Building a successful company boils down to how much crap you can take before giving up.

That's not a new sentiment.

The question is, how can you prepare for the shit that is ahead? Here's how I have been doing it:

1. Create a running list of milestones for next two months(update it every two weeks)
2. For each milestone, note down every kind of problem that can come up

Look, there is a breed of people who excel at whatever challenge that comes up. I am not one of 'em. It's a lesson you learn once you've been burned enough. For me, it helps to know what kind of danger and caution lie ahead. That way, I can give it all to make sure the shit does not happen. Or that if it does happen, that I am ready to address it.

What actually happens is once you are aware of the possible problems, they become part of your peripheral vision. Throughout the day, your brain can now map out solutions to address it. It's no longer surprising for me to run into a solution to a problem while having breakfast or just slacking around. None of this would be possible if you never told your brain what problems you need a solution to.

So plan out your shit. Then hand it over to your brain.