In this frenzied world, getting your first project or launching your idea in the market, or venturing out on your own is not easy.

In a beautiful book called Ultralearning by Scott H. Young, I came across something called learning in a procedural manner – that is, in my parlance, DIY (Do It Yourself) and learn these tools and ways via a practitioner-led approach.

In simple terms, learning by doing and putting some method to absorb things like a sponge- rather better put, effective execution.

And why, you ask?

Because you are your first customer – even in a job environment, your employer hinges on your skills and services.

So, why not leverage by learning?

Let’s cast a view on another example. If you ever wish to be of service to others, first do it for/ help yourself and see how that transpires.

If you wish to write blogs for someone else, launch your blog and write those first 50 blog posts. Thereafter, you get to learn how to write better blogs and you can then use those leanings to apply them for others in your business ecosystem.

The more you apply your learnings in your ‘owned’ way and on your ‘owned ‘assets, the faster you learn, pivot and then finally grow. This is called evidence-based personal branding for yourself and then eventually for others.

Sometimes your first project may not give you the results you so tenaciously aspired for. But contexts and situation change, and perhaps then you could rewire your creation and launch it again!

Don’t underestimate the power of your body of work – be it in a job or as an entrepreneur. Your personal proof becomes the beckoning social proof when you work with passion, energy and focus for the best people and business outcomes.

This is how self-validation works powerfully over always seeking vague approvals. As Daniel H. Pink rightly says’ advice over feedback’ – I urge you to learn more from a suggestive mindset over having tough love for yourself. That’s when you deploy more kindness and courage to understand your work and its communion with your audience.

Result?

You’ll progress with grace and speed (nice combination?) you would have never imagined before.

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash