer is always no.
“Who’s the more foolish; the fool, or the fool who follows him?” Obi-Wan Kenobi
Just because something is common practice doesn’t mean it’s the best practice. That is not to say throw all convention out of the window, but you never know what gems lie off the beaten track until you explore it.
“Always pass on what you have learned.” – Yoda
Being a mentor and passing on your experience to the bright minds of the next generation helps you not only grow as a person but also improves your leadership skills and attracts talent to your company – win-win.