Isaiah O’Connor

a 12 minute read

Welcome Back to Our Exploration of Required Secondary Powers!

Hey there, and welcome back to our ongoing journey through the realm of required secondary powers! This marks the second installment in a series that I recently revived in my last post. If you missed it, no worries—I will get you up to speed in a moment.

Understanding Required Secondary Powers: A Recap

Required secondary powers are those additional abilities or attributes that complement our primary skills and supercharge our journey as entrepreneurs. Think of them as the secret ingredients that elevate our efforts from good to extraordinary. This concept originates from the superhero genre, where heroes often possess secondary powers necessary to support their primary abilities. For example, a super speedster requires super heat resistance to prevent bursting into flames from air friction. Similarly, entrepreneurs need more than just their primary passion to make a business work. Traits such as having a teachable spirit, integrity, and determination are essential for success.

Determination: The First Power

In my previous posts, I delved into the importance of determination in the entrepreneurial journey. It is a cornerstone trait that fuels our resilience and propels us forward, even in the face of adversity. Because of its significance, I have decided that determination should be the very first "Required Secondary Power" I focus on.

Embarking on the Journey: The Honeymoon Phase

At the outset of my balloon business venture, I found myself swept up in what can only be described as the 'Honeymoon' Phase—a time filled with boundless excitement and optimism. I believed so strongly in the value of my service that I was convinced I would quickly become profitable enough to pursue it full-time.

This initial surge of enthusiasm acted as a powerful fuel, propelling me past the initial hurdles with unwavering determination. However, not even the skepticism of some of my friends and family, including my very pregnant wife—who, with her wisdom, proved to be correct in her doubts about my dreams of instant success—could dampen my spirits."

Facing Reality

As time went on, I faced the harsh realities of entrepreneurship. Despite putting in considerable effort, my sales remained minimal, barely covering expenses and leaving no room for profit. Balancing my business aspirations with the responsibilities of caring for a newborn and supporting my family financially became increasingly challenging. The initial excitement gave way to the sobering realization that achieving success would require far more time and effort than I had anticipated.

In my first year of starting my business, I relied heavily on my natural determination, or as my wife jokingly refers to it, pure stubbornness. While the initial period did not go as smoothly as I had hoped, I chalked it up to being new and assumed things would improve with time.

The Second-Year Slump

However, it was not until the second year that I encountered significant challenges. I found myself struggling with despair and grappling with depression, feeling on the verge of giving up altogether.

During this difficult period, I turned to the wisdom of Winston Churchill, particularly his resolute words from his speech at Harrow School in 1941.

These words struck a chord within me, igniting a newfound determination to persevere. Inspired by Churchill's unwavering resolve, I made a conscious choice not to succumb to despair. Instead, I resolved to push through the obstacles and make my business venture successful.

Applying the Stockdale Paradox

Unknowingly, I began to apply what is known as the Stockdale Paradox, named after Admiral Stocksdale. This concept entails maintaining faith that I would ultimately prevail over my circumstances while simultaneously confronting the most brutal facts of my current reality. I later expanded on this concept in a dedicated blog post.

The harsh realities I faced included a lack of focus on my business idea. I attempted to combine various pursuits like teaching origami, balloon twisting, and juggling, alongside offering services in balloon twisting and juggling. This scattered approach left me with no clear direction, coupled with a lack of knowledge in marketing, pricing, and business management. Despite my experience in managing other businesses, running my own proved to be a different challenge altogether. As a result, my business remained little more than a hobby that covered its expenses. Recognizing these issues, I resolved to maintain unwavering faith and determination, understanding that true success would require overcoming obstacles without false hopes of instant success."

Confronting Harsh Truths

Indeed, I had to confront some harsh truths about my business. My initial idea was scattered, attempting to combine various pursuits like teaching origami, balloon twisting, and juggling alongside offering services in balloon twisting and juggling. This lack of focus, coupled with my limited knowledge in marketing, pricing, and business management, meant that my business was little more than a hobby that covered its expenses.

However, armed with this newfound determination and a realistic understanding of my challenges, I began to chart a new course for my business. I abandoned any notions of instant success and instead focused on steady, sustainable growth. While the journey ahead was daunting, I was fueled by the belief that with perseverance and resolve, I would ultimately prevail.

In Conclusion: Growth

At my lowest, my levels of determination were at rock bottom. They didn't bounce back overnight. It became a daily choice. In researching this update, I stumbled upon this insightful blog, which directly parallels the steps I took to rebuild my determination.

To sum up, first, I chose to become determined. Evaluating my situation, I realized that this was my best option, so I decided then and there to push through. I kept myself motivated by immersing myself in business books, podcasts, and YouTube channels. Additionally, I enrolled in a course in balloon decor that covered the business aspect, teaching me how to run a business beyond just making balloons. These steps helped me overcome my lack of business acumen, manage stress, and narrow my business focus to balloons. With this newfound focus and knowledge, I saw a drastic increase in sales and finally started to taste success.

I believe the old preacher's statement, "If you're going through hell, don't stop," perfectly encapsulates what determination is. It's about choosing to push through, even when things look bleak. If you can do this consistently, you'll find the strength to persevere, increasing your determination and boosting your chances of success.

If you notice, one of the key things that got me through was being open to instruction through books and courses. This leads to the next "Required Secondary Power" that I'll be discussing: what it means to have a teachable spirit.

Question of the Week

So, here's a question for this week: How are your determination levels, and are you actively working on building them up? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to share on Discord, through our Patreon page, or via email at oconnor.entertainment@gmail.com if you'd like help or have any questions.

Your Friendly Neighborhood Entrepreneur
Isaiah O’Connor.

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Until next time, I have been,
Your Friendly Neighborhood Entrepreneur,
Isaiah O’Connor