I recently became aware of a term called Survivorship Bias and how it specifically can be applied to entrepreneurs.
Wikipedia defines it as :
Survivorship bias or survival bias is the logical error of concentrating on the people or things that made it past some selection process and overlooking those that did not, typically because of their lack of visibility. This can lead to false conclusions in several different ways. It is a form of selection bias.
In the entrepreneur world, this speaks to putting success stories on a pedestal. All the people claiming “I did it, so follow my easy steps so you can too!”
It’s logical to think if someone is successful, then modeling after them should provide your own success but it’s more complicated than that.
The reality is there are umpteen hidden variables that went into their success story and without also studying the failures (both their own, and everyone else who didn’t make it) you have incomplete data.
I’m here today because I made it. But how I made it was my own personal journey.
Now, I feel I have things to share and there are things to learn from me but I’ll stop it at that. I don’t have a simple road to success that you can follow.
I’ve given it a lot of thought and strongly believe EVERY ONE of us will have a unique journey and the key is to find yours. Failure is not the opposite of success but a part of that journey as well, as it was for me.
So if I don’t have a simple solution for you, what can I share?
I believe these things are absolute truths for everyone:
- It will take time. There are no overnight successes, no matter how they are portrayed. You will have wins and losses along the way.
- It’s going to be harder than you want or hope. Nothing in life is easy. But when you get there its very satisfying to know you conquered that mountain.
- Every journey is unique. You will find your own way.
Nowadays I try to help people by supporting the above statements. I feel I help more by being authentic about the process and my own story. Not everyone can handle the above, a lot don’t make it, but if you’re someone ready for the above then you’re the type of person that excites me and I like to help.
