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Hey my friend!

We are terrible at estimating the time it will take us to achieve something. It’s plain and simple.

I don’t need to be an executive coach or any business that makes $10k-$30k a month to realize this. Despite that, I still struggled and am struggling with unrealistic timelines and impatience.

From my own experience and from observing successful entrepreneurs:

I realized that "it would take longer than I think" at any stage of business growth.

In this article, my goal is to reset your expectations of how long it takes to achieve your business goals. It doesn't matter what goal you have, whether it’s starting or scaling beyond $10k-$30k a month.

My Experience/Story

It was early morning. It was a Monday of a brisk spring month. I thought to myself, "I am tired of not starting my own business. I will start and achieve a decent amount of income that will sustain me and my wife in about 6 months.”

[Yeah, speaking of unrealistic expectations... Also, the narrative is totally made up but my thoughts are accurate]

I started my business in April of 2024; it has been 8 months if I don’t count April. I am not even close to my goal, which is why I had to get a full-time job as well.

Needless to say, I disappointed myself and was so unrealistic.

The reason for it is my overestimation and not knowing the full context of what it takes to build a business.

Why are we so bad at setting accurate timeframes?

Reason 1: Lack of Context

Our poor ability to set the right timelines is predicated on a lack of context when we enter a new situation.

When I decided to start my business, I had no idea what it takes to grow a business that makes even four figures. Even though I nodded my head to the videos on YouTube by entrepreneurs who are ahead of me.

I thought I understood. I thought I was ready. Nope.

Until I tried, I didn’t realize how hard it actually was.

Even if I heard, I didn’t experience. But the reality hit me like a ton of bricks.

It always looks easier, simpler, and faster because you don’t know the entire story behind the success. And it’s ugly. There is a well-documented explanation of why this happens, which I wrote about here

I had panic attacks. I couldn’t sleep. I almost gave up 2-3 times a week.

Thus, lack of context creates blissful ignorance that dictates our choice of timeframe. That’s why it’s crucial to just start and get into "it" to have more context and then fix your timeframe.

Reason 2: Impatience

We are impatient.

We want to achieve A-class results with a C-class timeframe.

We don't want to pay the "price" measured in yearS.

Impatience can come from different sources. For example, for me, it was lack of a stable income, so I thought I had to start making money ASAP. This anxiety factor stole my ability to have a longer time horizon and made me foolish.

Even the Bible confirms that.

So the reasons for impatience can be

• Maybe you’re entitled

• Maybe you’re spoiled

• Maybe you’re stressed out and anxious

My solution was a full-time job. I picked a job in sales so I can also develop myself as an entrepreneur.

My time horizon extended. I started taking more intentional steps towards my business goals.

Reflect on why you feel impatient. You might be able to identify your reasons, which is half of the solution, and then figure out how to resolve it.

Let Me Give You Examples

These had such an impact on reframing my view on time.

I was listening to a podcast by Alex Hormozi ($100 million entrepreneur). I learned that often times it takes not just 2x or 3x but 5x, 10x, or 20x time to achieve something great.

For example:

• Elon Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 (it took him 23 years!!)

• Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994 (it took him 31 years!!)

• Mark Zuckerberg founded Facebook in 2004 (it took 21 years!!)

• Dave Ramsey started Ramsey Solutions in 1992 (it took him 33 years!!)

So stop thinking in 1-2 years. No. Think in decades. Think in 20-year periods.

Quick Tips That Help Me To Tame My Time-Horizon

Mindset

I realized that I put these arbitrary deadlines to achieve my wild dreams.

Maybe you want to scale your coaching business or start it, but who said you need to achieve them in 5 years? Why do you put this pressure on yourself? It’s a nonexistent pressure.

Maybe you’re afraid to die. But are you in the game for the journey or destination? If it’s destination, then you’re bound to be impatient.

The point of the business game is the journey of growth and development for you, your team, and your business.

Personally, I am a follower of Christ so death is gain for me because I get to spend time with my awesome God. It’s win-win for me.

How about "it doesn’t matter how long it takes; as long as I am moving forward, I will eventually achieve my goal"? That’s what I remind myself every day. When that’s the goal, anyone can achieve their dreams.

My time horizon is whatever it takes.

3x Your Time

If you want to be more specific, do this: if you want to achieve your current goal in 5 years, 3x it.

Yup, it will take you 15 years.

It’s just reality.

Even then, we should 5x our timeframes instead.

Pray

I don’t know your spiritual background, but I am sharing what works.

I pray, and it’s one of the most effective tools.

I pray for patience.

I pray for endurance.

I pray for contentment.

I pray to trust Him.

And God faithfully works on me and my character.

This is it. I hope it was helpful and I could reset your expectations. Thank you for reading; see you next time, my friend!

P.S. If this letter was educating or entertaining to read, could you please share my newsletter with others who you think would like my content? Just share this link: https://creator-chronicles-letter.beehiiv.com/subscribe

P.P.S. Bereket means abundance and blessing in my native language - Turkmen.