The Role of Persistence in Startup Success

The #1 skill of being a successful entrepreneur is pure resilience. I’ve led three startups, and each time it has felt like climbing a mountain. Some days, the summit is clear, and you want to break open a picnic basket. On others, storms obscure the path, and I feel so defeated that I lose sight of the top. In moments like this, I reflect on three things: 1️⃣ Do I care about what I'm climbing for? Passion for the mission of my work fuels my perseverance, turning daunting challenges into worthy pursuits. 2️⃣ Who am I climbing with? Surrounding myself with a strong and collaborative team makes even the darkest days manageable. Together, we can weather any storm and celebrate every sunny day. 3️⃣ I remember that we make progress one step at a time. Even on the stormiest days, I know sunny days are ahead. (And I try not to stop for too long a picnic on the sunny days either.) As founders, we’re going to get knocked down over and over again. The real path to winning is dusting ourselves off and moving forward. By embracing resilience, leaning on our teammates, and staying committed to our journey, we can persist on the steepest climbs. Fellow entrepreneurs: Tell me what’s a setback you’ve bounced back from 👇🏼 #entrepreneurship #leadership — Like this post? Follow me for more insights on leadership, team building, and the future of work. Subscribe to my LinkedIn newsletter Leadership is Everywhere: https://lnkd.in/g_VETsRY

A Story of Overcoming Rejection: Have you ever been told "no" so many times that you began to doubt yourself? I certainly have. But let me share a story that taught me the invaluable lesson of persistence. Several years ago, I was determined to land a partnership with a major player for my startup sports performance business. I poured my heart and soul into crafting proposals, refining my forecasts, and networking tirelessly. Yet, time and again, I faced rejection. It felt like hitting a brick wall every time. But instead of giving up, I doubled down on my efforts. I sought feedback, honed my skills, and continued to push forward. And then, after what felt like an eternity of setbacks, I finally got the breakthrough I had been waiting for. It brought a sense of relief, pride, and confidence. Though the eventual outcome wasn't as I expected. It turned out to be exactly what I needed. And ultimately led me to where I am now. Was the path linear? No. Was it easy? No. But getting started on a dream or passion is never: a straight line or easy. I've been at this for 10 years now. It's always a challenge. There's always obstacles to overcome. You see people on this platform who've "made it". What you don't see is all the years they have put into it. To traverse through the hard times. To pivot when things aren't clicking. To adapt as needed to continue the journey. They all have 1 major thing in common. They kept going. You need to keep going. Even when you don't think it's working. Even when you doubt yourself more than ever. Even when you think the odds are stacked against you. Keep going. Keep doing your thing. It's both the hardest and most rewarding experience I've had. 🔑 Key Insights: >> Embrace Resilience: Rejection is not a reflection of your worth. It's an opportunity to grow and improve. >> Continuous Improvement: Use feedback as fuel for growth. Every setback is a chance to refine your skills and approach. >> Stay Persistent: Success often lies just beyond the point where others give up. Keep pushing forward, even when faced with challenges. This journey taught me the true power of persistence. It's not about avoiding failure but about bouncing back stronger each time. So, to anyone facing rejection or setbacks in their own journey, remember this: Your breakthrough may be just around the corner. What about you? What's a challenge you've faced that taught you the importance of persistence? Share your stories below! Keep striving for greatness! ----------- Tommy G here 🏀 - Sharing daily on biz and life. If you enjoy this post, pls share! #Persistence #Resilience #OvercomingObstacles #NeverGiveUp

🚀 #Persistence is all that Matters 🌟 The New Year is a good time to reflect (a practice I certainly don’t do often enough) 👋. Today, I realized that in the first 10 days of this year, we will have generated more revenue than in our entire first two years! 📈 Note: This isn’t unique. It’s the power of growing businesses and #entrepreneurship. The Power of Perspective 🌐 In our early days, every small win was a giant leap. Every sale absolutely mattered, even if it was just $1. Those initial struggles laid the foundation for Office Libations as we worked to solve our clients' problems and provide better value than they received from the “big guys.” Delivering beer out the back of my Jeep wasn’t in my business plan, but it was part of the journey. 🛠️ Small Steps Lead to Giant Leaps 🚶♂️🚀 We know consistent effort compounds over time, but it doesn’t make it any easier when you’re in the grinder. Every decision, every challenge overcome, and every small victory has contributed to us making it here – including some of the bad decisions and losses! You have to stay alive long enough so good things happen. Lessons Learned 📚 Patience is Key: Success doesn't happen overnight. It's a gradual climb, filled with learning and growth. 'The Power of Broke' by Daymond John is a good read, with examples of revenue from well-known companies' founding years. Eye-opening when you’re struggling early on and think you suck. Value Each Step: Every part of the journey, especially the tough early days, is valuable. Cherish and learn from them. [I’m kidding, it sucks. To borrow a saying from the SEAL community, early days are “Full Benefit.”] Keep Pushing Forward: Persistence is crucial. Don't let small things derail your goal. You're building towards something greater, even if you’re the only one who believes it right now. Another way to think with perspective: will I care about this in 5 years? If the answer is no, then push it aside and move forward. Gratitude and Excitement 🙏💫 It’s also important to remember none of it is possible without a team of great people, happy clients, and the support of many people who’ve guided me, often without asking for anything in return. To them, I say thank you. And guess what? While it's cliche, there's so much more we can do. 🔥 Here's to us (trying to) embrace perspective, celebrate each step, and build a better service or product for our clients! 🔥 #Veteran #BusinessJourney #GrowthMindset #PersistencePays #OfficeLibations

In the world of entrepreneurship, the concept of overnight success often gets thrown around like confetti at a parade. We hear stories of businesses skyrocketing to fame and fortune seemingly out of nowhere. But behind the glamour and glory lies a different truth—one of grit, determination, and an unwavering commitment to the long game. I've been down that road myself, chasing after the elusive dream of rapid growth and instant success. It's what we're taught to strive for, right? But as I've journeyed through the startup landscape and witnessed the trials and triumphs of my peers, I've come to realize that true success is anything but overnight. It's about putting in the hard yards, day in and day out, even when the road ahead seems never-ending. It's about weathering the storms of failure and uncertainty, knowing that each setback is just another stepping stone on the path to greatness. So, how do we stay patient in the face of such adversity? Here are a few lessons I've learned along the way: > Embrace the marathon, not the sprint. Building a legacy takes time, and sustainable growth far outweighs fleeting success. > Trust in your vision, even when the journey feels like an uphill battle. Believe that every step forward, no matter how small, is progress. > Focus on creating real value for your customers, rather than getting bogged down by vanity metrics and quick wins. > Celebrate every modest victory. Each win is a testament to your resilience and dedication. > Learn from failure and adversity. Instead of letting setbacks derail you, use them as opportunities for growth and improvement. So, let's ditch the fantasy of hockey stick growth and embrace the reality of the ten-year journey to becoming Overnight Success. Success may not come overnight, but with patience, perseverance, and a steadfast belief in your vision, you'll get there—one step at a time.

Are you thinking about starting your own business as a beginner? Noah Kagan is the founder behind the 8-figure company AppSumo, and the author of Million Dollar Weekend. Noah teaches people how to start a business and launch a product in 48 hours. Here are the 12 most important lessons I have learned after interviewing him: 1. Embrace failure as a stepping stone. Noah’s experience of getting fired from Facebook was a pivotal moment. It taught him that what might seem like a setback can lead to significant personal and professional growth. 2. The power of persistence. Noah believes in the mantra that 1000 “Nos” only bring you closer to your success, emphasizing the importance of continuous practice and perseverance. 3. The art of asking. It is vital to develop comfort in uncomfortable situations and ask for what you want, even in minor instances. This practice builds confidence to pursue larger goals. 4. Improvement over ease. With each rejection, Noah sees an opportunity for growth, highlighting that challenges don’t diminish; rather, our capacity to handle them improves. 5. Value effort, not outcomes. Focusing on the action of putting yourself out there, rather than being fixated on the result, helps maintain motivation and resilience. 6. Clarity of intent. Being explicit about your desires and following up on them showcases genuine interest and commitment to your goals. Also, actively seeking connections and experiences aligned with your aspirations encourages a life filled with purpose and fulfillment. 7. Persistence before quitting. Noah advises committing to something a hundred times before deciding to quit, promoting endurance and dedication. 8. Automation is the fastest way to freedom. Automating aspects of your business can free up time, turning you into a “time millionaire” and allowing you to focus on growth and innovation. 9. Passionate hard work. Finding joy in hard work and focusing on interests lays the foundation for a fulfilling career and life. 10. Proactive recruitment strategy. Early and strategic hiring, with a focus on future company goals, ensures that the team grows in alignment with the organization’s vision. 11. The significance of distribution. Understanding that creating a product is only the beginning – effectively distributing it to the audience is key to success. 12. Creating with love. Products or services created out of passion not only bring satisfaction but also make the distribution process enjoyable. — Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more.