This isn’t the first time this year that I’ve written a blog post to remind myself of advice I often share with others.
Speed bumps and hurdles are meant to be overcome, not to stop us entirely. They might slow us down but don’t kill our dreams or force us to stop moving forward.
Recently, a significant speed bump hit me on my journey to launch a company I was building. I was forced to drop the brand name I’d chosen after a legal challenge required me to surrender my recently approved trademark. It was a hard blow, halting much of the momentum I’d built. All the work I’d done over the past year had centred around that name, making it feel like a core part of the project.
In situations like these, it’s common to lose momentum, to feel frozen. I did just that for about two weeks, trying to process the setback and figure out my path forward. I wanted to see how the dust settled in my mind—how did I feel about this, and how did I want to move forward?
Doubts crept in, and I questioned if this was a sign to move on and focus on other projects. But then I thought, What advice would I give others facing the same challenge? Quite simply: reset, get back up, and keep moving.
When you’re directly in the middle of a setback, it’s easy to feel like it’s a bigger deal than it is. The drama pulls you in, and suddenly the water feels like it’s rising around you.
But surprisingly, after a while my mind cleared and the situation offered me a fresh canvas to rethink the brand from scratch. I found a strange sense of peace in the chance to rebuild, to refine my vision of what I wanted to create. It’s another opportunity to improve on what I’d already started.
I broke through the wall I’d built in front of me and saw that I was capable of hurdling it. I found a way to keep moving forward.
Reflection:
Over the years, I’ve often looked back on key events and decisions, questioning why they turned out the way they did. Some led to success, while others fell short. Reflecting on those that didn’t work out, a common theme emerges: I had often allowed reasons to quit to carry more weight than they deserved.
In tough situations, I was sometimes too quick to take setbacks as signs to move on rather than challenges to overcome. Looking back now, I wonder what might have been possible if I’d shown a bit more grit—a little more perseverance.
Our mindset profoundly influences whether we achieve the goals we set. When our mindset is vulnerable, and we let setbacks chip away at our beliefs, we become more prone to failure. But with a resilient mindset—one that sees obstacles as part of the process—we’re far more likely to reach our goals.
With this new project, I made a commitment: my mindset alone would decide whether I stopped or continued. If the project failed, it would be due to external circumstances beyond my control, not because I lost belief in the vision or myself.
Now, I’ve found new clarity: speed bumps and hurdles are no longer reasons to stop. They may adjust my pace, but they won’t keep me from the path I’ve set out to follow.
ASAP:
Lately, I’ve noticed how much we all seem driven by speed—we want to get to our goals, build companies, and see results immediately. If success doesn’t come quickly, we’re tempted to question its validity.
This "ASAP" mindset can be dangerous. We live in a world of instant gratification: food deliveries, next-day orders, and everything accessible with a click. But I’m starting to question whether this speed-focused mindset serves me in the long term.
Recently, I came across a quote that’s challenging how I approach progress: “ASAP—As Slowly As Possible.” Embracing this concept brings patience and a sense of purpose back into the process, helping me focus not on getting there quickly but on getting there right.
It might be the most helpful mantra I’ve come across when it comes to my own life and business goals. It reminds me to focus on building something meaningful and lasting, rather than just getting there quickly.
By slowing down, I’m better able to prioritise quality and purpose over speed, which, in the end, makes the journey not only more rewarding but also more resilient to whatever challenges come my way.
I am Will Flindall, host of the Valley of Outlaws Podcast where I speak to those who have decided to take control of their life and follow a passion or instinct.
If you feel like you could be getting more from your life, then maybe one of the conversations I’ve had with the Outlaws might help you kickstart a change.
Peace x
44/52
Comments