1. Embrace the mission.
The most successful entrepreneurs are incredibly passionate
about their work. It's the fire in their bellies that drives them to succeed.
Similarly, if you're going to commit to working at a startup, you have to
believe in its mission. Look for organizations that are doing something you're
interested in. You won't make it at a business if you're not genuinely excited
about the work.
2. Acknowledge the long hours -- and accept them.
If you're going to make it in the startup world, you first
need to acknowledge that the hours will be long. The second step is to accept
this fact. In the beginning, it wasn't unusual for my team to work more than
twelve hours a day or come in over the weekend to meet our goals. In a startup,
there's always more work to be done and not enough people to take it on. You're
not hanging around the office for the sake of face time -- there's work to be
done. Accept this fact and you're already in better shape.
3. Set expectations with loved ones.
Not everyone in your circle of friends will understand or
appreciate the commitment a startup demands. It's very important to set
expectations with your loved ones. Nothing is worse than having your family
call at 5:30 p.m. to ask how your day went when your work day is far from over.
To avoid these frustrations, set expectations up front such as when people can
reach you and through what forms of communication.
4. Take initiative.
On my first day, I was handed my computer in its box and a
small packet containing basic instructions for using the company's systems and
handling customer service inquiries.
