Why Going At It Alone Is Admirable. And Stupid.
“The world isn’t waiting for you to catch up. It’s waiting for you to lead it.”
It’s easy to feel alone as a Founder and CEO. Here are 5 (of one million) reasons why:
You pour a lot of time and energy into your business, leaving little room for much else.
You’re doing something that not many people are doing, so it’s hard to find shared experience.
Those you do share your life are tired of hearing about it (even if they are supportive).
You can’t use your business partners as a sounding board without sounding one alarm or another.
Your employees have no business knowing what’s going on in your head—until you arrive at a confident conclusion.
So you keep your head down and plow ahead. After all, you’ve achieved enviable success on your own—without asking for directions or for help. You don’t NEED anyone, right?
Wrong.
While some think that changing the world by yourself is the honor badge of the rugged industrialist, I know it to be the persistent weight that slows you down. Even if you’re an introvert. Even if you’re tired of being smarter than everyone you talk to. Even if you think you’re totally fine.
Forging a path completely on your own will ALWAYS be slower, harder, and more painful. You’ll fall down rabbit holes (or plunge into them willingly). You’ll make twice as many mistakes. You’ll stay stuck longer and burn out twice as quickly. The worst part isn’t that you’ll suffer through it. The worst part is that you accept your sole and sluggish pace as part of the Founder Journey.
You were meant to go so much faster.
Just ask anyone who finally asked for help, reached out to a possible mentor, applied to join a professional network, signed up for a workshop, or asked another entrepreneur for help. The one thing they all have in common: They all wish they would have done it years ago.
Believe me, I’ve been there. I grew up in a household where men didn’t ask for directions or read the instructions. My time at West Point made me fearless, bulletproof, and hellbent on moving mountains alone—to the point that one stubborn, DIY mistake as an Army lieutenant almost killed me. Spoiler alert: I didn’t (and never do) have all the answers. But it turns out other amazing people always do. You just have to ask.
Try it. A simple introduction could change the game completely.
Progress, meet jet fuel.
Onward,
Bill
If you feel overwhelmed, frustrated, lonely, impatient, or stuck on something, stop spinning your wheels and ask for help. Right now.
Turn your entrepreneurial molasses into jet fuel by tapping into a community of like-minded badasses.
Follow badass authors authors like Verne Harnish and Seth Godin.
Listen to jet-fueled podcasts, like Tim Ferriss.
Join professional networks that drive YOU (and not just your bottom line).
Reach out and up for help. It’s always good to ask someone who’s been there, done that.
Be a resource for someone else. Short-cutting someone else’s journey only makes you that much faster.
