Never Accept Compromises
We are in startups. We are the ones that aspire to change the world. Not only entrepreneurs but all the people engaged with the startup businesses should be the same; we’re striving to achieve the big dream.
However, even among those highly aspirational people, there is a clear gap between excellence and mediocrity. Where is it from? I believe that the single difference is whether they have Grit.
The word “grit” is recently widely-known, and people recognize it as something important; however, people often perceive this word as a kind of never-give-up concept. It is not 100% wrong, yet the Grit also has another aspect; “never accept compromises.”
It doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t compromise anything in your life. It’s impossible and too inefficient as a life. Whatever concept you have, if you genuinely believe it’s essential, but it cannot be a natural consequence, you need to shout out and go way against the compromises.
Reality is the enemy
Whenever we get a concept, it sounds very idealistic and quite challenging to align with reality. For example, Google achieved data-driven decision-making processes, which seems so calm. However, once we try to do this kind of idea, you may immediately find lots of inefficiencies, friction among teammates, and doubts. “Am I doing the right thing?”
In the data-driven decision-making case, if you force others to collect data for making easy decisions, they perceive this principle as an inefficient one, and hence some members may feel very frustrated with you; “You don’t understand reality. I am busy!”
The concept starts with just a theory. All the challenges gradually strengthen the idea, and finally, it comes to be the diamond of your life, or in your business.
Compromises spoil everything
However, even a small compromise can potentially destroy everything. People underestimate the risk of compromise, but a little habit of accepting the compromise will make a massive difference in the end.
The difference between zero-compromise and small compromise is quite similar to the formula above.
- Compromises dilute your will
Once making a compromise, people perceive it as compromisable. It will gradually generate more and more compromises. - Compromises make inconsistency
Once you decide the compromise, in the birds-eye view, you may already make some inconsistency among some decisions. Inconsistency ruins your heart because you gradually lose accountability in your choice. You lose confidence in the arrangements. Eventually, You’ll lose yourself. - Compromises damage your self-esteem
The worst thing is this one. The concept itself could be a right and precious stuff; however, you fail in pursuing the idea, and you may not be confident in conceptualization in the end. That is how people get poisoned and be just ordinary. Once losing self-esteem with your original idea, the experience gives you a harmful effect rather than learning. “Failure is a good experience” — Not very accurate. More accurately, “Success after many failures is a good experience.”
Limit your agendas
Again, it’s impossible to do everything without compromises because we have a short time and surrounded by many constraints. We must limit our agendas, simplify the logic and background behind, and firmly stick to it.
Conclusion
Innovations stem from huge fights with reality.
Never accept compromises.
