What do you see in the above image?
As marketers and entrepreneurs, we face unspeakable evil every day. But as the ones at the end of the line that have to deal with things that come crashing down, you eat glass and smile.
Others see disaster, yet you have to view opportunities instead of problems without being distant from reality. Instead of the glass being half full or half empty, you have to find a glass half the size or find a way to double water.
You have to take action, while others are just viewing the glass, spectating and judging while you work.
Most of the entrepreneurs I know appear highly successful, yet privately share incredible frustrations. One of the most well-known SEO software companies out there had to fake their financials to raise funding. It was either that or close their doors.
And many a time, their founders had to play paycheck roulette– who doesn’t get paid this time? I’ve had to do that, too. Have you?
Did you know that when Fred Smith started FedEx, his friends said that it wouldn’t work?
And they were nearly right. When he didn’t have enough money to cover payroll, he withdrew all remaining funds and went to Vegas. He bet it out roulette and doubled his money. But he just as easily could have lost it all.
Every small business owner has had to face their “roulette” moment when all seems lost.
Sam Walton recounted in his autobiography “Made in America” how his company grew increasing mountains of debt.
The more successful he was, the more debt and problems he accumulated. It didn’t get better until over a decade of suffering and he nearly quit many a time.
The average millionaire in the United States has gone bankrupt three times.
In my years of being in Silicon Valley, we’d boast to each other how amazing we’re doing.
Nobody is admitting they’re struggling.
Social media exacerbates this, bringing forward the apparent successes. Who is going to post their failures and who else is going to share?
Don’t let fear discourage you. If you carry a negative outlook, that rubs off onto your people. Take your foot off the gas and your folks will, too.
As someone who has a vision, even if muddy at times, you have to set the tone. Others can complain or be complacent, but you can’t.
Do you see a frog or a horse?