Kyle Asman, Founder and Managing Partner of Backswing Ventures, today announced the launch of the “Build With Conviction” Personal Pledge, a public commitment encouraging individuals to replace short-term thinking with long-term discipline, resilience, and consistent personal growth.
The pledge reflects lessons Asman has learned throughout his career in banking, entrepreneurship, and venture capital, including launching Backswing Ventures in 2020 and building multiple investment funds during a period of unprecedented uncertainty.
“I started the business because I believe there was a better way to do venture capital,” Asman said. “That only works if you’re willing to stick with your convictions when circumstances become difficult.”
According to Asman, many people abandon good ideas too early because they underestimate the value of patience and consistency.
“I define success as reaching or achieving the goals you set,” he said. “Success isn’t about one big moment. It’s about consistently doing the work.”
The issue is especially relevant today. Recent research shows:
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Nearly 49% of entrepreneurs report experiencing burnout, highlighting the pressure of building and leading businesses.
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About 87% of entrepreneurs report facing at least one mental health challenge during their careers.
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Approximately 90% of startups ultimately fail, often because of challenges related to execution, market fit, or running out of capital.
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Research consistently shows that people who write down specific goals are significantly more likely to follow through than those who rely on intentions alone.
For Asman, those numbers reinforce the importance of building habits that last.
“We learn daily from every investment we do or don’t make,” he said. “Every decision teaches you something if you’re willing to learn from it.”
Kyle Asman’s Seven Personal Commitments
As part of the pledge, Asman is committing to the following behaviors:
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I will set clear goals every quarter and review my progress honestly.
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I will treat setbacks as lessons instead of reasons to quit.
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I will make thoughtful decisions instead of reacting emotionally.
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I will keep learning from every success and every missed opportunity.
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I will focus on long-term progress rather than short-term recognition.
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I will stay resilient when challenges arise and keep moving forward.
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I will judge success by achieving meaningful goals, not by outside opinions.
“The never quit mentality—there is always going to be challenges, but you learn and grow from them,” Asman said.
He believes these commitments are practical because they focus on actions people can control every day.
“I enjoy every single day, the good and the bad,” he said. “I have learned how important that is in long-term success.”
Do-It-Yourself Toolkit
Asman encourages anyone to begin strengthening resilience without spending money by taking these simple steps:
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Write down three goals for the next 90 days.
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Spend 15 minutes each morning planning your day.
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End each day by writing one lesson you learned.
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Review one past mistake and identify what it taught you.
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Read one article or chapter related to your field each day.
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Reach out to one new professional contact each week.
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Remove one unnecessary distraction from your daily routine.
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Schedule one hour each week for uninterrupted thinking.
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Celebrate one small win every Friday.
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Ask yourself weekly: Am I moving toward the goals I set?
30-Day Progress Tracker
Use these five questions each day for the next month:
□ Did I work toward one meaningful goal today?
□ Did I learn something new today?
□ Did I stay disciplined when faced with a challenge?
□ Did I make at least one thoughtful decision instead of reacting quickly?
□ Did I finish the day knowing I made progress?
After 30 days, review your answers and identify the habits that made the biggest difference.
Call to Action
Kyle Asman invites entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and anyone working toward meaningful goals to take the Build With Conviction Pledge, complete the 30-day tracker, and share the toolkit with someone who could benefit from a more resilient approach to work and life.
About Kyle Asman
Kyle Asman is the Founder and Managing Partner of Backswing Ventures, an Orlando, Florida-based venture capital firm focused on early-stage defense technology companies. After beginning his career in banking, he founded Backswing Ventures in 2020 with the goal of approaching venture capital differently through disciplined investing, continuous learning, and a long-term commitment to delivering value. His work emphasizes resilience, thoughtful decision-making, and building lasting relationships with founders and investors.
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