3 (Imaginary) Obstacles on Your Way to the Top

April 1, 2021

Ever get the feeling that the road to success is a hurdle race?

If you have, then you’re not alone.

Contrary to popular belief, getting from point A to point B isn’t always a smooth transition. Actually, there are more ups and downs (and some more ups!) than you can possibly imagine.

However, entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a race, which means that if you want to finish running this marathon, you first need to get ready.

And the best way?

Start by developing your mindset and learn how to overcome any imaginary obstacles on your way to the top.

What you believe: I don’t have the knowledge or the expertise!

Raise your hand if you’ve ever managed to convince yourself not to do something simply because you’ve firmly believed others know more than you do and deserve to be called experts!

The truth: What you know is ENOUGH to get started!

Yes, there’s always room to learn more but believe it or not, the knowledge you currently have is still good enough to serve others. Different people are on different parts of the journey and you can always serve those in the earlier stages than you.

Don’t believe me?

Well, imagine a previous version of yourself. Let’s say, a version of yourself 5 years ago. Would it be helpful if someone told you everything you knew today? How much would it mean to you if that person told you what to do and more specifically, what not to do?

See? My point exactly.

What you believe: I don’t have the time!

Trust me, I know the feeling – there are a million things to do, you wish there are more than 24 hours in a day… and it just feels like you’re never going to get anything done aside from being stuck in the everyday race.

The truth: You MAKE the time!

It may be a bit of an unpopular opinion but there’s no other way: there never will be enough time, you have to MAKE the time!

Two things have helped me make some wiggle room in my schedule.

First, making the commitment that whatever I’m doing matters to me (remind yourself why you’re doing this).

Second, sorting through my priorities. If it’s not urgent and it doesn’t matter to you, then let it go. Voila, now there’s magically more time on your calendar!

Pro tip: Time’s going to pass anyway – you might as well try and do something!

What you believe: I just have to make it perfect!

Ah, the good ol’ but-it’s-not-good-enough. Hours and hours wasted overthinking what is a perfectly fine product (pun intended) simply because your mind’s trying to convince you that it’s not good enough!

The truth: Done is better than perfect!

In the first year of business, make this your mantra: done is better than perfect. Write it on a sticker note and look at it every day as a reminder.

As unbelievable as it sounds, no matter how much time you waste (yes, waste) trying to make something perfect, it never will be perfect, at least not right from the start.

Instead, get that product (or yourself ;)) out in the public, test it, and then tweak after you’ve seen how others respond to it. A much quicker way to bring perfection closer!