What’s the secret to bouncing back after a product test fails?

Each week, the Indie Hackers editorial team tackles a reader’s question about the challenges of entrepreneurship. Got a question? Email Dan Marzullo at [email protected].

This may sound weak, but I have to ask: How do I bounce back from a setback and keep pushing forward to validate and sell my product?

After a failed interest-gauging test last week, I just fell into a slump. I haven't worked on my product for a few days and feel so guilty.

Yesterday, I got sick and felt relieved from the guilt of not working.

—Samuel N.

Dan's Advice:

Reconnecting with your core values might just be the anchor you need to steer through these tough times and reignite your drive.

Your values are the things that matter most to you. When we face failures, setbacks, or challenging events in life and business, it's easy to lose sight of these values. Stress can take over, making us forget why we started in the first place.

Studies show that staying connected to our values makes us more resilient. Clarifying, articulating, and acting on these core values strengthens our ability to face adversity and come out stronger. In other words, our values give us a reason to keep going, especially when times are tough. 

Imagine an entrepreneur whose business fails but, motivated by his values of providing and protecting for his kids, starts a new venture. These values drive him to launch the new business, aiming to ensure his children grow up happy and secure. They help him deal with the stress and stay focused on what's important.

Or consider a teacher who faces burnout but is fueled by her values of educating and inspiring students to reach their potential. Her values push her to find new ways to reignite her enthusiasm, ensuring her students continue to receive a top-notch education.

Maybe you launched this product because you want to make a global impact by getting it into as many hands as possible. Or perhaps you see a successful product as your ticket to financial freedom, letting you support your family, donate to a cause close to your heart, and so on.

Whatever your reasons, connecting your business to your core values is the key to getting out of your slump. If you've lost sight, here's how to get back in touch with your values.

Identify the reasons to get through the slump:

To reconnect with your values, you have to ask yourself the deep questions. Often, we get so caught up in the daily grind that we forget to make choices that align with who we truly are.

Research suggests that even brief writing exercises can have powerful, lasting effects. They can help you tap into your values and tackle challenging life events more effectively.

So grab a sheet of paper or open a fresh Google Doc, and dive into these questions to uncover what really matters to you.

• Why did you start this business in the first place?

• What would you like to get out of this business?

• What would be different if it was a success?

• Why is it worth persevering and getting through this slump?

• What will happen if you stop working on it and throw in the towel?

• What will your life look like if you make this product a success?

• How would your future self benefit from this successful product?

• What positive changes would it bring to you and others? 

• What key milestones or achievements do you believe are necessary for your business to be considered a success and leave you with few or no regrets?

Generate as many answers as possible to these questions and write them down. Be detailed and descriptive—don't worry about editing yourself. Just let the words flow and capture whatever comes to mind.

Pull out your values from your answers:

Take a look at the answers you’ve just written. What values capture the reasons why you want to keep going?

If you’re feeling stuck, here’s a list of values to get you started and help you figure out what’s most important to you (courtesy of positivepsychology.com):

• Achievement: Attainment of goals and aspirations

• Fame: Recognition for your contributions

• Adventure: Pursuing excitement and taking risks

• Freedom: Independence in thought and lifestyle

• Fellowship: Having important relationships with friends

• Equality: Justice and fair treatment for all

• Power: Authority, control, and influence

• Service: Contribution to the welfare of others

• Wealth: Influence, ease, and prosperity

• Creativity: Being inventive, original, and innovative

Keep your values top of mind:

Write down your top 3 core values from this exercise on a sticky note. Place it on your desk or computer where you can easily see it.

Whenever you’re feeling unmotivated, take a moment to revisit those values and remind yourself of what drives you.

And if you’ve done all this and still can’t connect the “why” behind your business to your values, it might be a sign of a different problem.