El Kwang’s decade-long entrepreneurial journey unveils valuable mentorship lessons that paved his way to finding purpose and creativity.
On 14th January 2024, I celebrated my 10th year as an entrepreneur, and what a privilege it has been to embark on this “adulting” journey.
Over the past two weeks, I’ve been reflecting on what initially sparked this entrepreneurial itch a decade ago. At first, I thought it was a mix of ego and naivety, a desire to break free and do my own thing. However, as I revisited notes from mentoring sessions and scrolled through the photo gallery on my phone, the truth became clear: I had an insatiable urge to explore my purpose and creativity.
It is not new news that relationships matter. Along this journey, I’ve received invaluable support from my family, friends, ex-bosses, clients, industry colleagues (even the competitors), and mentors. I’m truly grateful for their guidance, which has allowed me to interpret their advice and weave them into my path. Here are some of the key lessons I’ve learned along the way:
- “Fish stinks from the head” – a saying from my favourite Greek visionary. I learned that there’s a real difference between accountability and self-blame. The former promotes positive change and self-regulation, while the latter is a toxic, passive-aggressive mindset that can lead to destruction.
- “Don’t lose your spark to the joy stealers” – this advice proved invaluable when I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey. Some people felt uncomfortable with my spark, but I eventually learned (the hard way) that their insecurity has nothing to do with me. I can only control my own mindset. Once I accepted this fact, my inner light started to beam and I began holding my own ground.
- “Keep doing little things” – I learned this lesson when I felt depressed and disillusioned about my world mid-way into my journey. Little did I know that the seemingly insignificant actions I once dismissed as irrelevant to my profession would change the way I managed fear. They propelled me into action and prevented me from ruminating. This “little” skill proved to be a lifeline during the COVID-19 restrictions, as I honed the art of focus and flow.
- “There is power in hopes, dreams, and imagination” – this advice taught me to take my time in defining my dreams but to put extra effort into communicating them clearly when rallying people to board my “bus”. I could see the spark of belief in people’s eyes when they bought into my hopes and dreams.
- “Forecast your energy” – I learned this valuable lesson from Mary Barrett during the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Singapore. It helped me find my balance even during psychologically depleting moments. Now, I can pinpoint the exact moment to ignite my enthusiasm and be totally purposeful about it.
- “Change is a mindset, not a punishment” – this was truly a game-changer for me. When I let go of the self-punishing “pity party” act, I found strength within myself. As a bonus, I began to sleep better.
- “Don’t give in to the sensation of feeling time-poor” – I’ve made some of my worst decisions and acted out of character far too many times when feeling rushed. As a result, I’ve learned to say “yes” only when the conditions are right.
This is my dedication to those who, like me, are dreamers and believers in the power of hope and imagination. May you be well. May you be centred, and May you be blessed with good health on your own unique journey.