​Read this on matthewdoan.com​

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I’ve been on this entrepreneurial journey for over 5 years, and out of corporate for the last 2 years.

Today, I’m sharing 12 lessons I wish I’d known in shifting from corporate to entrepreneurship.

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The Secret

Here are 12 lessons I wish I’d known in graduating corporate life and becoming an entrepreneur:

(CONTEXT: I had a wife, 4 kids, and a lifestyle to protect.)

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𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲

1) Target corporate for 4 hours/day (essentials only)

Parkinson’s Law states, “Work expands to fill the time allotted.” Apply this by identifying the absolute must-do items at work, filtering everything else out, and time-boxing your “9-5” to a much smaller window than that. “Double Count” personal priorities for work when possible.
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2) Make yourself scarce (hard to access)

Robert Greene reveals this strategy in The 48 Laws of Power: “Use Absence to Increase Respect and Honor.” When you’re hard to reach, your perceived value goes up. When always available, you’re perceived as a commodity — and they take advantage of you.
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3) Protect high-energy timeblocks for deep work

Most people have a 2-3 hour daily window during which their creative juices flow. Don’t let aimless meetings or anything you could do during lower-energy timeframes overrun your day. Whether coding, writing a client report, or building your business, use high-energy zones for meaningful deep work.
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4) Corporate folks won’t “get it” (and that’s okay)

As you grow, you’ll feel distanced and different from colleagues. They’re still plugged into the Matrix, but you took the red pill. Like moving on from old friends who haven’t grown up, be okay with moving on.
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𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀-𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴

5) Centralize your genius

You have a genius unlike anyone else. It has nothing to do with your corporate role and is likely hidden. Use a process that surfaces and clarifies your genius so you know the primary weapons to use in your business (this becomes your differentiator).
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6) Serve your Magnetic Match

Your Magnetic Match is the person or group you feel compelled to help. You know their problems inside and out. You’re excited to work with them; they feel the same about you. It’s a “magnetic” feeling. Hint: start with your past self.
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7) Build your “1 of 1” category

With your genius and Magnetic Match in hand, plant your flag. Tell the world, “Here’s who I serve, and here’s the transformation I provide.” Frame, name, and claim that personal category. Use languaging so people perceive you (and your business) as unique.
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8) Start “premium” (high-ticket, exclusive, small)

Don’t fall victim to that noise about building a large audience and selling cheap digital products. You’ll exhaust yourself. Instead, package your genius into ONE premium, high-leverage, easy-to-deliver service. Create a transformational outcome for your Magnetic Match. This is how you jumpstart your business quickly.

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𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲

9) “All-in” support from your spouse is essential

Don’t take this for granted (as I did). Entrepreneurship will test you and your marriage. Your business success (and life success) depends on you and your partner being energetically aligned. Through the inevitable ups and downs, you are doing this together. Make no mistake about that.

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​10) Obssessively nurture good energy in your home

​The Energy Game is the game of life. When you (and those around you) are vibrating in emotional states of joy, optimism, and progress…business and life prosper. Figure out your daily work to nurture good energy in yourself, which impacts your loved ones, too. Focus your thoughts only on what you want — not what you lack. Remember: Thoughts → Feelings → Actions
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11) Expect “Grow-Stabilize-Dip” as your pattern

Just like building muscle in the gym, focused work brings gains. But then you plateau for a bit. Then you reach for new heights, but you get knocked down. Zoom out and realize this is how growth happens 📈
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12) Activate your future self ASAP (& give them control)

Your ideal future self is bolder, more assertive, and in control…right? Write about, speak about, and envision that version of you. See and feel that person in your mind. And then call upon them day after day to make hard decisions now that will create the future you and your family deserve. Be your future self now.

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It only took me 5 years and $150K+ to learn these lessons.

Not only am I sharing them here, but I’ve infused these lessons (and so much more) into my Uncaged Life Design program.

I hope they inspire you to new actions right now.

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📤 Shoot me a reply: Which lesson stands out and why?

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Mind-Bender

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Podcast

​117: Make Your Employer Your Investor

You've given a lot to your corporate career. Now that you've got a foundation, it's time to change the rules.

The job is no longer an asset to be coveted. YOU are the asset. Direct all energy to building your future self.

Learn how to make your employer your investor.

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That’s it for today, my friend! I appreciate you.

—Matt

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