Erik Kruger: Be a doer, not a talker

It’s 2019 and life is intense. It’s an election year, Eskom is shutting off the lights and it’s tough to keep in a healthy mental state. Bad news for a regular person, but good news for motivational speakers who can help realign those out-of-sync thoughts.

This is where Erik Kruger, the author of Acta Non Verba, steps in.

The book shows his development in trying to make other people’s lives better. It’s essentially compiled from the e-mails he sent out for his mailing list, starting with only four subscribers. Since then he has reached thousands with his inspired words.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Btn84mcnUbi/

What motivates you the most?

Many things drive me to succeed. I have always had a very strong internal motivation to be the best I could be in all areas of my life. However, from a young age I realised that I get fulfilment from helping others.

So it’s a great combination of internal and external motivation for me. There is always a next level and it’s a fine balance finding happiness in the moment, but also allowing the desire for more to push you further.

One item you can’t leave the house without?

My Nomatic backpack. It contains my headphones, wallet, mobile phone, a few books and laptop.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsfIoINHCB2/

What’s the last thing you watched or listened to?

I’ve been watching Shark Tank USA reruns and listening to the new Fall Out Boy album.

Three healthy habits that you practice everyday?

I make sure to get enough sleep. This is perhaps the most important productivity hack. This means that I am in bed at 10pm every night. Not negotiable.

In the morning I have a routine that prepares me mentally for the day. It starts with a cup of coffee, meditation, journalling and a visualisation exercise.

Most of my work is done sitting down. When I am writing or coaching, I can spend hours in my chair. So I schedule regular breaks to get up, stretch, and take a couple of practice golf swings. We must oscillate between rest and performance.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BquR0rlH00e/

In your opinion what is the key to success?

There are many, and they are all cliches. So, perhaps the key to success is exactly that. To embrace the cliches. All the things that you have ever been told about being successful that has not seemed that “sexy” to you.

Things like working consistently, curating the people you spend your time with, seeking feedback, being able to accept failure but to constantly iterate.

What advice would you give to new entrepreneurs?

I’d say that entrepreneurs need to develop and blend three skills:

1. Doing: entrepreneurs tend to get stuck in research mode. Not because they actually need information, but because they fear failing. Less research, more doing.

2. Foster a community: loneliness is common for entrepreneurs. Find a coach or community to support your personal and professional development.

3. Self-development: if you neglect your own development, you will become the bottleneck in your own business. You are the amplifier.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoYdrvWBYNQ/

What was the hardest part about writing Acta Non Verba?

In my case, the book-writing process was atypical. In 2014, I started writing a daily e-mail about leadership, high performance and personal development. It was a way to communicate my message to the world.

My subscriber base grew rapidly so I kept writing the e-mails. At the time of this interview, I have written 778 e-mails. The book is a collection of 165 of the best of those.

The truth is that on some days writing has been easy and on others it has been torture. This is the reality in all creative endeavours.

Your all-time favourite snack?

Does coffee count? Otherwise apple tart made by my girlfriend or mom.

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.