Mental Preparation Before Starting a Startup

There will be very good chances that you will be blindsided by some factors you weren’t prepared for

I started my company with some of my friends in 2019. We have passed some good times and some bad times here. But one thing many founders don’t take seriously. That’s mental preparation before starting a startup.

I am not talking about plans, raising money, or searching for co-founders. These are other necessary things. So I think there are some things we need to take in mind before starting that will help us survive in the long run. I am sharing what faced and facing.

There are very good chances that you will have a mental breakdown, bankrupt, heavily depressed, even having suicidal thoughts. There might be a situation where you can’t get enough traction or can’t pay your employees' salary. If you make a very good plan, you can avoid most of the problems. But I am telling you you will face some problems.

Money problems

I didn't take a salary for 1 year from my startup. I knew that before starting my company and make a plan according to that. I did some very small freelancing projects to support my expenses.

I had to give 10 hours a week for that job. So I could still give 70 hours/week for my startup. During the Covid situation, I faced a money problem again. I have a big brother who supports my family; it helps me to focus on doing my job.

Money is the single most important thing that can solve most of our problems.

So If you are planning for starting your company, you might not have the luxury to take a salary. Take mental preparation if you fall into this situation, what will do?

Relationship problems

I did a bad thing for a long time in my early days. I gave very little time to my family, to my girlfriend. They all are very understanding and caring. They all want to see me successful. That’s why they were hurting, but they didn’t tell me anything about they were hurting and I was so busy doing my work that I didn’t notice.

For the past few months, I am frustrated with my startup for some things. Then when I pass more time with them, I realize there is nothing more important than family and relationships.

No matter how busy you are, if you really care about someone, you will always find the time.

But honestly, even if you have a proper plan, there might be a very good chance that important meetings will overlap with important ceremonies. Make a choice. But as long as you make time for your families and loved ones and explain the reasons are you acting like this, they will understand.

Missing out problems

This is slightly a different problem than the other two, and this not only a founder’s problem. This is a universal problem, and we all face it at some stage in our life. When I was busy building my startup, many of my friends enjoying their lives.

Some were traveling, some were having good times hanging around with others. Last January I missed a very nice tour campaign on a hill because of a meeting. Honestly, I enjoy doing my work. But I also love traveling.

So sometimes I felt bad when I missed a tour with my friends because of important meetings or important events. But this is life! We can’t have them all at the same time. Whatever we do, how hard we try, we will miss something for something else.

For everything you have missed, you have gained something else

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

So take mental preparation that it will happen in your startup journey and it’s not so bad when you will think about it.

Last but not the least, be prepared to always believe in yourself. Have faith in yourself. Dream about your vision. Think about happy times when your dream will come true. Honestly, you will face many more problems. But the excitement, the goosebumps will make the entire journey worthy!