Staying in the game

Start small. Build momentum. Open doors.

Read on hasmukhkerai.com​

Read time: 5 mins

The experiments we try, network we build, and seeds we plant all contribute to our path. It's not always obvious how. Today's email, Reader, is about how small, intentional steps create momentum, even in uncertain times.

Progress rarely comes in a straight line. Things we start often lead to opportunities we couldn't have planned for. By starting small, you can open doors you didn't even know existed.

Most people get stuck waiting for perfect conditions. They try alone or give up too early when things don't work out right away. But it's not about perfection - it's about staying in the game, learning from every step, and building over time.

For years, I felt stuck. Coasting in no direction. Retail work that stretched on for way too many years, with no idea how to get out of it. Pro Evo 6 and Master League behind a closed bedroom door. Five-a-side football, weekly trips to the cinema for films I slept through. But hey, Orange Wednesdays. Watching Man United win at the pub, until they faced Barcelona. Rinse and repeat.

It wasn’t bad, Reader. But it wasn’t enough. I knew something had to change.

After years of watching my friends live adventurous lives from the comfort of my Facebook feed, I finally left. Packed a bag. Climbed into a van with three friends. Crossed the Channel on a ferry.

No plan, not much more money.

It was terrifying.

I’d never lived anywhere but my parents’ house. Now, I was sleeping in a van, eating fruit to reduce the chance of getting sick, and wondering how I’d pay make this work without spending all my savings. No mum to look after me here.

Then came the first spark.

My friends were playing music at a bar, and the owner needed photos. I had a camera. Match found. She handed me cash. For the first time, I realised I could create something valuable with very little.

That moment taught me a lesson I’ve carried ever since: you don’t need to wait for permission to start. If you have a skill, even one you’re still developing, it can open doors.

I kept going.

New adventures. New chances to learn. I found work in Barcelona Manresa. Nope, I'd never heard of it before either. Uncertainty followed me. I never knew what I’d be doing, or where I’d be, in a few months.

Years later, during a period of professional uncertainty brought on by the pandemic and shifting organisational needs, I found myself at a crossroads. It was crushing.​

I needed a way forward. So I started something small: this newsletter.

Not for money, but for momentum. I wrote to stay sharp.

To build connections.
To keep my hands busy and my mind focused.

Starting small brought surprising results. People began signing up, responding, and engaging with the work I shared. It reminded me that momentum builds when you focus on connection and consistency. Slowly, I replaced fear with confidence. Not through big leaps, but by planting and nurturing seeds over time.

That confidence came from constant experimentation. Photowalks, social dinners, a curry club, sports, events, press, and restaurant photography. A couple of consulting gigs. Even a pub quiz I’d love to run again. (And soon, a new idea already gaining traction.)

Each experiment wasn’t just about testing ideas. It was about learning. I’ve learned how to open doors, plant seeds of opportunity, validate ideas with waiting lists, and, most importantly, listen to what people need.

Perseverance, I’ve realised, isn’t a chore, it’s exciting.

Every project feels like navigating a new level in a game. Just like in the PlayStation days, unlocking doors, figuring out strategies, and learning new skills.

The difference now, Reader? It’s not a single-player game. It’s multiplayer.

​Collaboration has been the biggest “level-up.”​

Working with others has opened more doors than I could ever manage alone. Whether it’s through photography meetups, community competitions, getting involved in events, I’ve found that the connections we build often matter more than the projects themselves.

And so, I keep asking:

• How do I find the right players for this game?
• How do we play together, even if our paths seem disconnected at first glance?

It wasn’t just about work anymore. When our son was born, everything changed again.

Before, I'd chase every project, every hour, for more money.
But now? I want time.​

Time to watch him grow.
Time to avoid the regret of missing the moments that matter most.
These are the golden years. No amount of office politics is worth losing out on it. (Entry on How We Use Time)

It made me think about what had kept me grounded in tough times. During lockdown, that was photography.

Walks with my camera gave me purpose when everything else felt uncertain.

Those walks became Focus Positiu, a photography competition. It started small, a way to share the joy I’d found. But now? It’s a community. A place for people to connect, to feel seen, to grow.

None of this has been straightforward. Twists keep coming.

An idea sparks a collaboration.
A newsletter brings a brand collaboration.
One email leads to free conference tickets.
One photo exhibition leads to giving a talk at a university, another leads to a job offer.
​
None of it was planned. But that's the beauty of it.
Seeds planted over time that eventually bloom.

Here’s what I’ve learned: starting small isn’t failure. It’s how you build.​
Experiments, collaborations, and even uncertainty can create momentum if you’re willing to stay in the game.

It's hard to know to what degree what you're doing right now is contributing to what you'll be doing in the future.

To some, it might look like I’ve come a long way. I still think I’m at the beginning.

From where I sit and write this, there's so much more to do.

Just like the loading screen of the game I used to load up the most says: It's in the game.​

TL;DR

• Start small to build momentum: Big leaps aren’t necessary. Experimenting with small projects can open unexpected doors.
• Validate ideas before diving in: Test your concepts with simple tools like waiting lists or small-scale execution to see if there’s real interest.
• Collaboration is your biggest “level-up”: Progress often accelerates when you work with others. Build a network of collaborators, even if your paths seem disconnected at first.
• Perseverance can be exciting: Treat challenges like unlocking new levels in a game. Focus on learning, strategy, and building skills with each step forward.
• Listen to others’ needs: Understanding people’s pain points and aspirations helps you create solutions that resonate and make an impact.
• Time is your most valuable asset: Prioritise what matters so you don’t miss the moments that count.
• Uncertainty is part of the process: Twists and turns are unavoidable. Embrace them as opportunities to learn and adapt.

If you got this far, you're part of 74% of subscribers, so thank you, Reader.

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See you in two weeks.

​Peace,

Has

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