Pitch to Push: "You're Up!". Then. The gritty reality sets in.

Imagine this: you've secured an invitation to pitch to top-tier investors. The stakes are high, and it's not just about dazzling them with a sharp pitch deck—it's about proving you’ve got what it takes to build and lead your startup for months and years to come.?

Founders, let's face it, the journey you're embarking on isn't just challenging; it's downright nerve-wracking. From getting selected by investors to launching a successful product, each phase is a test of your resilience and, dare I say it, leadership.?

You're constantly battling feelings of anxiety, uncertainty, and the haunting fear of making a mistake.

It's like asking your dream date out, cruising in with a flashy sports car you've borrowed—but you know it will to turn into a pumpkin at midnight.

Let's find out how you can turn this critical juncture into a springboard for sustainable founder performance and success.

But first let’s get back to the pitch.?

“You’re up!”

Meet Jack (fake name), a startup founder who, alongside his co-founders, had been meticulously crafting their platform while juggling day jobs— a common scenario for many budding entrepreneurs.?

For the past 2 years, they poured their passion into developing their product, reaching out to numerous investors in the hopes of securing the necessary funding. However, the investors were hesitant, demanding a more robust Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in a challenging market. This opportunity to pitch felt like the potential breakthrough they’d been waiting for.?

Finally, pitch day arrived. The air was thick with anticipation.?

After all their effort, Jack and his team were given only five minutes to present their vision. Later I asked Jack how it went, and his response was dishearteningly flat: “We got 5 minutes to talk, that was it.” The disappointment in his voice was palpable. Curious about his next move, I asked what he planned to do. His reply was simple yet profound: “Just rest for a while.”.

Jack’s story is a stark reminder of the tough, often brutal journey of startup funding. It highlights not only the resilience needed to navigate this journey but also the emotional toll it can take on founders.

But Jack didn’t throw the towel in, and he eventually landed funding.?

Funding. That means you’ve made it past the first hurdle. And now you're left to navigate the startup journey.

Hiring, building, problem solving, leading people (yep, that one too!) and being the chief Enthusiast for everyone else and stubbornly never admitting something is not an “opportunity”! This is the moment where many founders feel the pinch, wondering if they're truly cut out for this.

Keep it Up!

Here’s the thing—I don't claim to have all the answers, but there's a framework that might just be your lifeline.?

It’s based on the world’s #1 high performance program, backed by solid research, focusing on six high-performance habits that promise not only better performance but greater happiness too:

Clarity

Authenticity is key to success. That means to be anchored in clarity about who you are as a person and a founder so when things get tough you stay true and steady.?

Energy?

This is the holy grail of being a startup founder. Exercise is not a luxury, it’s essential, as is managing our mental and emotional state. As things heat up this gets harder. Practice is needed.

Influence

Pitching isn’t just fancy slides. It is your time to shine and leveraging your ability to inspire others to see and think bigger. Knowing who you are speaking to and speaking to their desires will help to enrol them in your idea.

Courage

Fear will be your constant companion. That little quiver deep in the belly that sometimes will get totally out of hand and erupt into full blown anxiety. Courage is not about being courageous, it’s about managing the fear and to keep going.

Productivity

Never enough. Being a startup founder and riding the highs and lows of motivation can make us feel like we are lazy. Even the highly productive have the “you’re lazy” gremlin on their shoulder. Know what makes you successful and stick to that.

Necessity

The driver through it all is the inner necessity we feel that no matter what, this thing MUST get off the ground. Clarity about what our purpose and reasons are for doing what we are doing helps through sleepless nights.

"Now what?"

Good news! Each of these are practical skills that can be learned. I’d like you to think back on your journey so far and the challenges you’ve faced, and let me ask you:?

Is there any situation you’ve faced on your startup journey that wouldn’t have been improved by better skills in these 6 areas?

Founders, while the path is fraught with challenges, arming yourself with these habits can make the difference between failure and success.?

Whether you’re pulling up in that borrowed sports car or marching forward with steadfast determination, remember: it’s your journey, your rules. Are you ready to prove you’re the one to lead your startup to become a Scale-up?

If you enjoyed this article please share with your fellow founders.?

Many thanks,

Jess

Jess is a certified high performance coach and has been working with founders for the last 6 years creating amazing growth and momentum.

Book your FREE founder strategy session HERE .?