Navigating the Muck

Week after week, as I sit down to write this blog, I often wonder: what new content can I possibly generate? There aren't revolutionary learnings or pathbreaking developments happening every single week at VAll. So, yes, I sometimes struggle to find fresh material.

But then, I look at my weekend.

This past weekend, I was out learning to off-road and go on trails. I am the one on the blue and white bike with a red helmet. There's even a video – yes, that's me, landing squarely on my ass. Why am I sharing this? Because entrepreneurial life, I've realised, isn't too different from trying to navigate mud and muck. You fall, you lift yourself, and you fall again. Sometimes you make it to the top, sometimes you go back to the drawing board.

Reflecting on the last three years, or even just the last three months, it feels like a series of falls in mud. Mistakes made. Moments when I fought the battle in my head instead of on the ground, repeating those same errors over and over. But both on the trails and in life, I've started to learn:

Don’t hold on too tight when you are fishtailing, just move with the bike: If you allow what you're doing to take its path, instead of trying to force it where you think it should go, you often stumble upon far better solutions and answers. We've seen this happen at VAll these past couple of months, and I'm sure we will again.

Throttle harder because you don't want to get stuck in the mud. So, gas, gas, gas! It's always better to fall and move forward than to be bogged down. Give it your 120%, what's the worst that can happen? You learn something, and you get up. so

Release the clutch when going uphill and press it when reversing. Understand the mechanics of your challenge. There are always too many lists and challenges on your plate, and you can’t do it all. Knowing when to engage and when to disengage, when to push and when to hold back, is key to moving forward effectively.

Sometimes, go over the grass. You don't have to take the difficult path every time. This is the reality of life. Easier paths exist. Give yourself a break and take them when they appear.

This post isn't about anything revolutionary. It's simply to say: it's okay. This is life. We fall in mud, we lift ourselves, and we keep going. Progress isn't always smooth; it's about showing up, trying, and iterating, even when the results aren't immediately glamorous. Sometimes, you emerge from the mud, covered head to toe, with a bike that needs cleaning, and with plenty of memes made about you falling flat and making stupid mistakes. And that's perfectly fine.