"En este negocio, para cuando te das cuenta de que estás en problemas, ya es demasiado tarde para salvarte. A menos que estés huyendo asustado todo el tiempo, estás acabado."

In the fast-paced world of business, the quote is telling us that you’ve got to stay on your toes. If you wait until you see trouble coming, it’s already too late. You have to anticipate problems and be constantly vigilant, or you risk going under.

This kind of thinking probably comes from someone who’s seen the ups and downs of the business world firsthand. Maybe a seasoned CEO or a veteran entrepreneur. They've likely lived through several close calls where the stakes were high, and they had to make quick decisions to keep their business afloat. It’s a lesson learned the hard way, from experience and perhaps a few near-misses.

Take the example of Blockbuster. Remember them? They were the kings of video rental. At one point, they had over 9,000 stores worldwide. But then, they didn’t see Netflix coming—or if they did, they didn’t react quickly enough. Netflix started as a mail-order DVD rental service and then pivoted to streaming. Blockbuster had the chance to buy Netflix early on, but they didn’t see the potential. By the time they realized they were in trouble, it was too late. Netflix had already changed the game, and Blockbuster couldn’t catch up. They went from being a household name to a cautionary tale.

So, what do you do with this advice? Always keep an eye on the horizon. Be paranoid—in a good way. Don’t get too comfortable with your current success. Regularly review your strategies, keep up with industry trends, and be willing to pivot when you see something brewing on the horizon. It's about being proactive rather than reactive.

Imagine you run a small coffee shop in a bustling city. Things are going great—you’ve got loyal customers, your baristas are top-notch, and your pastries are to die for. But the coffee business is competitive, and new places are opening up all the time. If you wait until that new hipster coffee shop down the street starts stealing your customers, you’re in trouble. Instead, you’ve got to think ahead. Maybe you start offering unique flavors that nobody else has, or you partner with local artists to host events and create a community vibe that sets you apart. Always be thinking: what’s my next move?

Think of it like surfing. You don’t wait until the wave is crashing down on you to start paddling. You’ve got to see it coming, position yourself just right, and start moving before it hits. And sometimes, you’ll wipe out—everyone does. But if you’re always scanning the horizon, you’ll catch more waves than you miss.

So next time you feel like you’re coasting, remember this: keep running scared in a good way. Being constantly aware and ready to adapt means you’re not just surviving, you’re thriving. It’s not about living in fear; it’s about being smart and staying ahead of the game. You’ve got this!