Boredom, Stories and Are You Ready?
3 pieces of advice for founders
On Boredom
Our kids will tell me they’re bored. And I say good. I’m glad you’re bored.
Why are we so afraid of boredom? We reach for our phone or turn on the TV at the slightest sign of boredom.
But research shows that people are more creative when bored. What happens after the boredom is the exciting part.
That’s when our kids invent a new game or start doing art. Their imagination soars.
Why don’t you try it this week? If you find yourself getting bored, let it happen. And I can’t wait to see what happens next.
On Stories
Spending time with family over the holidays can bring up strong opinions. How do you free yourself from it being painful?
I’ve learned from Byron Katie’s The Work the power of turnarounds. Since all suffering comes from your beliefs or desires differing from reality, how can you change your beliefs to embrace reality? One way is to loosen your grip on your conclusions by playing with them.
An example, if you believe “Bob lied to me”, you could spend time visualizing how these alternative statements are as true as what you believe:
I lied to me.
I lied to Bob.
Bob didn’t lie to me.
Bob told me the truth.
You maintain the power to choose how you act. You don’t have to change your beliefs. Yet giving yourself space to try on new beliefs is surprisingly liberating.
On Readiness
You’re never fully ready to be a founder. Yes, you can run through the practicalities of skills, connections, capital or access, energy, support and health.
“Founder” is one of those jobs you learn by doing.
You may never feel ready…
to sell
to build
to hire
to lead
to decide
to manage conflict
to fundraise
Yes, you can prepare, but don't wait too long.
Do it anyway.