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I suffer depression. Mostly it's not that bad but it does mean that I never sustain the passion/effort required for a startup (or even modest personal projects

I suffer depression. Mostly it's not that bad but it does mean that I never sustain the passion/effort required for a startup (or even modest personal projects). hmmmm, I think everything else is either fall out from the depression or an excuse to avoid facing fear. Fear of personal failure, fear that I'm not elite, fear that I don't "have what it takes", etc. I'm also "old", 40yr, and I hate to say it but I feel less energized, less excited about the world than I remember feeling when I was younger. Change the world? Make "it big"/millions? Be famous? Meh, it's time for my nap.

vgurgov 16y ago
Ok let me say this again. Its 100% fine not to be a founder and work for somebody. It is NOT a shame! You can leave full and happy life without it! Many do that! It might be that you read way too much HN - This resource pushes towards starting company. Its not the only way to go for hacker! Relax and enjoy your life! PS I was super surprised to see that so many replied about being stressed about not starting a company today. I am sorry about that, did mean to push anyone when asked this question. I think that you can only start company being in a good and optimistic mood! Stress/scare is a first warning sign!
- rphlx 16y ago
  Sorry, but you will probably never have true security, or become truly wealthy, working for someone else. If some deep part of you wants to try starting a company, it's not healthy to suppress that, and if you do, my guess is you'll eventually regret it.
  - vgurgov 16y ago
    Not true. You MUCH more likely loose all you money when start a company in such situation. Programmers(especially good) are well payed($100k-$300k) (not dentists, but still:) ) and secure jobs. You can enjoy happy life with you family and be 9-6 employee. Besides you can join the RIGHT startup at the right time and get something like 10% less salary and options that might make you quite rich. The trick is in picking the right company at right time.
    - rphlx 16y ago
      Nope, sorry. The US tech IPO market has been dead for 6+ years.
- njharman 16y ago
  Nah, I'm generally happy, I don't wanna be a founder (too much work/stress). I've run my own business, twice. Once into the ground ;) It's not for me, I'm fine with that. In my first post I had written and then deleted for not adding anything. "Happyness & lazyness. In that I'm happy and lazy enough to not try for something "better"."

vgurgov 16y ago

Ok let me say this again. Its 100% fine not to be a founder and work for somebody. It is NOT a shame! You can leave full and happy life without it! Many do that! It might be that you read way too much HN - This resource pushes towards starting company. Its not the only way to go for hacker! Relax and enjoy your life! PS I was super surprised to see that so many replied about being stressed about not starting a company today. I am sorry about that, did mean to push anyone when asked this question. I think that you can only start company being in a good and optimistic mood! Stress/scare is a first warning sign!

rphlx 16y ago
Sorry, but you will probably never have true security, or become truly wealthy, working for someone else. If some deep part of you wants to try starting a company, it's not healthy to suppress that, and if you do, my guess is you'll eventually regret it.
- vgurgov 16y ago
  Not true. You MUCH more likely loose all you money when start a company in such situation. Programmers(especially good) are well payed($100k-$300k) (not dentists, but still:) ) and secure jobs. You can enjoy happy life with you family and be 9-6 employee. Besides you can join the RIGHT startup at the right time and get something like 10% less salary and options that might make you quite rich. The trick is in picking the right company at right time.
  - rphlx 16y ago
    Nope, sorry. The US tech IPO market has been dead for 6+ years.
njharman 16y ago
Nah, I'm generally happy, I don't wanna be a founder (too much work/stress). I've run my own business, twice. Once into the ground ;) It's not for me, I'm fine with that. In my first post I had written and then deleted for not adding anything. "Happyness & lazyness. In that I'm happy and lazy enough to not try for something "better"."