You Gotta Lose to Win
You need to lose a few battles to win the war.
In business, as in war, you have to lose a few battles to win the war. Not every setback is a failure—sometimes, letting go of a tough client, walking away from a bad deal, or absorbing short-term losses is necessary to secure long-term success. The key is knowing which battles are worth fighting and which ones are distractions. Each challenge faced and lesson learned strengthens your ability to navigate the bigger picture and come out ahead in the end.
In business, as in life, the path to success is often paved with setbacks. Whether it’s a failed pitch, a lost client, or an unexpected economic downturn, every entrepreneur will face moments that feel like defeat. But the real winners are those who learn, adapt, and use these experiences to fuel their growth.
Learning the Hard Way
Early in my business journey, a company I worked with refused to pay a significant invoice, an amount that was a big deal for me at the time. Determined to stand my ground, I took them to court. When they eventually offered to settle for half, I refused, telling my lawyer, "It’s the principle of it."
His response was: "Principles are what send my kids to private schools."
I realised that business isn’t just about being right—it’s about knowing when to move forward. I accepted the settlement, took the lesson, and redirected my energy toward building something better.
Taking a hit today to set ourselves up for a bigger win tomorrow
The Digital Landscape: Adapt or Fall Behind
The web industry and the rise of AI have made this principle even more relevant. Businesses that cling to outdated models out of pride or principle often get left behind. Look at Deepseek for example, they couldn’t get the chips they needed (loss) and they made a capable AI system from older chips that impressed the market so much it crashed Nvidia’s stock price (win).
The digital world rewards adaptability, and sometimes that means pivoting, letting go of old battles, or even taking short-term losses to secure long-term gains.
At GRZZ, we operate with this mindset. Whether we’re navigating changing technology, evolving client needs, or unexpected challenges, we focus on what truly moves us forward. We’re not afraid to make bold decisions, even if it means taking a hit today to set ourselves up for a bigger win tomorrow.
Knowing When to Let Go
Success isn’t about winning every battle—it’s about knowing which ones are worth fighting. Whether in business, technology, or life, the smartest move is often to take the loss, learn from it, and use it as fuel for something greater.
When it comes to clients and agencies, it needs to be a good fit. It can’t be one-sided, so we don’t take on all clients and projects. We work with people we like that show mutual respect, sometimes that means turning down projects.
At GRZZ, we play the long game. Because in the end, you've gotta lose to win.
