November Reflections: A New Business Milestone, A Dose of Reality, and A Renewed Drive

Hey everyone,

It’s been just over a month since I launched my business, and already I’m on track to make over £1,000 profit in November. It’s unreal to see things taking off this quickly, and as demand grows, I’m actively hiring throughout November. Having someone on my team has been a game-changer, letting me focus on the bigger picture and step into more of a managerial role.

But make no mistake—I’m putting in serious hours to build this. Between my business and my job, I’m logging well over 100 hours a week. My mum even said I’m pushing too hard, and that’s coming from an Asian background where hard work is the baseline. But at the start of any venture, you’ve got to go all-in. The effort I’m putting in now will pave the way for the freedom I’m aiming for, likely in my early twenties—when most people are only beginning to question if they’re happy with their jobs.

So many people convince themselves they enjoy their jobs until they believe it’s true. Often, they had a dream they never pursued due to a lack of belief. For me, belief is the foundation of success. When you truly believe in what you’re building, that belief fuels discipline, hard work, and every other factor that leads to progress.

Some people say, “But you’re wasting your twenties! You never have time to party or enjoy life!” Frankly, that’s nonsense. I partied all summer, play paddle and tennis with friends every week, and enjoy a pint every other week when I feel like it. People use these excuses to feel better about their own choices. Real wasted time? That’s sitting for 7 hours a day, doing something you hate, just to wait for the weekend. There’s nothing fulfilling in that.

A big hurdle this month has been the sheer amount of time lost to admin and taxes. Honestly, the bureaucratic efficiency here is nonexistent. It’s like dealing with a black hole that slows everything to a crawl, making every minor task an ordeal. Nothing gets done efficiently, and it’s frustrating to have to fight through layers of incompetence just to get basic business tasks handled.

And after 3 weeks of near-constant work, I finally made it back to the gym on Saturday. Normally, I can do a flat dumbbell press with 35 kg for 7 reps across 3 sets, but this time I struggled with 25 kg. It was a wake-up call, reminding me how easy it is to slip up on fitness when you’re grinding on other things. But now I’m committed to getting back to three days a week.

I can truly say I love what I do 110% and am excited for the things that lie ahead—can you say the same? Is this the dream you had as a child? If not, you still have time to change that; it’s never too late.

Z