Desert desertion is real, but let me flip it on its head and prepare fresh entrepreneurs for something they might not expect.
Development (construction) in the initial phases is the fun part. For some, it may seem like a slog (hence, desert desertion).
The initial phase is the constant pursuit and achievement of small goals. Find a manufacturer? found one. Need a website, got one. Manufacturer isn't great, need a new one. Got one. And so on so fourth...
This phase is FULL of learning, frustrations, setbacks & dopamine spikes. There's always something new to achieve on a daily basis, whether that's tweaking your site, tweaking your product or validating your market.
And guess what? When you launch, you're faced with the big, fat ZERO. Zero conversions, zero sales & zero traffic. The time frame from launching to receiving your very first market echoe could be WEEKS.
It can feel like preparing for a concert. You practise in front of the mirror for months, acquaintances tell you they'll be there, the public is excited. You make careful adjustments to the custom-fitted suit you bought for this moment.
Alas, the red curtain opens! You inhale, ready to greet your audience! Adrenaline sweeps your system, your heart bursts out of your chest, then... crickets. The only person in view is the cleaner, sweeping up popcorn from the previous show.
It's normal for one to feel defeated, stabbed in the heart and discouraged. Maybe you had 100 people on your newsletter, none of them bought. Your ads are being clicked and drop-off rates are at 100%.
This phase is the most vital in your journey as an entrepreneur. Building is fun, you can see light at the end of tunnel. Your friends and family hype up your project.
The true test is the post-launch depression. Your short-term goals must turn into miniscule milestones:
• Make 1 sale
• Make 3 sales
• Figure out what marketing works, at the expense of your wallet
Through all of this, money will be going in and little to nothing will be coming back out. It's necessary to keep your head screwed on while battling this phase.
• Celebrate the small achievements
• Act, Access, Adjust
• Remember, many pixels create the photo (nice quote from MJ!)
And keep in mind, this battle is what entrepreneurship consists of. There's truly "no such thing as something for nothing". Success in entrepreneurship DEMANDS you persevere each stage of the process.
And guess what? If you have to pivot, SO WHAT! You just went through a process that you couldn't learn by going to college for 5 damn years!
You simply can't embrace the greatness found in entrepreneurship & ignore the ruthlessness you must endure. Each setback is a feather in your cap, making you wiser & strengthening your resolve to ENDURE.
Stop viewing failures and setbacks as obstacles. In order to BE, DO, HAVE, you have to DO. And nobody does something without having their mettle tested.
"Everyone wants to be Tony Montana, but can't relate to Tony washing dishes in the come up".
Development (construction) in the initial phases is the fun part. For some, it may seem like a slog (hence, desert desertion).
The initial phase is the constant pursuit and achievement of small goals. Find a manufacturer? found one. Need a website, got one. Manufacturer isn't great, need a new one. Got one. And so on so fourth...
This phase is FULL of learning, frustrations, setbacks & dopamine spikes. There's always something new to achieve on a daily basis, whether that's tweaking your site, tweaking your product or validating your market.
And guess what? When you launch, you're faced with the big, fat ZERO. Zero conversions, zero sales & zero traffic. The time frame from launching to receiving your very first market echoe could be WEEKS.
It can feel like preparing for a concert. You practise in front of the mirror for months, acquaintances tell you they'll be there, the public is excited. You make careful adjustments to the custom-fitted suit you bought for this moment.
Alas, the red curtain opens! You inhale, ready to greet your audience! Adrenaline sweeps your system, your heart bursts out of your chest, then... crickets. The only person in view is the cleaner, sweeping up popcorn from the previous show.
It's normal for one to feel defeated, stabbed in the heart and discouraged. Maybe you had 100 people on your newsletter, none of them bought. Your ads are being clicked and drop-off rates are at 100%.
This phase is the most vital in your journey as an entrepreneur. Building is fun, you can see light at the end of tunnel. Your friends and family hype up your project.
The true test is the post-launch depression. Your short-term goals must turn into miniscule milestones:
• Make 1 sale
• Make 3 sales
• Figure out what marketing works, at the expense of your wallet
Through all of this, money will be going in and little to nothing will be coming back out. It's necessary to keep your head screwed on while battling this phase.
• Celebrate the small achievements
• Act, Access, Adjust
• Remember, many pixels create the photo (nice quote from MJ!)
And keep in mind, this battle is what entrepreneurship consists of. There's truly "no such thing as something for nothing". Success in entrepreneurship DEMANDS you persevere each stage of the process.
And guess what? If you have to pivot, SO WHAT! You just went through a process that you couldn't learn by going to college for 5 damn years!
You simply can't embrace the greatness found in entrepreneurship & ignore the ruthlessness you must endure. Each setback is a feather in your cap, making you wiser & strengthening your resolve to ENDURE.
Stop viewing failures and setbacks as obstacles. In order to BE, DO, HAVE, you have to DO. And nobody does something without having their mettle tested.
"Everyone wants to be Tony Montana, but can't relate to Tony washing dishes in the come up".
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