I’ve recently started a couple ventures and have worked closely with a handful of startup founders over the past 15 years and there’s a common stress we’re all perpetually living in. And I’m sure it’s a stress that most folks, no matter what you’re doing, feel. I call it the progress paradox. It’s when you need motivation to fuel progress, but it’s progress that fuels motivation. We’re just trying to get to the next day but we know we need to deliver tangible results that make us and the folks around us stay motivated. Whether it’s your team, your kids, or your entire company, they’re looking to you to signal momentum. Momentum is the juice that keeps everyone moving forward, the answer to the progress paradox.
Give everyone a mission they can understand and keep the expectations achievable and reasonable. And when you have wins, focus on those and when you have losses, which you will, focus on what improvement looks like.
Your haters CAN BE your motivators. I know, also trite. You will get harsh feedback from everyone, consumers, investors, kids. But not all harsh feedback is made the same. And some of it should be requested. Asking questions, responding graciously, and staying engaged with your communities is incredibly useful. It’s an opportunity to grow and refine for the better. Take a walk, maybe a few breaths, because feedback sometimes sucks. But use it to experiment, innovate, automate, rethink, and refocus.
Recognition is so important. People love praise. And they love to be part of something that wins. So show off your new features and updates. Shout out your fans, employees, and wins. Make everything feel big and momentous. Be your own PR
Motivation inspires momentum. And momentum breeds motivation. It’s the cycle that keeps on giving and you moving forward.
