When we launched with GVING as a mobile rewards card we didn’t realize it- but that wasn’t really solving the merchants problem. It was so exciting to get something launched and see great traction, but looking back and being honest it was just the little extra vitamin their store needed, not the aspirin to their pain point.

I think the most beautiful thing about staying committed to solving a problem is that it keeps you up all night thinking, and it really changes the way you see life. It eats at you, it will drive you insane, makes you question everything about yourself and your skill set. You become obsessive on getting it right. You talk to a million different people searching for validation on your vision, you outline a million different ideas- you become fixated on the issue. You become fixated on building the solution. Ironically, in the process you become an expert on what wont work.

Failing over, and over, and over again can be emotionally wearing and humbling on an entrepreneur- but it can also be the guiding light we need to solve the problem. What doesn’t work and why becomes transparent if you are willing to be open and aware of the results, providing your mind the opportunity to move forward on what could work.

There is no question that you need discipline, intense focus, passion and persistence in solving the problem. But you also have to be courageous enough to fail time and time and time again- because underneath each failed idea you will find another clue to the solution.

Thomas Edison once said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Closing thought: Even once we have found “the solution” aren’t we always trying to identify ways to build a better solution? I sure hope so, I know I am.

The best is yet to come, Stay bold.

MP