I’ve been thinking a lot about the parallels between my work in IVF and my role as an angel investor. Both fields require a healthy amount of patience, resilience, and, above all, trust in the journey. Trust is an elusive thing. It doesn’t come easily, especially when you’re faced with the uncertainties of creating life or building a startup. Yet, every IVF cycle I oversee, every founder I mentor, reinforces the importance of trusting the process, even when the outcome is uncertain.
I saw a patient last week who reminded me of just how crucial this trust is. She was on her third IVF cycle, and the burden of past failures was palpable. As she sat across from me, I could see her wrestling with doubt and hope in equal measure. Her experience is not unique; IVF is a rollercoaster of emotions, much like the startup world. Both require a steadfast belief in the journey, despite setbacks.
In my practice, I’ve come to realize that each IVF cycle is a lesson in managing expectations and embracing the journey, rather than fixating solely on the destination. It’s a bit like investing in a startup. You assess the potential, make informed decisions, and then you wait. You wait for the embryo to implant, for the startup to get traction. Both scenarios demand patience and an acceptance of the unknown.
A founder I backed once told me a story that resonates deeply with my work in IVF. He said, “Every pivot in our startup felt like a new beginning. We had to trust that each turn was necessary, even when it felt like a detour.” His words struck a chord because they echo the IVF journey. Each cycle, each treatment plan, is a potential pivot. It’s a chance to reassess, to learn, and to trust that the process will eventually lead to success.
The science of IVF is precise, yet its outcomes are never guaranteed. The same can be said for investing. Despite thorough due diligence, not every investment will yield returns. I’ve learned to embrace this uncertainty, to see it not as a failure but as part of the learning curve. This mindset has been invaluable, both in my clinic and in the boardroom.
When I started out in IVF, like many, I was results-driven. I wanted to see success rates climb, to witness the joy of new life being created. But over time, I’ve come to value the journey as much as the outcome. Each cycle teaches me something new, whether it’s about the resilience of my patients or the complexities of human reproduction. It’s a humbling reminder that medicine, much like life, is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.
Similarly, in the world of startups, success is not always measured by immediate outcomes. It’s about the journey of growth, the lessons learned along the way, and the resilience to keep moving forward. I often draw parallels between the two worlds in my blog, such as in “Trusting the Process: What IVF Patients Teach Me About Startup Patience.” Trust is the thread that ties them together.
In both domains, the real challenge lies in managing expectations—yours and those of others. Patients come to me with dreams of parenthood, just as founders come with visions of changing the world. My role is to guide them through the reality of the process, to help them understand that setbacks are not the end, but a part of the journey. This is a lesson I also explore in “What I Learned About Failure from an Unsuccessful IVF Cycle.”
The emotional toll of IVF can be immense. Patients often feel isolated in their struggle, much like founders in the lonely world of entrepreneurship. I’ve found that building a support network is crucial in both scenarios. Surrounding yourself with those who understand your journey can make all the difference. A strong support network provides perspective, encouragement, and the strength to persevere.
In my practice, I’ve also learned the importance of transparency. Patients deserve to know the realities of their treatment, just as founders need honest feedback about their ventures. Sugarcoating the truth does a disservice to everyone involved. Transparency fosters trust, and trust is the bedrock of any successful journey, whether in IVF or investment.
In the end, every IVF cycle, every startup venture, is a testament to the power of believing in the journey. Success is not always immediate, and that’s okay. The real value lies in the lessons learned, the resilience built, and the trust forged along the way. As I continue to navigate these parallel worlds, I carry with me the conviction that trusting the journey is not just beneficial, but essential.
So, to my peers in both fields, I say this: Embrace the uncertainty. Trust in the process. And remember that every setback is an opportunity for growth. As I’ve learned from my patients and the founders I support, trusting the journey is where true strength lies.