Bearing the Load: The Challenge of Doing All the Work

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Prepare yourself for a profound business insight—one that transcends conventional wisdom and delves into the realm of political strategy.

In 1948, Lyndon B. Johnson embarked on a campaign for Texas Senate that would become legendary for its audacity and sheer determination.

Johnson's approach was nothing short of revolutionary. He deployed an arsenal of tactics, including the innovative use of a helicopter—an uncommon sight in Texas at the time—to traverse the state and engage with voters.

The strategy was simple yet effective: Johnson's ground crews traversed small towns, announcing his arrival via loudspeakers, while he descended upon each location in a helicopter, captivating the attention of the townsfolk.

The result? A staggering turnout, with crowds comprising up to 90% of entire towns, eagerly awaiting Johnson's address.

Amidst the fervor of his campaign, Johnson imparted a mantra to his team: "If we do everything, we'll win."

This mantra encapsulates a fundamental principle that resonates deeply with the entrepreneurial journey, particularly in the startup ecosystem.

For startup founders, the concept of "doing everything" extends far beyond mere effort—it embodies a relentless pursuit of opportunities and a willingness to explore every avenue to achieve success.

Regrettably, many entrepreneurs fall short of embodying this ethos. In hindsight, post-mortem analyses of failed startups often reveal a critical oversight—the failure to fully embrace the ethos of "doing everything."

Consider the case of a founder who attributes their startup's demise to a string of rejections from a handful of venture capitalists. While engaging with 20 or 30 VCs may seem diligent, it pales in comparison to the exhaustive approach exemplified by Johnson.

The key takeaway here is clear: to secure bottom-funnel results such as VC investment, product sales, and team expansion, founders must be willing to invest in top-of-funnel activities with unwavering tenacity.

This translates into a systematic escalation of outreach efforts—more LinkedIn messages, more emails, more cold calls—until every conceivable opportunity has been explored.

In essence, success in the startup arena demands a willingness to embrace the unglamorous yet indispensable task of "doing everything." It's not about complexity or sophistication but rather about sheer perseverance and an unwavering commitment to the pursuit of victory.