Admit it! You've tried to short cut the assembly of cheap but awesomely designed Swedish furniture by dumping out all the various parts and pieces and just going for it.

And then.

You had to take it all apart and start over.

Right?

RIGHT!?

...yup, that's what I thought.

We've ALL done it! I've done it. More. than. once. (I'm a wee bit slow on the uptake)

So, what did you gain? Did it save you time? Did it save you effort?

Well?

(crickets chirping)

Since you all just got eerily quiet, I'll volunteer to answer the question. I gained nothing. Nada. In fact, it took WAY more time and effort to NOT get clear direction prior to beginning.

Why must we learn the hard way?

In truth, we don't have to learn the hard way. We choose to learn the hard way because we are afraid to ask for help or to find the resources we need. Sometimes these lessons learned the hard way can be catastrophic. So to help, I've compiled a list of business lessons to NOT learn the hard way.

Specialize: Do one thing well and focus on that. If you can't do it well, don't do it.
You can't do it alone: Build a trusted and reliable team to support your business focus and you can ask for help.
Get customer feedback: If you ask your customers and prospective customers what they would like, they will tell you! Consider market needs when developing your business.
Find a mentor: Find someone within your industry that has the knowledge and experience you seek and create in them an ally, educator and cheer leader.
Be fair in pricing: Too cheap isn't sustainable, too expensive isn't sustainable. Do your market research and create a fair pricing structure.
Get paid: It isn't a sale if you don't get paid. Get at least some of the money up front.
Learn: Make a commitment to life long learning. Read in your sector, read about other business sectors, trend spot, learn something new often.
Admit when you're wrong: You can save a business deal much easier by admitting the error than by insisting you are right and they are wrong. Take the high road.
Save for a rainy day: The rain will come. Usually when you least expect it and are the least prepared. Be prepared even if it isn't currently raining and there isn't a cloud in sight.
Be grateful: Take care of those who take care of you and show gratitude in all business dealings.

But wait, there's more! There are some things we NEED to learn the hard way and while it may be wise to follow a map, read the instructions or ask our wise mentors.... sometimes you need to experience things first hand for the lesson to be real and lasting. Here's a list of things you SHOULD learn the hard way.

Don't try to please everyone. It's impossible to please everyone and some people will give you terrible advice. Consider, then disregard.
Don't care so much what others think of you. What someone else thinks of you is none of your business. If you are making decisions based on outside approval, rethink that strategy and reevaluate.
Take risks. Yes, sometimes you will fail. Great risk offers great reward. Lack of risk means regret.
Work hard. You are not going to have success unless you really work for it. Right about the time you are ready to give up, remember this and stay committed.
Throw out the map. No one is like you, no one has done it how you would do it. Consider their advice and then go blaze your own path. Draw your own road map to success.

What lessons have you learned the hard way? What advice could you offer?

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