Joseph Su

Takes on Entrepreneurship, Faith & Family for 2019

Fail As If Your Success Depends On It

The majority of us grew up in a society where we are programmed to avoid failure as much as possible.

It’s embedded in our culture: our family, our neighborhood, mass media, schooling system, work environment and basically everywhere you go.

The harshest truth to this is not the insults that come, it’s the branding that goes along with it; if you fail, you’re branded as a failure. This is absolutely ridiculous.

Next year ends my 1st decade in earning online (I started as a freelancer during my college years and founded Telic on the 3rd year of college). The biggest lesson from that journey is the ridiculous amount of failed experiments that needed to be had BEFORE there is an even slight chance of success.

Ask any of the first hires (who are still partner-employees) and they would easily say that for every successful product/department/expansion, there are 2 – 10 failed experiments in the forms of pivots, micro product announcements, mini teams and so many other catastrophes.

In fact, we fail every day. There’s always a problem, an issue, a hiccup. But those failures, whether minor or major, pave the way for the next reiteration.

Since this is true in every realized potential, shouldn’t we rejoice after taking the leap yet falling short?

If this is true, shouldn’t we rethink how we react knowing that each failure gets us closer to a desired result?

If this is true, shouldn’t we embrace failure as a tool to hone ourselves and the people around us (especially if we lead)?

If this is true, shouldn’t we structure our families and loved ones to withstand the failures and maneuver our ways into a more desirable positions?

The goal ISN’T not to fail, the goal is to fail as many times possible but just enough not to be out of the game.

As long as you’re playing, you still have a chance to win.

So I beg you: please fail… because you need to.

You Only Die Once (YODO)

If there’s any saying that has been more harmful in this generation, it would have to be “YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE”.

“Doing that will put me into several years of debt… but you only live once.”

“I know drinking/eating/taking part of that will put me in danger… but you only live once.”

And so, let’s put that into a healthier perspective by making a habit that whenever we go into our “YOLO” mode, we also go into “YODO” mode.

Yes, we only live once, but you also die once. What legacy are you leaving? How will this decision affect the quality of life long-term? How much will making this decision affect what you can sacrifice for the good of others?

In decisions that affect both now and the future, always remember: you only die once.

Why We Need Soundboards

I always cringe when I hear myself talking on a recorded audio/video file.

The sound simply is familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. The scientific explanation is that whenever we talk, we always hear two types of sounds together through the vibration inside our head and the noise that goes through our ears.

When it comes to ideas or plans, listening to yourself through the analysis of others always have benefits. When I am the sole conjurer of a plan, I almost always seem to think it’s the perfect plan. However, many times I am mistaken.

The benefit of having people you trust to listen to your ideas is to have a soundboard to make sure you sound right. It’s amazing how my plans actually sound almost ludicrous when it bounces back to me off of someone.

Just recently, I honestly believes my plan would be the best recourse in a situation. After explaining to people I trust, the sound immediately came back to me and it wasn’t close to good. It was almost destructive.

Lesson learned: planning something big? Listen to it through others first.

Take Good Care Of Them

When you get so busy with life (mostly with work and opportunities), you tend to lose sight of what you have.

The things that you have now and are happening pass you by with a blur. I’ve never thought I’d ever feel as if I’m one of those dads who are so busy with life that they don’t see their children growing up.

Physically, I’m always there. I’m there during breakfast, usually lunch and dinner.

But, I’ve found myself recently more and more not being there mentally. My mind was always gearing towards something “bigger” — an elusive aim that seems to go higher and higher as soon as I can reach higher, maintaining that few inches of separation.

One thing I do love is that realization hits hard during times where you don’t expect it. Just minutes ago (I’m typing this at almost 11PM). my son woke up from his sleep and was looking around to see where we are at (he sleeps in a different bed but in the same room). I went to him and he immediately hugged me and said “Daddy”.

As I put the covers on him and hugged him to sleep on a very quiet night, I realized it was also when the message was loudest: “Take good care of them. Stop looking on what’s not here and focus on what’s here”.

I realized that what kept me preoccupied are things are still not here. Clients who have not yet signed up. Employees who I have not yet hired. Impacted people who have not yet been impacted.

I also realized what got me here is not things to come but things that are here: my family, clients who I’ve taken care of, employees who I have loved and the people that surround me.

I vow to take care of them first by being there physically AND mentally.

Habit of Delaying Gratification

The desire to feel satisfied by acquiring more or achieving more is normal. It’s part of who we are.

However, we must learn how to differentiate between what’s beneficial and what’s detrimental.

What’s not beneficial is the need to immediately give in to our desires for more.

Take Netflix, for example. It’s designed to serve the need to watch a whole 10-hour series in one sitting.

The access to credit is also another symptom of this culture. Institutions drag down downpayment rates and first year interests just enough to entice us to bite at a 5 year car loan.

The spike in deliveries on non-peak hours is another. We see an ad (usually it’s sweet), sees a delivery option despite feeling rather full, and immediately opts to have one delivered.

The thing is, there is always a benefit in waiting an hour more, a week more and even a year more. We don’t have to get it NOW.

This habit matters not only on the big purchases but actually starts on the tiny purchases.

Make it a habit to delay gratification.

The Beauty of Continually Trying

Nothing comes easy. At least for the 99% of us.

We’re all born with a “story”: a parent who doesn’t fulfill his/her responsibilities; a family that doesn’t support our dreams; living with prejudice; it could be anything.

However, we’re all being pushed towards a common trajectory: forward. Whether we like it or not, not everyone sympathizes with our story. Some ridicule it and some praise it. Regardless, this temptation to play the victim in our stories could easily result to us to stop trying. And we must always avoid that from happening.

When we stop trying, we stop the process of continually refining ourselves. When we stop trying, we influence those around us to stop trying themselves. When we stop trying, we deny those who could benefit the most from our work to fully enjoy the talents which God has gifted us. That is tragic.

Let’s not stop from adding beauty in this world. When failure is the result from trying, it simply propels us to the direction of success. Let’s keep trying.

Who Are You Connecting?

I first heard this question during Seth Godin’s talk on “The Tribes We Lead”.

This is a great question to commonly ask ourselves. As an entrepreneur, I would even go as far as suggesting that every time a new business idea comes up, ask yourself this question.

You see, ideas and opportunities are everywhere. But, in this digital media age, if it’s a simple venture to make you more money, it’s designed to work only for a few years.

What will last are businesses that build common-minded people together. This might often mean at the beginning that you microsize your audience but it’s actually building a loyal customer base that is loyal to your brand since you’re also loyal to them.

A business that seeks to connect people towards an environment through your services or products also ensures that it’s easier to deliver their needs. This is contrary to a business who tries to serve all. In doing so, they the ones they actually really care about.

Loyalty goes both ways. Do you want true brand loyalty? Earn it and by giving it first; don’t expect it to be given for free.

Finding 12 True Followers

My fellow Filipinos are getting scammed left and right.

It’s sad as how history seem to have not been used as a reminder especially for this generation as to how instant money is almost always non-existent and dangerous.

As a result, billions of pesos were wiped out from the hands of hard working Filipinos from all sectors of society because of the prospect of “easy money”.

After constantly digesting news about scammed people who have basically invested their life savings only to see them go down the drain, I was faced with a realization that it’s no use complaining about a trait that is common among all people.

Instead, what am I going to do about it? And so, this blog & resource sites begins. Inspired from Kevin Kelly’s 1000 true fans, I am going to start with 12.

All I need is just 12 true followers who are willing to change their lives for the better. 12 lives who have committed to spend an insane amount of willpower and a dose of personal sacrifice to build their own process of building wealth that works for them across multiple generations.

In this blog, expect me to share guides on how to earn money, FOR FREE. Expect FREE guides that teach step-by-step how to start a business. And best of all, expect me to answer frequently asked questions about building wealth, FOR FREE.

Thanks for reading and see you in the next post.