The world of tech startups is notoriously cutthroat, and the people who make it to the top don’t get there by accident. They are driven from a young age to succeed, despite any obstacles that they might face along the way.
Education and support don’t guarantee success, either. Countless startups have fallen flat despite having all the right personnel and plugged-in networks on paper. There are other factors that contribute to success in this competitive field, and we’re curious to discover what they are.
We asked Dennis Hegstad, Co-Founder of tech startup LiveRecover, about what he has done over the years to cut through the noise, focus on his goals, and execute on a daily basis to realize his vision. His tips should help anyone in the entrepreneur game, or just everyday folks looking to make positive changes in their lives, so stay tuned.
A Typical Day
Morning routines are a dime a dozen these days, but how often do you hear about the real routine of a certified successful entrepreneur? Mr. Hegstad puts a huge emphasis on consistency, giving himself little leeway in terms of sleep hygiene and schedule.
“I go to bed early and wake up early,” said Hegstad. “I don’t break my discipline. By 10:30 PM I’m in bed.”
For Hegstad, sleep is the foundation that everything else is built upon. Without it, he wouldn’t have the energy to achieve his ambitious to-do list each day — he hits the ground running.
“6 AM wakeup, nitro cold brew before 7 AM with a breakfast taco, dog walk, then 5k run before I start the workday. I think my dog created this routine for me, but it’s been 4 years and working out well.”
In general, Hegstad says to break up the workday into bite-sized chunks of productivity, interspersed with moments to himself for recharging and refocusing when necessary.
“Exercise, get fresh air, and stick to a routine schedule,” he recommends. “Chaos can be fun but not as manageable.”
Facing the Competition
For tech entrepreneurs, competition is a constant source of pressure, but also a driving force of innovation and forward momentum. Hegstad shared with us his unique perspective on competition that keeps him sane and motivated.
“Honestly, we try not to get distracted by competition,” said Hegstad. “If you’re constantly chasing the person in front of you, you will never end up in 1st place.”
This is the mentality necessary to keep pushing forward in saturated tech markets, especially with so many new ideas and investments flooding the space.
Keeping the Passion Alive
If anyone knows about passion, it’s Hegstad, who has been on the entrepreneur track since the early days of the internet.
For him, it wasn’t a matter of choosing a particular path, but rather a mechanism of survival. From the start, the traditional 9-to-5 route was simply not on the table.
“I’ve been starting my own businesses since high school and Myspace,” Hegstad said. “I don’t think I’m very employable and I’m impatient with ADD. Basically, I need to move fast, or I lose interest. Being employed is hard so I removed that option early on.”
Not all entrepreneurs have this type of revelation early on, but a bit of self-awareness can go a long way in a culture that steers us into certain career paths and lifestyles from the start.
Key Productivity Tips
When Hegstad is in the trenches taking his company LiveRecover to new heights, he is fully focused with zero distractions. Even his toolkit is minimal in nature, with just a few key apps.
“Apple Notes, the Linear App, Twitter, and Gmail are all I use,” said Hegstad. “Lightweight.”
As for productivity tips, Hegstad tells us one piece of advice he’d give himself at a younger age.
“Be patient and focus on one thing for a long time,” he says. “Opportunities are distractions.”
For someone like Hegstad, opportunities are endless and there are always forks in the road. He needs to keep himself focused on the path ahead and avoid the “grass is greener” syndrome that we can all relate to.
Conclusion
We learn from Hegstad, as so many other business founders have said, that entrepreneurship is largely a mental game — you versus you.
The competition will always be there, and so will the doubters, naysayers, and distractions. It’s up to you to blast through that noise, remain focused on the task at hand, and chip away over time until your vision is made real — with the profits to prove it.
