“But.. What If It Doesn’t Work?”

Summary

• When you start something new, you're going to fail initially because you've never done it before. That's normal, and it's okay to not be good right away.
• The game of entrepreneurship never ends, so the only way to truly fail is by giving up.
• You won't end up homeless or starving because of how our systems work, minimizing real-world risks.
• The main cost of trying entrepreneurship is feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed.
• Don't let fear of what others think hold you back. By the time you're old, it won't matter what Sally or anyone else thought about your choices.
• Seeking other people's approval might drive you but you need to unlearn that to try new things.
• You have to risk looking stupid and being misunderstood by people whose opinions you value.
• My personal journey taught me that even with a successful career and approval, true happiness wasn't there until I took my own path.
• Be ready for loved ones to think you're making a mistake, possibly for many years, and persist regardless.
• If you're willing to face these challenges, you'll likely do well.

Video

How To Take Action

I would suggest starting by accepting that failure is part of trying new things. You're going to fail at first, and that's okay. You’ve never done this before, so it's normal. Just keep improving every day—remember, the game of entrepreneurship never ends unless you quit.

A good way of shaking off fear is to believe that you won’t end up homeless or starving. The systems in place nowadays offer safety nets, so the real cost is just feeling uncomfortable or embarrassed. Worrying about what others think, like Sally, won't matter when you're older. So focus on what you truly want, not on seeking others’ approval.

You should try unlearning the need for approval to start something new. Risk feeling stupid and misunderstood. Those who care about you might think you're making a mistake, and that might not change for years. But if you're willing to accept that, you’ll likely succeed.

Take small steps. If there’s something you've always wanted to try, start today. Use free resources, like online courses, to gain knowledge without spending much. Ask for advice from others who've done it. Keep moving forward even when it feels like you aren't progressing.

Above all, do it for yourself. Understand that true happiness comes from choosing your own path, not following what others expect of you. If you keep this mindset, you’ll pave the way for personal growth and success.

Full Transcript

everybody here who's listening to this right now on some level you're like I want to do this thing but what if it doesn't work like deep down like for real I know cuz I've been in your seat and you just got to [ __ ] get over it like you're going to suck of course you're going to fail why would you be good you've never done it before right and for somebody to hold you to a standard that you're going to win on the first shot is ridiculous and so the idea is that you go to business School the first day you open shop and you keep getting better and the nice thing about the game is it doesn't end and so the only way that you actually fails if you give up that's literally it and giving up translated into reality is I can't live at these standards but most of you probably have a couch somewhere that you could live on for free and food is also available given the way our government works and so you can actually try at no risk because you will not be homeless and you will not starve and so the only real cost of Entrepreneurship is you feeling like a [ __ ] and so but the thing is just like the real [ __ ] in Mya mind is you not doing it because you're afraid Sally thinks about you differently like when you're 80 Sally's dead when you're 80 Sally Sally's overweight cuz she married some other random dude and then travel to a different state and you don't even see her but you're worried about what she thinks also by the when you're 80 your parents are dead too so like it just what a terrible existence to just have lived and not do what you want to do because you're afraid of other people but the thing is is that being wanting other people's approval is what got you in this room that drive and so it's like you have to unlearn that to be able to start something new and being willing to take the risk and look stupid like I was a Management Consultant I my my dad was thrilled I did the right thing I graduated in three years I was mad at k l i did you know I was prent of two of the things like I had all the [ __ ] but but and like we had steak we had steak three times a week we'd go get lunch he loved it we went to the same place it was like awesome but I [ __ ] wanted to kill myself cuz I was like is this it am I just going to be in Baltimore for the rest of my life sucks and so like you just you just got to be willing to do it you got to be willing to have the people you care about most think you're making a huge mistake and do it anyways and also have them be right for not months but years so if you're willing to do that you'll do great