How to Handle a "Level 7" Crisis in Your Business

Bootstrapping is an attitude. And not just by the Founder. Sometimes it takes sacrifice from the whole team. The 3 Biggest Takeaways Obstacles Are Just "Level Checks" When you face a Level 7 obstacle, you don't retreat; you turn on your Level 8 determination. Obstacles aren't stop signs; they are tests of your resolve. As a founder or sales leader, if you want something bad enough, you have to prove it by busting through the barriers standing in your way. No excuses. Grieve, Then Get Back in the Game Whether your business is struggling, you were fired unfairly, or you're fighting a personal battle, it is okay to feel the hit. But you cannot stay down. The video emphasizes a specific sequence: acknowledge the pain ("grieve for a bit") and then immediately pivot back to action. Resilience isn't about not falling; it's about how fast you get back up. Mastery is Staying on the Path Referencing the wisdom of George Leonard and Zig Ziglar, the video reinforces that you don't have to be great to start, but you have to start in order to be great. Mastery is simply the result of practice and staying on the path, even when the sound is bad, the captions are bad, or the results aren't visible yet. Consistency beats intensity every time. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Q1: How do I find "Level 8 determination" when I'm exhausted? A: You find it by reconnecting with your "why." If the goal matters enough, the energy will follow. Also, remember that action creates energy. Sometimes you have to start moving before you feel like it. Q2: Is it really necessary to "grieve" a business failure? Can't I just move on? A: If you don't process the loss, you carry the baggage into your next venture. Take a moment to understand what went wrong and feel the sting. That pain becomes the data you need to avoid making the same mistake twice. Q3: What if I keep hitting obstacles and nothing is working? A: Then you might be using the wrong tool for the job. "Busting through" doesn't always mean using brute force; sometimes it means being smarter or pivoting your approach. But the determination to solve the problem must remain constant. Q4: How long should I stick with something before quitting? A: Stick with it until you have given it a fair shot at mastery. As mentioned in the context, doing something for 52 straight weeks brings a level of competence that dabbling for two weeks never will. Don't quit before the "compound interest" of your effort kicks in. Q5: Why do you say "one hand washes the other"? A: Because entrepreneurship is a lonely sport if you try to play it solo. Helping others—sharing knowledge, offering support—creates a network of reciprocity. When you help someone else get clean (succeed), you inevitably lift yourself up in the process.