Speed is often portrayed as a founder's best asset, never to be forfeited or deterred from on the journey.

Startups are expected to fail fast, which means that they need to get their product out as soon as possible, iterate and improve it until they have the right formula, and then repeat.

With great speed comes great liability.

The Conflicts of Speed

Trying to do everything at once, however, can lead to disaster.

Here are a few things you should never sacrifice when trying to move at the speed of light:

• Focus — don't spread yourself too thin by trying to do lots of different things. Do one thing really well, even if it means sacrificing the opportunity for profit in the short term. Otherwise, you could find yourself losing focus or getting sidetracked by all of your different projects and initiatives.

• Product quality — don't be afraid to slow down and take your time if something is taking up too much effort and not delivering on its promises or potential benefits. Don't be afraid to say "no," and perhaps even abandon certain projects before they become detrimental to long-term success.

• Community engagement — when you engage with customers, partners, and other stakeholders, it's important that your company does so honestly and transparently, rather than just putting on a facade of positivity. Don't sacrifice transparency for the sake of "promised improvements".

• Your own happiness — it's important to remember that it's not all about the startup. Too often we sacrifice our own wellbeing in the pursuit of progress. Take care of yourself always!