Personal startups are always a favorite subject of mine. I had some, in my time. And always, I wondering about the hows, whys, and whats of each situation. Every time [!!!].
I start my education, when computers where the size of a floor and programming involved the punching of a pile of cards, to do even the simplest calculations.
At that time, personal computing involved the connection of a box to a TV and it was limited to only basic computing tasks and, of course [!!!], playing some games. I start learning programming with a Sinclair ZX Spectrum (TV as a monitor, a tape and storage medium, and some games along with a BASIC interpreter, the full application suite!)
Later on, came the first PCs (Personal Computers) with some more capabilities. I’m not sure, that many people today realize that computer literally means a device that computes (not much resemblance with today’s machines, ah). The first high languages I learn was C (no ++ in those days, thank you very much) and COBOL.
A Small Personal Startups Review
In 90’s I had to start all over again, learning to work with computers in a business environment and familiarize myself with that new exciting thing calling the Internet. In 2000 decade new technologies came forth, in the business scenery.
Exotic resources became available both for personal as for professional use; resources such as multimedia, mobile technologies, collaboration tools, e-Learning & distance learning, wikis, blogs and social media. Along that came the advancement in the personal computers, the consumer electronics, the mobile technologies, and the introduction of the processors in areas, previous were absent.
All this era characterized by more miniaturization (in devices, processors, peripherals), enhancement in processing power, enhance mobility, mass entrance of technology in our everyday activities (Smart TVs, MP3s, Tablets, Smartphones, etc), new products, democratization of technology, the rise of interaction via the social media, the enhancement in synergies and collaboration via new technostructures, the augmentation of the knowledge and sharing economy and the introduction to the global scene of the concept of the Internet of Everything (or the Internet of Things).
All these changes, have started slowly but gained a lot of momentum during the earlier years. It was not only technology changes but were cultural, societal and political, as well.
They have a huge impact on our way of thinking and doing things.  And of course, being a concerned citizen, a business involved professional, and responsible person, I had to process, assimilate, learn, use (and abused sometimes), exploit and ultimately (by personal bias [!!!]) master all this new knowledge and tools. It was not an easy thing, believe me [!!!]. Not an easy decade, I bet you(!).
An Approach on Personal Startups and a Roadmap
Life introduces a lot of professional & personal startups. Some are easy, some are difficult to cope with, involving a lot of an effort by yourself. But as a general rule, it worth doing it.
It is worth to have the mentality of starting something new either on a personal or professional level because the whole process would give you not only incentives but would also make you to developing new initiatives ideas, approaches, resources, otherwise would remain dormant.
Professional and personal startups, alike, (especially in the cases, when you have to start all over again, or you have to start something new, or …) involves:
- An idea, a vision, an objective, a passion
- Overcoming of the doubts, personal obstacles, etc. A Start-up on empty approach and feeling!
- Decluttering and remove all the wrong things (knowledge, ideas, approaches, attitudes), filtering, organization
- A sense of direction, a plan, S.M.A.R.T. goals and time schedules.
- Preparation
- Learning + training
- Mastering of concepts and skills
- Starting the new course of action you have decided of (business, ideas, relationships, etc) – actually doing it without delays and excuses
- Persistence of your path, vision, and goals
- Scheduling of the intended results in specific times
- Constant monitoring and review of the process
- Readiness to change your course of action, if not applicable, out of your specifications or boundaries or effective according to your set goals
Off course is a process. And sometimes it may be an intimidating and a difficult one. But the most of the times, the absence of action (the remaining of someone in a place, job, idea or position), may be proved, in the long run, an even greater risk from the one, someone he/she is called to assumed with his/her action. It is a matter of degree, and, as always, it is a matter of thinking.
Are you ready to do a new beginning? Are you ready to startup? Do you feel OK for your personal startups or not?
