ACT YOUR STAGE, NOT YOUR AGE

“Frustration is bargaining with reality, hoping it will change. All the energy you put into arguing with reality comes at the expense of improving your situation. The mountain doesn't care how much you yell at it, but you'll find a path around it if you stop and look.” – Shane Parrish

Marta* wanted to start a life coaching business. Her enthusiasm was palpable.

“So, what do you think of my business plan?” she asked eagerly.

“I can see you’ve put a lot of effort into it. But before I dive into feedback, can I share a concept that might help you better understand your next step?” I replied.

“Sure! I know my financials still need work,” Marta admitted.

The Entrepreneurial Continuum: Understanding the Journey

Every entrepreneur begins with a spark—an idea that demands to be brought to life. But moving from an idea to a thriving business isn’t linear. It’s a continuum, with three foundational stages:

1. Idea Stage: The spark of inspiration, where the focus is on exploring, researching, and understanding your audience.

2. Development Stage: Where ideas take shape—building prototypes, refining your business model, and validating assumptions. This is where you start building credibility.

3. Pre-launch Stage: Time to explore marketing strategies, secure financing, and write a business plan. It’s also about ensuring your personal life is ready for the demands of a business launch.

   
   

Post-launch, the continuum continues with:

4. Surviving: Monitoring cash flow and ensuring the business can support your livelihood.

5. Sustaining: Establishing a consistent, reliable model for long-term operations.

6. Thriving (Scaling or Containing): Deciding whether to grow and scale your business or maintain its current value.

   
   

The Dialogue: Unpacking the Gap

“Okay, that’s interesting,” Marta said. “I can see I’m in the early phase. But I’ve written everything a business plan should have—mission, market analysis, projections...”

“You have,” I acknowledged, “but a business plan is meant for the pre-launch stage. Right now, you’re still in the development stage.”

Her face fell.

“What’s the difference? I know I want to coach people. Isn’t that enough to get started?”

“Coaching is your idea. But you haven’t yet validated if people want what you’re offering or how much they’d pay for it. Have you worked with test clients? Collected feedback?”

“I haven’t… I thought the plan would help me secure financing so I could figure out those details later. I have plenty of life experience, and I was hoping to launch next month.”

“Each stage determines where to focus your energy. Customers don’t care about your age, but they do care about your value. That’s why I always say: Act your stage, not your age. You’re building a foundation. Like any house, you don’t start with the roof.”

“So, my business plan is useless?” Marta frowned.

“Not at all. It’s just premature. You’ll come back to it later. For now, I recommend starting an Entrepreneurial Journal—track your insights, test results, and key learnings. Your energy would be better spent building and refining your coaching model.”

Why the Continuum Matters

Marta’s story highlights a crucial truth: readiness for financing isn’t just about passion or hard work—it’s about preparedness. Lenders want to see that you’ve validated your audience, refined your model, and are ready to succeed. Skipping these steps is like buying furniture for a house you haven’t built yet.

By respecting the Entrepreneurial Continuum, you avoid costly mistakes caused by untested assumptions.

Your Turn: Where Are You on the Continuum?

Take a moment to reflect: Are you clear on which phase you’re in? Have you done the work to move to the next stage? Rushing ahead might feel productive, but laying a solid foundation saves time, money, and stress in the long run.

The stages aren’t pass-or-fail tests, and there’s no certificate for “completion.” They overlap, with gradual transitions. What matters is understanding where you are and focusing your energy accordingly.

The Next Steps for Marta

After our conversation, Marta shifted her focus. She offered free mini-sessions to hone her coaching skills and gather testimonials. She also started attending networking events to learn more about her ideal clients’ needs. These steps, though small, positioned her for long-term success.

Four months later, Marta booked another call with me.

“Has anything changed, Marta?” I asked.

“A lot. I’ve got three client testimonials and valuable feedback. I feel ready now.”

I smiled. “Great. Let’s revisit that business plan.”

*Not her real name or business, to protect client confidentiality.