Ya Dig…
I view everything from the perspective of the built environment. I see it from all angles and at various levels. If you gain the right knowledge you do not need to reside at that level to understand it. As you begin, you can paint mental pictures and look at them from above. There are so many factors that you cannot foresee from that vantage point but you can at least develop a cursory relationship with the mindset.
For example, if you are giving a pitch to an investor, you must see things from the opposite side. I call it the ultimate skeptic. If you have a great, yet unproven idea, you have to do everything you can to trash it. When I develop a pitch, I view it from the CEO’s chair. I am so critical even to the point where the person viewing simply dislikes the way you look or talk or think. Those factors are relevant as well. You must weave through all that to find where you fit. If you have a great idea or product which contains value, finding that fit becomes more plausible.
A good fit is like the tattered looking rock star who has the stunningly beautiful super model dangling on his arm. He has “it.” He is beautiful and most likely doesn’t give the slightest f*** what you or anyone else thinks (excuse the explicative: used for intensity purposes).
Along with a solid idea, investors are looking for that. It is a 50/50 proposition; some will love you, some won’t. For others, the ratio is much lower. Maybe you failed before, have a horrible career track record, or even went to prison. For guys like that the love/hate ratio is extreme, let’s imagine 70/30, even 90/10!
life is interesting and those guys make it too. The lower the ratio the greater your product must be. I spoke about the pyramid of capital last time and I believe the lower the ratio, the higher up on the pyramid you need to go. It’s tough getting there. People will hate on you. You will be isolated. Not many people respond, return your communications, or give you the time of day. If you have a great idea you know you’re on the right track.
It’s like digging a big giant hole. From my perspective, the bigger the hole, the heavier the structure that can be built. When you build a giant tower, you need a very deep foundation. In some cases the bedrock is close to the surface, but most time, you are drilling piles down deep. You won’t be digging those deep elements alone, others will gladly do it for you. So dig! Keep digging! Dig deep! Encourage it. Embrace it. Love it. There’s no such thing as bad press especially when you look at those things chronologically.
For me, the notion of digging a hole for yourself is an analogy. There are all sorts of forces that will obstruct you. Those forces are important. Utilize them as they are your guide.
I head this quote somewhere, I believe it was from Star Wars. It is so fitting.
“The obstacles on you path define the path. What stands in the way, becomes the way.”
This phrase is taken from Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius: “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
Marcus Aurelius was a great leader. From his vantage point we should all find great blessing in the obstacles or those that tread on you. They are the very people that are making it happen for you, not the one who eventually believes in what you’re doing. The greater the opposition the greater the mission; with a great business, the greater the investment.