Those who sweat more in peace, bleed less in war.
Entrepreneurship is often seen as a series of battles—facing market competition, managing crises, and making high-stakes decisions. But here’s a secret that the most successful entrepreneurs know: the real work happens long before the battle begins.
Preparation is the key. The more effort you put into refining your skills, building your processes, and anticipating challenges before they happen, the less painful the tough times will be. Simply put, those who sweat more in peace, bleed less in war.
Let’s dive into how preparation sets you up for smoother battles ahead.
Have a look at my 1-1-1 breakdown below:
It’s easy to think that success comes from bold, dramatic moves made under pressure. But the truth is, success is often built during the quiet moments—when no one’s watching, and the stakes aren’t high. It’s in those times that you refine your strategy, strengthen your foundation, and prepare for what’s to come.
→ Remember: What you do when things are calm determines how you handle the storm. Preparation isn’t exciting, but it’s essential.
What’s one skill or process you can start improving now, before you need it? Whether it’s developing leadership skills, refining your business strategy, or tightening your financials, the more prepared you are when things are calm, the better you’ll perform under pressure.
→ Do this now: Identify one weak spot in your business or skill set and commit to working on it this week. The goal is to get ahead of potential challenges before they become urgent problems.
Think about top athletes—they don’t just train when they have a match coming up. They practice constantly, refining their technique and stamina, so that when the moment of pressure comes, they’re ready. The same is true in entrepreneurship. The more you prepare during calm times, the better you perform when things get tough.
→ Takeaway: Entrepreneurship is a game of preparation. The more work you put in when things are quiet, the less damage you’ll take when the stakes are high.
The more you invest in yourself and your business during peaceful times, the better equipped you’ll be when the real challenges come.
Thanks for reading.
Hey! I’m Alkesh Agarwal.
An entrepreneur, investor & problem solver who loves taking big ideas and turning them into real businesses.
After years of building businesses, I’m here to help you do the same by sharing practical, no-nonsense learnings.
If you’re feeling the need to adapt, here are some resources to help you manage to stay prepared:
Watch: Jocko Podcast — A deep dive into discipline, leadership, and the importance of preparation, with a focus on military strategies that can be applied to everyday life.
Blog To Glance: Farnam Street — Farnam Street explores mental models, decision-making, and personal growth.
Tools: Grid Dairy — Journaling helps in reflecting on daily actions, setting goals, and planning for obstacles ahead.
