I think most people would agree that adventure is a good thing. After all, without adventures, we might still believe the Earth is flat.
How would you define adventure? Is it something exciting yet risky? Does it have to be significant to be called a real adventure? Do you prefer roaming adventurous paths alone or with a partner? What was your last adventure? The answers to these questions will tell you what kind of adventurers you are, so maybe spend sometime thinking about that.
The Adventure of Life
On a macro scale, human life itself is an adventure. You were given a lifetime without any clue of what you’re getting into, and you need to learn everything from scratch. At the beginning of your journey, you rely on other humans for survival. In comparison, many creatures in this world don’t need that. Most lizards never meet their parents, and fish don’t need to be taught to swim. It seems the more evolved we are, the more dependent we become. This dependency doesn’t stop when we grow up; rather, it usually shifts to other aspects of life such as houses, cars, and secure jobs. As a result, we become so reliant on these securities that it feels like there’s no room left for more adventures.
Try not to fall into that trap.
Adventure is also the reason we keep evolving – we push ourselves out of the comfort zones, where new knowledge and experiences are discovered and acquired, they become part of us, and that’s how we grow. A night at an underground house party is a good one, a solo road trip to visit the maritime provinces is an excellent choice, and of course, going to a foreign country counts, big time! Adventures are popular because they complement our ordinary lives. They keep us excited, nurture hope for the future, and motivate us to move on for another sunrise and sunset.
The Adventure of Entrepreneurs
This “entrepreneur” adventure I’m on right now is a great example. (Although the word bores me, it’s the most efficient word to describe the situation.) It is a long one – at least 2 years, possibly a lifetime. I’d prefer the latter because it would mean I made it. I'm not sure where to start when talking about this adventure with someone new. There seems to be too much to share and too little time to finish. So today, I’ll just talk about the 3 things I've learned so far.
1. Graphic Design is Great! Graphic Design is Hard!
This takeaway is more of a personal learning than a general lesson. I’ve always been interested in visual design, but actually doing it is so much more fun! When it comes to building a brand, it’s not as simple as “here’s an idea, make visuals around it.” Inspiration is not a family pet that waits to be summoned; it comes and goes as it wishes. But one truth is that the more you see, the wilder you can imagine. Immersing yourself in designs with good taste is a great way to keep your creativity warmed up. This can be done by visiting museums and galleries, following great artists on social media, and keeping an eye on global and local design awards. A bonus tip: building mood boards for visual projects is a very efficient practice!
2. It’s Not That Complicated
Or rather, it doesn’t have to be very complicated. Yes, you need to do everything yourself now – accounting, marketing, financing, selling, designing… the list goes on. But it’s not like you need to study the entire corporate law to run your business. You just need to understand the basics and try to find a reasonable solution for every problem you encounter. The solution can definitely be “hire someone to do it.” Hiring someone to do things for you is something we all do from time to time, like the Uber driver that delivers your dinner or the mechanic that changes your oil. Hiring a designer to create a brand logo is no different.
Remember, it’s not just about “how to make it work.” It’s more about “why are you doing this.” The latter defines the purpose, and if you find the purpose, the motivation will be so strong that even complexity will not be able to stop you.
3. A Much More Supportive Community
When I was working my office job, it was rare to meet someone who truly wanted to help you with your career path. I was lucky enough to have 2 managers who supported me unconditionally, but again, I was really LUCKY. Most people need to figure things out themselves. They need to acquire the skills to play cards in the office politics game and wait patiently for the next promotion opportunity. But on the other hand, they need the security because everything they have was built around the job. It’s a tough place, without a lot of freedom. I understand them; I was one of them.
I wasn't brave enough to quit that life by myself, so life gave me a brutal push. It pushed me out of my job, out of my partnership, and out of the cage I kept building and renovating. It was not easy to say goodbye, but it was harder to go back to that life.
当局者迷，旁观者清。”The person involved is confused, the onlooker sees clearly." (It means that those who are directly involved in a situation may not see it as clearly as those who are observing from the outside.)
When I met other entrepreneurs, they were genuinely supportive and wanted to help a fellow out. People ask me what I’m doing with great interest. Some challenged me on my branding strategy to help me improve it, while others consistently suggested new ideas I could work on. It feels like everyone wants you to succeed because if I can make it, they can make it too, and vice versa. It’s the foundation of forming an elevating community. Everyone understands it’s a lonely and difficult journey, and everyone needs to see hope in it. So by encouraging others that they can make it, we are also telling ourselves that we can make it.
Kinda cool, isn’t it?