My flatmate completed a 10,000 pieces puzzle.

It took several days and some days were harder than others. But once the puzzle was completed, it was an incredible accomplishment. I was amazed to learn, how many parallels can be drawn between completing a 10,000 pieces puzzle and building a business from scratch.

Here is what completing a 10,000 pieces puzzle can teach you about building a business from scratch:

One piece at the time.

When you open the puzzle box, you are completely overwhelmed. Where do you start? How should I group the puzzle pieces together? Completing the 10,000 pieces puzzle starts with laying one puzzle stone at the time. Some of the puzzle pieces will fit together others might not fit yet however due to the colour or the shape of the puzzle you know where to place them until the time is right to include them in the bigger picture.

The same goes for building your business. Building a business can be overwhelming. However, every great business starts with laying the first puzzle piece followed by the next one. Sometimes the pieces will fit together, other times you lay a piece and you're not sure yet where it fits but eventually all the pieces come together and build one beautiful picture.

Some days you will make more progress than others.

Some days you will lay 100 pieces without much effort, well rested and focused. Other days you are tired and might only fit 2 or 3 puzzle pieces.

The same goes for starting your business. Some days you will show up motivated, rested and will make significant progress. Other days you will be tired, nothing seems to go your way and it seems like barely any progress has been made. I learnt that, particularly on the hard days, it doesn't matter how far you go, what matters is that you showed up, kept the momentum going and gave it your best.

You complete the puzzle faster when friends help you.

On the days where my flatmate worked with friends on the puzzle, more progress was made. My flat mate took the right side of the puzzle, the other friend took the left side and together they were able to complete the puzzle much faster.

As this proverb states: "If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together." Similar to starting a business, working as a team and dividing the work strategically will allow you to make more meaningful progress. Never underestimate the power of support when starting a business. It can be a lonely road and you are more likely to succeed with a strong support system.