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Interesting article, but I'd also claim the opposite. There's a cumulative emotional debt in NOT doing a startup/product. If you go through life tinkering with

by mhomde 11y ago

Interesting article, but I'd also claim the opposite. There's a cumulative emotional debt in NOT doing a startup/product. If you go through life tinkering with projects, ideas and products without never really finishing something it gets demoralizing. You start feeling like a broken record talking about all the things you're going to do "some day". Not from a money point of view, but rather the joy of having created something special. Sure you can stay in that cushy job and give up your dreams and delusions of grandeur, working away for someone elses vision, but you'll always have that nagging disappointment that you didn't follow through. This might only apply for certain personalities, but for those I think it might be better to at least give it a shot rather than forever wonder what could have been.

kyleblarson 11y ago
It applies to the types of personalities that decide that their life is defined by what they do to pay their mortgage and put food on the table. At the end of the day a startup is still just a job.
kyleblarson 11y ago
It applies to the types of personalities that decide that their life is defined by what they do to pay their mortgage and put food on the table. At the end of the day a startup is still just a job.
amelius 11y ago
It is important, however, to be aware of your chance of success. We mostly read about the success stories, almost never about the failures. Success is harder (and more random) than you might think. If you do plan to run a startup, and then fail, at least you are prepared for it, and you can still feel good about yourself. Also, I'd advise to do something that has social impact. If your company is just building the next todo-list, or the next css framework, or the next electronic paperclip, then if you fail to make this a big financial success, you will feel you have wasted part of your life. On the other hand, if you have worked on renewable energy, and failed, then you will still feel good about at least having tried to make the world a better place, rather than just having aimed for the money.
- deleted 11y ago
  [deleted]
- immist 11y ago
  I think this is the main point. As everything you do in life, the startup should be aligned with your values and long term goals in life (aka the purpose you are giving your life), so you can be totally in peace with yourself. That way, as you mention it, whatever happens financially with the startup, you can be in peace with yourself, knowing you have contributed your part to make this world a better place.
- mhomde 11y ago
  I think its very dangerous to say "don't dream too big" or "be realistic" because we can't succeed in things we never try But you're right, We should have some reasonable knowledge about the odds of success and what to do to maximize them... on the other hand failure is a necessary ingredient of success, and as long as you learn something from each "failure" its just another step forwards. As for social impact, sure that's great but each individual has their own goals and what matters to them. Some might want to entertain people, or make peoples lives easier, or just create something beautiful. Some want to help the poor or save the world and that's great too. The one thing I think we can agree on is that its better to work with something that you find intrinsically meaningful rather than being just motivated financially. Money might be a part of it though, many are the indie developer whose goal is with each project is to earn enough money to keep doing what they love. Or one project might be the stepping stone to making those world saving projects. Last time I checked they sold Wunderlist for 100 million dollars.
rehtona 11y ago
I have realised that what I want want is not necessarily a startup, but freedom and doing something that I feel matters. A startup would be one very risky way to accomplish that, and I might still if there is the right opportunity. But I have a backup plan: save for early retirement at around 40, bootstrapping side-projects in the mean time. If something takes off then great, if it doesn't then I'm still retiring at 40 with plenty of time to pursue meaningful projects. Win-win, with a much higher probability of positive outcome.

by mhomde 11y ago

kyleblarson 11y ago

It applies to the types of personalities that decide that their life is defined by what they do to pay their mortgage and put food on the table. At the end of the day a startup is still just a job.

kyleblarson 11y ago

It applies to the types of personalities that decide that their life is defined by what they do to pay their mortgage and put food on the table. At the end of the day a startup is still just a job.

amelius 11y ago

It is important, however, to be aware of your chance of success. We mostly read about the success stories, almost never about the failures. Success is harder (and more random) than you might think. If you do plan to run a startup, and then fail, at least you are prepared for it, and you can still feel good about yourself. Also, I'd advise to do something that has social impact. If your company is just building the next todo-list, or the next css framework, or the next electronic paperclip, then if you fail to make this a big financial success, you will feel you have wasted part of your life. On the other hand, if you have worked on renewable energy, and failed, then you will still feel good about at least having tried to make the world a better place, rather than just having aimed for the money.

deleted 11y ago
[deleted]
immist 11y ago
I think this is the main point. As everything you do in life, the startup should be aligned with your values and long term goals in life (aka the purpose you are giving your life), so you can be totally in peace with yourself. That way, as you mention it, whatever happens financially with the startup, you can be in peace with yourself, knowing you have contributed your part to make this world a better place.
mhomde 11y ago
I think its very dangerous to say "don't dream too big" or "be realistic" because we can't succeed in things we never try But you're right, We should have some reasonable knowledge about the odds of success and what to do to maximize them... on the other hand failure is a necessary ingredient of success, and as long as you learn something from each "failure" its just another step forwards. As for social impact, sure that's great but each individual has their own goals and what matters to them. Some might want to entertain people, or make peoples lives easier, or just create something beautiful. Some want to help the poor or save the world and that's great too. The one thing I think we can agree on is that its better to work with something that you find intrinsically meaningful rather than being just motivated financially. Money might be a part of it though, many are the indie developer whose goal is with each project is to earn enough money to keep doing what they love. Or one project might be the stepping stone to making those world saving projects. Last time I checked they sold Wunderlist for 100 million dollars.

rehtona 11y ago

I have realised that what I want want is not necessarily a startup, but freedom and doing something that I feel matters. A startup would be one very risky way to accomplish that, and I might still if there is the right opportunity. But I have a backup plan: save for early retirement at around 40, bootstrapping side-projects in the mean time. If something takes off then great, if it doesn't then I'm still retiring at 40 with plenty of time to pursue meaningful projects. Win-win, with a much higher probability of positive outcome.