Taking the Plunge from Being Employed to Starting Your Own Gig by Mohamed Adel (Guest Blogger)

When Esther kindly invited me to contribute to her inspirational and successful blog, I wasn’t sure what to write about. 

Perhaps I should write about my fascination with world cultures and my passion for snail mail in this age of technology as a means to connect with people from different backgrounds living thousands of miles away? Should I write about connecting with people who might be different from our norms and our beliefs and convictions? Or should I write about understanding and accepting those who are different to us? Or conflict resolution in our communities and in the wider world? 

Instead I decided to settle on writing about entrepreneurship, that glorified and feared word. I wanted to write not the regular everyday PR talk you find in magazines and on websites, but share honest straightforward advice from everyday entrepreneurs and business people who experienced both success and failure.

I came from a long family of employees. My mother was a teacher and father was a military officer.

After completing a degree in Pharmaceutical sciences, and contrary to their advice, I passed on taking a comfortable government job or choosing a career in academia.

I chose to work in retail, sales, and marketing to develop the most important skills to transition from being employed to hanging out my shingle. But taking the plunge isn’t everyone`s game and it isn’t for the faint-hearted.

Over the years I have probably talked to hundreds of entrepreneurs, friends, contacts, and acquaintances, and took paid and free consulting and freelance gigs to be close to founders and entrepreneurs to experience the action first hand and observe their attitude. I asked them questions, seeking advice, trying to analyze their actions and attitude. I loved to listen their insights on various matters from sales, managing human resources, life goals, success to macroeconomy. 

I agreed and disagreed with their opinions, but learned some valuable lessons. I will try to summarize some of those lessons to you:

1. It is true what they say, you can’t “over plan.” Economy changes, situations change, forecasts in many instances turn unrealistic. But planning makes you prepared. Ready for the unexpected. Like armies when conducting war games to maximize preparation. And don’t forget to write everything down
2. It all starts with a dream, a decision, and setting your goals, then keeping an eye on the ball, and committing to those goals. The situation might change, and your plans and strategy need to change, but not the essence of your goals.
3. Surround yourself with like-minded people - those who took the plunge before you. Learn from them, ask questions, listen to their chatter, discuss business with them, seek advice. This will help you to sleep, breath and live your dream.

If you followed the previous points, a lack of capital or dire financial responsibilities won`t deter you.

1. A good idea, a plan, experience, commitment and consistency and right attitude is the equation to building a successful business.
2. Failure and committing mistakes is a part of the game. Even most seasoned business people fail sometimes. But their experience, knowledge and acumen developed over years of trying lead them to success. Don`t let your fear of failure and the uncertainty take control of your life. 
3. Don`t believe all what you read, hear. Analyze, examine, reflect, and filter all advice you get. 
4. All those business leaders we hear about in the TV and read about in business magazines aren’t flawless. They have biases, anxieties, and they commit mistakes on daily basis. 
5. Growing up in a rich family, or a family of business owners and entrepreneurs really helps, but it is not mandatory for success. 
6. You don’t learn starting successful businesses in classrooms, you learn it in the battlefield, in the market. 

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Mohamed Adel is a healthcare sales and marketing professional and pharmacist by education. In 2004, he moved from his home country, Egypt, to Dubai, UAE, where he currently lives and works. He is a snail mail enthusiast and is interested in travel, art, eastern European classical music, entrepreneurship, current affairs, and conflict resolution.

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This blog post was curated and/or edited by The Ardent Reader, Esther Hofknecht Curtis, BSOL, MSM-HCA. The views expressed in this blog post are those of the guest blogger. Visit Esther's page at www.parrotcontent.com for more information

Book 149: Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War by Mary Roach

My bestie, Liz, is responsible for introducing me to the witty and wonderful Mary Roach, an author I truly admire.

Although Grunt meandered a little more than some of Roach's other books, it definitely kept my attention. More than a few times, it made me appreciate how courageous writers need to be to get the full story, no matter what. To complete this book, Roach had to ask seasoned military professionals embarrassing questions, and got the skinny on every topic from perspiration to shark repellent to in-combat diarrhea. The result is a book that is both fascinating and disturbing, which made me appreciate my Air Force brother more than ever.

I remember when I had the opportunity to be an Honorary Commander for the Dover Air Force Base. I also remember being the least experienced when it came to... well... anything that had to do with the military. I asked a lot of stupid questions but I got a lot of straight answers, even if they came with the occasional sideways glance. I could relate to many of Roach's stories because of this experience.

Our nearby Dover Air Force Base and its Mortuary Affairs is profiled in this book, as well as a fairly accurate description of the town surrounding it.

I enjoyed this book and hope you'll pick it up. Don't skip the footnotes... they're the best part!