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Being an entrepreneur is more than the business you start. People buy from the person or the idea behind the business. They make that buying decision when they know the entrepreneur, like him and/or his business, and have some trust. You have to continue growing as an individual to be an entrepreneur trusted by your customers and leads.

It’s sad when an entrepreneur feels they’ve “arrived” and don’t continue growing in their life and business. I learned this lesson the hard way in my first business, which is why it had major issues, so in my second business I’ve continued to do what it takes to be the best version of myself. The result has been explosive growth every year.

Professor Geert Hofstede conducted one of the most comprehensive studies of how values in the workplace are influenced by culture. He defines culture as

“the collective programming of the mind distinguishing the members of one group or category of people from others”.

The six dimensions of national culture are based on extensive research done by Professor Geert Hofstede, Gert Jan Hofstede, Michael Minkov and their research teams.

The application of this research is used worldwide in both academic and professional management settings.

Some expatriates relocate for job opportunities, for a cultural change, or for an entirely new way of life. Some are in search of better schools. Some are looking for better healthcare. Others just want to retire to a tropical island and drink cocktails on the beach.

Regardless of your motives, there are many things to consider before leaving your native country and moving across the world.

A British banker and mother of two who has lived in Hong Kong since 2008 recently told me that “push factors are adding up” and she’s “close to the point” of taking the risk of relocating to Europe for the sake of her eight-year-old daughter’s well-being after a year of schooling disruptions. Welcome to the Covid-19 reset.

This year has thrown into question, on a personal level, the long-term expatriate lifestyle made possible by being able to hop on and off a plane. With coronavirus risks, restrictions and quarantines, living abroad isn’t so easy anymore. Many global nomads are heading home — or at least, thinking about it, exchanging often glamorous lifestyles for getting back to basics.

There are so many benefits to learning a second language… and I’ve come up with 17!

I know these benefits of learning a second language from my own experience learning languages. Plus I’ve seen them in action watching others learn languages in communities like the Fluent in 3 Months Challenge. I’m a native English speaker. I also speak Japanese, Spanish and Korean in varying degrees.

Many of the benefits are also backed up by scientific research, and I’ve linked to this research where that’s available.

Wouldn’t it be nice to improve your memory, boost your physical and mental health, and make more money? You absolutely can, and it doesn’t take a magic potion or luck. All it takes is learning a second language!

In 2004 when I set out for China and the world unknown, I never intended on starting my own business. I wanted an adventure, to travel and to see places most only dream of. My adventure became more of an education than a 25-year-old wanna-be expat could have ever imagined. I built an international network and learned to problem solve in ways I never thought possible. I grew an understanding that the American way wasn’t always the best way and got comfortable being uncomfortable. I learned to take risks.