“It is next to impossible to fail is you undersand your the holes in your plan and know how to fill those holes.” ~ Salbein

Over the years failure has followed me around. In fact, you could say I’ve run headfirst into it more times than I’d like to remember. Or actually, I ran into it with eyes wide open. It wasn’t until later that I realized the most valuable thing taken from those failures was the amazing education learned at the hands of awful circumstances and outcomes. Sometimes trusting too much, sometimes not enough. Sometimes not planning, and other times overthinking and over planning. But the next big thing I was working on was always around the corner… ready for my raw, unbridled, untrained enthusiasm.
That raw, untamed enthusiasm? It feels incredible, like a force of nature. But as I learned the hard way, it’s also dangerous. It can obscure reality, preventing you from seeing the potential pitfalls and the hard work required before you leap. Ideas are easy; they flood our minds constantly. But the graveyards of potential are filled with brilliant concepts that never saw the light of day because the dreamer didn’t temper that initial spark with a dose of reality. Passion is the fuel, absolutely essential, but it’s not the whole engine. After nearly 70 years on this planet and over four decades navigating the highs and lows of business, I’ve learned that turning those powerful ideas into something real and lasting requires building on solid pillars. Here are five I rely on:
1. Temper Your Enthusiasm with Clear-Eyed Realism
That fire of a new idea is intoxicating, isn’t it? It’s the energy that powers 20-hour days and the willingness to risk it all. Never lose that! But recognize it for what it is: powerful fuel and a potential double-edged sword. Untempered enthusiasm, the kind that ignores due diligence and hard research, can lead you straight into rebuilding your life or credit (ask me how I know!). Tempered enthusiasm means seeing the whole picture – the exciting potential and the potential challenges. It means channeling that incredible energy but grounding it in a clear understanding of the landscape. Do the research. Ask the hard questions. See the concept for what it truly is, warts and all. This clarity doesn’t diminish the passion; it directs it effectively.
2. Honestly Assess Your Personal Status Quo
Having the greatest idea in the world means little if you don’t have a realistic grasp of your starting point. Where are you right now? Assess your personal status quo: your finances, resources, skills, network, current commitments, and even your energy levels. Are you financially stable or broke and sleeping on a couch? Do you have relevant experience or are you starting fresh? This isn’t about judgment or negativity. It’s about establishing a baseline. There’s immense power in the simple acceptance: “It is what it is.” An honest, clear-headed assessment of your current reality is non-negotiable. It’s the ‘You Are Here’ marker on the map you need before you can chart a course to your destination.
3. Define Your Destination, Then Build Backwards
Okay, you have a realistic view of your starting point. Now, where are you truly trying to go? Get crystal clear on your vision – the 10,000-foot view. What does success for this specific idea look like? Who does it benefit? What tangible outcome are you aiming for? And let’s be clear: while money is often necessary, it’s usually the result of creating value, solving a problem, or delivering something people need or love. Don’t make money the sole target. Once you have that clear destination (your goal) and your starting point (your status quo), you can begin “building backwards.” Identify the crucial milestones, the resources needed, the skills to acquire, and the sequential steps required to bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. It’s about creating a practical roadmap.
Think about the fellow who wanted to buy a laundromat. He went for a loan and was turned down – wrong credit, no job, insufficient resources. But the loan officer didn’t just say no; she gave him a list, a roadmap of what he needed to achieve. He disappeared, did the work, and years later, walked back in having accomplished every single item. He didn’t just buy that laundromat; he built an empire from that initial rejection by systematically building backwards from his goal to his reality.
4. Acknowledge Your Gaps: Audacity Needs Capability
Audacity is fantastic, but it doesn’t magically replace skill, experience, or knowledge. Be honest about the capabilities required to bring your idea to life. What skills are essential? What knowledge do you lack? There have been times I’ve worked for free, side-by-side with experts – like learning precision meat cutting from a master chef – just to acquire a necessary skill. Understanding the required skillset is critical. But here’s the key: you don’t have to be the master of everything. Look at the greats – Jobs, Musk, Branson, Gates. They surrounded themselves with people smarter than they were in specific areas. They understood their own limitations and excelled at finding and empowering experts to fill those gaps. Honestly assess what’s needed and where you fall short. Then, figure out how to bridge that gap: learn it yourself, hire someone brilliant, find a partner, or seek mentorship. Knowing what you don’t know is a crucial strength.
5. Build from the Inside Out: Nurture Your Personal Base
This might be the most vital pillar of all: your personal support system. Your family, your closest friends, your partner – these are the people who knew you before the big idea, who see you beyond the business persona. I call this “holding and keeping your personal base.” These relationships can be your greatest cheerleaders or, if neglected or strained, your biggest source of friction. They provide the emotional grounding you will need. There’s nothing quite like coming home after a brutal day to hugs that ask for nothing but love, or making time for Saturday morning cartoons even after a 100-hour work week because that’s what truly matters. When things are good, sharing the victories is sweet. When things inevitably get tough – and believe me, they will – you’ll need shoulders to cry on and people who believe in you when your own belief falters.
And there’s another powerful aspect, especially if you have children: everyone is watching. They see you take risks, push boundaries, fail, get back up, and pour your heart into something bigger than yourself. Watching you build something from nothing, navigating challenges with integrity and perseverance, doesn’t just build your dream; it inspires theirs. You are living proof of what’s possible when you never quit.
(Conclusion)
Ideas are everywhere, like waves in an ocean, as the ancients believed. They wash over us, offering potential. The difference lies in grabbing hold, truly examining it, and then doing the hard, unglamorous work to give it form and substance. So, capture that spark. Temper it with reality. Know where you stand and where you’re going. Build your capabilities and surround yourself with strength, both professionally and personally. Hold the people you love close; they are the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’. Then, get out there, embrace the challenge, and with passion fueled and purpose guiding you – never, ever quit. Go for it.
About the author Rudolph Salbein
For over four decades, Rudolph Victor Nieblas has dedicated himself to the art and science of business, partnering with organizations of every size. His journey has seen him step into diverse leadership roles – serving as a manager, marketer, director, and often, a specialist guiding companies through complex business re-engineering. Rudolph’s profound expertise isn’t just academic; it’s forged from years of hands-on, ‘in the trenches’ experience across a vast landscape of industries.
His work has taken him throughout the United States, collaborating with companies in sectors ranging from education, waste management, and water treatment to manufacturing, safety supply, health and fitness, healthcare, hospitality, marketing, and instruction. This rich tapestry of experience is woven from an unwavering willingness to embrace challenges and a tenacious, deeply ingrained passion for learning. Rudolph approaches every new situation with curiosity and the determination to find effective solutions.