11 ms·

Dirty Little Secret of Success

154 points by adamhowell 17y ago

mpk 17y ago
Someone's having a bad day.
- bd 17y ago
  Somebody in the comments of the original article mentioned the author is going through a divorce.
- jrwoodruff 17y ago
  I don't think it's really about having a bad day or even a 'tough life' - just a feeling of something missing. Check out the top few graphs of this page: http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6797859.ece?token=null&offset=24&page=3 http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/ar... The theory there is a weak father figure in Steve Jobs' life (he was adopted) caused him to "form a unique view of things and be driven to find followers." Sounds a little hocus-pocus maybe, but I think there's something to it.
jgrahamc 17y ago
Sounds like there's truth in that, and it's absolutely necessary to be relentless about marketing your product. It's a sad fact that no one cares about your application, book, etc. until you start telling people about it. I wrote about my own experience of marketing in a blog post entitled: If you build it, they will ignore it. http://www.jgc.org/blog/2009/06/if-you-build-it-they-will-ignore-it.html http://www.jgc.org/blog/2009/06/if-you-build-it-they-will-ig...
- Alnoor 17y ago
  I must say that your book "The Geek Atlas", uses a unique and quite interesting style. Perhaps you might know of a book that is similar in style but based on literature? Something like: The booklover's Atlas
- brlewis 17y ago
  It is tough for geeks to be relentless about marketing. We're already outside our comfort zone even just beginning to market. Got any tips? I've been following Chris Brogan and get the idea of marketing being about empowering people, but I'm still in the market for advice.
  - pchristensen 17y ago
    I think you've won half the battle by having a product whose story matches a big need. I'd do two things: - Read everything patio11 has ever written about Adwords and A/B testing. Contact him with specific questions if necessary. He has the clearest, most detailed info out there for marketing a part time software project into a business - Consider changing your home page to show, rather than describe, how the use case for your product matches people's lives. Something like Step 1: Upload photos -> Step 2: Mix a drink while your photos are automatically categorized -> Step 3: Go play with your kids while we automatically email your pics to your loved ones. Your home page doesn't convey just how ideal your product is. Adjectives and testimonials are ignorable because people can lie about them. Take a look at the home pages for Dropbox or the 37s projects - brief statements, demo video, tour pages. You want people to know how to use OurDoings in less than 30 seconds. I know about OurDoings b/c I've followed you on HN and the OurDoings, and I think the above-the-fold part of your homepage doesn't tell the right story convincingly. But like I said, you're halfway there because your product is perfectly amenable to this kind of demo/tour/story treatment. Email me at peter at pchristensen dot com if you want to discuss it more.
    - brlewis 17y ago
      Do you think it can be done without video? To many, the words "upload photos" imply additional work. Is the slogan "Don't think; just upload" a good one?
      - pchristensen 17y ago
        The reason I suggested the video is because that's where the bar is for trial products. A tour page, a 30-60 sec video, and a clear pricing page - these are so ubiquitous that it's the language consumers speak. Also, you should probably go to all the photo sharing sites and make sure you provide at least as clear a pitch and supporting materials as them. I think "Don't think; just upload" could work. Something like "You send the pictures, we make the albums" would convey the benefits too.
wglb 17y ago
There is some merit here, but I personally don't think life is that hard. There are other sources of drive, don't you think? Like achieving something that nobody else did before? Like getting into the flow of building something?
- deleted 17y ago
  [deleted]
TrevorJ 17y ago
An interesting take on it, though I would not go so far as to say that you must crave attention and affection in order to be a success. There are other motivations to work hard and succeed that don't spring from inherent flaws in our person and oftentimes these convictions prove to be more selfless and enduring than any narcissistic need for recognition. You don't have to feel unloved in order to be discontented with the state of the world. You don't have to crave the love of others in order to be brokenhearted over the suffering that people go through. In short: a deep and lasting desire to make the world a better place does not first require an unfulfilled need for love. The passion can be fueled by a desire to better the world and the lives of those around us.
wouterinho 17y ago
I think it all boils down to a certain "I'll show them" personality trait that acts as a catalyst when confronted with agony, ridicule, betrayal, lack of recognition, etc.
- petewarden 17y ago
  I really like Mark Solon's post on being motivated by that sort of drive, "Don't let the bastards grind you down": http://www.highway12ventures.com/2009/10/15/dont-let-the-bastards-grind-you-down/ http://www.highway12ventures.com/2009/10/15/dont-let-the-bas...
dabent 17y ago
I think I caught a similar theme stated differently Thomas J. Stanley's "The Millionaire Mind." He noted that the entrepreneurs weren't the "beautiful people" who had backing, schooling and the right background to be accepted into mainstream, high wage jobs. Not to say that many of those beautiful folks didn't gain wealth, but they often did it as doctors or executives rather than business owners. I think there is a definite need to prove oneself to society, a parent, or a lover that drives those who start businesses, technical or not.
- gbookman 17y ago
  How does that explain Bill Gates, the world's greatest entrepreneur who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth?
jasonlbaptiste 17y ago
Emopreneur is emo. Joking aside there is truth to the post. Brick walls are there to show us how much we want something.
- jjs 17y ago
  Careful, that's a load-bearing wall...
- antidaily 17y ago
  His twitter updates have been reflective/borderline depressing lately as well. A lot of mentions of divorce. Clearly the guy's going through some stuff.
  - Mongoose 17y ago
    That's for sure. He recently divorced his wife and lost custody of his child. It's a lot of painful stuff to deal with and it's very much bleeding into his web presence.
    - jasonmcalacanis 17y ago
      That I didn't know... and for which I'm very sorry for him. That has to be crushing. Please forget my previous comment.... don't want to kick a guy when he's down.
      - bonsaitree 17y ago
        Glad that you noticed, or at least were made aware of, the full context of Zeldman's post via the public HN community and back-channels. I urge some self-reflection via a few full listen-throughs of the early audio-only CalacanisCasts immediately following your tenure at AOL. It was especially galling given your impending fatherhood (congratulations btw.) and his current family status. Given his near continuous contributions to the Web community over the years, Zeldman has more than earned the right for a little public venting.
qaexl 17y ago
"Talent Code", Daniel Coyle. http://www.amazon.com/Talent-Code-Greatness-Born-Grown/dp/055380684X/ http://www.amazon.com/Talent-Code-Greatness-Born-Grown/dp/05... The book suggests that great talent -- specifically "success" in the athletic / superstar world -- also has environmental factors. There are environment cues that activate subconscious fears. For example, training facilities that train world-class athletes tend to be in the dumps, sending the subconscious cue, "You have to get out of here". Another environmental cue is seeing graduated successes. For example, a soccer talent hub has little kids running around playing soccer, older kids playing pick-up games, amateurs who are trying to make it into the pros, and pros who are both friends and rivals. In regards to financial success, one environmental fear might be having a deep-seated financial insecurity. For example, Tony Robbins was a successful NLP trainer since he was in his early 20s; he made it big briefly than splurge all of his paper wealth. He didn't actually acquire lasting assets until his first child was born. However, it could be argued that since he grew up poor, seeing his newborn child tied into that insecurity he grew up with. I have a book recommended by Tim Ferris called "Leap" (Rick Smith, http://www.amazon.com/Leap-Simple-Changes-Propel-Career/dp/1591842565/ http://www.amazon.com/Leap-Simple-Changes-Propel-Career/dp/1...). I have not yet finished the book. However, Ferris's review (http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2009/09/13/bill-gates-risk-taker/ http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2009/09/13/bill-gates-r...) was essentially about how some of the biggest successes actually hedged their risks. I've been setting up a new business right now in real estate. It is very different from what I was used to -- technologies. It is much more people-intensive, and most of the people I am dealing with don't really do emails. (That is changing, but not yet). The fears I usually come up against are the same kind of fears I have the first time I signed LLC paperwork about five years ago. That time, I was physically shaking when I spent three days putting together the operating agreement. The next two business entities I formed were as boring as "going down to the post office and opening up a PO box". My point is, if I try motivating myself with a craving for attention, that's too much of a struggle. That creates paralysis in me. Your mileage may vary. The hack I'm trying now uses a definition of "courage" that wipes away fear going forward.
amix 17y ago
A part of the human nature is to keep pushing ourselves, keep improving, never becoming fully satisfied - this has resulted in great achievements for our ancestors. This urge to keep improving is a lot stronger for some people than others and I think it's very strong for entrepreneurs. The bottom line is that I don't think the urge for success is driven by a longing for love and approval, but an urge to keep improving and keep getting better. That's at least my drive :-)
mattchew 17y ago
When I'm working just-for-myself, I am not nearly as focused as when I'm working on someone else's project. I waste a lot of time basically goofing off (like now). I've tried to figure this out, and what Zeldman is talking about is a big part of it. Approval from others is a lot more important to me than I wanted to admit. "Emopreneur". Pretty funny. Is that your own, Jason?
thaumaturgy 17y ago
Pfft. Yeah, or maybe I just want to get some things done because I'm frustrated with the things around me. People can take their recognition and hang it on a wall.
wsprague 17y ago
The existentialists (well, at least the one that matters, Heidegger) would say that to be human means that one never forgets a deep "uncanniness" or an emptiness, and that part of the drive to succeed (or do drugs or find god or stay busy driving the kids to soccer practice) is a desire to fill up this fundamental emptiness. This emptiness stems from the fact that you consciously wonder who you are ("consciously" meaning with words in your head), and, in the long term, no final answer seems to be forthcoming, even though you may tell yourself otherwise, or go to church to hear someone else tell you, etc. The emptiness is part of the human condition and can't actually be fixed or filled. We all feel it very deeply, and there is a huge industry around making us feel sure of ourselves, and/ or keeping us so busy in the world that we don't have time to contemplate the ever-present internal void. The only "authentic" (Heidegger's term) way forward is to just embrace the "uncanniness", and quit wasting time worrying about how you can't "just enjoy life" or "live always in the moment". I think of this as the way of life that is "un-selfconsciously selfconscious" (tm). Look for my new book in the Self Help section soon! Or, one could also say that Nietszche, Heidegger, and Kierkegaard just had A LOT of bad days and wrote some books about it...
- wsprague 17y ago
  Why would anyone downvote this entry? Not that I care, just curious...
  - access_denied 17y ago
    Putting the dumbheads who upvote to express agreement aside leaves us with the real reason to upvote: you want to highlight worth-to-read stuff. I've read your text and frankly it didn't give me much. I thought the Heidegger == 'The existentialist datapoint interesting for my internal map of everything.
    - wsprague 17y ago
      What I meant was "why would you downvote my comment?" Is not giving you much a good reason for downvoting? Seems ok if it is, but I only would downvote things that are stupid or obnoxious, and I don't think my comment was either....
Sthorpe 17y ago
I can't believe how many people agree with this guy. Seriously, why would anyone "break" themselves? I thought we were just learning from our mistakes... I am very productive these days. I think when you truly love what you do, being an entrepreneur is just something you can tell people so they understand _why_ you don't work for someone. I've worked at 9 - 6 before. I will never go back. Mostly because of the reward for not breaking myself and forgetting about what I love. I mean how many people just like the joy of creating something for themselves and no one else. I do.
- fnid 17y ago
  I think the point is that if you create something for yourself and no one else, then you won't be a successful entrepreneur, because to succeed at that, you have to create something other people love and secretly, you want them to love you, not what you create.
  - Sthorpe 17y ago
    And you agree with this point? I just like building things. I will always do this. However, the sheer joy of something i've built and someone likes using is a journey I am loving. I have this theory that if you build something that you can personally use, then you've built something worth while. Now, as far as wanting someone to love you, who doesn't want that? I certainly don't want to be hated. But I also don't want to compromise myself either.
    - fnid 17y ago
      I agree with his point and your point. I have done what you are doing: Build something I love. But remember, your customers are not you. When you start selling your invention, that thing that makes you happy, your customers may not be happy. If they aren't happy, you won't sell a lot of it. The author of the blog post is saying, "If you don't care if your customers are happy with the product, you won't be a good entrepreneur." By good entrepreneur, he probably means sell a bunch of stuff. Just liking to build things or just liking to build things for yourself is not enough to be a successful entrepreneur. Building a commercially viable product takes lots of iteration and design changes and polish that individuals don't need in product they use only for their own purposes. Your theory is a good one. It's a theory I had 3 years ago and pursued and now I have something I love and my customers love. The problem with the theory is that you loving it is not enough for your customers to pay for it.
forkqueue 17y ago
Funny, I saw an interview with Stelios (of EasyJet, Easy*) and he was saying his motivation was always to prove himself to his father, even after his father died.
andyf 17y ago
A new startup idea - ridicule other startups until they feel they have hit rock bottom then they can succeed.
astine 17y ago
Wow, I should be a millionaire. :)
c00p3r 17y ago
It's a common knowledge - why, for example, most of world's religions claims that fasting are good - fulfilled body is deaf and dumb. Think about sublimation as a greatest source of power and will. You need to be starved and in need to get maximum of your brain capacity. Or think about visiting an unfamiliar place (city, country) how you became sharp and alerted. So, nothing special. Just pathetic.
- dualogy 17y ago
  "You need to be starved and in need to get maximum of your brain capacity." Are you serious? It's when I haven't eaten enough in hours that my "brain capacity" gets to an all-time low. Observe how nothing ever really gets Done in societies with extended periods (ie. days or weeks) of fasting during that period. Go to those impoverished areas of the world where people still suffer from hunger and ask them about how their brain capacity is at a maximum. Human beings need food, news at eleven.
  - c00p3r 17y ago
    It is a very big subject. Fasting is a way of training self-will and conquering yourself. It is long and difficult process. And it is not just about energy or calories. There is also spiritual part.
donniefitz2 17y ago
Be careful not to become too uplifted by his words or you'll get all happy about yourself and loose your drive.
- unalone 17y ago
  You can joke about that, but it happens. I've had a particularly good few months, and as a result I find myself getting less done than last year, when I was frequently miserable. In that last two months, I've done maybe one really neat piece of work, and that was immediately after a bad weekend. I'm not exactly complaining about it, but a part of me wants to throw myself into an upsetting situation just so I'll get back to obsessing over my work.
  - izaidi 17y ago
    I'm the same way. My best work has been happened on some of the worst days of my life. I think it's an "Everything sucks so I have to make something that doesn't" sort of thing.
borism 17y ago
Another oversimplification and bad at that.
jasonmcalacanis 17y ago
What a load of horse sh@#$%. Zeldman is basically trying to explains why he doesn't have any drive and hasn't had a breakout success: because he's so well balanced and normal and all the successful people in the world have some sort of a mental defect. Really? It's not possible to be driven and well-balanced? Everyone who is successful didn't get enough love from daddy? Even if he is right who cares... we're all adults now and have free will. My life kicks ass and I'm driven like a mofo.... and it has nothing to do with money or fame... it has to do with solving problems, building a great team and having fun! Jeff: save the dime store BS and get back to coding some dope shit. Keep trying... as some point you'll get that big exit! Don't give up!
- tptacek 17y ago
  What the fuck are you talking about? Zeldman is talking about creative entrepreneurs. Zeldman is a creative entrepreneur[1]. I'm pretty sure you weren't on his mind at all, unless you know something we don't. [1] man 5 happy\ cog
- adamhowell 17y ago
  > "doesn't have any drive and hasn't had a breakout success" He pretty much single-handidly started the web standards movement with DWWS (http://www.zeldman.com/dwws/ http://www.zeldman.com/dwws/) A List Apart is one of, if not the, longest running and most influential web magazines around. An Event Apart sells out every session. Happy Cog is an extremely successful design shop. Zeldman.com has been around forever and he has the respect of just about everyone in the industry. He's a craftsman, Jason, not a suit. He doesn't need a breakout success, just to enjoy and improve at his craft. And lastly, he's a human being who seems to be going through some stuff and he wrote a blog post around it. Ease up.
  - jasonmcalacanis 17y ago
    blah blah blah... yes I know he's done a cool blog for a long time, but he's got MASSIVE entrepreneur/big win envy. Everyone wants to hit a home run, and it has nothing to do with being a craftsman or a suit... he's hating on people who have won big because he hasn't. I have the inside line on this, trust me.
deleted 17y ago
[deleted]
JCThoughtscream 17y ago
Ah, the mantra of the mad scientist: "I'LL SHOW THEM! I'LL SHOW THEM ALL!"
haseman 17y ago
The mixed metaphor per sentence ratio of that article was off the bird in the hand charts.
Andi 17y ago
Great post, it's about trying the impossible. There must be a black hole in your mind that you have to fill.
fauigerzigerk 17y ago
Looking at the deluge of success related postings on HN, I wonder if the dirtiest secret of them all may be that success is 95% chance and 5% things that are too heterogenous to classify, even for those who experienced them.
- fnid 17y ago
  Sounds like the TED talk from Alain de Botton where he talks about the old days when we saw a homeless person on the street and considered them among the "less fortunate." http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/alain_de_botton_a_kinder_gentler_philosophy_of_success.html http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/alain_de_botton_a_kinder_g...

154 points by adamhowell 17y ago

mpk 17y ago

Someone's having a bad day.

bd 17y ago
Somebody in the comments of the original article mentioned the author is going through a divorce.
jrwoodruff 17y ago
I don't think it's really about having a bad day or even a 'tough life' - just a feeling of something missing. Check out the top few graphs of this page: http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6797859.ece?token=null&offset=24&page=3 http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/ar... The theory there is a weak father figure in Steve Jobs' life (he was adopted) caused him to "form a unique view of things and be driven to find followers." Sounds a little hocus-pocus maybe, but I think there's something to it.

jgrahamc 17y ago

Sounds like there's truth in that, and it's absolutely necessary to be relentless about marketing your product. It's a sad fact that no one cares about your application, book, etc. until you start telling people about it. I wrote about my own experience of marketing in a blog post entitled: If you build it, they will ignore it. http://www.jgc.org/blog/2009/06/if-you-build-it-they-will-ignore-it.html http://www.jgc.org/blog/2009/06/if-you-build-it-they-will-ig...

Alnoor 17y ago
I must say that your book "The Geek Atlas", uses a unique and quite interesting style. Perhaps you might know of a book that is similar in style but based on literature? Something like: The booklover's Atlas
brlewis 17y ago
It is tough for geeks to be relentless about marketing. We're already outside our comfort zone even just beginning to market. Got any tips? I've been following Chris Brogan and get the idea of marketing being about empowering people, but I'm still in the market for advice.
- pchristensen 17y ago
  I think you've won half the battle by having a product whose story matches a big need. I'd do two things: - Read everything patio11 has ever written about Adwords and A/B testing. Contact him with specific questions if necessary. He has the clearest, most detailed info out there for marketing a part time software project into a business - Consider changing your home page to show, rather than describe, how the use case for your product matches people's lives. Something like Step 1: Upload photos -> Step 2: Mix a drink while your photos are automatically categorized -> Step 3: Go play with your kids while we automatically email your pics to your loved ones. Your home page doesn't convey just how ideal your product is. Adjectives and testimonials are ignorable because people can lie about them. Take a look at the home pages for Dropbox or the 37s projects - brief statements, demo video, tour pages. You want people to know how to use OurDoings in less than 30 seconds. I know about OurDoings b/c I've followed you on HN and the OurDoings, and I think the above-the-fold part of your homepage doesn't tell the right story convincingly. But like I said, you're halfway there because your product is perfectly amenable to this kind of demo/tour/story treatment. Email me at peter at pchristensen dot com if you want to discuss it more.
  - brlewis 17y ago
    Do you think it can be done without video? To many, the words "upload photos" imply additional work. Is the slogan "Don't think; just upload" a good one?
    - pchristensen 17y ago
      The reason I suggested the video is because that's where the bar is for trial products. A tour page, a 30-60 sec video, and a clear pricing page - these are so ubiquitous that it's the language consumers speak. Also, you should probably go to all the photo sharing sites and make sure you provide at least as clear a pitch and supporting materials as them. I think "Don't think; just upload" could work. Something like "You send the pictures, we make the albums" would convey the benefits too.

wglb 17y ago

There is some merit here, but I personally don't think life is that hard. There are other sources of drive, don't you think? Like achieving something that nobody else did before? Like getting into the flow of building something?

deleted 17y ago
[deleted]

TrevorJ 17y ago

An interesting take on it, though I would not go so far as to say that you must crave attention and affection in order to be a success. There are other motivations to work hard and succeed that don't spring from inherent flaws in our person and oftentimes these convictions prove to be more selfless and enduring than any narcissistic need for recognition. You don't have to feel unloved in order to be discontented with the state of the world. You don't have to crave the love of others in order to be brokenhearted over the suffering that people go through. In short: a deep and lasting desire to make the world a better place does not first require an unfulfilled need for love. The passion can be fueled by a desire to better the world and the lives of those around us.

wouterinho 17y ago

I think it all boils down to a certain "I'll show them" personality trait that acts as a catalyst when confronted with agony, ridicule, betrayal, lack of recognition, etc.

petewarden 17y ago
I really like Mark Solon's post on being motivated by that sort of drive, "Don't let the bastards grind you down": http://www.highway12ventures.com/2009/10/15/dont-let-the-bastards-grind-you-down/ http://www.highway12ventures.com/2009/10/15/dont-let-the-bas...

dabent 17y ago

I think I caught a similar theme stated differently Thomas J. Stanley's "The Millionaire Mind." He noted that the entrepreneurs weren't the "beautiful people" who had backing, schooling and the right background to be accepted into mainstream, high wage jobs. Not to say that many of those beautiful folks didn't gain wealth, but they often did it as doctors or executives rather than business owners. I think there is a definite need to prove oneself to society, a parent, or a lover that drives those who start businesses, technical or not.

gbookman 17y ago
How does that explain Bill Gates, the world's greatest entrepreneur who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth?

jasonlbaptiste 17y ago

Emopreneur is emo. Joking aside there is truth to the post. Brick walls are there to show us how much we want something.

jjs 17y ago
Careful, that's a load-bearing wall...
antidaily 17y ago
His twitter updates have been reflective/borderline depressing lately as well. A lot of mentions of divorce. Clearly the guy's going through some stuff.
- Mongoose 17y ago
  That's for sure. He recently divorced his wife and lost custody of his child. It's a lot of painful stuff to deal with and it's very much bleeding into his web presence.
  - jasonmcalacanis 17y ago
    That I didn't know... and for which I'm very sorry for him. That has to be crushing. Please forget my previous comment.... don't want to kick a guy when he's down.
    - bonsaitree 17y ago
      Glad that you noticed, or at least were made aware of, the full context of Zeldman's post via the public HN community and back-channels. I urge some self-reflection via a few full listen-throughs of the early audio-only CalacanisCasts immediately following your tenure at AOL. It was especially galling given your impending fatherhood (congratulations btw.) and his current family status. Given his near continuous contributions to the Web community over the years, Zeldman has more than earned the right for a little public venting.

qaexl 17y ago

"Talent Code", Daniel Coyle. http://www.amazon.com/Talent-Code-Greatness-Born-Grown/dp/055380684X/ http://www.amazon.com/Talent-Code-Greatness-Born-Grown/dp/05... The book suggests that great talent -- specifically "success" in the athletic / superstar world -- also has environmental factors. There are environment cues that activate subconscious fears. For example, training facilities that train world-class athletes tend to be in the dumps, sending the subconscious cue, "You have to get out of here". Another environmental cue is seeing graduated successes. For example, a soccer talent hub has little kids running around playing soccer, older kids playing pick-up games, amateurs who are trying to make it into the pros, and pros who are both friends and rivals. In regards to financial success, one environmental fear might be having a deep-seated financial insecurity. For example, Tony Robbins was a successful NLP trainer since he was in his early 20s; he made it big briefly than splurge all of his paper wealth. He didn't actually acquire lasting assets until his first child was born. However, it could be argued that since he grew up poor, seeing his newborn child tied into that insecurity he grew up with. I have a book recommended by Tim Ferris called "Leap" (Rick Smith, http://www.amazon.com/Leap-Simple-Changes-Propel-Career/dp/1591842565/ http://www.amazon.com/Leap-Simple-Changes-Propel-Career/dp/1...). I have not yet finished the book. However, Ferris's review (http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2009/09/13/bill-gates-risk-taker/ http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2009/09/13/bill-gates-r...) was essentially about how some of the biggest successes actually hedged their risks. I've been setting up a new business right now in real estate. It is very different from what I was used to -- technologies. It is much more people-intensive, and most of the people I am dealing with don't really do emails. (That is changing, but not yet). The fears I usually come up against are the same kind of fears I have the first time I signed LLC paperwork about five years ago. That time, I was physically shaking when I spent three days putting together the operating agreement. The next two business entities I formed were as boring as "going down to the post office and opening up a PO box". My point is, if I try motivating myself with a craving for attention, that's too much of a struggle. That creates paralysis in me. Your mileage may vary. The hack I'm trying now uses a definition of "courage" that wipes away fear going forward.

amix 17y ago

A part of the human nature is to keep pushing ourselves, keep improving, never becoming fully satisfied - this has resulted in great achievements for our ancestors. This urge to keep improving is a lot stronger for some people than others and I think it's very strong for entrepreneurs. The bottom line is that I don't think the urge for success is driven by a longing for love and approval, but an urge to keep improving and keep getting better. That's at least my drive :-)

mattchew 17y ago

When I'm working just-for-myself, I am not nearly as focused as when I'm working on someone else's project. I waste a lot of time basically goofing off (like now). I've tried to figure this out, and what Zeldman is talking about is a big part of it. Approval from others is a lot more important to me than I wanted to admit. "Emopreneur". Pretty funny. Is that your own, Jason?

thaumaturgy 17y ago

Pfft. Yeah, or maybe I just want to get some things done because I'm frustrated with the things around me. People can take their recognition and hang it on a wall.

wsprague 17y ago

The existentialists (well, at least the one that matters, Heidegger) would say that to be human means that one never forgets a deep "uncanniness" or an emptiness, and that part of the drive to succeed (or do drugs or find god or stay busy driving the kids to soccer practice) is a desire to fill up this fundamental emptiness. This emptiness stems from the fact that you consciously wonder who you are ("consciously" meaning with words in your head), and, in the long term, no final answer seems to be forthcoming, even though you may tell yourself otherwise, or go to church to hear someone else tell you, etc. The emptiness is part of the human condition and can't actually be fixed or filled. We all feel it very deeply, and there is a huge industry around making us feel sure of ourselves, and/ or keeping us so busy in the world that we don't have time to contemplate the ever-present internal void. The only "authentic" (Heidegger's term) way forward is to just embrace the "uncanniness", and quit wasting time worrying about how you can't "just enjoy life" or "live always in the moment". I think of this as the way of life that is "un-selfconsciously selfconscious" (tm). Look for my new book in the Self Help section soon! Or, one could also say that Nietszche, Heidegger, and Kierkegaard just had A LOT of bad days and wrote some books about it...

wsprague 17y ago
Why would anyone downvote this entry? Not that I care, just curious...
- access_denied 17y ago
  Putting the dumbheads who upvote to express agreement aside leaves us with the real reason to upvote: you want to highlight worth-to-read stuff. I've read your text and frankly it didn't give me much. I thought the Heidegger == 'The existentialist datapoint interesting for my internal map of everything.
  - wsprague 17y ago
    What I meant was "why would you downvote my comment?" Is not giving you much a good reason for downvoting? Seems ok if it is, but I only would downvote things that are stupid or obnoxious, and I don't think my comment was either....

Sthorpe 17y ago

I can't believe how many people agree with this guy. Seriously, why would anyone "break" themselves? I thought we were just learning from our mistakes... I am very productive these days. I think when you truly love what you do, being an entrepreneur is just something you can tell people so they understand _why_ you don't work for someone. I've worked at 9 - 6 before. I will never go back. Mostly because of the reward for not breaking myself and forgetting about what I love. I mean how many people just like the joy of creating something for themselves and no one else. I do.

fnid 17y ago
I think the point is that if you create something for yourself and no one else, then you won't be a successful entrepreneur, because to succeed at that, you have to create something other people love and secretly, you want them to love you, not what you create.
- Sthorpe 17y ago
  And you agree with this point? I just like building things. I will always do this. However, the sheer joy of something i've built and someone likes using is a journey I am loving. I have this theory that if you build something that you can personally use, then you've built something worth while. Now, as far as wanting someone to love you, who doesn't want that? I certainly don't want to be hated. But I also don't want to compromise myself either.
  - fnid 17y ago
    I agree with his point and your point. I have done what you are doing: Build something I love. But remember, your customers are not you. When you start selling your invention, that thing that makes you happy, your customers may not be happy. If they aren't happy, you won't sell a lot of it. The author of the blog post is saying, "If you don't care if your customers are happy with the product, you won't be a good entrepreneur." By good entrepreneur, he probably means sell a bunch of stuff. Just liking to build things or just liking to build things for yourself is not enough to be a successful entrepreneur. Building a commercially viable product takes lots of iteration and design changes and polish that individuals don't need in product they use only for their own purposes. Your theory is a good one. It's a theory I had 3 years ago and pursued and now I have something I love and my customers love. The problem with the theory is that you loving it is not enough for your customers to pay for it.

forkqueue 17y ago

Funny, I saw an interview with Stelios (of EasyJet, Easy*) and he was saying his motivation was always to prove himself to his father, even after his father died.

andyf 17y ago

A new startup idea - ridicule other startups until they feel they have hit rock bottom then they can succeed.

astine 17y ago

Wow, I should be a millionaire. :)

c00p3r 17y ago

It's a common knowledge - why, for example, most of world's religions claims that fasting are good - fulfilled body is deaf and dumb. Think about sublimation as a greatest source of power and will. You need to be starved and in need to get maximum of your brain capacity. Or think about visiting an unfamiliar place (city, country) how you became sharp and alerted. So, nothing special. Just pathetic.

dualogy 17y ago
"You need to be starved and in need to get maximum of your brain capacity." Are you serious? It's when I haven't eaten enough in hours that my "brain capacity" gets to an all-time low. Observe how nothing ever really gets Done in societies with extended periods (ie. days or weeks) of fasting during that period. Go to those impoverished areas of the world where people still suffer from hunger and ask them about how their brain capacity is at a maximum. Human beings need food, news at eleven.
- c00p3r 17y ago
  It is a very big subject. Fasting is a way of training self-will and conquering yourself. It is long and difficult process. And it is not just about energy or calories. There is also spiritual part.

donniefitz2 17y ago

Be careful not to become too uplifted by his words or you'll get all happy about yourself and loose your drive.

unalone 17y ago
You can joke about that, but it happens. I've had a particularly good few months, and as a result I find myself getting less done than last year, when I was frequently miserable. In that last two months, I've done maybe one really neat piece of work, and that was immediately after a bad weekend. I'm not exactly complaining about it, but a part of me wants to throw myself into an upsetting situation just so I'll get back to obsessing over my work.
- izaidi 17y ago
  I'm the same way. My best work has been happened on some of the worst days of my life. I think it's an "Everything sucks so I have to make something that doesn't" sort of thing.

borism 17y ago

Another oversimplification and bad at that.

jasonmcalacanis 17y ago

What a load of horse sh@#$%. Zeldman is basically trying to explains why he doesn't have any drive and hasn't had a breakout success: because he's so well balanced and normal and all the successful people in the world have some sort of a mental defect. Really? It's not possible to be driven and well-balanced? Everyone who is successful didn't get enough love from daddy? Even if he is right who cares... we're all adults now and have free will. My life kicks ass and I'm driven like a mofo.... and it has nothing to do with money or fame... it has to do with solving problems, building a great team and having fun! Jeff: save the dime store BS and get back to coding some dope shit. Keep trying... as some point you'll get that big exit! Don't give up!

tptacek 17y ago
What the fuck are you talking about? Zeldman is talking about creative entrepreneurs. Zeldman is a creative entrepreneur[1]. I'm pretty sure you weren't on his mind at all, unless you know something we don't. [1] man 5 happy\ cog
adamhowell 17y ago
> "doesn't have any drive and hasn't had a breakout success" He pretty much single-handidly started the web standards movement with DWWS (http://www.zeldman.com/dwws/ http://www.zeldman.com/dwws/) A List Apart is one of, if not the, longest running and most influential web magazines around. An Event Apart sells out every session. Happy Cog is an extremely successful design shop. Zeldman.com has been around forever and he has the respect of just about everyone in the industry. He's a craftsman, Jason, not a suit. He doesn't need a breakout success, just to enjoy and improve at his craft. And lastly, he's a human being who seems to be going through some stuff and he wrote a blog post around it. Ease up.
- jasonmcalacanis 17y ago
  blah blah blah... yes I know he's done a cool blog for a long time, but he's got MASSIVE entrepreneur/big win envy. Everyone wants to hit a home run, and it has nothing to do with being a craftsman or a suit... he's hating on people who have won big because he hasn't. I have the inside line on this, trust me.

deleted 17y ago

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JCThoughtscream 17y ago

Ah, the mantra of the mad scientist: "I'LL SHOW THEM! I'LL SHOW THEM ALL!"

haseman 17y ago

The mixed metaphor per sentence ratio of that article was off the bird in the hand charts.

Andi 17y ago

Great post, it's about trying the impossible. There must be a black hole in your mind that you have to fill.

fauigerzigerk 17y ago

Looking at the deluge of success related postings on HN, I wonder if the dirtiest secret of them all may be that success is 95% chance and 5% things that are too heterogenous to classify, even for those who experienced them.

fnid 17y ago
Sounds like the TED talk from Alain de Botton where he talks about the old days when we saw a homeless person on the street and considered them among the "less fortunate." http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/alain_de_botton_a_kinder_gentler_philosophy_of_success.html http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/alain_de_botton_a_kinder_g...