One Unopened Mason Jar

Insanity and entrepreneurship share the same definition. Entrepreneurs keep doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. That said, since launching my business many years ago, there are a few lessons I have learned from those "insane" cycles and I want to share them with you now; never wait, place a demand on your belief, and keep one unopened Mason jar.

• Never wait

Millions are lost each day by those getting ready. Millions are made each day by those who launch before they are ready. Does this mean you should throw caution to the wind and release a clunky, unsophisticated, barely working app to the world? It surely does. Release it.

Was Bill Gates smart or was the public smart? The first version Windows 1.0 in November of 1985, was horrific, a nightmarish atrocity. Gates released it because he knew that 100 MIT engineers in Seattle were no match for 2 million users who would find all the mistakes, and provide free feedback in the form of complaints. Each version of Windows benefited not from the genius of Microsoft, but from the genius of a dissatisfied public.

• Place a demand on your belief

I recently met with a client who shared his goal of growing his revenue to $10 million per year. "Great!" I said. Immediately, I asked a question. "Have you ever asked for $10 million dollars?" He cleared his throat, and frowned in confusion. For clarity sake, I asked again. "Have you ever asked your enterprise clients for $10 million dollars?" His response was short and bitter. "No."

So he believed in something for which he didn't have the courage to ask. Place a demand on your belief. Because, as I told him, if the chance of asking and receiving $10 million is low, imagine how much lower it is if you never ask.

Price is an apartment building; your ceiling is another person's floor.

• Keep one unopened Mason jar

Cash is oxygen, without it you die. Forget about inflation, forget about the higher yield you can receive if your excess cash is invested. Having untouched cash in the bank to carry you through slow business cycles will do one thing; give you peace.

Success in business is often about longevity. The market often rewards those who simply stay open. No business has ever been forced to go out of business because they had too much money. Keep one unopened Mason jar at all times because just seeing it there in the cupboard will let you know you aren't done yet.