Instead of complaining, get up and do things, shape your environment, and do more with less. Once you’re there, go and inspire others.
I didn’t sleep very well at all.
My back hurts.
The kids vomited at night.
My favorite concert is sold out.
I’m sure you have heard such complaints from people of all walks of life, including those who live perfect lives in abundance. And if you think entrepreneurs are any better than the rest of the whining folk, I will have to disappoint you:
A competitor took over a customer.
Our software has bugs.
Life would be so much easier if we had more funding.
Other People Are Way Worse Off Than You Are
In Gaza, entrepreneurs often don’t sleep well and worry about competitors taking over their customers.
In Ukraine, soldiers’ backs hurt, and their drone operating software has bugs.
In Haiti, kids vomit at night, and entrepreneurs realize they hired the wrong person.
In South Sudan, there aren’t any favorite concerts, and there isn’t any funding at all.
No matter if you’re whining for personal or business reasons, put your whining into a wider context. Other people are way worse off than you are; you should feel lucky that your back hurts, your kids vomit at night, or you have to take care of a bug.
Entrepreneurs Act, They Don’t Whine
One of my board members once dryly said: Complaining is not a business discipline.
Read that again. Complaining is not a business discipline.
So what do entrepreneurs do instead?
1. They Get Up And Do Things
When my kids complain about an unpleasant task, I always tell them that it’s wiser to spend their energy on completing the task than on complaining about it.
It’s the same for entrepreneurs. Every minute you spend complaining or procrastinating is a disadvantage for your business. Always consider that your competitors will not spend their time complaining and procrastinating, but will do great things in the meantime.
What are you waiting for? Get up and start doing things.
2. They Shape Their Environments
Our world changes faster than ever before: Geopolitics, the rise of AI, and climate change.
Those are all threats by nature, but with every threat comes opportunity: That’s where entrepreneurs thrive. Instead of complaining, use your time to spot the opportunity in adversity.
3. They Do More With Less
Ever wondered why Lebanon has such an active startup scene? Because in a largely dysfunctional state, building your own business is essential for survival. And because Lebanon has been through hardship for more than 40 years, Lebanese are used to doing more with less.
Whenever a customer leaves you, whenever an employee resigns, and whenever a deal falls through, ask yourself how you can do more with less.
Conclusion
The habits described above are not clichés; they work. But you will need some time before they become second nature. But once you’re there, they will become central to your resilience and agility.
And because entrepreneurs seldom act alone, here is one final suggestion: Start with yourself, and then inspire others.
