Founders Songs: Don't Put Dirt on my grave just yet.

My good friend and Moinland coach Stefanie Lightman inspired this month's founders' song. As founders, we’re masters of getting back up when something knocks us down. This song encapsulates that spirit beautifully.

I thought things couldn't get much worse But guess what they did

In our line of work, resilience is a powerful craft we’ve developed and battle-hardened over and over. It’s not that we don’t feel the pain or don't have doubts. We do. Yet, just like an athlete, we reach deeper, much deeper, to find that little extra energy to overcome yet another barrier.

Come hell, come high water You push on me I'm going to push back harder I got a whole lot more than a little bit left Oh, so don't put dirt on my grave just yet

The song might glorify the never give up spirit, so I’d recommend this for a weekend to combine it with a run or other workout. Get your earbuds ready and enjoy!

Thanks, Stefanie! You and this song have been a wonderful companion on the bumpy ride to clarity.

Songs and related emotions are highly personal. What is your favorite founders' song?

You Have Earned These Challenges

In our last coaching session, a founder came to the conclusion that she couldn’t succeed in her current setting. She has passion and a deep understanding of the problem she is solving, but there is no way this will turn into a scaling business.

As we talk through the situation, she mentions everything she has learned, the unforgettable moments of clarity, and the pride for all the challenges she overcame. Her eyes spark when talking about the customer praise she has received, and you can sense the passion when she talks about the lives she has made better.

As founders, we face new and ever-growing challenges every day. Getting funding, finding people, winning deals, reaching product-market-fit, or replacing parts of the leadership team.

In the midst of these battles, we often overlook the blessed situation we’re actually in. We have earned these challenges! We have worked so hard to be allowed to address the next level.

🔥 You struggle with your Series B?

😇 You secured a Series A and earned this challenge!

🔥 You have to upgrade your leadership team?

😇 You have grown the business and earned this challenge!

🔥 You are spending every waking hour thinking about the business?

😇 You have built something you deeply care about and earned this challenge!

You might go public or secure a big exit. Or you have to close shop, fire all employees, and return only a fraction of the cash you raised from your investors. Those are just the milestones on your founder journey.

Being challenged in ways most won’t even understand is the founder’s privilege.

Enjoy it.

Founders Songs: Let It Go

This founders' song is inspired by the moment when you realize that conforming to others might hold you back more than it makes you fit in. In moments like these, it helps to take a step back and look at the bigger picture.

It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small And the fears that once controlled me can't get to me at all It's time to see what I can do To test the limits and break through No right, no wrong, no rules for me I'm free

Especially when we make plans or a budget and need many to buy in, it can feel like we’re compromising too much and losing our vision. Incorporating good advice is crucial, especially when bringing your team along. But, there are moments when nobody else but you know what has to be done.

What is your favorite founders' song?