When Phillip Bogolub first joined me on Never Been Promoted, I had no idea what to expect. This guy has been an engineer, a musician, an entrepreneur, and now a philosopher with his own belief system. His story is full of twists and turns that I know so many of us can relate to—life throws curveballs, and sometimes, you’ve got to switch up your game plan.
Phillip’s entrepreneurial journey wasn’t what he initially planned, and I think that’s something we all understand at some level. Whether it’s pivoting careers, starting a side hustle, or chasing a passion project, life rarely goes as planned. This episode opened my eyes to a couple of key lessons that I think every entrepreneur should hear.
1. Let Go of the Push: Sometimes You Need to Pivot
When Phillip started his journey, it wasn’t about music or philosophy. He was a medical engineer, deep into the corporate world, working on x-ray tubes and traveling the globe. But, like many of us, Phillip found himself at a crossroad when his company closed. His initial plan? Retire quietly with a pension. The reality? He found a new calling, but only after a lot of trial, error, and finally, letting go of the push.
Phillip said something that stuck with me: “You try to force something, and if it doesn’t come naturally out of your soul, it will fail.” This wasn’t just about music for him—it was a life philosophy. He started off pushing hard to make things happen, but he realized that pushing too hard when it doesn’t feel right will only get you so far. The secret to success, for him, was to evolve, to stop forcing, and start letting things flow.
Key Takeaways from Our Discussion:
- Forcing something rarely works: If you’re grinding too hard and it feels unnatural, it might be time to rethink your approach.
- Serendipity matters: Sometimes, the universe sends opportunities your way—be ready to pivot when the moment calls.
- Embrace evolution, not force: Be open to changing directions when the initial plan doesn’t work out.
2. Find Your Own Voice: It’s All About What Comes From Inside
Phillip’s philosophy, Ajanoi, means “soul knowledge.” It’s about connecting with your inner self and knowing what you’re meant to do. He explained that nobody can tell you what your passion is—only you know that. You’ve got to be willing to go deep and figure out what drives you, and once you do, things start to click into place. Phillip’s journey into music and philosophy wasn’t part of some grand master plan. It happened because he was willing to step back and listen to himself.
He made another powerful point during our conversation: “We are meant to work with people. Collaboration is the key to success.” While Phillip’s journey started as an individual quest to figure out his passion, it was the people around him—his wife, his close friends, and even his students—that helped him refine his vision and bring it to life. He didn’t go it alone, and he was quick to emphasize that none of us should.
What I Learned from His Experience:
- Your passion is inside of you: Don’t rely on others to tell you what to pursue. Take time to reflect and figure it out for yourself.
- Collaboration is essential: The myth of the solo entrepreneur is just that—a myth. Find people to help you grow.
- Trust the process: Once you find what you’re meant to do, trust in it, and let things evolve naturally.
3. Reflections from the Interview
Talking to Phillip reminded me of a lot of things that get overlooked in the hustle and grind of entrepreneurship. His approach, grounded in personal growth and collaboration, is something we could all benefit from. Phillip’s openness about his journey, the missteps, and the eventual success, was refreshing. He didn’t sugarcoat anything, and his raw honesty helped me see a few things more clearly in my own journey as well.
Here’s What I’m Taking Away:
- There’s no rush: Building something meaningful takes time. You don’t need to become an overnight success, and that’s okay.
- Mistakes are part of the process: Every failure is a lesson. Phillip didn’t see his flopped jingles or early compositions as setbacks; he saw them as learning experiences.
- Don’t isolate yourself: Surround yourself with a support network. Whether it’s friends, family, or business partners, you need people to help you grow.
- Don’t force a bad fit: Whether it’s a career, a business idea, or even a partnership, if it’s not working, don’t push it. Pivot, adapt, and move on.
- Know when to stop pushing: When you hit a wall, sometimes the best move is to step back and reassess. Don’t force something that isn’t working.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, Phillip’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and learning to trust the journey. He didn’t have all the answers when he started, and he still doesn’t claim to have them now. But what he has figured out is that success—real success—comes from being in tune with yourself, collaborating with others, and being willing to let go when something isn’t working.
For anyone out there feeling stuck, whether in your career, your business, or even just in life, take a page from Phillip’s book. Sometimes you need to pivot, sometimes you need to listen to your own voice, and always—you need to be open to the journey ahead.
CONNECT WITH PHILLIP:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bogolubrecords/
Website: https://bogolubrecords.com/ajanoi/