The difference between failure and success

It's a new week, and that’s precisely my topic today: showing up, doing something you love, and why most people procrastinate on their dreams. Spoiler alert: it’s evident and straightforward if you want it bad enough.

My first bookmark is about a hype that took the world by storm last year, but nobody is still talking about it today. The second isn’t something your designers will like, so don’t tell them.

Today’s tweet blew my mind. I will write something on this soon, but today, I give the stage to Spotify’s CEO (make sure to click the tweet to see the video; it will be worth it).

See you on Friday,

Bas

🛫 The difference between failure and success

I’m fascinated by business, entrepreneurship, to be exact. I’ve read all the popular books about it and can share most founder stories that started from their basement in a blink. So many founders are just winging it, doing something they feel will be a success. After reading about it and being an entrepreneur, I found the secret to success and what differentiates the ones who make it and those who fail.

Curious about the mind-shocking difference? They start. The ones that become successful just pull the damn trigger. They don’t wait for the perfect time, and they don’t wait for their magical pivot. Sure, some things could give you an extra push. If you lose your job, that helps. But, even then, you would wish you had started that little side-project idea you had earlier. That would give you a head start; now you’re already 0-1 behind.

I always try to think back to the moment I first thought about that idea, the business I wanted to start, or that product that should be better. Could you go back to that thought and think about the difference today if you took action then? Have you had an idea 12 months ago? Imagine if you started that same day and worked on it for a few hours per week since then. Wow, then you could have had a significant something today.

So many people mention that they had that same idea years ago when someone else succeeded. What is the difference between you and that other person? They started. They embraced the feeling of failure that it could be an option. Hug your imposter syndrome and high-five your lizard brain, telling you you can’t do it and won’t make it. Others will laugh at you and talk behind your back if you want it bad enough, if it will fuel your drive to pursue your idea/business or professional lemonade stand.

The first step is the biggest, the hardest, and the one that scares us most. But it’s the most important one ever. After the first step, the second one feels easier; you have been here before. The trick in the early days is to keep stepping on the next step. It could be daily, weekly, or monthly. But if you make it a routine, which turns into a habit, it will become more natural.

This newsletter that you’re reading right now (appreciate you), I wanted to start years ago. I got distracted, talked down by others, or felt like I wouldn’t make it. The truth? I still have that feeling today. The only difference is that I have a few hundred people reading this. I never missed a week; I’m slowly building my delivery streak. I’m still ashamed every week when I press ‘send,’ but I would feel more embarrassed if I didn’t push it. That, to me, that’s progress. I will probably change and iterate a hundred things in this newsletter, maybe even the frequency. But I will publish every week because I enjoy it, even when I lack the inspiration or prefer to watch Netflix.

Don’t wait for better days; don’t wait because of {insert excuse}. Just start, I will be your first cheerleader. Just let me know how I can help.

🧡 Bas’s bookmarks

🎥 95% of all NFTs are gone to shit by CyberNews
A recent analysis of 73,257 NFT collections reveals a bursting bubble, with 95% worthless—only 1% sold for over $6,000, a far cry from million-dollar deals during the boom. The weekly traded value is just 3% of its peak two years ago. The report suggests NFTs need historical relevance, artistic value, or genuine utility to survive market downturns.

🇳🇱 This tool can replace your in-house campaign team 
The easiest way to generate creatives for campaigns is here. Designed to create brilliant marketing visuals in minutes. Generate hundreds of videos and image assets with a click of a button.

🧠 Tweets that made me think

Thanks for retaking the time this week. If you appreciate my thoughts, please share this newsletter with your peers and share your feedback via the comments or hit the reply button; I answer all my emails 📬