If you have...

The Right idea

+ Wrong time = Fail

+ Wrong team = Fail

+ Wrong investors = Fail

+ Wrong implementation = Fail

+ Wrong go-to-market = Fail

+ Poor alignment = Fail

+ Weak perseverance = Fail

+ Slow adaptation = Fail

In startups, like in life, the stars need to align for outsized value creation and success to occur.

In Startups:
Choose your market timing well. Choose your founders and operational team well. Choose your investors well. Choose your implementation details and roadmap well. Choose your go-to-market strategy and tactics well. Manage your team's alignment well. Maintain your team culture and perseverance well. Adapt quickly without thrashing.

In Life:
Choose your life stages well. Choose your spouse and friends well. Choose your career well. Apply your superpowers well. Craft your attitude and personal brand well. Maintain alignment amongst your family and friends well. Continue to invest in each other well. Know when to pivot, adjust, and/or move on.

It’s like threading the eye of a needle.

Very difficult. Nearly impossible.

However, the effort and the outcome can be very rewarding if you put your heart and soul into it with the right people by your side.

If any of these elements are fundamentally broken, though, the pain, suffering, and failure will be heartbreaking and maybe even maddening.

You can push and push, but you will ultimately get nowhere.

It’s like a supercar on a track with a flat tire. The horsepower will never overcome the friction. And you’ll mess up the rims trying.