Rakesh and Mahesh, two lifelong friends and entrepreneurs, sat down for coffee recently. Both started their businesses five years ago with the same excitement and ambition.
Today, Rakesh’s startup is doing okay—steady clients and decent revenue. But as he spoke, the frustration was clear.
“The numbers don’t excite me anymore,” Rakesh admitted. “The spark I once felt is fading. I need to do something—hire that game-changing leader, shut down an outdated offering, or invest in new technology. But every time I think about it, the ‘what ifs’ take over: What if it doesn’t work? What if I fail?”
Rakesh wasn’t failing, but he wasn’t growing either. The business was running smoothly but lacked momentum. He was solving problems, but not the right ones. And the fear of making the wrong move stopped him from making any move at all.
“I feel like I’m running on a treadmill,” he sighed. “I’m working harder than ever, but we’re stuck.”
Mahesh nodded. “I know exactly how you feel,” he said. “I’ve been there—stuck, paralysed by ‘what ifs,’ convinced that staying comfortable was safer. But I learned that staying stuck is often the bigger risk.”
Mahesh’s Next Big Leap
Mahesh explained how he broke through:
- Identifying bottlenecks slowing his progress.
- Shutting down offerings that no longer fit his business’s future.
- Making tough but necessary decisions—hiring new talent, investing in technology, and taking risks.
“It wasn’t easy,” Mahesh said, “but once I took my Next Big Leap, everything changed. My team became energised, our goals aligned, and the spark I thought I’d lost came back stronger than ever.”
Rakesh leaned forward. “So, I need to take my Next Big Leap?”
Mahesh smiled. “Exactly.”
What Is the Next Big Leap?
The Next Big Leap (NBL) is more than a strategy; it’s a mindset. It’s about making transformative moves to break free from stagnation—whether it’s scaling your business, pivoting in a new direction, or letting go of what no longer fits.
Through stories, strategies, and actionable insights, I’ll be here to help you navigate your leap—not as a guide or guru, but as a friend who’s been in your shoes.
1-1-1 Breakdown for Your Next Big Leap:
Take a moment to think about where you feel stuck. Is it a bottleneck in your business, a fear of taking risks, or a lack of clarity on your goals?
→ Remember: Growth doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from doing the right things differently.
Your Next Big Leap doesn’t need to be massive—it just needs to be intentional. Look at one area in your business or life where you’ve been hesitant to act. Make a bold move to address it this week.
→ Do this now: Write down one specific action you can take to start breaking through your bottlenecks.
Every entrepreneur faces a Rakesh moment—a time when the spark fades, and the path forward feels unclear. But the ones who thrive are the ones who, like Mahesh embrace the fear and take the Next Big Leap.
Here’s to making 2025 the year of breakthroughs, bold decisions, and meaningful progress. Let’s leap together.
Thanks for Reading!
Hey! I’m Alkesh Agarwal.
An entrepreneur and investor who believes that as we dive into 2025, let’s take bold leaps, embrace growth, and focus on what truly matters – Health, Happiness, and meaningful progress. Here’s to making every step of the journey count!
Start your leap with these tools and ideas:
Read: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks —A book on overcoming your limitations and thriving in every area of your life.
Watch: This TED Talk on the power of making bold decisions —A guide to why risks often lead to the biggest rewards.
Try This Tool: Todoist —An intuitive app to prioritize your next big leap and stay focused on what matters.
