It's My Life

Blank sheet of paper

Until recently I’d been deceiving myself for years, believing that since I succeeded in doing business before I can repeat my success again. Unfortunately, it took me this many years to realize that I am just a blank sheet of paper now.

I came to a realization that the skills I relied on to succeed in the past are now nothing compared to what many others are doing now. Perhaps at the time when I started my previous business we were considered one of the pioneers and early entrants into online retail in Singapore, but now the entry barrier has been raised - customers are more demanding, and there is much, much more competition in every market and product.

It’s just like falling down, breaking a leg and then realizing that you have to learn how to walk all over again. A very humbling experience. I don’t think I should wallow in self-pity anymore about what happened in the past, then try to console myself by saying things like “if I could do it last time, I can do it again”. It’s just not going to happen. While I was down and out, the earth was still spinning, people were progressing and now I have to admit that I’m probably no better than any other recent graduate - the only difference is that I have a longer resume, but all the conquests were of years ago.

So many regrets - if only I picked myself up much earlier… but that’s irrelevant now. I ain’t going to look back now. It’s time to move forward and eat humble pie, get the ego out of the way and start by learning how to walk again.

© 2008 this lush garden within.