Kriss writes: 7 things in 7 years.
I rarely look back. I just don´t have time for it. I very much live in the future and as much as possible in the moment. But birthdays are the moments when you´re almost forced to look back.
Here are the 7 most important things I´ve learnt over these busy years.
1. People make your world go round
The people around you – colleagues, partners, friends - are the force that keep you going. It takes a lot of energy for an Estonian introvert like me to liaise with people but the more you do it, the more you evolve and it gets easier as you go along. Surround yourself with people you like and life gets better.
2. Don´t be afraid to change things
They say if it´s not broken, don´t fix it. But what if you have a feeling that things are not going in the right direction? Hey, it´s your brand and you´re in charge. Change it before you lose interest.
3. Listen to your gut feeling
At first it´s shaky but with experience and “been there done that” knowledge it gets easier to trust your judgement. No one knows what will happen, so do it your way.
4. Don´t get blinded by achievements...
but do cherish every single one of them. After I won the Estonian Fashion Designer of the Year award in 2014 and the same year we were awarded CoolBrands status in the UK, one of my close friends sincerely asked: “So is that it? Do you still have any motivation to keep doing this?” The world is our oyster and there are always more things to achieve! This is just the beginning.
5. You´re the boss – like it or not
I like to be in charge but deep down inside I have always hoped someone else will make the decisions for me. One day I woke up and realised that it´s my company and I´m in charge. No matter how much advice you ask for, at the end of the day you are the one that has to act. The quicker you do it, the better.
6. Learning keeps you going
You can go two ways with your company – build something, get bored, move on, or build something and keep evolving. And oh how much fun the latter is! Take something and make it better. Find new techniques and improve. You can always do better, you can always push things forward. Get out of your comfort zone!
7. Don´t give up
It´s definitely not smooth sailing. It all looks glamorous on the outside but inside it´s hard work. You just have to remember that what comes down must go up again. It´s like a roller coaster. So just enjoy the ride!
Here are the 7 most important things I´ve learnt over these busy years.
1. People make your world go round
The people around you – colleagues, partners, friends - are the force that keep you going. It takes a lot of energy for an Estonian introvert like me to liaise with people but the more you do it, the more you evolve and it gets easier as you go along. Surround yourself with people you like and life gets better.
2. Don´t be afraid to change things
They say if it´s not broken, don´t fix it. But what if you have a feeling that things are not going in the right direction? Hey, it´s your brand and you´re in charge. Change it before you lose interest.
3. Listen to your gut feeling
At first it´s shaky but with experience and “been there done that” knowledge it gets easier to trust your judgement. No one knows what will happen, so do it your way.
4. Don´t get blinded by achievements...
but do cherish every single one of them. After I won the Estonian Fashion Designer of the Year award in 2014 and the same year we were awarded CoolBrands status in the UK, one of my close friends sincerely asked: “So is that it? Do you still have any motivation to keep doing this?” The world is our oyster and there are always more things to achieve! This is just the beginning.
5. You´re the boss – like it or not
I like to be in charge but deep down inside I have always hoped someone else will make the decisions for me. One day I woke up and realised that it´s my company and I´m in charge. No matter how much advice you ask for, at the end of the day you are the one that has to act. The quicker you do it, the better.
6. Learning keeps you going
You can go two ways with your company – build something, get bored, move on, or build something and keep evolving. And oh how much fun the latter is! Take something and make it better. Find new techniques and improve. You can always do better, you can always push things forward. Get out of your comfort zone!
7. Don´t give up
It´s definitely not smooth sailing. It all looks glamorous on the outside but inside it´s hard work. You just have to remember that what comes down must go up again. It´s like a roller coaster. So just enjoy the ride!