To keep going when the going gets tough, you may need some heart fuel … [+]
When you read about startups, you are naturally overwhelmed by all kinds of rational explanations and advice. This is great – clear, logical thinking is crucial if you want to succeed as an entrepreneur.
But to keep going when the going gets tough, you may need some fuel for your heart, rather than just your mind.
Here are some great poetic words to give you strength and inspiration when you need it most in your startup journey.
“Going wrong in one’s own way is better than going right in someone else’s way.” – Fyodor Dostoevsky, Crime and Punishment
This is a great quote from one of the greatest novelists of all time to remind you that your startup journey has value, even if you fail and even if people criticize and disapprove.
“Not everyone who wanders is lost.” – Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien
Being the founder of an innovative project by definition means that you have to deal with a lot challenges, fail over and over, repeat and pivot multiple times until you find a product-market fit. As you go through this daunting process, keep in mind these words from the father of modern fantasy literature.
“It’s not good to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” – JK Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
An entrepreneur is a doer first and a dreamer second.
“Real courage is when you know you’ve been licked before you start, but you start anyway and push through anyway.” – Harper Lee, To kill a mockingbird
It takes courage to commit 100% to a startup project, knowing that it has a 90% chance of success. But to realize that it is still worth trying.
“Despite everything, tomorrow is another day!” – Margaret Mitchell, Down with the Wind
Resilience and perseverance are two of the most important qualities for a successful startup founder. If you fall short, always remember that tomorrow is another day.
“There’s nothing in this world without calling, and after you call, you usually have to go get it yourself.” – George Horace Lorimer, Letters from a Self-Made Trader to His Son
It is worth remembering from time to time that there is no substitute for hard work.
“Those with bad luck should at least try to balance it with common sense.” – Joe Abercrombie, Half the World
While luck is an indivisible part of success, it is also something that can be influenced. Don’t get discouraged if you get a bad hand. Play it as best as you can to stay in the game, and you might get lucky on the next draw. It is important to keep in mind that with startups you usually only have to get lucky once.
“Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before Destination.” ―Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings
Everything we do is derived from our values. As a founder, if you hold on to constructive values and use them to create a productive culture in your project, success will inevitably follow sooner or later.
“Today people know the price of everything and the value of nothing.” – Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
This quote is an important reminder that as a startup founder, you are in the business of creating real value for other people’s lives. Success is impossible if you don’t.
“When you feel like criticizing someone… just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the benefits you’ve had.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
It’s worth closing with a reminder to be kind. The fact that you are a startup founder, even a failed one, means that you are among the more privileged people on the planet. Use this privilege to make life better for yourself and others and try to bring people around you up instead of pushing them down.
Janice has been with businesskinda for 5 years, writing copy for client websites, blog posts, EDMs and other mediums to engage readers and encourage action. By collaborating with clients, our SEO manager and the wider businesskinda team, Janice seeks to understand an audience before creating memorable, persuasive copy.