During my college days, I took a small course in mountaineering. The lessons I took from there, have been the guiding force of my life.

Mr. Negi

We had a teacher Mr. Negi. I don`t know his full name, never asked, and never felt to do so.

Mr. Negi was a guy in mid forties with short height, thin moustaches and cold eyes. His rules were very simple – you can’t complain, and you can’t say no. He never told us about his rules, but we understood them in few interactions with him. If you asked him for rest, he will say – “Bahut acha kiya jo bata diya, ab yeh exercise aadhe ghante aur karo, jab tak fresh na ho jao”. (“Very good, I really appreciate your telling me, now please do this exercise for another half an hour, until you start feeling fresh.”) And if you told him about back pain, he will award you a dozen of back exercise. Similarly if you ask about lunch or dinner time, you are surely to skip that.

Once I was carrying a heavy rucksack, during one of the trekking trails. I was sweating profoundly, when he asked me if bag was heavy. Before realizing any consequence I told him, yes it was. He smiled very calmly and repeated the famous phrase. “Bahut acha kiya jo bata diya, ab yeh pathar utha lo, aur bag me daal do, halka ho jaayega”. (Very good, I really appreciate your telling me, now please pick these stones and rocks and put in your bag, your luggage will feel light.)

I tried very hard explaining that I spoke unintentionally and I never meant to complain. But it was too late; Mr. Negi has always treated all of us equal when awarding his famous remedies.

From that day, subconsciously I developed a feeling – that I can’t complain. Whatever happens, I can’t complain.

Forward a few years. Now I am running a startup.

Startups are also like Mr. Negi, they don’t accept complaints. You can’t negotiate. They don’t tell you the rules. You have to understand them. Whatever they give you, you have to take that. You can’t talk to them back. You just smile and appreciate whatever comes your way.

Pain is good.

Somebody once told me – running a startup is like testing your ability to bear the pain. But pain is good, as Mr. Negi would have put that. Pain tells you that your muscles are strengthening, and if you want to be a skilled mountaineer, this is what it takes. So when you feel that pain running your startup , smile. Because your startup is telling you that your venture is strengthening, and to be good entrepreneur, this is what it takes.

Mr. Negi, used to remind us that mountaineering is not something which you can buy in a market like your Nike shoes. You have to earn that. Running a startup is also a skill which no MBA school can teach you (yes, I am aware of all those new entrepreneurial courses), but you have to go through that cycle of pain, to earn it. I am still learning that art, but have started enjoying the pain.

Remember, pain is good. Pain tells you, that you are growing.439185