Some time ago, I heard a religious talk that addressed morality and the concept of right and wrong. The talk used a metaphor to sewing. In sewing there is a pattern from which clothes are made. The pattern is there to ensure the clothes are made properly. Yet every article of clothing is cut a little differently and has it’s own variations. Each is cut its own way and some deviate more from the pattern than others.
It is important to embrace both the pattern and the deviations. It is important to accept the fact that a pattern is needed. It is also important to accept that deviations will always occur and are just part of sewing.
In the startup world, every entrepreneur has an idealized dream for how things will progress. This is the pattern they mentally develop around the trajectory their business will take. The pattern is good to have.
But startups are messy and will not follow the pattern. It is important to understand this and embrace it from the start. It enables entrepreneurs to roll with the punches and pivot and adapt.
I like the sewing analogy and have seen it at play in my startup and in my life.
What are your thoughts about embracing both the pattern and the deviations?
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