7 Great Solopreneur Lessons from Game of Thrones
If you ask me, I love Game of Thrones. I’ve read the books more than once and watched the show. But I’m not just a GoT fan, I’m also a solopreneur.
Being one, I’ve uncovered important lessons from GoT that apply to my business. You might find them useful for helping you succeed too. Here are the 7 lessons:
1. Never stop learning.
Tyrion Lannister is perhaps the most interesting characters of Game of Thrones. If you know him, you’d agree that the one thing he teaches solopreneurs is to keep on learning. Continuous learning allows you to expand your skill, grow in your niche, and stay relevant to your customers.
Read: 7 Solopreneur Self-Improvement Hacks for Personal Growth
2. Always be prepared for challenges.
House Stark’s motto, “Winter is coming” is a catchy way of telling us that we need to prepare for upcoming storms. Financially speaking, solopreneurs must build a safety net or emergency fund should the market change. As early as possible, strengthen your relationship with your customers to encourage repeat business.
Read: Smart Budgeting Habits for Solopreneurs
3. Believe in yourself.
Daenerys Targaryen has a long list of titles, from Queen of the Andals to Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea to Mother of Dragons. And it means only one thing -- that she claims to be the most powerful in all of Westeros. Like Daenerys, you must have to believe in yourself before anyone else does.
4. Turn your weaknesses into strengths.
Tyrion has a word of advice for solopreneurs who are ashamed of their weaknesses: “Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor, and it can never be used to hurt you.” True, there are things about you that you hate and may not be able to change. However, you can use it for growth. Why not shift your perspective of your weakness, see it in a different light? You can also be authentic about it.
5. Get a mentor.
Aria was first taught by Syrio, and now Jaqen H'ghar. Both mentors trained her on how to be fearless. Solopreneurs who are new to the industry benefit from the help of mentors. Mentors help you navigate the uncertainties of running an business. They offer honest insights, even truths that hurt but contribute to your growth.
6. Focus on what’s most important.
Jon Snow brings a Wight to King’s Landing to convince everyone that the White Walkers and Army of the Dead Exist. What people should be concerning themselves with is fighting against the dead army. In business, while everything seems to be equally important, you should be able to prioritize. Identify tasks that if not done, will lead to serious consequences. Learn to be adaptable anytime -- to change strategy if you must.
7. Just because you’re small, doesn’t mean you can’t do it.
Remember what 10-year old Lyanna Mormont said: "I don't plan on knitting by the fire while men fight for me." You may be a small business, a new solopreneur, but you can do big things. When others expect you to fail, show the opposite. If you have passion, you can be as creative as you can be.
Read: 8 Actionable Tips For Small Business Success
Game of Thrones season 8 will be airing next month. If you’re excited, I’m more excited. Liked this blog post? Feel free to share more solopreneur lessons if you have some in the comments below.