There is one common thing that startups and entrepreneurs often do wrong, and I must admit that even we have been guilty of this in the past. The "Fake it until you make it" mentality. Let's act or make it look like we are so much bigger than we are. Project the big illusions of success to get people to buy into what you are doing.

I can honestly say that this is such a terrible place to start your business or new venture. It leads to unnecessary spending, large financial marketing commitments, and huge amounts of pressure. The financial and emotional strain of this mentality or attitude can lead you to make big decisions under pressure, possibly make poor decisions, or find quick solutions to bring in some quick cash to keep up with commitments and maintain appearances. I have been down this road before, and it's not where you want to be.

There’s always a cost

You might be forced to start trying to raise capital, diluting your interest in the company. To catch up, you may start taking on new partners before thoroughly vetting them out. These partners could have ulterior motives and could bleed more cash from the company. Most importantly, this mentality could cause you to lose focus on the mission or the company itself.

Some important lessons I have learned are that if you can learn to be patient, enjoy the process, and have some humility, I can assure you that you will have a lot more fun. Not only will you have more fun, but you will also be able to stay focused on your mission and your goals. Stay humble, keep your head down, work hard, and enjoy the process.

Be Patient

It's ok to have big aspirations, but don't expect to get there overnight. Most of the fun happens in the process. Do not get caught up in what others are doing or trying to keep up appearances, and never be too proud to take on a necessary task or job. You are NOT above the work that needs to be done. Do not bite off more than you can chew, and try to avoid huge financial commitments that may put you in a vulnerable position. Instead of looking over at your neighbor's lawn, spend time watering your own. Focus on small attainable goals, and "Make it until you make it." Fall in love with the process, and find gratitude in the small struggles and challenges.