“Good things come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” – Abraham Lincoln
In a fast-paced world where quick results and rapid growth are often glorified, the true power lies in patience and long-term vision. Successful entrepreneurship is not just about immediate gains, but about building a sustainable and thriving business over time.
The journey of building a business can be compared to planting a tree. You plant the seed (start your business), nurture it (develop your product or service), and then patiently wait for it to grow and bear fruit, while continuing to work on it. This process can’t be rushed. It requires dedication, consistent effort, and, most importantly, time.
Consider the story of Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn. When LinkedIn started, it wasn’t an immediate hit. It took time to grow its user base and become profitable. Hoffman understood the value of patience in business growth. Today, LinkedIn stands as a premier professional networking platform, a testament to the power of patient, strategic growth.
This approach of embracing the long game in entrepreneurship means not chasing short-term profits at the expense of long-term value. It’s about investing in areas that will pay dividends in the future – like product innovation, quality customer service, and building a strong team.
It’s also about resilience. The entrepreneurial path is often filled with challenges and setbacks. Patience helps us to stay the course and not get disheartened by temporary hurdles. It reminds us that success is a journey, not a sprint.
Action Step: Review your business goals and strategies. Are they focused on quick wins or long-term growth? Identify at least one area where a longer-term focus could yield better results and outline steps to shift your approach accordingly.
The power of patience in entrepreneurship is about understanding that true success, growth, and innovation take time. It’s about balancing the urgency of today’s demands with the foresight of tomorrow’s potential. It’s about planting seeds today for a harvest in the future.
To learn more about the power of long-term thinking, in business and finance, be sure to check out our book of the week: “The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel.