Founder Mindset
Founder Mindset
As a founder, you'll have many simultaneous responsibilities. Combine this with the constant interruptions from the digital side. Add structured and unstructured meetings to this. Distraction is costly for your startup. Your ability to think deep for a prolonged time will have a magnifying impact on your startup.
Motivation vs. Inspiration
Motivation is expensive since it needs regular reinforcement. Almost like the daily replenishment we need from our food.
Inspiration is far better. Why? It lasts longer. The journey towards achieving your startup vision will be for many years.
Your startup's vision should be the inspiration. Divide your startup vision into smaller goals. For accomplishing individual goals, use motivation.
Always-On Focus
Always-On. This mindset produces extreme results. It also takes less effort than continuous context switching.
Bill Gates maintained a monomaniacal focus in the early years of founding Microsoft. In Indian mythology, the world's greatest combat teacher was Drona. He declared Arjuna as the best warrior due to his ability to focus. Alex Honnold achieved the death-defying free solo climb of El Capitan. He used the power of immense focus and seriousness.
To achieve focus, you will need to over-simplify your personal and work life. You won't be able to have many hobbies or interests. Getting your startup to achieve the vision is your hobby. If this seems stifling, make a list of interests that keep coming to your mind. Like pickle, preserve this list.
Execution = Details + Hard Things
Your startup is your masterpiece. Hence, working on the details matters. Many more sets of people will have tremendous contribution towards creating this masterpiece. Employees, investors, advisers, family and many well-wishers. But you are the leader and the main architect. You own it. Not the market. No excuses. When special forces across the world go on a mission, they don't give any excuses. They think through all the possible details. Then they plan, practice and execute.
You will also need to do hard things now and then. Fellow Carnegie Mellon alum Aron Ralston had to amputate his arm to stay alive. He became the inspiration behind the movie 127 Hours. Do the hardest things when your mind is fresh and devoid of any thoughts. Eat that Frog by Brian Tracy applies here.
Focusing on the details and doing hard things should become a habit.
Rewards and Refueling
Small rewards at regular intervals are akin to tiny pleasures of life. It could be coffee or tea made your way, a short jog, a few minutes of media watching, or something you enjoy.
For refueling, short breaks work best. Regular intervals aren't needed for breaks. After accomplishing a milestone towards a goal, take a break. This will put your mind at ease and you will enjoy the break.
Creating a Support System
Both work and personal life need support systems. As soon as you decide to do a startup, start building a small support system. Anyone who understands you and will do a useful task for you is helpful. This will free up valuable time. You will be able to think and execute with very few interruptions.
For work, any good hire who takes some load off your shoulders is great. Remember that everyone other than the founders will have less devotion. They will need both inspiration and regular motivation to perform at peak level.
Sacrifices and giving up tons of things will be your norm. But don't give up the essentials. For instance, your health, finances and relationships.
I've benefited from practicing these five principles. Both in my work and personal life. Whenever I went off track and didn't come back quick, I regretted it. Regrets are for fools. Please don't be a fool.
Have you read this entire piece without distraction? Have you crystallized the above experience to suit your way? If yes, you are on! I'd like to be around people like you.
Motivation vs. Inspiration
Motivation is expensive since it needs regular reinforcement. Almost like the daily replenishment we need from our food.
Inspiration is far better. Why? It lasts longer. The journey towards achieving your startup vision will be for many years.
Your startup's vision should be the inspiration. Divide your startup vision into smaller goals. For accomplishing individual goals, use motivation.
Always-On Focus
Always-On. This mindset produces extreme results. It also takes less effort than continuous context switching.
Bill Gates maintained a monomaniacal focus in the early years of founding Microsoft. In Indian mythology, the world's greatest combat teacher was Drona. He declared Arjuna as the best warrior due to his ability to focus. Alex Honnold achieved the death-defying free solo climb of El Capitan. He used the power of immense focus and seriousness.
To achieve focus, you will need to over-simplify your personal and work life. You won't be able to have many hobbies or interests. Getting your startup to achieve the vision is your hobby. If this seems stifling, make a list of interests that keep coming to your mind. Like pickle, preserve this list.
Execution = Details + Hard Things
Your startup is your masterpiece. Hence, working on the details matters. Many more sets of people will have tremendous contribution towards creating this masterpiece. Employees, investors, advisers, family and many well-wishers. But you are the leader and the main architect. You own it. Not the market. No excuses. When special forces across the world go on a mission, they don't give any excuses. They think through all the possible details. Then they plan, practice and execute.
You will also need to do hard things now and then. Fellow Carnegie Mellon alum Aron Ralston had to amputate his arm to stay alive. He became the inspiration behind the movie 127 Hours. Do the hardest things when your mind is fresh and devoid of any thoughts. Eat that Frog by Brian Tracy applies here.
Focusing on the details and doing hard things should become a habit.
Rewards and Refueling
Small rewards at regular intervals are akin to tiny pleasures of life. It could be coffee or tea made your way, a short jog, a few minutes of media watching, or something you enjoy.
For refueling, short breaks work best. Regular intervals aren't needed for breaks. After accomplishing a milestone towards a goal, take a break. This will put your mind at ease and you will enjoy the break.
Creating a Support System
Both work and personal life need support systems. As soon as you decide to do a startup, start building a small support system. Anyone who understands you and will do a useful task for you is helpful. This will free up valuable time. You will be able to think and execute with very few interruptions.
For work, any good hire who takes some load off your shoulders is great. Remember that everyone other than the founders will have less devotion. They will need both inspiration and regular motivation to perform at peak level.
Sacrifices and giving up tons of things will be your norm. But don't give up the essentials. For instance, your health, finances and relationships.
I've benefited from practicing these five principles. Both in my work and personal life. Whenever I went off track and didn't come back quick, I regretted it. Regrets are for fools. Please don't be a fool.
Have you read this entire piece without distraction? Have you crystallized the above experience to suit your way? If yes, you are on! I'd like to be around people like you.
Let's Talk: If you have a true experience that resonates, please send me an email.
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