It's not "just keep going and you will eventually make it". It's a question of continuing to learn and make progress towards your goal over a long period of time (in this case, how to build a successful startup). Malcolm Gladwell calls it "deliberate practice".
For whatever reason most people can't do it, and that's okay, startups are not for everyone. But if you want to be a Pinterest type success, then that's what it will take.
"Q: Do you worry that you extrapolate too much from too little?
"A: No. It's better to err on the side of over-extrapolation. These books are playful in the sense that they regard ideas as things to experiment with. I'm happy if somebody reads my books and reaches a conclusion that is different from mine, as long as the ideas in the book cause them to think. You have to be willing to put pressure on theories, to push the envelope. That's the fun part, the exciting part. If you are writing an intellectual adventure story, why play it safe? I'm not out to convert people. I want to inspire and provoke them."
is good, while trying out ideas, at crediting his sources. He correctly sources the term "deliberate practice" to its coiner, psychologist K. Anders Ericsson, a world-leading expert on the subject of the acquisition of expertise.
People also regularly underestimate the amount of determination you need. It's not only that Pinterest itself was 2 years in the making, but the founders had created failed startups before that too.
Ben Silbermann started with MightyQuiz in January 2007 (YC backed as well) [1]. He's been at it for 5 years now. That's how long it takes to figure out how to build a successful company.
The psychological literature on expertise and mastery is nothing to do with "igon value"[0] Gladwell. If any one person were to be associated with deliberate practice it should be K. Anders Ericsson[1].
Gladwell is an excellent storyteller; that is the extent of his talents.
And a goal as vague as "a successful startup" is extremely unlikely to get you anywhere. You need a great deal more specificity and short time periods so you can tell if you're going right or wrong.
For whatever reason most people can't do it, and that's okay, startups are not for everyone. But if you want to be a Pinterest type success, then that's what it will take.