To keep going when the going gets tough, you might need some fuel for your heart instead of … (+)
When you read about startups, you are naturally assailed with all kinds of rational explanations and advice. That’s great – clear, logical thinking is crucial if you want to succeed as an entrepreneur.
However, to keep going when the going gets tough, you might need some fuel for your heart, not just your mind.
Here are some great poetic words to give you strength and inspiration when you need it most on your initial journey.
“Failing your way is better than getting it right the other 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 initial journey counts even when you are failing and even when people criticize and disapprove.
“Not all those who wander are lost.” – The Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien
Being a founder of an innovative project, by definition, means that you would have to face many challenges, fail repeatedly, iterate and rotate several times until you find the right product for the market. While you’re going through this disheartening process, it’s good to remember these words from the father of modern fantasy literature.
“It’s no use living dreaming and forgetting to live.” – JK Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
An entrepreneur is a doer first and a dreamer second.
“True courage is when you know you’re beaten before you start, but you start anyway and see it through no matter what.” – Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
It takes courage to commit 100% to a startup project knowing there is a 90% chance of failure. However, to realize it is worth a try anyway.
“After all, tomorrow is another day!” – Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind
Resilience and persistence are two of the most important qualities to be a successful startup founder. When you fail, always remember that tomorrow is another day.
“Nothing comes without calling in this world, and once you call, you usually have to go get it yourself.” – George Horace Lorimer, Letters of a Self-made Merchant to His Son
It’s worth remembering from time to time that nothing replaces hard work.
“Those with bad luck should at least try to balance that 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 when you get a bad hand of cards. Play as best you can to stay in the game, and in the next draw, you might get lucky. It’s important to keep in mind that in startups you usually only need to get lucky once.
“Life before death. Strength before Weakness. Journey before Destiny.” ― Brandon Sanderson, The Way of Kings
Everything we do is derived from our values. If you hold on to constructive values as a founder and use them to create a productive culture in your project, success will inevitably follow sooner or later.
“Nowadays 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, your business is to create real value for other people’s lives. Success is impossible if you fail to do this.
“Whenever you feel like criticizing someone… remember that everyone in this world didn’t have the advantages you did.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
It’s worth ending with a reminder to be kind. The fact that you are the founder of a startup, even if it is unsuccessful, means that you are among the most privileged people on the planet. Use this privilege to make life better for yourself and others, and try to bring those around you up instead of pushing them down.