Entrepreneurs (and highly motivated Employees) are like farmers. We need to work very very hard by planting a lot of seeds to get a chance to succeed. But we also need to work intelligently. We need to ensure the seeds are actually of the right kind and of high quality. Then we need to water it day in and day out for the right duration of time. It can neither be too much nor too little! We need to use the right fertilizers. We need to plan meticulously to do whatever it takes to ensure we have the highest chance of success. We work super hard and super smart to maximize our chances of success. But, is that really enough?
In the end, whether we get the fruits of our labor depends on a few things beyond our control. We have to pray that there is neither excessive rain nor a drought because if that happens then all our hard work goes to waste. That’s the element of luck in business and career. One can do everything right and still go wrong because of macroeconomic and other causes.
So, when things are going great, just keep in mind, you are not really as good as you think you are. When things are terrible, remember, you are not as terrible as you think you are either. When you are given respect, it’s really the time and situation you are in that is being given respect, not you. When you are treated badly, it’s usually the time and situation you are in that is being treated with contempt, not you.
Great Success and Great Failure are both Terrible liars.
