I saw a patient last week who reminded me of something crucial about both medicine and investing: the power of persistence. She was an IVF patient, and her journey was nothing short of a marathon. It wasn’t just the physical toll — the hormone shots, the invasive scans, the tumult of hope and despair. It was the mental fortitude she displayed, the grit to keep going despite setbacks, that struck me. In many ways, her journey mirrored that of the startup founders I work with. Both are in the business of creating life — one quite literally, the other figuratively. And both require a deep well of persistence.
This particular patient, let’s call her Arpita, had been trying to conceive for the better part of a decade. She had gone through three failed IVF cycles before she came to us. It’s easy to see why someone might give up after such heartbreak. But Arpita was determined. She had a vision for her family, and she was willing to endure the uncertainty and the emotional rollercoaster to achieve it. Her persistence paid off; her fourth cycle was successful, and today she cradles a beautiful baby girl.
Reflecting on Arpita’s journey, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to the world of startups. Founders, much like IVF patients, often face a daunting journey filled with setbacks and unexpected challenges. The startup world is littered with stories of those who gave up too soon, just as the world of medicine has its tales of patients who lost hope. In both domains, those who persist, who continue to iterate and adapt despite adversity, often find success.
One might ask, what is it about persistence that makes it such a powerful force? In my experience, persistence is the bridge between potential and achievement. Whether it’s a patient undergoing IVF or a founder building a startup, the road to success is rarely straightforward. It requires navigating a labyrinth of obstacles, each demanding a new strategy or approach.
For Arpita, persistence meant enduring the discomfort of daily injections, the anxiety of waiting for test results, and the heartache of failed attempts. For a founder, it might mean pivoting their business model, facing rejections from investors, or enduring lean times without revenue. Both scenarios require a similar mindset — the belief that every setback is a step closer to success, every failure a lesson learned.
In the world of startups, we often glorify the “overnight success” stories, but in reality, these are rare. More often, success comes from years of hard work, from founders who refuse to give up when the going gets tough. This is why I believe that the qualities that make a successful founder — resilience, adaptability, and yes, persistence — are the same qualities that can help an IVF patient achieve their dream.
I am often asked if there is a secret to success in either domain. My answer is always the same: there is no secret, just the willingness to keep going when others would stop. This is something I discuss in my blog post “How An IVF Patient’s Journey Mirrors a Founder’s Resilience” where I delve deeper into the shared qualities necessary for success in both fields.
But persistence isn’t just about hanging on; it’s also about knowing when to pivot. Arpita didn’t persist with the same approach; she was open to trying different protocols, adjusting her lifestyle, and seeking new medical advice. Similarly, successful founders are those who are willing to pivot their business strategies, learn from feedback, and adapt to market demands. It’s a delicate balance between unyielding determination and flexible adaptability.
In the end, both an IVF journey and a startup trajectory are deeply personal. They involve dreams that are closely held and fiercely protected. They require surrounding oneself with the right support network — a team of doctors or a team of co-founders and advisors. They demand a deep understanding of one’s own limits and boundaries, knowing when to push and when to pause.
As I walked out of the clinic that day, inspired by Arpita’s story, I realized that persistence, while demanding, is ultimately rewarding. It’s the common thread that binds the seemingly disparate worlds of medicine and entrepreneurship. And while not every journey ends in success, those who persist often find that the journey itself is as transformative as the destination.
Reflecting on this, I am reminded of a saying that is often attributed to Thomas Edison: “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” In both the clinic and the boardroom, I have seen this truth play out time and again.
In conclusion, whether you are an IVF patient or a startup founder, remember this: persistence is your ally. It may not guarantee success, but it is often the key differentiator between those who achieve their dreams and those who fall short. Keep pushing, keep adapting, and most importantly, keep believing in the possibility of your dream. Because sometimes, the miracle of life — be it a newborn child or a thriving startup — is just around the corner.