All too often I hear and see entrepreneurs using self-deprecating language in their pitch: Anything from closing a statement with “anyway” before moving on to the next statement (which effectively renders the first statement completely worthless — as you indicate that not even you, the originator of the statement, believe in it) to stating “we plan to”, “we aim to” or “we want” in the pitch slides.
As Yoda said it so profoundly decades ago: Do. Or do not. There is no try.
Why would an investor want to invest in you when there is even an ounce of doubt that you will do what you say you’re doing? That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be aware of the pitfalls, dangers and threads along your journey — but embark on your journey with a clear sense of what winning looks like an own it.
Do. Or do not. There is no try: Turn your “plans, aims and wants” into “dos” — We will do x. We do y. We are doing z.