On My Guidance to Entrepreneurs: Don't wait, get in the race!
I have had the privilege to be requested for guidance from dozens of early stage companies. The founders are still busily shaping their product or service, assessing their ideal targets and working day and night, often while still holding another job. Admirable.
Taking these calls is always intriguing as the palpable angst and joy accompany their words while sharing their current state.
It's important to note how intelligent, talented, driven and committed they are as a whole.
Do you want to know the biggest challenge of all?
🎯Their quest for perfection.
Sadly, this noble goal is most often their Achilles heel.
The analogy is apropos as the leading cause of their lack of traction is the crippling effect of a 'Perfection or Bust' mindset.
Witnessing these brilliant solutions up close however, I am often saddened to watch as their brainchild slowly loses its luster, getting dusty as the founders drag out the 'go-to-market' process- merely because their pride wouldn't allow them to enter the ring with any flaws.
Meanwhile, other smart creators notice the same gaps to solve, thinking and acting more swiftly. It's easy to snicker at their enthusiasm while finessing your solution, but slowly, surely they gain on those craving perfection prior to entering the race.
WHY?
👉On average, these professionals have been successful, respected in their careers, finding in incomprehensible to fail or have other see any cracks in what they have painstakingly built.
Being embarrassed is a factor they cannot accept given their status, their intelligence.
👉Others deem themselves the brightest, most innovative creator, even while others offer helpful insights. This person cannot imaging any one else having valuable contributions
In either scenario, opportunities drift to insignificance as they work in the dark.
Here are my 3 tips based on my deep experience:
1) Choose Pain or Pleasure: Lower your threshold for perceived pain or embarrassment.
👉Ask yourself which you prefer: An unbruised ego or the pride of successfully launching.
2) When sharing your not-yet-proven or revenue generating product to other professionals or potential clients:
👉Park your thoughts of 'exceptionalism' and actively listen.
Inquire more when they share, what, why, how do they see you being successful? Take notes and conduct a small clinic on their feedback.
The best will call to request follow through and continue the conversation. You'll be surprised at how willing they are since you respected their thoughts and are applying them.
And finally
3) Just Launch!
🏃🏻♀️While you are lacing your shoes perfectly, others are running past. Do not wait. Enter the race, the ring and give it your all.
Adjust as you go, but go! Yes, there will be flaws, but it's far better to identify these with real customers rather than in your office.
You can only win if you enter the race!
#BetterTogether #Entrepreneurs #Winning
