3 Types of Mental Challenges You’ll Face When Starting a Company
Facing challenges is part of the game. Starting a company is definitely a test of mental fortitude as well as ability to deliver a product or service.
So far in my entrepreneurial journey I have noticed 3 types of mental challenges that always prove the most difficult. I feel as though these challenges are especially difficult because it is human nature to do the wrong thing in all three scenarios.
Challenge Type #1: Adjusting in the Face of Change
We all know humans generally fear change. Getting stuck in the rut of “we’ve always done it this way” is a dangerous pattern. However, if you stay in that rut too long, the winds of change will make quick work of the house of cards you’ve built.
You have to understand and accept that your cheese is going to move.
Most entrepreneurial stories have a moment where things change suddenly and the fear of losing everything becomes a front and center issue. It can be hard to work on a solution when you see the end of the runway and the pressure is on.
Changes aren’t uncommon when trying to start a company. The market changes, the customer changes, the technology changes, the deal changes.
Will you roll with the punches and figure out a way to adjust, or will you let the change determine your fate?
Challenge Type #2: Fighting the Urge to Compromise
When you set out at the beginning, you have a ton of ideas about what your company will stand for, what your mission is, what your vision is, etc. That’s all well and good, but what do you do when someone with money, or opportunity, steps up and asks you to compromise that mission?
There are a lot of moments on the journey where you’ll find yourself alone in the proverbial desert. You’ll feel like you’re about to come across something big, but you won’t know that it is certain. This is when doubt starts to creep in.
It can be really tempting at these times to take the deal that guarantees short term rewards. That deal usually presents itself in the form of money or perceived opportunity, but ultimately it’s an easy way out. This compromise can look like losing ownership to the wrong people, making a less than ideal partnership, losing team members, etc. In the worst case scenario it can ask you to compromise your personal beliefs or values.
This type of challenge finds you in the deepest and darkest corners of your mind, duking it out with self doubt.
Will you make decisions out of self doubt, or will you make decisions based on your values?
Challenge Type #3: Pushing Forward Into The Unknown
Walking forward into the darkness is a big part of starting a new venture. There are moments when you feel like you are walking in the dark with only enough light to see for the next two feet in front of you. It is not human nature to push forward without all of the answers.
You’ll experience doubt, uncertainty, worry, stress, concern, etc, and that is part of the journey. You won’t always have all of the answers. You won’t always have all the pieces of the puzzle. You’ll make some educated guesses, but you’ll never know that something will work for certain until it does.
Growth requires discomfort. Pushing forward into the unknown is very uncomfortable. Just keep in mind that no one ever did anything great from their comfort zone.
Will you find comfort in the discomfort?
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Alex Sejdinaj is a cofounder of South Bend Code School, GiveGrove, and Code Works. He loves building cool stuff that helps people.
