A recent Entrepreneur article boiled down the startup process into five things that must happen before you launch:
- ensure it’s a good idea
- plan and budget
- create the team
- have a support system
- solicit feedback and refine
Yes, all are critical steps that must be done but here’s one more thing I’ve discovered is just as important – harden yourself for rejection. Not everyone will want what you have to sell. In fact, very few people may want it. The key is finding those that do and not wasting your time and energy on those that don’t.
In an interview on the Jim Engster show, songwiter Don McClean (American Pie) talked about the 72 times his first album Tapestry was rejected by record companies. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter was rejected by twelve publishing houses before one agreed to give it a go. Chances are good that whatever your new startup is selling will be rejected as well and it may be rejected a lot.
Learn to appreciate the information rejection provides. Adjust your offering or your target market. Holding tight to what you’re sure will work in light of evidence to the contrary wastes valuable resources. Awhile back I wrote about letting go of those things that aren’t working for you. Operate like a scientist. You have a hypothesis; test it; collect data; formulate your next hypothesis based on what the data tell you and start the process again.
Be prepared for rejection and don’t let it phase you. In fact, turn it around and be grateful for it because it is guiding you to success.
And go for it!!! Entrepreneurship is great!
What lessons has rejection taught you? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
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My goal is to write 30 blog posts in 30 days the month of September.
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