“My product is great. My vision is sound. My team is amazing.”
– The Entrepreneur’s Creed
Reality is a harsh place. Almost everything that is worthwhile doing is very hard, and despite what you might learn in school, there is no credit for hard work. There is very little recognition for your success and plenty of recognition for your failures. To be frank, the world is out to get you.
The good news is that there are no rules. You can do whatever it is you like, pursue whatever goals you desire and set your own definition of success. Other people will try to do this for you, but there is nothing forcing you to listen to them. You set your own rules and choose your own path.
Starting a business is a great case study of these two characteristics of life. Anyone can start any kind of business whenever they want, setting whatever goal they desire. Unfortunately, most people who start a business run out of money, fail to acquire customers or simply not be able to get started in the first place. Reality kicks in and shows you that starting is easier than finishing, and money does not come as easily as your dreams. Being an entrepreneur is a lonely pursuit because, in many ways, it is you against the world.
When you are starting a business, you will inevitably talk to other people, most of whom will tell you that you will not succeed. They are almost always correct because it is very unlikely you will succeed. However, success cannot be impossible or else there would be no companies in business today. So the question is not if you can succeed. It’s will you succeed, or will it be the next person? Everyone will tell you it’s the next person.
The best defense against the harshness of reality is perseverance. Since the world is telling you that you will not succeed, you have to believe in your heart that you will. This is not denial because the belief in your heart is based in facts. You don’t just believe, you know. You have done your homework and designed a great product. You have studied your market and have a clear vision for the future. You have surrounded yourself with a great team that works well together.
Does that guarantee success? Of course not, but it ensures that you play the game as best you can. Even the best baseball players will only get a hit at 1 out of every 3 at bats, but they approach the plate every time convinced that they can get a hit. That inner strength, born from perseverance and knowledge, is what gives you a chance to succeed. That chance is the most life will offer. So take it, and use it as best you can.
So every morning, with complete conviction, repeat after me:
My product is great. My vision is sound. My team is amazing.
This article was originally published at Sean on Startups, a blog about starting and growing companies.
Image Credit: CC by Brett Jordan
