Am I the Odd One Out?

The Reality of Running a Business

Running a business is a strange job to be in. I remember starting my first company at 20, watching my friends get full-time jobs with guaranteed income and fewer hours. I thought, “I’m making the sacrifice now so that one day I’ll be rich.”

But it never quite worked out that way. My friends seemed to work less and earn more, while I was pulling seventeen-hour days—earning less than minimum wage.

The Relentless Pursuit of Success

Yet, I kept going. Every setback knocked me down, but I got back up. By the time I was 25, I had the experience of someone who had worked a normal job for 25 years.

But it wasn’t just the long hours and low pay that got to me. Sitting in the pub, listening to my friends complain about everyday problems, I realized I couldn’t relate anymore. Their football team losing was a big deal to them, while I was worrying about whether I could keep the lights on next week.

On top of that, there was the weight of expectation from friends and family—being an “entrepreneur” meant I was supposed to be the provider. It was all too much to handle.

From Struggle to Stability

Fast forward to 2025, and I’m glad to say I’m not in that place anymore. Don’t get me wrong—it’s still not easy. But that helpless feeling from the early days is gone. I am now the master of my own destiny.

I read a quote last week: “Don’t think of yourself as the victim, or else you will become one.” That hit home. In my darkest moments, I sometimes felt like I was in The Truman Show, being tested to see how much I could endure. Now, no matter how tough things get, I try to find the small positives.

The Pain in the Middle

The truth is, no matter how difficult things seem, with hindsight, they often work out for the best. But to reach that moment of hindsight, we have to push through a lot of fear and pain.

The best way to handle fear is to face it head-on. It’s like standing in a doorway, hesitating to step out into the rain. The anxiety is all in our minds—we’re not even wet yet—but we still step back.

In business, I see so many people stop moving forward the moment things get difficult. If something is hard, many just won’t do it. And that leaves me wondering… is it just me? Am I the only one who realizes that the only thing standing between success and failure is the pain in the middle?

The Illusion of Instant Success

Sometimes I wonder if the universe does test us—to see if we really want it. The problem is, modern life has tricked us into believing success should come easily.

The internet gives us instant answers. TV makes everything look effortless. Social media shows only the highlight reels, never the struggle behind them.

Even so-called “overnight success stories” usually aren’t. What Instagram doesn’t show is the years of hard work and setbacks that led to that moment. And when people don’t see that struggle, they become less willing to push through their own.

What Makes Me Different?

So, why am I different? I’ve asked myself that many times. The truth is, I don’t have any special skill that makes me more capable than anyone else. What I did have was no safety net. No raincoat. No warm house to stay in.

I had no choice but to push forward, to face the fear, and to keep learning from every setback.

I think modern society has shifted from being grateful for security to expecting it. “I am owed free healthcare” rather than “I am grateful for free healthcare.” When kids grow up always having an easier option, they naturally avoid the discomfort needed to succeed.

The Power of Accountability

So, is it just me? Of course not. I simply went through one of the hardest training courses possible: self-employment. But it leaves me wondering—how do we change the habits of a workforce that never had to go through that?

For me, it all comes down to one word: accountability.

If my team is accountable for their actions, then facing challenges isn’t optional—it’s necessary. But building a culture of accountability isn’t easy, especially when the mindset (at least in Britain) is “You owe me a living.”

That’s why hiring the right people is crucial. A great interview can show willingness on paper, but real accountability only reveals itself in action. And recognizing whether someone is cut out for it—that’s on us as leaders.

Final Thoughts

Success is never instant, and it’s rarely easy. The difference between those who make it and those who don’t isn’t talent or luck—it’s resilience.

If you can face the rain, push through the discomfort, and stay accountable for your own progress, you’re already ahead of most. Because, in the end, the only way to truly fail is to stop trying.

Will Ryles

Entrepreneur & Founder | Yellowstone Accounts

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