Handling Uncertainty

The inability to withstand extended uncertainty must be one of the most crippling character traits for anyone trying to succeed in the world.
— Epicurean Dealmaker (@EpicureanDeal) January 31, 2014

To a large degree, entrepreneurship is about handling uncertainty. You have to be able to stomach unknowns, make decisions on a hunch, and sometimes even fake it until you make it.

Here are some example scary unknowns:

• Will anyone buy my product?
• How much personal cash will be at risk?
• Will I be able to hire the right people at startup-appropriate compensation levels?
• Will I have enough cash to get to traction?

Other unknowns often are needlessly scary:

• Will I be able to find a job if I fail? –> Of course you will!
• What will my family think? –> That you’re crazy. Get over it!
• Will I be able to pay my bills? –> No, spend less money and you’ll be fine!
• Will I lose other people’s money? –> Perhaps. Don’t take their money if that’s a huge problem.

What are the ways you handle uncertainty in your startup?

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