Progress doesn't feel like winning
When everything feels hard and nothing seems to work.
Hi, it’s Melissa, and welcome (back) to “your founder next door”, a weekly publication with stories and tidbits of my human journey bootstrapping eWebinar to $5m ARR. No BS, just straight-up truth bombs on what it’s like to build a company without an abundance of resources or friends in high places.
Some days, I feel like nothing is working.
I struggle to figure out our next phase of growth. I’m not sure if I’m focusing on the right things. Nothing seems to be moving the needle.
I feel deflated. Things I do don’t seem to make an impact. I wonder if this is all worth it, or if I should move onto something else because maybe the opportunity cost of staying where I am is too high.
I still believe in what I’m doing, so I talk myself back down. I remind myself the grass isn’t greener on the other side.
I’m grateful for where we are. But I’m also not sure where we’re headed.
Everything has gotten harder. AI changed how people search and discover. What used to work for us hasn’t worked in a while.
I feel like I’m failing my cofounder and my team by not growing fast enough.
Did I make the wrong bet? Should I have come up with a simpler product?
I have no idea what to do next.
Doubt creeps in. Am I even made for this? If I am, then why aren’t I more successful?
Some days, I can know I’m successful, and still feel like a failure. Those two things are not mutually exclusive. I can’t explain why. It’s not reasonable, but neither is starting a company.
I think most entrepreneurs have days like this… You are not alone.
Here’s what I keep reminding myself: Progress doesn’t always feel like winning.
Progress is not linear. It’s all over the place. Sometimes you take a step forward, sometimes backward. You try a bunch of things that don’t work to find the few things that do.
Progress happens over time. It’s slow. It’s quiet.
Progress is showing up even when you don’t feel like it. Even when you’re not sure. Because the only way out is through.
Winning is different. Winning happens in spurts. It’s loud. It’s exhilarating. It’s the dopamine hit that gets our blood pumping.
Without progress, there are no wins.
With Thanksgiving coming up, let’s think of three things we’re grateful for.
What’s a big thing you accomplished in the last year?
How much have you grown as a person?
What kind of progress have you made in the last month?
PS. I’m reminded of what I wrote here about feeling successful every day.
Till next time,
— Melissa ✌️
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Absolutely loved this. I have not founded a business but have worked with many a founder to midwife one and feel this struggle in my bones. I am currently trying to drive a significant turn around in 150+ brand and every word of this rings true