When you take the leap into entrepreneurship, make no mistake – you’re boarding one of the wildest rollercoaster rides imaginable. This journey will take you to the highest of highs and lowest of lows. You’ll experience gut-wrenching drops one moment and feel sheer thrill the next as you ascend to an entrepreneurial peak. In the same day you can go from extreme worry and fear in the morning to extreme sense of achievement in the afternoon.
Are you ready to buckle up and embrace the ups, downs, twists, turns and loop-de-loops ahead? In this post, I’ll share some essential advice on how to survive and thrive as an entrepreneur based on my own experience and insights from other successful founders like Darren Hardy.
Brace Yourself for the Emotional Entrepreneur Roller Coaster
As a CEO, the day you launch your startup will likely be one of the most exciting and terrifying days of your career. You’ll feel empowered taking the reins of your own company. Every small win – landing your first client, getting positive user feedback, crossing a revenue milestone – will send your spirits up to the sky.
But the lows can hit hard and fast. Maybe that big client falls through or you discover a major blow in your product. Self-doubt might creep in and imposter syndrome can strike without warning making you feel you’re at the end. You might start questioning if you should’ve just kept your 9 to 5 job.
This rollercoaster of emotions is totally normal in entrepreneurship and you must be prepared if you want to become a successful entrepreneur. Darren Hardy calls it the cycle of the “Star, Builder, Prisoner, Imposter.” One day you feel on top of the world – the next you question everything. It’s the entrepreneurial roller coaster. Just remember the low moments are temporary if you hang tight. Focus on the tools and advice that can carry you through until the next upswing as they won’t be there every day.
Shut Out the Naysayers and Negativity and Focus on Your Job
When you’re in a valley wondering if your business will survive, the last thing you need is people throwing shade your way. But the naysayers will inevitably come out of the woodwork – questioning if you’re really cut out for this, telling you to stop chasing dreams and get a “real” job. No matter what they say, don’t listen to them.
Their negative comments might sink your spirits even lower when you’re already feeling doubtful. Don’t let the naysayers derail your journey. Surround yourself with the right people: mentors, coaches, friends and fellow entrepreneurs who will support you even in the low moments. They won’t be THE solution, but they can really help to improve your feelings and thoughts.
Stay laser focused on your vision and goals. Seek constructive feedback from trusted sources but completely block out toxic negativity from the skeptics. It’s extraordinary how often, the loudest naysayers disappear once you start achieving real success.
Advice Guide: Crack the Productivity Code
Balancing productivity and chaos is one of the toughest rides on the entrepreneurial roller coaster. Say goodbye to the steady 9 to 5 full-time job you’re used to. As an entrepreneur your days will be filled with unstructured time and a never-ending to-do list.
At first, the lack of routine may completely stifle your productivity. You’ll feel like you’re on a productivity rollercoaster, going from hyper-focused to completely distracted twenty times a day. Don’t let the lack of structure derail you entirely. Experiment and make decisions to find the tools and routines that work for you. Schedule time-chunks for focused work and stick to them. Use to-do lists and delegating to rein in the chaos.
With some trial and error, you’ll figure out the secret of productivity groove that allows you to manage the twists, turns and loop-de-loops of entrepreneurship. It will take some experimenting, as every person is different, to find the approach that fits with the daily surprises of your roller coaster ride.
Savor Every High Point and Milestone of your Career
In entrepreneurship, it’s crucial to celebrate every win along the journey – even the small ones. Reaching your first $10,000 sales month may feel tiny compared to the $100 million company of your dreams. But you have to recognize and savor the high points when they happen.
Take time to commemorate each win and milestone. Share some cava with your team when you land your first big client. Throw a party when you get to 500 paying customers. Those celebrations will give you energy and motivation during the next uphill climb. Don’t underestimate the power of relishing each ascent on the roller coaster.
Goal: Invest in the Right Employees
Another key to thriving on this roller coaster ride is surrounding yourself with the right team. Carefully select employees and partners who share your vision, values and determination. Alignment here at the early stages can make or break your company.
Bring on team members who complement your skills and fill in missing pieces in experience. Think of it as a puzzle, look for the pieces that fit within your ‘holes’. Invest time to nurture these relationships. In my case for instance at the beginning I used to cook dinner once a month for my team. They had to bring the wine and they had to take turns to bring a home made desert; I would do the rest. To break the ice and prove them that they could be themselves and 100% open I used to sing a sad Spanish song after dinner, making often a fool of myself of course. Luckily, the smartphones didn’t exist back then, otherwise I would be on TikTok right now. Those evenings were priceless, I could see how the team building was solidifying and even the shyest of them got their stunning moments. Later in this same venture, when my dinner table didn’t fit all the team I used to go for lunch with the different team members individually. Remember that you’re buckled into the coaster seats together for the long haul.
Appreciate Both the Struggle and Success
Entrepreneurship demands a high level of grit and tenacity. You have to learn not just to survive the lows but to appreciate how overcoming struggles leads to your greatest growth. The valleys sharpen your skills, resilience and problem-solving abilities.
At the same time, don’t forget to soak in the high points when success comes your way. Entrepreneurship is a journey of balancing the ups and downs. With the right mindset, you can gain something valuable from every twist, turn and loop.
Choose Your Entrepreneur Path Wisely …
As the rollercoaster zooms along, you’ll have to make quick decisions at every turn. Should you pursue that new market opportunity or double down on your core product? Do you hire that industry veteran or take a chance on the upstart? Your choices will shape the ride.
Identify the vital factors to consider when making major calls. Seek wise counsel from your mentors. But trust your instincts, your guts – you know your business and vision better than anyone. That’s something that I do very often, following my guts. They say we have a second brain in our guts, I definitely think it’s true and when something is wrong it lets you know. With care and conviction, you can navigate the rollercoaster’s twists, turns and loops.
Know When to Hold Tight and When it’s the End and Let Go
Stamina and determination are key to surviving this rollercoaster long-term. There will be moments when you just need to dig deep and hold on despite the queasiness. Quitting is not an option.
But other times, it’s important to realize when something is simply not working anymore. You have to be ready to pivot and let go in order to move forward. Listen to your instincts and the data to determine when to stay the course versus changing tracks or even quitting for good. For instance in one of my ventures, I should have closed a year earlier than I did. It wasn’t working but I made a mistake, I felt in love with my idea and my team, I would have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars…
One Thing: Embrace the Daily Business Adventure
As an entrepreneur, no two days will ever look the same. You have to learn how to thrive amidst the unknown. Approaching each day with curiosity, passion and grit will serve you well on this rollercoaster journey.
There will be mornings when you feel overwhelmed and want to stay in bed or throw up as I used to often do due to stress. I remember one occasion in particular, it was in Stockholm. My wife was expected to deliver the opening keynote presentation of the day in a conference but when she woke up and standing next to me she told me that she couldn’t do it. I said that I would do it and instantaneously I rushed to the toilets to throw-up. I had less than 30 minutes to review the 50min presentation and I went. I delivered a great presentation and one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies requested our services after seeing me and we signed a global contract of services a few weeks afterwards.
Push yourself to face the challenge. Tackle problems creatively, learn from competitors, and keep fighting to grow your business. With determination and flexibility, you can handle whatever comes your way.
Stay Buckled Up and Enjoy the Ride – A Conclusion
Starting a business is not for the faint of heart. This rollercoaster journey will test your character and resilience like nothing else. But ultimately, the highs make all the lows worthwhile. Sometimes I have the feeling that it’s like a drug, once you’ve tasted it you don’t want to stop.
As an entrepreneur, you get to chart your own path, follow your passions, and see the direct results of your hard work and hustle. While the ride has its shares of stomach-churning drops and nausea-inducing twists, you’ll grow to appreciate entrepreneurship for the wild, fulfilling adventure it is.
Stay resilient through the lows, capitalize on the highs, learn as you go, and keep your entrepreneurial seatbelt buckled at all times. Surviving this rollercoaster takes courage, community, and conviction. Enjoy the breathtaking views at each peak, scream loudly during the free falls, and get ready to hop right back on for the next part of this amazing ride.
What do you think, are you still up for the challenge despite the roller coaster? Please leave your comments underneath. I read them all!
