What do I expect of others around me on a regular basis? It might be similar to the previous answer, or it might be very different. Thinking about this question and clearly articulating an answer will make it much easier to bring others with you and help avoid frustration.

Being a founder isn’t an easy job, but it’s one that offers you ultimate control.

What do I already do every day? What would I like to do every day? What would I like to stop doing? This triad of questions will really help you get to grips with the things that are actually taking up your time. Once you know that, you’re in a position to make decisions about what goes, what stays and what gets shuffled about.

Boredom aside, if you can’t actually be bothered to send the first 1,000 individual emails introducing people to what you do, then it may not be worth you doing it.

The point of maintenance is to keep the network alive by making yourself memorable (even the most striking haircut can’t manage that alone) and by always being in a position to seek, or indeed offer, help or other support.

What’s the worst thing that could happen? Or what’s the worst someone could say to you or write online? And what would happen if they did that? How would you respond? How would it change your approach or your business? If you wouldn’t change anything, then stop worrying. If you would, then change it before anyone notices.

What do I really want? Is it fame, money, awards, self-satisfaction? Any of these things are perfectly fine, but you need to know what it is for you and for your business, and the most ambitious have something deeper.

What am I doing this for? Are you seeking external validation? Warren Buffett has some wise words to share here: ‘Would you rather be the world’s greatest lover, but have everyone think you’re the world’s worst lover? Or would you rather be the world’s worst lover but have everyone think you’re the world’s greatest lover?’2

Unreasonable success and how to achieve it: Unlocking the nine secrets of people who changed the world by Richard Koch (2022)