#LifeLessons - The Biggest Life Learnings Of Lourds Adalia-Evertse

NAME: Lourds Adalia-Evertse

AGE: 39yrs

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @lourds_trimumpreneur

JOB TITLE: Managing Partner

From hotel receptionist to COO to F&B entrepreneur, Lourds Adalia-Evertse embodies resilience, courage, and the power of reinvention. A triathlete and proud Filipina, she moved to Dubai at just nineteen with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and an unshakable determination to succeed. When the recession cost her first job, she refused to give up and became a founding member of the start-up Creative Zone, helping grow it into one of the UAE’s leading business setup firms. After a decade as COO, Lourds decided to return to her first love, food, and co-founded Spice Grill, growing it from a single restaurant into a thriving three-location brand across Sharjah and Dubai.

Today Lourds shares her biggest life learnings to date with us:

#LIFELESSON – 1: If not now, then when?

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that waiting for the “perfect moment” often means never starting at all. There will always be reasons to delay, doubts that whisper “not yet,” and fears that make us second-guess our readiness. But the truth is, growth only happens when we take that first step — even when we don’t feel completely prepared.

Taking action in moments of uncertainty has taught me that courage is far more important than confidence. You don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin; you simply need the willingness to try. Every experience, whether it ends in success or failure, teaches you something and brings you closer to your true potential.

“If not now, then when?” has become a reminder to act boldly, to stop overthinking, and to embrace opportunities as they come. Because waiting for the right time often means missing out altogether. The path to growth, change, and fulfillment starts with saying yes — today, not someday. In the end, courage to begin is what truly transforms dreams into reality.

#LIFELESSON – 2: Never burn bridges

Over the years, I’ve learned that true success is not only measured by accomplishments, but by the relationships you build and maintain along the way. People come and go in different seasons of life, but the way you treat them leaves a lasting impression. Staying connected with former colleagues, mentors, and friends — even when your paths have diverged — keeps doors open in ways you might not expect.

You never know when life will bring those connections back. A simple coffee catch-up or a heartfelt message can reignite a friendship or spark a new opportunity. I’ve realised that genuine relationships go far beyond titles or transactions; they are built on mutual respect, gratitude, and kindness.

Never reach out to people only when you need something. Instead, take time to nurture connections because you value them as individuals, not as resources. The bridges you keep standing often lead to inspiration, wisdom, and even second chances. In the end, success is not about how far you go alone, but about the relationships that walk beside you — the people who remind you that no achievement is as meaningful as the connections that last.

#LIFELESSON – 3: Discipline Beats Motivation

Motivation is powerful, but fleeting. It rises and falls depending on how we feel, our environment, or our mood. Relying solely on motivation can leave goals unfinished when challenges arise.

Discipline, however, is consistent action — the commitment to keep going even when you don’t feel like it. Discipline is what turns dreams into reality. It’s showing up every day, taking the small steps that accumulate into meaningful results. It’s about creating habits, routines, and systems that keep you moving forward regardless of temporary setbacks. Motivation may spark the desire to start, but discipline ensures you finish.

Challenges, distractions, and fatigue are inevitable, but discipline helps you persist through them. It isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being consistent. It’s the repeated, deliberate effort that compounds over time, producing growth, achievement, and success.

If you want to accomplish meaningful goals, rely less on fleeting motivation and more on building discipline. Develop routines, commit to daily progress, and stay focused even when inspiration wanes. Discipline doesn’t just help you achieve goals — it builds character, resilience, and the ability to thrive no matter the circumstances.