In a recent LinkedIn post, Mattgray offers a candid look at the founder’s journey, particularly the moments when the urge to quit feels overwhelming. He shares personal reflections and historical examples to provide a framework for entrepreneurs facing significant challenges and self-doubt.
Mattgray begins by acknowledging the common experience of wanting to give up daily, stating, “The wins felt too small. The setbacks felt too big. I kept thinking I was behind.” This relatable sentiment sets the stage for his core message: that even the most admired leaders have faced similar struggles.
“Every single one of them almost quit too.”
The article then delves into seven key truths that Mattgray believes every founder needs to internalize when continuing feels harder than stopping. These insights are presented not as abstract advice, but as hard-won lessons drawn from the lives of prominent figures.
Rejection as Redirection
Mattgray highlights the transformative power of reframing rejection. Using Steve Jobs as an example, who was famously ousted from Apple only to return and lead its most successful era, Mattgray argues that setbacks are often detours rather than dead ends.
“The door that slams in your face isn’t the end of the story. It’s the universe rerouting you toward something bigger than what you were chasing,” he writes.
The Importance of Persistence
Under the heading “Keep Counting,” Mattgray emphasizes the sheer volume of effort often required for success. He cites James Dyson’s 5,126 failed prototypes before inventing his revolutionary vacuum cleaner.
“The only difference between him and everyone who quit is that he kept counting.”
This illustrates Mattgray’s point that failure is merely a step in the process, a data point rather than a final verdict.
Challenging Limiting Beliefs
Mattgray addresses common self-doubts, such as feeling “not creative enough.” He debunks this by pointing to figures like Walt Disney, who faced numerous professional setbacks, including being fired for lack of creativity and bankruptcy, before achieving monumental success.
“The world is full of people whose only job is to underestimate you. Don’t let their ceiling become yours,” Mattgray advises.
Laughter as a Sign of Innovation
Another powerful point Mattgray makes is about how initial ridicule can be a precursor to groundbreaking success. He uses the example of Reed Hastings pitching Netflix to Blockbuster, only to be dismissed.
“The people who mock you today aren’t your audience. They’re the proof you’re early.”
As Mattgray notes, the fate of Blockbuster stands as a stark contrast to Netflix’s transformative impact.
Embracing a Different Timeline and Vision
Mattgray reassures founders that their journey is unique and not bound by conventional timelines. He points to Stan Lee, Jack Ma, and Soichiro Honda as examples of individuals who achieved significant success later in life or after facing initial rejections.
“You’re not late. You’re laying foundation no one can see yet,” he asserts.
Furthermore, Mattgray encourages a degree of “delusion” – a refusal to accept conventional limitations – as a necessary building strategy, contrasting it with realism, which he frames as merely a survival tactic.
The Unseen Effort of Building
Concluding his post, Mattgray reiterates that founders are not behind, but are actively engaged in the challenging, often unseen, work of building something significant.
“Every founder you admire has a graveyard of failures behind them. You don’t see them because they kept going,” he explains. He urges entrepreneurs to persevere through the “messy middle,” emphasizing that this phase is a critical, albeit difficult, part of the process. Mattgray’s message is ultimately one of encouragement: keep trying, keep failing, keep building, and most importantly, don’t believe the narrative of quitting that plays in your head.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Mattgray on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on May 28, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →