Business By Hormozi #81: Embrace the Struggle – Willing to Look Like an Idiot

The Journey of Two Friends Who Embraced the Struggle

In a small town, there were two lifelong friends, Alex and Ben, who had dreams that burned in their hearts. They wanted to start a business that could change their community. But while their aspirations were huge, their confidence was small. They both knew that it was going to be a tough journey. What they didn’t know was that they would have to go through a process that would challenge everything they believed about themselves.

Alex had always been the more confident of the two, but even he had his doubts. Ben, on the other hand, struggled with the idea of looking foolish. Neither one of them had ever started a business, and they didn’t even know where to begin. But despite their fears, they both agreed on one thing: they wanted to build something that mattered.

The Fear of Looking Like an Idiot

As they embarked on their entrepreneurial journey, the first few weeks were filled with mistakes. Ben would often stay up late, struggling to understand the technical aspects of the business, while Alex would go to networking events, but each time he was met with rejection. Both of them feared that people would laugh at their failure.

There were nights when Ben felt like quitting. He’d tell Alex, "Maybe we should just give up. We’re not cut out for this. We don’t know what we’re doing, and it’s embarrassing." But Alex would always remind him, "We’re going to look like idiots at first, but that’s part of the process. We have to be willing to be bad before we can be good."

The fear of looking foolish was real, but they kept pushing forward, learning and adapting along the way. They stumbled. They made mistakes. They felt the weight of judgment from others. But the one thing they refused to do was quit.

The Breakthrough Moment

As the weeks turned into months, things started to change. Ben, who had once been unsure of his abilities, started to grasp the technical aspects of the business. Alex, who had once feared rejection, began to get invited to more meaningful networking events. Slowly, they both started to see results. The mistakes they had made became stepping stones to success.

One day, after months of hard work, they landed their first big client. It was a huge deal for them, but it didn’t feel like the victory they had imagined. Instead, it felt like a relief—a confirmation that all their efforts had been worth it. They had pushed through the embarrassment, the fear, and the uncertainty. And now, they were reaping the rewards.

The turning point came when Alex and Ben realized something powerful: the very thing that had scared them—the idea of looking foolish—was the reason they had succeeded. By embracing the struggle and being willing to look like idiots, they had learned everything they needed to grow. And once they figured it out, all the people who had doubted them looked foolish in comparison.

The Power of Perseverance

Their story serves as a reminder that success doesn’t come without its challenges. Alex and Ben didn’t give up when they felt like idiots; they used those moments as fuel to keep going. They learned that looking foolish wasn’t the end—it was the beginning. And while others may have judged them, they knew the truth: "You just have to be willing to look like an idiot while you figure it out. Because once you figure it out, everyone else looks like an idiot for doubting you."

The Lesson: Keep Going, Even If You Look Like an Idiot

As their business grew, Alex and Ben often looked back at the early days. They laughed at the mistakes they had made, but they also recognized that those mistakes had been essential to their growth. They had learned that being willing to look foolish was one of the most important qualities of success.

The moral of their story, and the lesson they learned, is clear: "You just have to be willing to look like an idiot while you figure it out. Because once you figure it out, everyone else looks like an idiot for doubting you." Embrace the struggle. Keep learning, keep failing, and keep growing. The road may be hard, but the reward is worth it.

Conclusion

Alex and Ben's story is a powerful reminder that success is not instant. It requires patience, persistence, and the willingness to be uncomfortable. As they say, "You just have to be willing to look like an idiot while you figure it out. Because once you figure it out, everyone else looks like an idiot for doubting you." So, don’t let the fear of judgment hold you back. Embrace the process, keep going, and trust that one day, your persistence will pay off.