Tiarnan O'Kane

by Tiarnan O’Kane

In today’s chaotic and unpredictable world, it’s all too easy to be seduced by the allure of short-term gratification, to chase after the immediate reward rather than striving for something more substantial. This mindset, though tempting, will not bring you lasting success. As someone starting out in self-employment or running a small business, you must resist the temptation to focus only on the immediate and instead set your sights on the long-term. Success, real and enduring success, requires the cultivation of solid systems and disciplined personal habits. These are the foundations upon which you build your future, and they will not only shape your life but also the lives of those around you.

Now, I’m not going to sugarcoat it. Success doesn’t just happen. It’s not luck or a fluke of circumstances. It’s the product of hard work and responsibility—two things that, when combined with consistency, create a powerful force for transformation. You must learn to view your daily actions as critical components in a larger system. The small habits, those things you do every day, matter more than you realise. They are not trivial—they are the very things that define your character and, over time, they compound.

Take, for example, the simple act of having a structured morning routine. Now, why is that important? Because the way you begin your day sets the tone for everything that follows. It brings order to chaos. Whether it’s taking a few moments to reflect, planning your goals for the day, or engaging in personal development, these consistent acts bring structure to your life. And structure—order—is essential if you’re going to thrive in the chaotic world of self-employment. Without order, chaos will consume you.

But while order is necessary, rigidity is dangerous. You cannot afford to be so tied to your routines and systems that you become inflexible. Life, as you well know, does not always go according to plan. Things change, markets shift, clients behave unpredictably, and you need to be able to adapt. This is where flexibility comes in. It’s not about abandoning your routines but about knowing when to adjust them in order to meet new demands. Being adaptable means having the wisdom to pivot when the situation calls for it, without losing sight of your overarching goals. That’s the balance between chaos and order, discipline and adaptability, that you must learn to master.

One principle that has guided me throughout my life is the idea of lifelong learning. We are not static beings; we are dynamic creatures capable of profound growth, provided we are willing to learn. As a self-employed individual, the burden of learning falls squarely on your shoulders. No one is going to hand you the keys to success—you must seek them out yourself. But learning isn’t just about accumulating knowledge; it’s about applying that knowledge in the real world. This means you must not only absorb information but also act on it. You need to experiment, take risks, fail, learn from those failures, and adapt. If you’re not learning, you’re regressing. If you’re not growing, you’re stagnating.

Then there’s reflection. Too many people get caught up in the grind, moving from one task to the next without ever stopping to ask themselves: Am I on the right path? Regular reflection is essential if you want to stay aligned with your goals. It gives you the opportunity to step back, take stock of your situation, and assess what’s working and what isn’t. Without reflection, you are liable to drift off course. But with it, you can continually refine your approach and stay true to your long-term vision. Reflecting allows you to transform your mistakes into learning experiences and keeps you grounded in your purpose.

None of this, however, is worth a damn if you don’t lead by example. One of the greatest fallacies in the world today is that people will follow what you say simply because you say it. But they won’t. People follow what you do. Your actions must align with your words, or you will lose credibility. In the realm of self-employment, leading by example isn’t just important—it’s essential. Your clients, collaborators, and partners will look to you as a model. If you’re disciplined, responsible, and committed to growth, they will trust you. But if you don’t embody these principles in your daily life, don’t expect them to take you seriously.

And finally, there’s the matter of relationships. It’s easy to think that working for yourself means you’re in it alone, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. We are social creatures, and success—true success—cannot be achieved in isolation. Building meaningful relationships with clients, collaborators, and mentors is crucial. These relationships are not merely transactional; they are partnerships built on trust and respect. The stronger your relationships, the more resilient your business will be. So invest in people, show them you care, and understand that no one, not even you, achieves success alone.

In the end, the key to thriving as a self-employed individual or running a small business lies in the systems you build and the habits you cultivate. You need consistency to establish order in your life, adaptability to handle the chaos that comes your way, and a commitment to lifelong learning to stay sharp and relevant. Reflect on your progress regularly, lead by example, and invest in the relationships that will support you on your journey.

Because in the final analysis, success isn’t just about you. It’s about what you do for the people around you. It’s about lifting yourself up and, in doing so, lifting others with you.