Most entrepreneurs don’t fail from lack of talent — they quit in the middle… right before it starts working.

If you’re building a business and you feel stuck, tired, or unseen, this CEO Lounge episode is for you. Derrick and Joselyn break down the middle season of entrepreneurship — the nights no one claps for, the discipline it takes to keep going, and how to protect your entrepreneur mindset with weekly wins that stack into real momentum.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ How to stay motivated when results are slow
✅ Why “applause” is a trap (and conviction is the fuel)
✅ The 1:00am grind story that built the foundation
✅ How to set weekly goals, celebrate wins, and avoid burnout
✅ How to know if you’re in a breakdown… or on the edge of a breakthrough

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Protect your mindset in the middle
00:55 Welcome + why “the middle” matters
03:55 “Nobody claps for the nights you don’t quit”
06:05 The 1:00am office grind story (what people don’t see)
10:40 Leading without applause (conviction vs attention)
13:15 Why most people quit in the middle
15:35 Weekly wins: how Derrick stayed motivated
17:45 Rewards, discipline, and celebrating progress
20:00 Leading yourself before leading a team
30:05 Applause vs conviction + “breakdown or breakthrough?”
36:25 Someone is always watching (even in the unseen season)
41:35 Fatherhood + “no turning back” mindset
42:40 Redefining success: time, freedom, and peace
44:25 If you feel unseen: what to do next
50:20 Audience Q: What do I focus on first? (and when?)
52:35 Audience Q: Mindset + gratitude in the middle
58:00 When plans take longer than expected (resetting)
1:00:14 Closing encouragement
1:00:38 Bonus: 12:20am “this is what it takes” clip

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