Perhaps the coolest thing about Bruce Lee is that as you evolve, there’s always something about him that will remain relevant. When I was younger, I was all about the martial arts action star. Now, I’m just as into his philosophies.
So really, I could probably do an entire blog with every post titled, “5 Things Bruce Lee Taught Me About ______” and have that blog be pretty awesome.
Wait. Wait. I like that. Dibs.
But today, I’m going to focus on what has been one of the most difficult things I’ve done in recent years: letting my innate entrepreneurial spirit go wild and run its course. Sounds super easy, right? Yeah it’s not.
Turns out that my innate entrepreneurial spirit is kind of a jerk.
Not like a jerk-jerk, but a jerk that doesn’t know it’s a jerk. So, it’s hard to be mad at it.
I knew starting an e-commerce music supply business like Magic Room Brand was going to be hard. Starting a business from scratch is terrifying, liberating, crazy difficult, unpredictable, amazing, dizzying, schizophrenic, lonely, frustrating, and super, super, super fun. Somehow all at once. And that’s just before breakfast.
Because it’s so hard to find footing in a lifestyle that brags about not having any steady ground, you look for footing wherever you can get it — even if only for a little while.
Watching a Bruce Lee movie is one of my favorite ways to “reset” and get some footing. It’s mindless and mindful at the same time.
WATAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!
Much like his blinding fast punches, he’s throwing some serious entrepreneurial lessons at you and you don’t even see them coming. These lessons hit you, and they hit you hard. And they leave a mark.
1. “Don’t over concern yourself with the outcome, but learn, adapt, improve…and then let nature take its course.”
It’s good to know what you want. But plans change. Directions change. Focus changes. Pay attention and make the best decisions you can as you go. That’s what you have control over.
2. “Be like water.”
Being adaptable does not mean being weak. Being able to take the shape of any container means that you’re able to solve a variety of problems, make your customers’ priorities your priorities, and see things from many angles. There is strength in the ability to do this while simultaneously not compromising who you are and what you stand for.
3. “Don’t wish for an easy life, but rather the strength to endure a difficult one.”
This, you guys. Everyday. This. I’m not even going to write anything to explain it because it doesn’t need explaining. Just go read that quote again, take a second, and nod slowly to yourself.
4. Make your best judgement and do it your way.
Bruce Lee was forbidden to teach Chinese martial arts to Americans. Many say that his doing so was what eventually cost him his life (turns out the Chinese mafia were a little stubborn that way). But he had the vision to see that sharing Chinese culture was a good thing in the long term. He always did it his way and was always playing the long game.
Mistakes are going to happen, but there are a few things worse than making a mistake on someone else’s terms. If you assess the risks, go for it, and make a mistake on your terms, then so be it. It’ll be easier to take and live with— assuming that the Chinese mafia won’t kill you, of course. If they might, then what the hell kind of shit are you into, man? Stop reading this and go handle it. Sheesh.
5. Each level gets harder and holds new challenges.
At the end of 1978’s Game of Death, he takes on the bad guys one by one at gangster headquarters (aka Red Pepper Restaurant for you Bruce Lee trivia buffs). After each victory, he goes upstairs to face a new, more badass foe, each presenting him with a new challenge — whether it’s fighting style, weapon, or being 7’2″ tall — that tests both his skill and creativity.
Business growth is good…no, it’s great. But know what you’re getting into when you take those steps to the next level. Challenges get harder and you can’t always rely on just your skills. Creativity, patience, and intelligence will be needed.
Also, it will help if you look badass in a bright yellow tracksuit, but I doubt you do, so yeah…creativity, patience and intelligence. Stick to those.
“A goal is not always meant to be reached,
it often serves simply as something at which to aim.”
— Bruce Lee
BONUS 6. Scars mean you had the courage to go for it.
Starting a business is messy. You’re going to get scars. Remember, though, scars make you look bad-to-the-bone and should be worn proudly. Each one holds a lesson to remember and a story to tell.
Magic Room Brand is a young venture, but one that tests me every single day — spiritually, emotionally, physically, psychologically, and intellectually. The reasons that I hate it some of the time are the same reasons why I love it most of the time.
Starting a business — really, starting anything — is an exercise in patience and determination. Easier said than done, I know.
But in the meantime, take a breath and reset. You got this.
