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There are paths to founder that do not require it to be "incredibly stressful". Another pro for founder is that you can remove yourself from echo chambers if y

by trevyn 9y ago

There are paths to founder that do not require it to be "incredibly stressful". Another pro for founder is that you can remove yourself from echo chambers if you choose. Maybe this falls under "Choose the people you work with".

borski 9y ago
Please elaborate. If you are trying to forge your own path, it will definitionally be more stressful than being an employee. As a founder, you are responsible for all of the jobs you've created, and for those employees' livelihoods. Furthermore, there is quite literally nobody else to blame but yourself, unlike in the case of an employee or executive. That is stressful.
- trevyn 9y ago
  Option one, remove sources of stress, typically debt and/or investors; grow slowly and organically -- don't have employees until you can afford them. Option two, reframe ordinarily stressful things to be less stressful. Stoic philosophy is probably a good start here. Adopt a mindset that does not require you to "be responsible for" your employees. (One possibility: there are plenty of independently wealthy people that will join the right project.) Reject self-flagellation -- the only person "blaming yourself" is you. I'm sure there are other options as well. Also consider that while being an employee may provide a sense of financial stability, it introduces other forms of stress, such as reduced autonomy.
- Dave_Rosenthal 9y ago
  > it will definitionally be more stressful than being an employee I've done all three paths and it's not this cut-and-dry. There are years at startups that aren't stressful at all and years that are stressful. Likewise for being an employee (or executive). Startups are, by-and-large, less secure than most jobs so if that insecurity bothers you that can create stress. On the other hand, most people starting tech startups are fairly employable and "failing" doesn't really look too bad. On the plus side, at a startup you have more ability to manage your stress by controlling your world.
nugget 9y ago
My experience is that to be a successful founder you have to be "on call" pretty much 24/7 as you never know when either a major opportunity or a major crisis will arise. People handle situations and stress differently, so this may be more of a burden for some than others.
- ghostbrainalpha 9y ago
  This was my experience. I had a relatively successful period as Startup founder, and was able to put away some retirement money. Then instead of doing another startup, I took a less stressful job for less money, and enjoyed my family time. As a founder I never really had a day off for 5 years. Even if I was "taking a vacation", my laptop was never always in a backpack within 20 feet from me for emergencies, and my mind was always focused on the consequences of failure. For me it was living in fear, even during success. Some people are more optimistic. They don't feel stress in the same way. I think that is a KEY ingredient in being a successful founder long term.
- BatFastard 9y ago
  But even 24/7 does not guarantee success. Just a leading indicator. I did that for 9 years, and then economy tanked along with my chances at success for that company.

by trevyn 9y ago

borski 9y ago

Please elaborate. If you are trying to forge your own path, it will definitionally be more stressful than being an employee. As a founder, you are responsible for all of the jobs you've created, and for those employees' livelihoods. Furthermore, there is quite literally nobody else to blame but yourself, unlike in the case of an employee or executive. That is stressful.

trevyn 9y ago
Option one, remove sources of stress, typically debt and/or investors; grow slowly and organically -- don't have employees until you can afford them. Option two, reframe ordinarily stressful things to be less stressful. Stoic philosophy is probably a good start here. Adopt a mindset that does not require you to "be responsible for" your employees. (One possibility: there are plenty of independently wealthy people that will join the right project.) Reject self-flagellation -- the only person "blaming yourself" is you. I'm sure there are other options as well. Also consider that while being an employee may provide a sense of financial stability, it introduces other forms of stress, such as reduced autonomy.
Dave_Rosenthal 9y ago
> it will definitionally be more stressful than being an employee I've done all three paths and it's not this cut-and-dry. There are years at startups that aren't stressful at all and years that are stressful. Likewise for being an employee (or executive). Startups are, by-and-large, less secure than most jobs so if that insecurity bothers you that can create stress. On the other hand, most people starting tech startups are fairly employable and "failing" doesn't really look too bad. On the plus side, at a startup you have more ability to manage your stress by controlling your world.

nugget 9y ago

My experience is that to be a successful founder you have to be "on call" pretty much 24/7 as you never know when either a major opportunity or a major crisis will arise. People handle situations and stress differently, so this may be more of a burden for some than others.

ghostbrainalpha 9y ago
This was my experience. I had a relatively successful period as Startup founder, and was able to put away some retirement money. Then instead of doing another startup, I took a less stressful job for less money, and enjoyed my family time. As a founder I never really had a day off for 5 years. Even if I was "taking a vacation", my laptop was never always in a backpack within 20 feet from me for emergencies, and my mind was always focused on the consequences of failure. For me it was living in fear, even during success. Some people are more optimistic. They don't feel stress in the same way. I think that is a KEY ingredient in being a successful founder long term.
BatFastard 9y ago
But even 24/7 does not guarantee success. Just a leading indicator. I did that for 9 years, and then economy tanked along with my chances at success for that company.