𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝘂𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲

Startup growth is exhausting. There will be much uncertainty, pressure, and fatigue while building a business and developing yourself.

Keep going.

You'll learn a ton, find dignity in what you accomplished, and know yourself better.

In startup lure, some founders gloriously exit in just a few years. However, that is rare, like playing basketball versus making the NBA.

By installing a steadfast approach to face challenges over the long-term, you increase the chance for success and build resilience during chaos.

Be Honest

Many others will want the best for you. However, their advice often will be grounded in their own desires and fears.

To formalize your north star, sit in a room alone and commit to your desired future. Follow the advice of Fyodor Dostoevsky:

❝𝑨𝒃𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍, 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇.❞

When you make decisions, catch the word "should" as it often suggests what others tell you is best yet it may not be your genuine dream.

Being candid with yourself guides positive growth.

Be Clear

Formalize your vision and values for your company.

Many aspects of your business will evolve, but these remain constant.

When seeking new opportunities, exploring bold ideas, or facing daunting crises, these principles will inform your decisions.

When feeling exhausted, or defeated, these principles will remind you why keep going.

Be Prepared

At some point in your journey, you will laugh, cry, fear, and feel pride – in fact, you may face all of those emotions in one day!

Knowing these struggles are inevitable, plan how to manage your stress.

Decide in advance to take care of yourself and determine where you are willing to compromise between work and your relationships and lifestyle.

Block regular times for self-care including sleep, exercise, and friends.

Be Supportive

Many founders are our own worst critics.

When a friend or loved one is struggling, we instinctively help. But when we start to struggle, we often criticize ourselves instead of sympathizing.

Nuance is tough but learn BOTH to be your best self AND to forgive yourself when, inevitably, you make mistakes.

When there are problems, quickly take responsibility and fully make amends as needed, but do not dwell on beating yourself up.

Be Constant

Every journey is ultimately unpredictable. However, you can create systems to keep driving forward.

Set recurring times to build, revise, and discuss plans since going fast means nothing if you are headed in the wrong direction.

Create feedback loops to stay the course, to reinforce efficiency, and to encourage resilience.

Encourage innovation by formalizing a process to suggest, prioritize, and implement new ideas.*

The right mindset and preparation will improve perseverance, performance, and self-esteem towards incredible change and growth.

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* Post titled Go Everywhere: How to Foster Innovation can be found here: https://bit.ly/3OkHZcV