2 lessons I learned as a founder
As a founder, I've had my share of experiences that have taught me two valuable lessons:
- the importance of accepting defeat and
- the need to focus on the long game.
Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I found myself getting caught up in short-term metrics.
I wasn't looking beyond the hood of the car.
Decisions were made in the spur of the moment--often reactionary to minor setbacks.
I found myself caught in a whirlwind of emotions,
where any small setback felt like a crushing blow.
When you're "in the trenches," it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day challenges and lose perspective.
Here's the thing:
Business is not a sprint; it's a marathon.
I promise you're not going to win every battle, every quarter, or every month.
Defeat is not just an obstacle;
it's an opportunity.
Each loss has a lesson that success could never reveal.
Here are some strategies for maintaining a long-term perspective and embracing defeat as part of the journey:
Zoom out, often.
I realized that I had been focusing on the wrong things.
I had become so fixated on immediate results that I had lost sight of the bigger picture.
Celebrate small victories
but don't let them distract you from the bigger picture.
We're our own worst critic, but pat yourself on the back from time to time.
Have patience
success doesn't come overnight,
remember that progress is still progress, no matter how small.
Keep learning.
Remember, success is not about perfection;
it's about persistence.
And resilience
By playing the "long game," you're not just better suited to take the bumps and bruises of entrepreneurship
You're also learning to stand strong in the face of failing.
What do you do to remind yourself to zoom out?