Meeting with entrepreneurs and following and observing their startup ventures and entrepreneurship paths have been a big part of my work for years. There are many interesting stories, which a person can hear from entrepreneurs of any age and background. The business aspect of entrepreneurship is substantial, but what fascinates me the most is the emotional and personal sacrifices, which entrepreneurs make pursuing their dreams.
The question that interests me very much is related with the motivation and the driving powers behind every startup venture. How does a person decide to become an entrepreneur? In his remarkable TED Talk, one of the most significant entrepreneurs I’ve had the privilege to listen to, Steli Efti, shares his personal story and his own entrepreneurial journey. The talk is very insightful and can teach us a lot about the life of an entrepreneur – the inspiration, the mistakes, the failures, the lessons learned and the strength to get up when you’ve fallen down.
“At the end of the day, every entrepreneur needs to be a successful salesperson to pitch their product or service to make their vision a reality.” Steli Efti
The ups and downs
The ups and downs of the roller coaster called entrepreneurship can be devastating to people, who do not completely understand the meaning of these highs and lows. Not every single time when you hit the bottom you are doomed and your business is completely destroyed. And not every single time when you hit a major home run you are protected from future downfalls.
Work, work, work
Working 24/7 is considered by many entrepreneurs as the right thing to do. There should be a balance, a thin line, which doesn’t have to be crossed. This line should clearly show the difference between productive work and just ineffective work that is a waste of time. Time is your most valuable asset, so use it wisely. Sleep well, eat well, exercise – take care of yourself and you will avoid burnout. Relay on quality over quantity.
Learn to let go
When something is not working, the answer not always is to keep pushing. Sometimes you just have to let go after you have done your best. Moving on from a project that you believed in so much is extremely hard, but sometimes it is the right thing to do.
Watch the whole talk in the video below and feel free to share with us your comment in the comment section.
