I’ve always been fascinated by the unexpected connections that life presents. Running an IVF clinic and being deeply involved in the world of angel investing might seem like two separate worlds, but they share more than one might initially think. One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned from my time in the clinic is the significance of celebrating small wins—a concept that applies just as much to the tumultuous journey of startups as it does to the emotional rollercoaster of fertility treatments.
A patient I saw last week reminded me of this. She had been through multiple rounds of IVF, each cycle a test of her resilience. Yet, amidst the challenges, she found ways to celebrate small victories: a successful egg retrieval, good embryo quality, or even the courage to administer another injection. These small wins were not just consolation prizes; they were crucial affirmations that kept her going. It’s a lesson I see mirrored in the startups I invest in—each user acquired, each positive feedback, each incremental improvement is a step forward, a reason to keep pushing.
The myth that persists, whether in IVF or in startups, is that only the grand successes matter—the live birth, the IPO, the massive funding round. But this simply isn’t true. In my experience, focusing solely on the end goal can lead to burnout and despair. It’s the small successes along the way that sustain us, providing the fuel needed to reach those larger milestones. This is why I always encourage patients and founders alike to pause and acknowledge these moments.
In the clinic, I see this play out in real time. The journey of patients like Mandy Menaker, who learned to advocate for herself and celebrate milestones along the way, exemplifies this. After multiple rounds of IVF, Mandy and her husband achieved their dream of parenthood, but the path was paved with small victories that kept them hopeful. Celebrating these wins provided much-needed respite and a boost to their spirits. It’s a strategy I’ve come to champion fiercely, one that I’ve even written about in my post on celebrating small wins during your IVF journey.
Similarly, in the startup world, I’ve seen founders become so fixated on reaching the ‘unicorn’ status that they overlook the achievements that got them there. A founder I backed told me how transformative it was to shift focus from the pressure of scaling rapidly to acknowledging the small milestones—each new feature that users loved, every positive review, and even every mistake that led to valuable lessons.
There’s also a deeper layer to this practice: humility. Recognizing small wins requires us to be humble, to accept that progress often comes in increments rather than in leaps. In this way, both IVF patients and startup founders learn to be patient and resilient. My own journey through IVF has taught me many lessons on humility, as I shared in my journey through IVF’s lessons on humility.
Of course, celebrating small wins is not a panacea. It’s not a guarantee that the ultimate goal will be achieved, but it is a powerful tool in maintaining motivation and mental well-being. In the clinic, it can mean the difference between a patient who feels empowered and one who feels defeated. In startups, it can mean the difference between a team that is energized and one that is burned out.
There’s a truth here that resonates across both domains: life, whether in a clinic or a startup, is unpredictable. Control is an illusion, and the journey is often more important than the destination. This is something I discussed in detail in the heartfelt impact of honest conversations in my IVF clinic.
The joy in small wins is an overlooked treasure, a reminder that progress is being made even when the road ahead seems daunting. It’s a lesson I carry with me, whether I’m counseling a patient or advising a founder. After all, every journey is made up of countless small steps, each one worthy of recognition.