6 Principles When Going Through Entrepreneurial Adversity

Let’s be honest—if you’re an entrepreneur, you’ve probably already figured out that the road to success isn’t exactly paved with gold. It’s more like a dirt path filled with potholes, unexpected detours, and the occasional wild animal jumping out of the bushes to remind you that you’re not in Kansas anymore. But here’s the thing: those obstacles aren’t just there to trip you up—they’re there to make you stronger. So instead of letting adversity stop you, use these six strategies to leap over the hurdles and grow your business into something unstoppable.

1. Keep a Positive Attitude and Learn from Failure

Let’s kick things off with a guy who knew something about failure: Thomas Edison. You might know him as the lightbulb guy, but before he lit up our lives, he was the king of failed experiments—10,000 of them, to be exact. But did he let that stop him? Nope. He famously said, “I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” That’s the kind of attitude you need to survive in the business world.

So when you hit a wall (and you will), don’t start digging a grave for your dreams. Instead, take a page out of Edison’s book and see each failure as an experiment, a pivot point. Because the truth is, every failure is just one step closer to the solution that will work.

2. Build Relationships with People Who Get It

Entrepreneurship can be lonely, especially when adversity strikes and you’re left feeling like the universe is conspiring against you. But here’s a little secret: you don’t have to go it alone. Successful entrepreneurs aren’t afraid to reach out and ask for help. They surround themselves with peers, mentors, and advisors who can offer guidance, feedback, and maybe even a much-needed reality check.

So, next time you’re feeling stuck, don’t isolate yourself. Instead, pick up the phone, send an email, or grab a coffee with someone who’s been there. Talk about your challenges, and listen—listen—to what they have to say. You’ll be surprised how much easier it is to tackle problems when you’ve got a support system in place.

3. Surround Yourself with People Who Are Smarter Than You

Here’s a truth bomb: you don’t know everything. And that’s okay. The best entrepreneurs aren’t the ones who try to control every little detail; they’re the ones who know when to bring in the experts. Find people who are smarter than you in specific areas—whether it’s marketing, finance, or operations—and trust them to do what they do best.

When adversity hits, having a team of smart, capable people by your side can make all the difference. Instead of trying to be the hero who solves every problem, let your team’s collective brilliance melt those challenges away.

4. Prioritize Your Health (Seriously, Don’t Skip This One)

Ever heard the phrase “burning the candle at both ends”? Well, in the entrepreneurial world, it’s more like lighting the whole damn candle on fire. But here’s the thing: running yourself into the ground won’t solve your problems—in fact, it’ll probably just create more.

Smart entrepreneurs know that taking care of their health is non-negotiable. That means finding time for rest, exercise, and maybe even a little meditation (yes, even you can meditate). Because let’s face it, you can’t run a successful business if you’re running on empty.

5. Accept Adversity as the Norm, Not the Exception

Here’s a fun fact: adversity is inevitable. It’s not a question of if you’ll face challenges in your business, but when. So instead of freaking out every time something goes wrong, start treating adversity like any other part of the job. It’s just another unknown you have to navigate, not the end of the world.

Some entrepreneurs thrive on adversity. They get a weird kind of satisfaction from solving impossible problems, while the rest of us are still trying to find our way out of the maze. So next time you hit a rough patch, remember that it’s all part of the game—and you were built for this.

6. Practice Resilience by Refocusing on Your Strengths

Here’s the thing about resilience: it’s like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. One of the best ways to build resilience is by focusing on your strengths, not your weaknesses. Sure, it’s easy to obsess over what’s going wrong, but that’s a one-way ticket to Burnoutville.

Instead, take a step back and remind yourself of what you’re good at. What are your strengths? What’s been working well in your business? Focus on those things and build on them. Resilience isn’t about being perfect; it’s about bouncing back and getting stronger every time you’re knocked down.

Turning Adversity into Your Secret Weapon

The entrepreneurial journey isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s filled with risks, challenges, and more than a few sleepless nights. But here’s the good news: it’s also filled with opportunities to grow, learn, and become stronger than you ever thought possible.

The best entrepreneurs don’t succeed by dodging challenges; they succeed by facing them head-on and coming out the other side even better. So the next time adversity comes knocking, don’t run away—invite it in, show it who’s boss, and use these six principles to turn it into your secret weapon for success.