Yes, for all you soccer fans today was an exciting day: Japan pounded Denmark 3:1 to show they too can face The Big Day and emerge the winner. Congratulations, Japan soccer fans!
Yet the Big Story in Sports today was the end of a 12 hour 16 minute tennis match at Wimbledon, England. That set the world record for tennis tournaments.
Man oh man, am I glad I don't have to earn a living that way!
Can you imagine playing, and playing, and playing, sweating and hoping you'll finally overcome your competitor?
Well I've got news for you: That's what leading a startup is all about.
LESSON FOR THE DAY = "Startups are marathons, not sprints"
Too often I find first-timer founder CEOs of new enterprises expecting to run fast immediately and thereby win.
The reality: the fast rabbit soon is exhausted while the steadily moving, slower tortoise wins. Just like the old story tells it.
You have to get started, begin building, and keep on going, regardless of what pops up in front of you each time you start to round the next curve while thinking "Now, at last, we are arriving at a place where we can rest for a while and celebrate victory."
Marathons go on for 26 miles and are won by professionals in 2.5 hours. Startups go on for half a decade and often longer before the winner emerges.
Can you run that long? Think about it before starting your new enterprise. It's going to be like running a marathon.
BOTTOM LINE: Prepare for a very long run as you prepare to do your startup. Reality says you'll be running a lot longer than you believe you will run. And you'll run into unforeseen surprises as you round each corner. Those tennis players fought to the last stroke. You'll be expected to do the same. When that is in your gut, your soul, then you'll have what it takes. You'll be well on your way to building an unfair competitive advantage.
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