The risks, the rejections, and the uncertainty. These are a few of the harsh realities startup founders are likely to face when they decide to take that leap to start a business. We've heard it one too many times, and it can be a challenging experience for many.
But how do you get out of that rut? I recently stumbled upon a post by Angela Skinner Orr called “#AltEd: Giving Students Control,” where she offers insightful advice to her students before she quit her job as a teacher. Most of her advice seems perfectly fit to startup founders. After all, they are students of the startup life.
If You Don’t Want to Do it, Don’t
Call it tough love but it's really a reality check. You had an idea and created a business. But for a business to grow, you need dedication and passion (and of course many other things to work in your favor). So if you don't have it in you, just let it go.
Hack Your Education
You don't have to get an MBA to start a business, most of us know that. If you want to learn how to code or even speak another language because you plan to expand to a certain region, there are affordable ways to learn. As Orr explains, “The statistical probability is that your education will leave you with too much debt for your income and not enough skills to be an attractive candidate for employment in your field.” Be creative on how you will learn.
I Have No Idea What You’ll Learn. That is Up to You
Founders can share experiences, strategies, tools all they want. At the end of the day, a founder's experience is unique and personal. It's up to you what lessons you will learn from the experience.
You Will Fail
Take risks. You will learn more from your failures than you will from your triumphs. Make it a positive experience and you will come out stronger for it.
Make Something
Work hard to create something meaningful. Create something that will impact others.
Travel
Entrepreneurs make excuses not to take time off. Sometimes the best thing is to get away from the office for a bit and travel somewhere new.
Give BackÂ
Orr tells her students to think about how they fit into the world, so they can make a lasting impact. No matter how small that impact may be, just do it.
There Are No Exams
“You will have to show what you can do with what you know. Did you learn something? Prove it,” says Orr.
Grade Yourself
As a founder, you constantly have to justify yourself to investors. Always know what you and your company are worth.
Start Now
Get out of this rut and get moving.
Now, go out and take back control of your startup.
Read Orr's full post on Medium here
Photo Image Credit: Andrea Nocifora on Flickr