One of the most exciting and, at times, daunting aspects of being an entrepreneur is the requisite accelerated learning curve! Get ready to get outside of your comfort zone as you put on multiple new hats and take on unfamiliar and sometimes intimidating tasks. If you can frame the inevitable challenges as opportunities to grow and learn, you'll gain extremely valuable experience. Take on that "growth mindset."
"The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even (or especially) when it’s not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset. This is the mindset that allows people to thrive during some of the most challenging times in their lives." Author and Entrepreneur, Carol Dweck
Rather than getting married to your idea early on, recognize that it's going to shift significantly throughout this process. Be ready to continuously question the beliefs you hold to be true about your business idea. In so doing, you will open yourself up to customer insights and feedback, giving you the flexibility you need to find a solution that people will want to use.
Even the most successful entrepreneurs aren't amazing at everything. It's helpful to recognize your gaps in knowledge and reach out to others who can provide complementary experiences and skills. Moreover, as founders, we tend to get pretty heads down, and it can be refreshing to bounce ideas off of an objective third party. And whether you own it or not, you have a ton of valuable insight that could be helpful to others on their entrepreneurial journeys. We believe that connecting with others will unequivocally make the journey more enjoyable, not to mention more successful.
Everyone is going to have an opinion about what you're doing. Hear what they have to say, soak it all up, but then go home and reflect on it, and only hold on to what's helpful to you. In other words, we don't suggest following every piece of advice that you receive. Before second-guessing your direction or decisions based on third-party feedback, remember that you know more about your company than anyone else and trust your critical thinking abilities.
Company building **is an iterative process of diverging (generating possibilities) followed by converging (eliminating possibilities). In doing so, you're going to feel like you're on a non-linear path that goes forward, backward, sideways, and in circles. We want to manage your expectations around this because it can come along with emotional highs and lows. So buckle up!
This journey is not a sprint or even a marathon; it is a mega-ultra-triathlon that will last the next several years. Don't put off waiting for the major milestones (e.g., funding or exiting) to celebrate. Take pride in accomplishments along each step of the journey, and you'll gain more significant momentum. Take yourself out to lunch, share your wins with family members, go for a celebratory weekend trip, and leverage that energy to take you into the next stage!
You've heard about the 24/7 entrepreneur lifestyle. We beg to differ! Yes, it's going to be hard, but we believe that balance and carving out time to do the things you love will make you more productive and energized. We're talking exercise, mindfulness, nourishment, sleep, hobbies 💇🏽🌻🏄🏻💅🏼🎶🎨😍 ! What's sustainable for you is dependent on you, but we're big fans of the idea that personal wellness is the foundation for successful company building. So go for that swim or get that facial (and don't feel guilty about it - your company will be better when you're at your best).
"Once you look at the science, you realize that there's no contradiction between your well-being and success. In fact, the more you prioritize your well-being, or as they tell us on airplanes, you put your own oxygen mask [on] first, the more effective you are." - Huffington Post and Thrive Global Founder Arianna Huffington
Unless you are exceptionally confident (good for you!), it's unlikely that you'll feel completely prepared to take the leap and start your business. But the only way to do it is by jumping in. So put those limiting beliefs aside and believe in your ability to learn quickly and navigate the roadblocks. We're here to encourage you along the way and to help you avoid spending time and money spinning your wheels. But you've got this, so take it!
For a little inspiration from a founder who has achieved significant success recently, check out this video made by Blackbird Ventures with Mel Perkins, Founder of Canva, an online design website.
“The key to success is to start before you are ready.” Marie Forleo, Entrepreneur, Writer and Philanthropist