Lisa Alderson, co-founder and CEO of healthcare startup Genome Medical, explains how a severe lack of clinicians trained to help patients understand and act on genetic-test results presents an immense opportunity in personalized medicine. Alderson says the telehealth model allows her company to meet the increasing demand for genetic counselors responsibly, efficiently and at scale.

Genome Medical Co-Founder and CEO Lisa Alderson describes the importance of having a general life plan that provides "directionality," while also being open to new opportunities, acquiring new knowledge and discovering your passion along the way. Sticking to the same old routine will not allow you to leave your mark on the world, she says.

Lisa Alderson of Genome Medical cautions would-be entrepreneurs to celebrate the wins along the way to sustain you through the inevitable highs and lows ahead. Drawing from personal experience, Alderson says the intense passion of the typical entrepreneur puts them at higher risk of taking on too much and neglecting to step back occasionally to rejuvenate themselves.

Lisa Alderson, co-founder and CEO of Genome Medical, demonstrates the "big rocks" approach to prioritizing what's most important, made popular by bestselling business author Stephen Covey. Knowing what matters most, whether that's reaching the next milestone at your startup or securing more funding, will prevent you from wasting time on the many distractions that can fill up a day.

Make a habit of putting yourself in unfamiliar territory. That's how you build self-confidence and a bigger comfort zone.