The messy middle

I’m editing a chapter of my upcoming book at the moment, and making an effort to share weekly lessons from early in my entrepreneurial journey.

Anne and I went on a hike (the way I get my best editorial feedback), and she put her finger on the struggle I was having. There is a chapter of my entrepreneurial journey where I felt more like I was flailing than making progress. So what advice can I possibly give you from that?

“Don’t flail?” … “Do things that work?”

Anne coined this chapter of my career “the messy middle.”

I was starting projects left and right. I had a business card with five different companies on it. I was working my tail off, but definitely not always on the right stuff. One step forward, two steps back. There were many times my journey felt like a rudderless ship.

There are no mistakes, only lessons.

Making mistakes is part of the process. I was trying stuff. Enthusiastic. Figuring it out.

As life gives you lessons, it's up to you to put these lessons into practice. My life slowed down a lot over the last few years with the birth of our daughter and burnout from running Launch Pad, a coworking space during COVID. My priorities shifted toward family and self reflection, from a quest for external validation to a quest for internal spiritual growth.

At the same time, I began to apply the lessons I learned in the “messy middle” of my career. I have a mantra based on the Techstars slogan “Do More Faster” that I repeat to myself…“Do Less Better.”

Instead of a fire hose of output spraying wherever my attention is at the moment, I’ve realized that slowing down and focusing on things that bring me the most joy is essential to my success.

Wherever you are on your journey, I wish you success. When things feel like they are flailing, look for the lessons, and focus in on what’s most important to you.