Shakespeare’s Advice to the Startup Community

by Startacus Admin

We are feeling uncharacteristically contemplative this afternoon, perhaps resulting from the sudden dive towards dreary bleakness that the weather has taken over the past few hours. It seems therefore to be the perfect time to dust off our ancient (and rather well-read) copy of the ‘Complete Works of William Shakespeare’ and tackle an article which has been rattling around our vacant brains for quite some time - Shakespeare's advice to the startup community.

It stands to reason that a chap so well in tune with the human condition (and so eloquent in his musings) should have something of value to contribute to ye modern startup’s journey.

So, we have decided to take a few of our favourite Shakespearean quotes, desecrate them by  pretending he was talking about startups, and provide a modern-day translation, as a means of encouragement to all of you intrepid self starters. Here are our thoughts on Shakespeare’s Advice to the Startup Community:

Go wisely and slowly. Those who rush, stumble and fall.  (Romeo and Juliet)

Be the tortoise, not the hare. Slow and steady wins the startup race!

Things won are done; joy's soul lies in the doing. (Troilus and Cressida)

Your startup journey is not simply a means to an end - but something to be enjoyed.  Take some time to enjoy the ride.

How poor are they that have not patience? What wound did ever heal but by degrees? (Othello)

It is going to take time to build a successful business, you must be patient.

And oftentimes excusing of a fault doth make the fault the worse by the excuse. (King John)

You are going to make mistakes in your startup journey, stop apologising for them and get on with it!

It is a tale…full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. (Macbeth)

Dont be put off by boastful competitors - often those who shout the loudest have the least to shout about.

It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves. (Julius Caesar)

Stop waiting for that ‘lucky break’, only you can make a success of your startup.

The fool doth think he is wise, But the wise man knows himself to be a fool. (As you like it )

Try not to take yourself too seriously when it comes to your startup.  Recognise your own limitations, this knowledge is a strength, not a weakness.

There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so. (Hamlet)

Try to see failure as an opportunity rather than a reason to despair.

Better three hours too soon than a minute too late. (The Merry Wives of Windsor)

(Fairly self explanatory we reckon)

Thoughts are but dreams till their effects be tried. (The Rape of Lucrece)

It’s all well and good to have plans, but unless you take some action, they will never be more than plans.

I wasted time, and now time doth waste me.  (Richard II)

Procrastinate now and you might find yourself very rushed later on!

If you have not been too offended by this shameless manipulation of the immortal bard's musings, then you may like to take a look at some of these equally questionable posts.

Pitching: Do You Have a Biscuit Strategy?

The brain of an Entrepreneur - finally dissected

What does your choice of coffee say about you as a startup founder?

Literary Characters who would have made great Startup Founders

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Published on: 2nd July 2014