Business By Hormozi #260: Seasons – The Unseen Stages of Success

Understanding the Power of Seasons in Entrepreneurship

Success doesn’t come overnight, and the journey to achievement is rarely smooth. “First, you look like an idiot to everyone else while you try to figure it out. Then, everyone else looks like idiots for ever doubting you would. Seasons.” This quote perfectly captures the cyclical nature of entrepreneurship—the ups and downs, the struggles before the success, and the time it takes to prove your vision.

This is the story of Jake and Emily, two entrepreneurs who experienced these “seasons” of growth and doubt on their paths to success.

Jake’s Early Struggles: The First Season

Jake started his tech startup with big dreams. He had a unique idea and a clear vision, but the initial days were tough. His product wasn’t perfect, his marketing didn’t gain traction, and investors were skeptical. At first, it seemed like he was wasting his time. People in his circle, including family and friends, doubted his ability to make it. He would often hear comments like, “You’re too early for this,” or “It’s just not going to work.”

During this season, Jake felt like an idiot. He wasn’t seeing the results he expected, and his confidence wavered. Yet, he pushed forward. He worked tirelessly, took risks, and kept refining his product, constantly learning and adapting.

Emily’s Rise: The Second Season

As Jake continued to struggle, Emily started her own journey in the fashion industry. Her journey was similarly met with doubt and frustration. While she believed in her designs, no one else seemed to understand her vision. Her first collection didn’t sell well, and her social media following was almost non-existent. Emily faced many sleepless nights and constant criticism from people who didn’t see the potential in her ideas.

However, Emily also knew that success didn’t come easily. She kept working on her designs, improving her marketing, and reaching out to influencers. Slowly but surely, her brand began to gain recognition. As time passed, her hard work paid off. The second season of her journey was full of wins, and she began to secure collaborations, raise brand awareness, and, most importantly, prove to everyone who doubted her that she had made it.

The Full Circle of Seasons

Both Jake and Emily experienced similar cycles: a difficult first season where they looked like “idiots” trying to figure things out, followed by a later season where they proved the doubters wrong. Success was not immediate, and their paths were full of challenges, but they kept going, knowing that these seasons were simply part of the process.

In the world of entrepreneurship, we often have to go through the first season of doubt, struggle, and hard work. This is the time when others might question your abilities, but it's also the time when growth happens behind the scenes. The second season, the one where you see success, is often when the world looks at you and wonders how they ever doubted you.

Embracing the Seasons of Business

The key to thriving through these seasons is persistence. The work done during the first season—when things feel tough and everyone doubts you—lays the foundation for the second season, where your success begins to shine. Entrepreneurship is a series of seasons, and each season brings valuable lessons, growth, and opportunities.

The doubts you face now may be the fuel for your future success. Stay focused, keep working, and understand that the seasons of struggle are what prepare you for the seasons of triumph.

Conclusion

Entrepreneurship is not an overnight journey—it’s a series of seasons. In the beginning, you may feel like an idiot while trying to figure it all out, but eventually, the hard work and persistence will pay off. As you move through each season, remember that success comes in cycles, and the struggles you face now are simply preparing you for the victory ahead.

Moral: "First, you look like an idiot to everyone else while you try to figure it out. Then, everyone else looks like idiots for ever doubting you would. Seasons."