4 ms·

OP, do you think you're unique? There are thousands of stories like yours. You're not risking life and limb. You can always get another job if you fail (your po

by diego 14y ago

OP, do you think you're unique? There are thousands of stories like yours. You're not risking life and limb. You can always get another job if you fail (your post implies that you are a software developer in the US). Sure, your ego may be bruised. Deal with it.

jmathai 14y ago
Diego, I realize you've done this before. But it doesn't matter if a million others have the same story. The stress, uncertainty, doubt and a bunch of other emotions are very real. For some it's ego, for others there's a lot more on the line. Obviously it's not as if we're risking our lives, but you don't have to put your life on the line for something to be incredibly difficult.
- readme 14y ago
  There's a difference between risk and desperation. OPs post reads like desperation. Successful entrepreneurship requires calculated and intelligent risk taking. Not hail mary desperation because you're out of a job.
  - jmathai 14y ago
    I agree with that. It's not the vibe I got from their post though. It read to me like they realized it's much harder then they anticipated (common) but have an attitude of doing what it takes. Perhaps the OP can clarify :)
- diego 14y ago
  See my reply to another user. It would be like me complaining about how scary it is to climb big walls in Yosemite. If it's too difficult, don't do it. If you choose to do it, don't complain. Being an entrepreneur is a privilege, not a prison sentence.
  - jmathai 14y ago
    I saw that. This has me begging the question. Is this a trait of successful entrepreneurs? Now I'm genuinely curious.
    - diego 14y ago
      All I can offer is anecdotal evidence. What I can tell you is that as an investor, I would run away from OP. It's not an entirely rational response, just instinct.
  - kelnos 14y ago
    If it's too difficult, don't do it. If you choose to do it, don't complain. That implies an overly simplistic and (IMO) incorrect view of the human condition. Quick simple example: complaining allows one to blow off steam which frees up the mind to focus on success. Put another way: just because you're (perhaps temporarily) scared/unhappy/confused about what you're doing, it doesn't mean you shouldn't do it, or aren't well-suited to doing it.
davidedicillo 14y ago
Knowing that other XXX,XXX people are in the same situation doesn't make things easier. Your bills are still there. Your wife is still asking you if you'll able to pay for your kids insurance.
- diego 14y ago
  Except it's a choice. If OP doesn't like it, OP can go back to a corporate job. I just spent a week in Argentina, and I met with a few entrepreneurs who don't have OP's choice. I had to explain to them why they don't have that choice. They are not attractive to Silicon Valley VCs or incubators. They cannot build products for the global market. You don't have to be an entrepreneur. If you don't like the game, don't play. If you play, don't expect sympathy.
  - xijuan 14y ago
    No, you are wrong.. Everyone needs sympathy. I hope when you feel down or in trouble, you could reflect back of what you said here..
chacham15 14y ago
Yet another example of the casual dismissal. There may be many stories like his, but not many are as candid as he is. This post makes me think of something that you might hear at one of the YC weekly dinners: something which is the brutal honest truth not often shared with the public. I myself understand the emotion that is being conveyed through the writing. Being in that place is difficult and one often loses perspective. Pointing out that his world will not end if the business goes under may help him gain perspective. On the other hand, this comment also belittles the risk and effort that the OP is taking. He has many liabilities: a mortgage, children, and bills that he is almost ignoring to not die. I applaud his effort and wish him the best. There have been many others who have gone through tough times financially with their startups. Airbnb is one famous example who stopped developing their product in order to raise money via the cereal campaign. Risk is okay, but too much risk is likely to end poorly. Again, best of luck.
- lifeisstillgood 14y ago
  Thank you - a considered and positive feedback and one he should heed. Sadly fat fingers have you a down vote - my apologies

by diego 14y ago

jmathai 14y ago

Diego, I realize you've done this before. But it doesn't matter if a million others have the same story. The stress, uncertainty, doubt and a bunch of other emotions are very real. For some it's ego, for others there's a lot more on the line. Obviously it's not as if we're risking our lives, but you don't have to put your life on the line for something to be incredibly difficult.

readme 14y ago
There's a difference between risk and desperation. OPs post reads like desperation. Successful entrepreneurship requires calculated and intelligent risk taking. Not hail mary desperation because you're out of a job.
- jmathai 14y ago
  I agree with that. It's not the vibe I got from their post though. It read to me like they realized it's much harder then they anticipated (common) but have an attitude of doing what it takes. Perhaps the OP can clarify :)
diego 14y ago
See my reply to another user. It would be like me complaining about how scary it is to climb big walls in Yosemite. If it's too difficult, don't do it. If you choose to do it, don't complain. Being an entrepreneur is a privilege, not a prison sentence.
- jmathai 14y ago
  I saw that. This has me begging the question. Is this a trait of successful entrepreneurs? Now I'm genuinely curious.
  - diego 14y ago
    All I can offer is anecdotal evidence. What I can tell you is that as an investor, I would run away from OP. It's not an entirely rational response, just instinct.
- kelnos 14y ago
  If it's too difficult, don't do it. If you choose to do it, don't complain. That implies an overly simplistic and (IMO) incorrect view of the human condition. Quick simple example: complaining allows one to blow off steam which frees up the mind to focus on success. Put another way: just because you're (perhaps temporarily) scared/unhappy/confused about what you're doing, it doesn't mean you shouldn't do it, or aren't well-suited to doing it.

davidedicillo 14y ago

Knowing that other XXX,XXX people are in the same situation doesn't make things easier. Your bills are still there. Your wife is still asking you if you'll able to pay for your kids insurance.

diego 14y ago
Except it's a choice. If OP doesn't like it, OP can go back to a corporate job. I just spent a week in Argentina, and I met with a few entrepreneurs who don't have OP's choice. I had to explain to them why they don't have that choice. They are not attractive to Silicon Valley VCs or incubators. They cannot build products for the global market. You don't have to be an entrepreneur. If you don't like the game, don't play. If you play, don't expect sympathy.
- xijuan 14y ago
  No, you are wrong.. Everyone needs sympathy. I hope when you feel down or in trouble, you could reflect back of what you said here..

chacham15 14y ago

Yet another example of the casual dismissal. There may be many stories like his, but not many are as candid as he is. This post makes me think of something that you might hear at one of the YC weekly dinners: something which is the brutal honest truth not often shared with the public. I myself understand the emotion that is being conveyed through the writing. Being in that place is difficult and one often loses perspective. Pointing out that his world will not end if the business goes under may help him gain perspective. On the other hand, this comment also belittles the risk and effort that the OP is taking. He has many liabilities: a mortgage, children, and bills that he is almost ignoring to not die. I applaud his effort and wish him the best. There have been many others who have gone through tough times financially with their startups. Airbnb is one famous example who stopped developing their product in order to raise money via the cereal campaign. Risk is okay, but too much risk is likely to end poorly. Again, best of luck.

lifeisstillgood 14y ago
Thank you - a considered and positive feedback and one he should heed. Sadly fat fingers have you a down vote - my apologies