5 Ways Entrepreneurs Show Courage Everyday
When confronted with difficulties, danger or suffering, being fearless is not easy. Fear strikes us all; it’s inbuilt in our response mechanism. But so is courage.
It is not flesh and bones that make us dive deeper or jump higher; it is that innate strength that keeps us going no matter what. When we persevere against all odds and create this world anew, we show extraordinary courage. And perhaps, the bravest amongst us all are the innovators and entrepreneurs for they choose to create newer possibilities that impact billions of people despite having the fear of failure looming large over their head.
Here are 5 ways entrepreneurs show courage everyday:
?1. They Dream of a Better World
Stephen R. Covey once said, “all things are created twice. There's a mental or first creation, and a physical or second creation to all things.” Without the first, there is no second creation. And entrepreneurs understand that.
They are constantly creating possibilities in their minds.
It is not easy to look beyond our own necessities. Most of us are focused on our own lives; food, family, friends and fun- that is the sum of all our activities. Only a courageous few can see, feel and do something about the pain of others. It is never about them, and take it from the pioneers, it is not about the money either. It is about a strong innate desire to do something better; something purposeful for the world. It is about providing solutions.?
2. They Show Up
We all know how difficult it is to get up from bed and get to work. To continuously show up for the job and deliver results takes considerable mental strength. Innovators & entrepreneurs do it consistently because they believe in the idea they are working on.
They keep their dreams alive.
It is what gets them going. They are always there, putting in extra hours, going the extra mile, innovating, marketing, networking, and they don’t complain.
Theodore Roosevelt nailed it when he said, ‘The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred with dust and sweat; who strives valiantly, who errs and may fall again and again…’
Imagine the courage it takes to show up when you are not feeling well, when the challenges seem unsurmountable or when you are standing against the world. We don’t often think about it but being out there is what separates a successful person from an ordinary one.?
3. They Challenge the Status Quo
Change is at the heart of every great moment in history; be it a journey, an invention, a story, or a person. If you don’t change anything, nothing will ever change. Our world constantly needs upgradation because old systems, eventually, fail. The world over, old numerical designs gave way to Indian decimal system, buggies became automobiles, and analog dissolved into digital. And at the helm of every change were pioneers and innovators. Entrepreneurs are the same. They know a stale, static world doesn’t work They understand the problems, and they devote their lives solving them.
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If I rest, I rust.
This quote says it all. But how do you change a world set in its own ways? First you gather strength to change yourself. It takes considerable will and discipline. Ask yourself, do you-
Observe how well you fight distractions, excuses, comfort and your own mind to achieve your goals; then decide to take it up a notch. Ask questions no one wants to hear. Disturb and disrupt.?
4. They Fight for the Team
Our current challenges are complex and our aspirations galactic. To move further, we need people: the talented, passionate and dedicated humans who make things possible. We need a team.
Entrepreneurs, while onboarding the right talent, also ensure that that talent is protected and nurtured. They fight tooth & nail for their team. It is not easy. Imagine the courage it takes to pay the salary on the 1st of the month, every month, when your revenue plummets or a global pandemic strikes. When things are not working out, the temptation to let go of the members of your team is strong. Remember why you hired them in the first place. Fight the urge to fire people as the first step.
Profits don’t last; people do.
Those who work extra hours, those who deliver results and those who help you build your dream from ground up deserve your respect, support and loyalty. Some aspects of business are non-negotiable, and your team is one of them. Entrepreneurs, being leaders, take the blows for the team and still provide opportunity for them to grow. Isn’t that one of the highest forms of bravery??
5. They Are Not Afraid to Restart
Let’s get real, all of us often fail. We fail to complete tasks on time, we fail to keep up with the promises we made to ourselves, we fail to take the vacation we’d planned months ago, we sometimes even fail to catch the bus. For the most part, we are okay with such failures because we know there’s another opportunity waiting; another day to complete the task, another bus enroute to us.
When livelihoods and lives are at stake, dealing with failure becomes a challenge.
Not every idea takes wings, not all ventures succeed. Decisions go wrong, the environment & economy change, or a competitor outsmarts all others. And when that happens, the people behind that venture deal with a lot of stress, self-doubt and criticism.
Fall down seven times, stand up eight – Japanese proverb.
To restart after a major setback takes unimaginable strength. It begins with acceptance that yes things did not work out, and culminates in getting up to go to work again.
Innovators and entrepreneurs restart more than we know, they even reboot and re-mould; what they don’t do is reject themselves. Entrepreneurship is a Hero’s Journey; beaten and broken but never giving up. To maintain such hope, perseverance and persistence is the definition of courage.
Being courageous is a daily phenomenon. It’s a habit that needs cultivation. And it’s a reward on itself. It applies to every walk of life but it takes a mature form in the lives of entrepreneurs because they need it for themselves, for the team and for the customers. If you see yourself as an entrepreneur, say yes to courage, say yes to success.
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