Why startup - it's a marathon, not a sprint

In business, as in a marathon, you can run very fast, but if you choose the wrong strategy will not reach the finish line. Learn what is similar and run business, and why the latter need in the first days to prepare for a marathon.

Nicholas Dobrovolsky

Co-founder and Vice President of Parallels.

What are the similarities between running a business and

I remember the first time coming to the track, I decided to just run five kilometers. Great desire, a surge of strength, the emotional lift. She ran easily. The next day again. And the third - only half. The legs do not bend knees hurt, limping a few weeks. As you know, back on the track I was not soon: a month-plus.

In running, especially over long distances, it is important to maintain the same pace. A common mistake - a quick start, and squander all the forces to withdraw, before reaching the end.

Therefore, in the process of training meticulously selected maximum speed with which you can finish. At first it seems ridiculous, but at the end it becomes exhausting. We must be prepared to ensure that the lightness and euphoria will pass to start the hard work in the middle and struggle for survival towards the end.

Also in startups. Sometimes teams do not sleep for months, creating new functionality and strive to conquer the world. It's great. But it is necessary to feel the line, when it is possible for a long time to work at the limit of strength and not lose efficiency.

The nice thing about the appearance of new products and services - a feeling of euphoria and a desire to create another "the iPhone killer", "new Uber", "perfect Facebook".

But often the first time the product does not take off. Sometimes he does not take off in the second and third time... often observed the following picture: the developers have lit some fashionable Technology began to work with her, but without achieving quick results, have switched to another breakthrough trend. Good quick start, which did not lead to the finish.

It takes 5-10 years and people still remain in place. Do not think that I urge you to relax, drink smoothies and burn investors' money with another seed round.

On the contrary, we should be prepared to play a long time.

As the marathon principles can be useful to a beginning entrepreneur

There are a few rules to follow novice marathoners in preparation for the race and which fully applicable to the business.

Typically 10%

It is usually recommended to gradually increase the load, but not more than 10% from week to week. Some even start with walking or light jogging for a few minutes a day. But it is important to practice regularly and often.

At the start, your goal is not to break records, but to adapt to the increasing load.

Newcomer in the first seven days is enough to run a total of 30 kilometers. It is important not to get injured, do not overstrain, to leave time for family and hobbies.

This rule also applies to business. We spend at work almost a third of his life. Some are given to favorite business without a trace, leaving behind brackets relatives. As a result - stress, depression and emotional burnout.

It is important to find time for themselves and those who are first will be sharing with you the bitterness of disappointment and joy of victories. The family - a place of strength, inspiration and emotional support. Successful people always have a strong rear.

alternative load

At least once a week a beginner marathon runner has to deal with alternative sports: swimming, yoga, cycling, weight training.

Spine and joints will rest on the running load of the shock, but the body will continue to prepare for competitions.

In the context of business it means to constantly expand our horizons: reading books, scientific articles, notes - everything that can be useful in the future. Alternative load allows to look at problems and solutions from different angles. A switch - and more effective tool to combat the emotional burnout.

rule climber

Any marathon sooner or later confronted with the "wall". This is a frightening and unpleasant condition can occur at any interval distance. A sense that there are no forces for the next step, and a wild desire to have it all over quickly.

In spite of everything, you need to keep moving.

How would you not have been bad, move forward. Gradually accustom consciousness to stress the idea that minute by minute, hour by hour, you get closer to your goal.

In place of apathy and wasting a second wind comes.

marathon finish line

Marathon runners often say that the finish line is changing self-esteem: there is self-confidence, the belief that any obstacles on the shoulder.

Before this happens, everyone will have to overcome yourself. 42 kilometers and 195 meters just do not give. Need maximum concentration and dedication.

Before the finish has to give all the best at 200%. We must be ready to accelerate, where, it seems, for it has no strength.

At startup it is important to adhere to deadlines. If you have identified the product release date, it can not move indefinitely. Of course, to run idle prototype is also not the case. Therefore, at some point you will have to demonstrate to finish acceleration.

Before and after the race

Doubt in the success of your enterprise? The selected target? In itself?

At the marathon in this case, too, there are a few recommendations.

1. Find like-minded people. To prepare for the marathon in the easier group. Collective responsibility encourages discipline. In addition, the group of people willing to share knowledge, experiences, useful information. Transferring it to the business, it can be argued that expanding the level of contacts, you strengthen the position of a startup. It is no accident many entrepreneurs start a business with anyone in partnership.
2. Find a mentor. Guru for the novice runner - man, successfully passed the test of marathon. From the point of view of psychology, help that person is priceless. This also applies to business. It is extremely important to be near a person able to adequately assess your capabilities and commitments able to criticize and make recommendations from the perspective of personal experience.
3. Find the right motivation. Often people who have reached the goal, thinking about what to do next. Put a new or sneakers hanging on a nail? After I took a break of almost a year of the first marathon. I was able to find a new hobby, but decided to look for a marathon on the other hand. The world is so picturesque marathon trails! This year I planned to participate in six races: Geography of Malta to Japan. It's a big goal that requires concentration and preparation, and I'm emotionally catchy. Similarly, in business: having achieved the first results, it is important not to stop the development.

In the history of many examples where companies lose focus, and after him and his leadership. These companies tend to withdraw from the market.

Nokia Mobile, Sony Ericsson, Polaroid, Kodak - at some point in history, they seemed unshakable. The harder it was their downfall.

You can not stand still.

In this context, I am often reminded of a quote from "Alice in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll: "It is necessary to escape from the all legs, just to stay in place, but to get somewhere, you must run at least twice faster!"