How can you become more resilient and adaptable as a startup entrepreneur?

It’s natural to fear failure, but really the success comes when your willing to fail in the first place, and you don’t stop when you do fail. You absolutely have to use it as feedback to learn, make adjustments and move forward. I’ve failed many times, and each time I’ve learned and got better. It’s unrealistic to think you’re going to be perfect at everything from the beginning.

Sometimes, you have to say NO. It might also sound like strange language for an entrepreneurial startup, where naturally, all you want to hear is the word yes. It may be a team member encouraging a pivot to a business model they feel more comfortable with or a shareholder who believes that with a wallet comes wisdom. Trust me, both of those always require a NO. The final one is the most brutal NO. It's when it's not working in your heart and you have reached the personal no more point. It's not a failure at that point, but a mature realisation that you have to stop, say thank you to everyone who has helped you and start over again, onwards.

Consider obstacles as opportunities to learn and grow as a startup entrepreneur to become stronger and more adaptable. Continue to learn about your sector, interact with varied individuals for support, and alter your plans fast when things change. Take care of your money, look after your health, and make judgments quickly. Listen to your consumers, empower your team, and be prepared for challenges that arise unexpectedly. Prepare for crises, enjoy little victories, and stay committed to your startup's vision.

Failure is a blessing in disguise. Use it as an opportunity, not as a mistake. Case 1 If you make a mistake with a customer, if you fix it - it's an opportunity to show trust and engagement. Case 2 If you fail with your employee - embrace it. Be an example and show them how to recover fast. Case 3 If you make a bad decision - learn form it. By deciding, you are always moving forward. By not deciding, you are moving backward.

One thing I've found helpful is to take solace from Murphy's law, which states, "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong." Remaining undaunted in the face of it and still pursuing the aim you have committed to is a winning habit that entrepreneurs will do well to cultivate. If your business is solving a problem or filling a gap, entrepreneurs are just an extension of it, and solving problems and, in turn, finding smarter solutions is a challenge you will come to cherish. When faced with many crisis situations, focus on solving one first, then proceed to the others. Slowly, your focus and continuity will see you untangling yourself from the possible horde of issues you were once faced with. Keep bettering and transform what's ahead.

Of course, it is important to be able to listen and adjust your concept using the expertise of others. But extremely important to be able to maintain your unique vision, under the pressure of criticism and other people’s recommendations.

Resilience for us is practising realistic optimism: seeing opportunities and at the same time deepdive into each others perspectives. It’s about empathy because as a team we pick up the highs and lows of each other. And resilience is about emotion management, experiencing setbacks and disappointment because of these turbulent times. And onward??

The startup firm is as sensitive to economic conditions as any commercial enterprise. We now see that the startups that enjoyed the investment race are in trouble because the FOMO span of venture capitalists has subsided again, and companies have started to cut back. Only smart money should always be involved. If it is also accompanied by intellectual contribution, it is absolutely fantastic. It is always said that a capable team that develops the idea is more important than the idea itself. True, but the most critical element is timing. Look what happened during the pandemic. User behavior patterns changed utterly. For example, the Music Industry has changed forever. The one who noticed this change is going to win it all.

In my opinion, the mindset of being open to seriously listening to customer’s feedback alone will make you resilient. They will drive you left, right, and ultimately to your goal. You don’t really need to overthink the idea of resilience. This is enough!

Entrepreneur should always be like an open mind ready to learn and relearn. With being as startup is having Mentors or Mentor who are in the field that you have ventured, were critical situations or their experiences nurtures a better confident delivery of expertise. Same time feedback from the public or clients should only be simulated as recoils which needs attentions to expedite CAP (Corrective action Plan).

When I was a CEO and founder I basically gave up on my personal life to live for the company. In retrospect, had I spent some time to take care of health and spend time with loved ones, I would have handled challenges way better. Meditate, exercise, pray, sleep. Do whatever you think is helpful so that your mindset will be better. Another hour in the office when you're overwhelmed and stressed my have more negative than positive impact if your mind is not on the right place. Don't stop socializing - you need people before your spouse to share some of your stress and concerns with and feel connected with others.

Build a routine. Doesn't matter what it is in the beginning. Workout, meditate, run etc. Periodically (for example once a quarter) get off the digital grid for a day or two.

Mental strength is such a important element of being an entrepreneur. The kind of situations a founder has to deal with, may it be texhnical failures or financial losses, from rejection in market to criticism from investors. You will have to endure theough all with a smile on your face to keep the team motivated, because they depend on the company's progress, they depend on you as the founder/CEO.

As a psychologist and founder I follow the below practices and have very well for me. 1. Sleep early and rise early, this keeps the mind fresh and productive. 2. Entrepreneurship can become a lonely journey at times, thus invest in your social circle regularly. Weekly meet with friends who are away from your work conversations is essential. 3. Once a month do something that makes you feel pampered. Go for a spa, a weekend off or an acitivity that keeps the child in you alive. 4. Have a coach that can help you reflect, recalibrate and reinvent. 5. Spend time with family. Family is your strongest pillar when times are tough. 6. Meditating every morning, doing a relaxation before bed, gratitude and journaling as must do's everyday.

Practicing self-care and prioritizing well-being is essential for maintaining balance and resilience. Take time to nurture your physical, emotional, and mental health through activities like exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and relaxation techniques. Set boundaries to manage stress and avoid burnout, and make time for activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. Investing in your well-being not only enhances your productivity and creativity but also supports long-term success and happiness.

I've always found that instead of using the word failure, change it to learning. There is very little we learn from success, but failure is the most effective way to learn. Don't go out of your way to fail but take every failure even small ones as opportunities to learn. There was a phase "move fast a break things" to be that doesn't sound right, it demonstrates a lack of thought, reflection and caution. But fixing broken things can also create learning opportunities.

Learning what is required and unlearning what is not required or identifying what value proposition may harm your business is the most creative way for becoming more adoptive. Reading books like and learning to be a people's person is what creates inspirational leadership. As an entrepreneur inspirational leadership is the way to succeed your business and leadership team.

In the startup adventure, getting better every day is like collecting more tools for your toolbox, and one powerful tool is making learning a regular thing. It's not just about knowing what you know; it's about being curious and eager to pick up new skills. Picture it like planting seeds; each bit of knowledge grows into a stronger, smarter you. Developing a learning habit and mindset means being open to new ideas, like exploring a treasure chest for valuable gems. If you don't make learning a habit, it's like having a toolbox with only a few tools—you might not be ready for all the challenges. So, in startups, making learning a regular thing is like having a super tool that makes you more adaptable.

One of the ways to develop a learning mind-set is to be expansive in how and where you acquire knowledge. That could mean reading about developments outside of the industry you work in and trying to see how it might be applicable to yours.

Curiosity must be developed and maintained as an entrepreneur. It is one of the top traits needed to continue learning the right things in the right way. When nurtured, it becomes an empowering mindset that fosters creativity and innovation.

Surrounding yourself with helpful people during your startup journey is similar to having a team of sidekicks, and it's a tremendous tool for being resilient and adaptive. It's not only about doing things alone; it's about having friends who support you. Consider going on a camping trip; having friends around makes the adventure more pleasurable and less challenging. Building a supportive group and network entails engaging with others who understand the startup rollercoaster, much like recruiting teammates to your superhero squad. Going it alone is akin to traveling into the desert without a compass—you may get lost. So, with startups, having a supportive community is like having a fantastic tool that makes the journey easier.

Having a sound support system is critical for growth and perspective. Savvy professional advisers can provide context and wisdom based on a wide breadth of experience. Rather than being seen solely as an unaffordable cost centre, it is better to consider these advisers as a long-term investment in intelligent growth. Moreover, many founders in early-stage high-growth start-ups try to do everything themselves. It's important to recognise what are the tasks that only you can do, and what can be better delegated to trusted members of your team or external advisers. Always consider whether a task is the highest and best use of your time.

I aver that the African proverb "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together," might not apply to startups. Startups are dynamic and adaptable and having a diverse team allows the startup entrepreneur to go faster. The second part of the saying still sticks, also because a group is more resilient than an individual. Group is to be seen in a larger sense. Assembling a strong internal team is critical but building an ecosystem of external experts, advisors, and sparring partners is vital as it helps to prepare and anticipate shocks, and manage disruptions. A network should be built for a company but also on individual, particularly founder and CEO level, as a tool to get, explore, and validate information and ideas.

Wow entrepreneurship is lonely. You need to have like-minded folks surrounding you. People that think like you. That relate with you. Not only to stay inspired, but to find an outlet. With so much responsibility, you need people to talk to who will understand.

Ecosystems are critical for startup founders. You need expertise, decision making advice and encouragement (lots of it) that can be provided via a community of like minded individuals and organisation. Later on, they can be your way to scale, provided that you include there the right partners: Investors, multinationals, etc.

Create or join a greater entrepreneur community to ensure support and challenge - we can easily get stuck in our heads, biases, and lonely stuck-ness as entrepreneurs if we aren't careful!

I respectfully disagree with the notion that constant positivity is essential. Instead, I advocate for mindfulness, awareness, and realism. While optimism has its place, it's crucial to avoid toxic positivity. I suggest: - Mindful realism, acknowledging both challenges and opportunities objectively. - Regularly recording actions and results to maintain perspective. - Recognizing wins without overlooking areas for improvement. - Accepting limitations and our constraints while avoiding self-deprecation. - Being wary of both excessive negativity and blind positivity. A balanced mindset helps prevent burnout and overextension. It allows for genuine growth and resilience by facing reality head-on, rather than masking it with forced positivity.

As leaders of startups and projects, positive mindsets and approaches are super powerful - and necessary. Some argue we can only lead by care - or fear. I suggest care as an inspiring way to lead and grow a company. Caring about our cause, the people and profit of the business are all requiring a reinforced positive attitude. A growth mindset is rooted in the belief there is always more space to grow our branches and roots into. If one road closes, we can stand still - or look around and explore if there are novel paths and processes around us. The universe is expanding, and time moves forward - so are we, our teams and businesses. Not the strongest species survives but the most adaptable ones. It’s the same in life and startup world.

Most important is developing healthy habits in your life (the practice of gratitude, reading things that are timelessly true, having hobbies) basically anything that helps you not lose perspective that the current moment is the most significant thing in the history of the world. Second, be flexible.. find the balance between doing your job with excellence and being OPEN to what’s new, things change constantly. The third is to remind yourself why this job at this time in your life matters to you. What GOAL are you trying to achieve personally? What do you believe in your leader or manager or purpose of the business? Remember, founder a company is a marathon not a sprint. Work sustainably!

Me ha sido muy importante asumir una posición positiva en as diferentes situaciones y que se han presentado durante el desarrollo y lanzamiento de mis emprendimientos. Hoy donde en mundo es más innovador y se genera oportunidades para todos es importante encontrar la tranquilidad y certeza en nuestra propuesta de producto o servicio. Habrá momentos donde las cosas no saldrán, los clientes no creerán e incluso todo se pondrá en contra, pero si se sabe sobre el tema y entendemos el mercado las cosas buscarán su propio camino… hay que tener paciencia y perseverancia.

Do not burn cash. Prioritise sustainability over hype and over valuation. Scaling without sustainability can have disastrous repurcussions.

To steal from Daniel Pink, most of us are motivated by three characteristics of our work. - Autonomy: We desire the feeling of being autonomous and founders tend to lead the pack in desire for agency. - Mastery: We want opportunities to get improve at things that matter, working toward high achievement through feedback and validation. - Purpose: We want to understand why we do what we do, and have a sense we are contributing to something larger than ourselves. If founders check it on these three characteristics from time to time, they will be more likely to maintain a sense of well-being, and perhaps even flourish on the entrepreneurial journeys.

Starting being Entrepreneur is interesting and has to be embraced with the risk which follows such as Fund, Manpower, Office setting, Expenditures, Comfort etc. I advocate my mentees starting with what you have "Start small grow big", don't invest huge amounts into the program. Focus on minimum gadgets that will initiate your engine running and as the account gets receiving capital avoid unnecessary expenditure for a few years. This few years are meant to be crunch growing transition for your Startup and at the same time spotlight energies on mentorship with the experienced, Learn & relearn, improvise KPI, induct manpower if necessary as it lowers overhead expenses and always develop a strong positive mindset.

Recognize that as you progress, you will encounter increasingly harder challenges. This is to be expected and a good thing (while it might not always feel that way, of course). Similar to a professional athlete, the sport itself does not become less demanding, even though your skills within your discipline are improving. Why? You begin to face competitors who are also elevating their game, making the competition more challenging.

Surround yourself with amazing people, experts in their respective fields, who share your philosophy and are aligned with the start-up (and maybe whale one day - I was told unicorns don't exist ... ) you are building. We occasionally forget that a day consists of (only?) 24 hours, and that a substantial part of that is taken up by sleep. At least mine is ... Differently put, don't try to do everything yourself ... And make sure to enjoy the ride ???