Why Success Starts with Suck: Technology, Fear, and the Real Work of Business Growth
In this episode, Tom and Adam dive deep into the messy reality of running a business in today’s rapidly evolving tech environment. From software updates disrupting workflows to business owners struggling with delegation, they explore why simplicity in business often gets lost in the search for optimization. The conversation flows through topics of technology overwhelm, the myth of the perfect system, the fear of failure, and the importance of embracing the journey—mess and all.
The hosts discuss why so many entrepreneurs create new problems after solving old ones, how technology functions like an employee, and why relearning is often the path to mastery. They also unpack the cycle of comfort → fear → learning → growth and why getting stuck in comfort zones kills progress. Throughout the episode, Tom and Adam challenge listeners to rethink their relationship with failure, focus on the process instead of the result, and use technology as a tool for meaningful growth—not just convenience.
Key Topics Covered
🔧 Technology: Friend or Frustration?
- The constant updates and changes in software and hardware.
- Technology as a delegation tool — but what are you doing with the time it frees up?
- Why finding the “perfect” software won't solve your business problems if you’re unclear on your purpose.
🧠 Delegation & the Problem with Free Time
- How new business owners often fill freed-up time with busy work instead of growth activities.
- The critical question: Are you improving your processes, or just trying to avoid them?
🚨 Choosing the Right Problems to Solve
- You will always have problems in business — but are they the ones you choose to solve?
- How to stop reacting to meaningless problems and start tackling the ones that drive your business forward.
😨 Fear of Failure and the Comfort Zone Trap
- Why leaving your comfort zone triggers fear—and why fear is actually your gateway to learning.
- The four stages of growth: Comfort → Fear → Learning → Growth.
- The difference between those who stay “stuck” and those who achieve mastery.
⏳ The Myth of Instant Success
- Why unrealistic timeframes crush motivation.
- Using technology (like AI) to help set realistic expectations for learning curves and project timelines.
🔍 Relearning vs. Learning Something New
- Success often comes from reminding yourself of what you already know, not constantly chasing new skills.
- Reconnecting with your foundational skills instead of constantly searching for the next shiny object.
🧩 Vision, Mission, and Missing the Point
- Most people confuse their mission (what they do daily) with their vision (what they aspire to become).
- Why clarity on your mission helps you build your future vision more intentionally.
💡 The Accidental CEO Mindset
- Business owners who accidentally find themselves leading a company without realizing it.
- Shifting from doing everything yourself to building processes, teams, and tools that drive growth.
Key Quotes
“Success starts with suck. You can’t have success without sucking at it first.”
“Technology is like an employee. But what do you do with the free time it gives you?”
“Fear is the gateway between comfort and learning. Most people stop at fear instead of pushing through.”
“The real failure isn’t doing something poorly. The real failure is not doing it at all.”
Join the Conversation
If today’s episode resonated with you, we invite you to join our Accidental CEO Workshop, an interactive space where business owners learn to embrace their inner CEO, overcome fear, and take meaningful action.
🔗 Register for the Accidental CEO Workshop (virtual & in-person options available)
Connect with Us
- Website: Atomic Business Coaching
- LinkedIn: Adam Thomas Hurd and Tom Marino
