Startups are a long-term game. Success takes time, usually far longer than you expect. While startups move fast, that’s their inherent advantage, they must still navigate the slower pace of the external world. Others won’t match your speed of execution, and your urgency won’t make them move much faster.
This is why persistence is a key attribute of successful founders. It helps you push through setbacks and delays, keeping you moving forward when everything is against you. Talent and intelligence can only take you so far; persistence matters more. As the classic startup advice goes, “just don’t die.”
Think long-term. Maintain your momentum and urgency, but accept that everything will take longer than it should. Startups are a marathon and not a sprint.