Success in startups is incredibly challenging; it's like training for the Olympics, where you need to prepare rigorously and may face multiple failures before achieving success.

Many founders mistakenly think that after a successful launch, their journey will be smooth sailing, but the reality is that setbacks are a constant in the startup world.

Many founders fail to recognize that most startups, including their competitors, are likely to struggle, and that the common outcome is that many will not succeed.

Many startups make common mistakes, but exceptions exist where some have succeeded despite them; however, minimizing these mistakes can improve your chances of success.

The portrayal of startup life in the media often overlooks the harsh realities. Many successful companies have faced significant struggles, and it's important for early-stage founders to understand that the journey is often filled with challenges, not just success stories.

Building a startup involves a lot of trial and error, where you learn from failures and gradually get closer to your goals.

It's important to have conversations about the realities of startup failures, as they are part of the journey and can lead to valuable learning experiences for future endeavors.

In startups, you often feel close to failure without actually failing, which is a common experience. When you're trying to catch a flight, you can either accept that you've missed it or hustle through the security line to make it to the airplane, which is what a startup feels like—constantly trying to get ahead despite the odds.

Understanding the difficulties of startups early on can help founders better prepare for the challenges they will face as they encounter various obstacles.