Principle: Being misunderstood is a superpower
The ability to be comfortable while also being misunderstood is a superpower.
And being misunderstood is endemic in the game of entrepreneurship.
Your wife doesn’t get it. Your coworkers at the job you just left don’t. The market doesn’t see the vision yet.
You’re alone. You might be in a cold, dark room for months, maybe years.
And that’s where the alpha is.
Tactics
Create a North Star and keep at it.
Write a “misunderstood thesis” in one sentence. “In 5 years, X will be normal, so I’m writing Y now.” Put this on your desk so you know where to look every day.
Only pitch the right market. In almost every case, you’re not building a company for your wife/friends/coworkers. So stop asking their opinion unless you want objections (next point).
Asset-ize misunderstanding. Anytime someone says they don’t get it, write their reason down. Create an FAQ/objection-crushing landing page with it.
Measure or pivot. If after 12 months you’re still not only misunderstood, but have no measurable traction, you have an answer. Misunderstanding + traction = alpha | Misunderstanding + no positive metrics = delusion.
Habits
Funny that business building tends to attract both hyper-focusers and hyper-distracted people. Maybe more the latter than the former.
Seeing that one-sentence thesis statement every day you work might be the difference between a thriving company and the girl that got away.
God speed,
Mike
Today’s inspiration: Andrew Wilkinson on Being Misunderstood - minutes 58+