The Five Battles of Building Something Great

Starting something new—whether it’s a startup, a creative project, or a new career path—isn’t just about having a great idea. Execution is everything. The road to success isn’t a straight line; it’s a series of battles, each more challenging than the last. Understanding these five key battles can help founders and creators anticipate the challenges ahead and navigate them more effectively.

1️⃣ Inertia — Overcoming the Fear of the First Step

The hardest part of any journey is getting started. It’s not a lack of ideas that holds people back; it’s the weight of uncertainty, fear of failure, and the comfort of stability. Many founders hesitate at this stage, thinking, “Not yet. I need more planning, more validation, more certainty.” But waiting for perfect conditions is a trap. Yes, validating the idea in a cheap, quick way helps to avoid taking the leap for an idea that clearly isn't viable, but In reality, the first irreversible move—quitting a stable job, launching a prototype, making the first hire—is what separates dreamers from doers. The battle here is against hesitation. The only way forward is action.

2️⃣ Momentum — Pushing Through the Grind

Getting started is tough, but keeping things moving is even tougher. Once the initial excitement fades, the grind begins. Progress is often slower than expected. There will be setbacks, rejections, and long stretches where it feels like nothing is working. This is popularly known as the "valley of despair". Self-doubt creeps in, and the temptation to quit grows stronger. This is where most people give up. Momentum isn’t about speed; it’s about not stopping. Usually the point where momentum is visible, is a culmination of continuous effort that didn't exactly yield visible rewards at the start. Getting those early validations can be incredible, as they show you're on to something, but pushing forward despite the resistance is what differentiates those who build something great from those who don’t. The key is persistence—continuing to show up, iterate, and improve.

3️⃣ Consistency — The Power of Showing Up Daily

Momentum builds progress, but only consistency sustains it. This stage is where discipline is tested. The challenge isn’t just about working hard—it’s about working hard every single day, even when it’s boring, frustrating, or exhausting. Burnout, distractions, and the temptation to chase new ideas can all derail progress. Success doesn’t come from occasional bursts of effort; it comes from showing up repeatedly. The most successful founders don’t rely on motivation—they rely on habits and systems that keep them moving forward. It's staying disciplined, and focused, while also staying flexible and experimental.

4️⃣ Mediocrity — The Hidden Danger of Comfort

With consistency comes progress, but there’s a hidden danger: settling for “good enough.” Comfort can be deceptive. It can feel like success when, in reality, it’s stagnation in disguise. Many companies and individuals reach this stage, only to plateau because they stop questioning, experimenting, and pushing boundaries. The truth is you're not going to be the only person tackling a problem, and in massive industries, competition is always around the corner. The battle here is against complacency masquerading as stability. The best continue to innovate, reinvent themselves, and push beyond their limits to being top in the market, every time.

5️⃣ Complacency — Success Can Be a Trap

Reaching a level of success doesn’t mean the struggle is over—it just takes a different form. Past wins can create a false sense of security, leading to slower decision-making, risk aversion, or a loss of urgency. The final battle is against complacency. It's reinventing yourself and not just staying relevant but being ahead of trends, creating new standards for the industry and maintaining your position as a trendsetter. The best founders and teams never coast on past achievements; they continually raise the bar for themselves, their teams, and their products. Growth isn’t a destination—it’s an ongoing process of reinvention.

💡 At Openseed VC, our focus is on the first two — 1️⃣ Inertia and 2️⃣ Momentum. We believe the biggest barrier to success is simply getting started and staying in motion long enough to break through. Everything else flows from there.

We back experienced operators with a first investment of up to $150k, and we support with our incredible operator network of over 60+ builders and we host quarterly office hours for experienced operators thinking of building or joining an early stage startup.

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