Category Archives: Experience

A plain wrong advice: Do What You Love

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Do what you love. <= This is probably one of the most common advice entreprenuers give to one another. Like many others, I loved it too, and try to followed many times.

But now my point is changed over the time and after going through many experiences. I was wrong and so was this advice.

“ To get over to one’s favourite place/situation, we have to do many things which we would not prefer to do other way.”

For example, if I have to travel from Basirpur to Lahore to do my favourite thing. But I can’t find a direct bus which normally takes 4 hours to reach there. So I would first go to any other place, from where I can find the bus for Lahore and it can take up to 10 hours. I shall hate to be in bus for 10 hours for a 4 hour travel. But I know it is worth doing, so I shall bear no matter what.

Entrepreneurs are easy to target for anything, mostly because they are always listening and noticing. And ‘Do What You Love’ comes as a fool’s paradise for beginners like me.

I have come to a result that, one should not be as much focused on doing what one always love or preffer. Instead, the destination should control your action.

If you want to build YOUR FAVORITE THING, you shall might have to do one or two or many THINGS YOU HATE.

And if you are someone who wants to make remarkable difference, you’ll surely have to face/do many things which you’ll hate doing otherwise. Makes sense?

PS. Earlier at the start of this year, I promised to myself that I shall not be fooled again by Gurus, so this post is part of the plan.

Related Post:

- What popular startup advice is plain wrong? (Quora.com)

What Makes Anyone A Hero (story)

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This Monday afternoon, I was walking back from a bank where I had some work. On my way back, there were few cars parked on the service road (frontage road) when I heard the sound of breaking glass.

It was a guy, who broke the door glass of a parked car to get the laptop + bag out. While his friend was on motorcycle ready to leave any second. When the guy near car saw me turning back, he signaled me to go back. But I kept advancing carefully.

The guy felt nervous, left the laptop bag in the car, and escaped on the bike with his friend.

Now I had no idea, where is the car owner. As there were couple of big buildings around and he could be in any of them. I thought to wait and guard his valuable bag and other stuff in the car. Actually I was afraid those guys can come back to take the bag. I waited for 30 min till the owner came.

When I was waiting, the idea of stealing came into my mind too. One of the major reasons was, I badly want and need a laptop.

I have no laptop of my own, this one which I am using now is of my friend Sidra and she is so nice to give it to me. But yes she needs it back too.

It was not just the thought of stealing came into my mind. Then I said to myself, “This laptop is very valuable to the owner as well, and he needs it to work on it too. So honestly return this property back to whoever is the owner.”

It is so nice now to think about what I decided, I felt like a hero after this. In fact some of my friends said this too. But believe me, it is ain’t so easy. And at the same time, it ain’t so difficult.

Later that evening, I got many good words from my friend and a very encouraging phone call from mom. That is the best reward.

Here is the response to my Facebook status update:

Click on the screenshot to friend me on Facebook.

Let’s close it, so what makes us a hero.

1. I and you are always surrounded with the thoughts of being selfish and taking share of someone’ else. What matter is the patience, believing that earned is always better than the given.

2. If someone asks me, who is the most special person in the world. I would say that is me. Everyday I go against myself, to go with myself.

I am a hero!

Did you know you are a hero too?

 

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Want to Fix Problems? Learn or Find Learner

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Making something from scratch ain’t easy, but it is never boring. I love working on Hometown.

But here is a problem/opportunity I am encountering every single day.

For the past 4 years I have been learning about internet tools, doing business and what not. Yes I was taking help from all the gurus, resources and my experience. So what is the problem?

Problem is very simple. All the problems I am facing are totally new for me, I have never encountered anything like that. I have never talked with VCs or worked on business plan.

And when I look back at what I learned. It doesn’t help very much, so every time to fix a problem I have to learn the solution. Thankfully I am proudly one of the best known learner I have ever met.

This girl is learning and solving a problem at the same time.

Got the point?

Time has been changing all the time, this time changes are faster. Everything has changed, and it’ll keep changing. So who can help you to address changes.

As we have talked earlier, a person with ‘15 years of experience‘ is not gonna help. Instead we need a learner, who can learn faster. Who is eager to learn from success, average results and from failure the most.

Take a deep breath. <– Please do it.

Give some thoughts to whom you are hiring, or going to work with. Is she a good learner.

Same idea applies in relationships. Thankfully no one is perfect, in the life, everyone of us faces new problems and challenges. For example, I shall have a a wife, and some kids. Some in-laws too. <– Every problem shall be new. I am ready. ;)

Best is the one who keeps learning. Rather than living life based on past experience.

I recently learned from Robin Dickinson, who said this:

The past is not the future.

OMG! It is not. It is not at all.

It is all good to live in present and more importantly looking into future.

I love being learner, and working with great learners.

Be a learner! Surround yourself with learners!

Why ’15 Years of Experience’ is a Big Scam

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‘I applied at 18 different jobs in banks, but they all ask for 2+ years of experience. How the hell I can assure them that I have all what it takes to be for what I am applying for.’ <– Told a friend of mine, who was seeking for a job without any prior experience in bank industry.

What I want to say is this:

Many many times young people do not do something because they assume that, this work can only done by people with ‘15 years of experience‘ and newbie like us are not able to do it at all.

They unfollow their heart because of the initial hurdles which come in their way. Worse is that, we keep doing this. Even in our 70s.

I can not do this. <– Please make sure to say this after trying at least for 3 times with 3 different approaches.

15 Years of Experience is a tag, to keep creative people away and they do this to protect their jobs.

I think I have made my point, and it doesn’t need more words.

The idea of the post came into my mind, when I learned that my 24 old friend Bilal wants to design cars in next few years. He has no experience in designing cars, but he surely knows his passion “design.” Thankfully he is also helping us with the logo of Hometown, and I am amazed at what he has done so far.

This is probably the first time, he is doing and getting on his way to design cars. Incredible.

In the picture below is Max Wolff, the head designer for (Ford’s car) Lincoln, said, “Our goal is to make Lincoln look like nothing else that’s out there.”

The Ford guys knew that this 38 years guy will bring something which 58 can not.

I wish the very very best luck to my friend Bilal, who wants to do this before his 30 and to everyone of you who is not afraid of the tag ’15 years of experience’

Very related post:
Gen-Y Can Help You Re-invent Your Business

Your Mother is Teacher, Not Mine (True Story)

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2003, I was invited to the home of my class fellow. I went to help him with exams, and during at his home.

To tell you the truth, people in my part of the world. Keep women covered and let them meet only with close relatives.

I somehow saw his mother. I excitingly asked him, “If your mother is teacher too.” (I was excited because my mother is a teacher and I’m very proud of her.)

He replied, “No, not at all. We do not let women do such (shameful) jobs.

28 years ago, when my mother was applying for her teaching job. Her younger brother complained to their mother, “So now Razia is going to be a teacher. People would say, look his sister is a teacher.”

Job of mother changed everything for our entire family. Also know, if she would not be teacher, I would be working at a factory or workshop without any formal education etc.

But instead, she changed my life. It changed everything.

Someone said it very truly:

If you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a family (nation).

I promise to educate a nation (even if it would be small, it’s ok).

All this might come to you as surprise. But this is the real story of a real women.

Would you keep doing the good work, despite what other people say?

It is also true:

People don’t say very much, but we intentionally hear a lot about our fears.

Would you still be teacher no matter how many people discourage you? Would you still be changing lives? If you are afraid of doing something, please write your fears. Then see what happens.

My mom and my brother, at an event I organized. She doesn't understand English as much, but she came to encouraged me. Isn't she amazing person?

She is truly the first one in our family to cross the river. Now gladly, I’m crossing many too.

Rest is said in this video, It Only Takes A Girl, watch it.

Also read:

What I Want to Do

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I was in grade 5. One day our teacher took the whole class to the playground. Where they have arranged different games for us, like football, cricket and some other running games. (I don’t remember all of them.)

When asked which game I wanted to play. I went for football. But after playing football for some 10 min, I watched around other students playing different games. I said to myself, “I don’t want to play football, instead I want to play cricket.”

And when I was handed the cricket ball, and bowled one or two overs. I said to myself, “I don’t want to be a bowler, instead I want to play as a batsman.”

And then I played cricket as a batsman next few years at school.

In 2006, I got admission in BS, and chose Physics as my major. After reading and failed tries of memorizing Physics for a year. I learned that I’m not a Physics guy.

Then I went to Economics and Political Science, but the only courses which I wanted were taught at senior level. Which meant I should have taken the basic course first.

In my first Political Science’s class, the teacher was very rude. She said something like this: “No one is going to tell me how to teach and how much to teach. And when I’m teaching, no one can interrupt to ask question etc.”

Later a fellow told me that, once a student proposed her for marriage before whole class. So now she takes extra care. The other Economics teacher was also not someone you can trust to learn from.

So, I hated those basic courses. I left them. And now I don’t remember which courses I studied in that year. But things went on.

In my second year at college, I was looking through course atlas where I found the description of Business Communication course interesting. So after giving some thoughts, I decided to take that course. I loved it.

Business Communication was probably my favorite course during my college years. Why? Everything this course had, have something to do in real life. I went to internet to take help. And I never turned back to college again. I dropped it.

I stayed at college for next one and half year, where I spent most of time reading business magazines and making notes of them. I especially was interested how people build business from scratch and how they turn tragedies into motivational tools.

Next I started learning how internet can be used. And this is where I am today, using it for my business.

What I have learned from my these experiences is this:

” You don’t get to know what you really want (or want to do), unless you start doing something. If you’ll do one thing, the experience will help you find out what is for you and why are you. “

So if you’re at some point wondering what you want to do (or can do). Start doing one thing which is before you. Go for your first call. May be you’ll fall at wrong place. But the experience of this wrong place shall eventually get you to the right place.

Also remember: DOING helps you think clearly. DO something.

Image from here

100th Post – Big Day

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NEWS: I got funding for my business project. Read below to know more. :D

Earlier this year on Jan 28 (which is my birthday), I shared what I have in mind for 23rd year of life.

“This year is gonna be the most important phase of my life. I especially love having all of you on this journey, through blogging, social media and phone calls and yes in person. I’m looking forward to execute number of projects in business and of my life.”

Here is what happened so far, instead of getting more business I started disbelieving in what I was doing. I started feeling unhappy about myself. <– I think it happens with everyone of us at sometimes.

But writing this blog made me focused again, I kept going with learning, making more genuine friends. I started loving and believing in myself.

In 2010 I was having a conversation with a group of people in my hometown. Who were talking about how things are in Pakistan and how west is involved in all this. A 51 years old guy named Mohd. Hussain (who is now my friend) told about a text message stating how Facebook is hurting muslims by promoting blasphamious content.

Then I interrupted the discussion and told them what is true and what really is social media. Later me and Hussain had a long conversation where he told me about his business. He and his small team, makes 100% hand-stitched leather shoes.

Because of very limited resources, they were compelled to sell them to some big brands. Which makes money from him, and he doesn’t as much.

I shall be working with these guys, who do such an awesome work.

I asked him, why don’t we sell them online, I offered him my help. But we couldn’t get started because both of us couldn’t arrange extra money for that.

I kept trying, asked to some of my rich friends but resulted nothing. Then I started looking for funding, we applied at P@SHA ‘s Social Innovation Fund, and yes we made it.

Out of 370 ideas which were submitted, we made in the first 3. You can see first round winners by clicking on the image in left.

 

Watch the video submission here.

I appreciate P@SHA, sponsors and judges who encourage my idea, and providing financial and consultancy support. Me and my team is genuinely thankful to them for believe in us and what we aim to do. It’ll be fun and the work we will love to do.

And I believe coming days are far brighter and full of learning. Thanks to each and everyone of you, who visit and encourage me. I’m happy to surround myself with people who lift me. And I look forward to kill what I eat.

One more thing.. There is also another interesting and big project I’m working on with some of the best folks I know. Stay here.. Right here and we’ll make it.

I’m so happy, this’s post which is also 100th post on this blog is a truly special. I believe no need to outline today’s learning, just keep learning, relearning and unlearning. Change your actions to achieve different result and you’ll change world for you. Thank you again very much, I’m full of gratitude now. Happy!

Have something to say? Would love to see you in comments.

What to Do Today, This Week, Month, Year, and Life

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What I am going to do. This is the most important decision we make, because deciding once, what we are going to do, shapes everything.

Let’s say you’re going out with family today. It will shape, who you are going to meet with, what you’re going to eat, how much travel you’ll have to do etc etc.

It was 2003, I remember that day. When I happily asked one of my class mate, if his mother is teacher too (my mother is an elementary school teacher for 27 years). He replied, “No, not at all. We don’t allow women to do such (dirty) jobs.”

And I did never talk to him again. 30 years ago, my mother made a choice, at that time there is was only single school for girls in our town and it was an elementary. She waited for an year, to study further, and then eventually with a lot of hard work she became a teacher. And it changed her life.

She was married, and then things went wrong. My father used to live for months far from us, and that time my mother was alone to feed us, our school fees and every little and big things. I believe if she would not be a teacher, then I would be a motor mechanic or something like that instead of a blogger and digital media learner.

Our goals and tasks make all other decision of our life. It is very simple, e.g, am I going to open Facebook in my browser or read a story, or am I going to write a new post. It decides everything.

For example (please make it real —>), if you decide to take care of your family. You’ll have to make decision like these, not to smoke any more, go for a walk. In short you’ll try your best to give a better person to your family.

Writing this blog has helped me a better human. When I decide to write a post, I do. I look into myself how ‘something which I’m going to write/preach’ relates to me. And it helps me change my actions.

Steve was very right, he emphasized on finding exactly what to do. And it worked well for him. Right now, like most of us, your mind is filled with thousand of ‘to do things‘ don’t bother. Just find on what you are going to do, find it, find it.

Because when you’ll decide what you are going to do. It is gonna change everything for you. And it is gonna change you into a better and happier and of course a healthier person.

Do you have any ‘what to do‘ story to share, or/and please share your leading thoughts in the comments below.

Two years back, I watched a documentry on Nation Geographic, Jailed Abroad, a 30 year old black guy was just released from the jail after 5 years in prison. He commented, ‘I have decided to become a better person for my 6 years old daughter and my wife. I think it is never too late.‘

He was right. It is never too late. Thank you.

PS. I am working on several things including my book (I have no idea how will the book go), this is why blog is lacking new post. Rest is all fine with me, how’re you?

Are You Inspired By Yourself? BE!

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When making a list of inspirational people. We focus on individual(s), who’s work, achievements and/or failures have touched us emotionally.

Whenever we think of an inspirational hero, we recall his story and immediately look for a way to apply that in our real life.

What is getting inspiration from within? This is something I often think about. The reason I am penning it finally is, today a new (Facebook) friend, Andreas Ittermann, who added himself to his list of inspirational people.

Here is what I think why we’re most inspired by no one, but us.

If you ever happen to encourage a kid or student, especially after a mistake or a failure. We use their past experience, small achievements for a proof that they can be successful or get up.

Or take it in this way, when I watched invictus, the movie about Nelson Mandela.

I reminded myself of the time when I defeated a 9 month long disease, which almost killed me. I recall some darkest periods of my 23 years long life, I’m the guy who studied a school where were no furnitures, who now wants to be something big, more than what I or you think.

Yes, this is the science or art behind the self inspiration. We watch, read, listen or learn about great people, stories. We think of ourselves doing the same in our circumstances. No one is true hero, but you’re.

Now just take a deep breath.

Think for 5 moments when you made youself WOW! When you did something which saved a life (yours, family member, or even a fly), when you born your baby. Or when you made your wife laugh.

You were are the hero of that moment, you’re the hero of this moment.

Take inspiration from anywhere, save it and cook it within yourself. Get inspired by yourself and take action.

Remember result doesn’t matter the most, action does.

Go add yourself in the list of your inspiration people.

Go be Hero of yourself. And I trust anyone, including and especially you, can be a hero. If you don’t believe, read here.

Very Related Post:
Being the First One to Cross the River