There will be setbacks and losses along the way. You’ll be down. Just remember: defeat is temporary. There is always another day, another way. The only thing that is permanent is giving up.
Pitch your weaknesses
It’s counter-intuitive, but when you’re pitching to raise money or get a customer or hire a star, lead with your weaknesses. It disarms the audience. It makes you look smart. It makes you trustworthy. It make you look humble. It shows you’re aware of the risks. It psychologically nudges the other person to think of…
Products don’t create value, customers do
Some people think businesses are built on the back of great product. Not true. Look at the Segway: incredible product, no business. Businesses are created on the back of customers. You have to give customers what they want. Products don’t create value, customers do.
Success has no time limit
Just because you haven’t made it yet, doesn’t mean you won’t make it. Just because you’re 65 and in second place, doesn’t means you’re not going to win. Success has no time limit. The only limit is how long you’re willing to grind.
Believe in yourself
If you don’t, no one else will.
Focus on your race
It’s hard enough winning without looking to your left and right to see how the opposition is doing. In fact, taking your eyes off the finish line slows you down, and gives the other guy a chance to beat you. So forget about the rest. Focus on your race.
Be yourself, gloriously
Don’t just be yourself. BE yourself. Own everything that makes you special. No apologies. Be yourself, gloriously.
Do you want to live a mediocre life?
Be honest with yourself. Do you? There’s nothing wrong with Yes. Plenty of options for that path. The trouble comes when the answer is No. Then you have to wake up now, today, and start taking the path less travelled. Swing for the fences. Go for glory. A life of adventure. But first ask yourself:…
Beware a “safe pair of hands”
If you’re going to build a business, you need a maverick. If you’re going to fight off competition, you need a fighter. If you’re going to shoot for the stars, you need a visionary. For some businesses, the safe route is the best route. For others, the safe route leads to failure. Which one are…
No one said getting rich would be easy
One of the reasons you’ve chosen to be an entrepreneur is the hunger for financial freedom. For getting rich. That’s part of what makes the struggle worthwhile. The payrolls, the rejections, the long hours, the uncertainty. No one said getting rich would be easy.
Maybe she’s busy
You’re waiting for feedback on a deal. A big sale, it will make or break your company. It’s the most important thing in your life. Why hasn’t she phoned back? Have they rejected it? Is she too afraid to break the bad news? Or maybe she’s busy. Chill.
Man up
Most times in business, it’s not too hard. You bump into competitors, or partners, or employees, or customers, or suppliers, but you resolve things without conflict. But sometimes, it gets hard. Those are the times that separate the men from the mice. When you find yourself there, there’s only one thing to do. Man up.