Don’t rush into entrepreneurship, get ready for it instead.

There’s often an odd sense of urgency to become a founder, a pressure that many aspiring entrepreneurs feel acutely. This rush, driven by the desire to achieve status or fulfill a personal milestone, can lead to forced partnerships and ill-conceived ventures. I’ve noticed a trend of individuals setting arbitrary deadlines for themselves to become founders, often leading to a compromise on the quality of their ideas or the compatibility of their co-founders.

This reminds me to the world of dating, where the pressure to be in a relationship can lead to forced connections that lack depth and genuine compatibility. Just as in dating, the quest to become a founder is more fruitful when approached with patience and continuous self-improvement, rather than urgency and desperation.

Many individuals I’ve encountered in the entrepreneurial community express a strong desire to “have my startup” as if the act of founding itself is the ultimate goal. They embark on this journey with a tight timeframe, hoping to validate countless ideas quickly. This self-imposed pressure often leads them to settle for the first viable idea that comes to mind, regardless of its value or potential impact. Conversations with them, months later, reveal ventures based on half-baked ideas that clearly prioritize the act of founding over creating something meaningful or valuable.

Contrast this with the stories of those who stumble upon entrepreneurship through their passion projects or technological innovations. One compelling example is an engineer who spent a decade developing technology capable of detecting diseases through breath analysis. Lacking medical expertise, they sought a partner with the necessary background, leading to a partnership based on mutual interest and complementary skills. This partner, was me, and the journey since has been tough but deeply meaningful. This scenario that had the privilege to experience, exemplifies the ideal entrepreneurial journey — one that begins with a genuine passion for solving a problem or making a technological advancement, rather than the mere desire to be labeled a founder.

The key takeaway from these observations is the importance of focusing on personal and professional development rather than rushing into entrepreneurship. Just as in dating, where continuous work on becoming the best version of oneself (not just professionally, but also emotionally, physically, etc.) attracts the right partner, in business, enhancing your skills, knowledge, and network prepares you to seize the right opportunity when it arises. By doing so, you position yourself to recognize and pursue ventures that are not only viable but also aligned with your passions and expertise.

My personal story highlights the magic that happens when passion meets opportunity. We both just worked on getting ready to found something big—and eventually met. It’s a reminder that entrepreneurship should not be forced. Instead, it should be a natural progression from identifying a real problem to developing a solution, all the while waiting for the right co-founder to complement your vision and skill set.

In conclusion, the journey to becoming an entrepreneur is unique for everyone. However, the most fulfilling and successful ventures often stem from patience, continuous self-improvement, and a genuine passion for the problem you’re solving. By adopting this mindset, aspiring entrepreneurs can avoid the pitfalls of forced entrepreneurship and instead embark on a journey that leads to meaningful and impactful ventures.

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Yours,

Sven