I think I’ve figured out why people do not choose to start companies. Mostly because it’s really hard. Harder than you even imagine. People reject you constantly. It’s tiring pitching your idea to everyone you meet. And people reject you constantly. Constantly. This leads to lots of questions and internal demons who chant – this is never going to work. This mountain is too steep. There’s too many unknowns on this path. Oh, yeah, and the pay sucks (well, just until you IPO and you have more money than you ever imagined).
So. Getting a (good) job at a good company with good pay looks pretty damn good. Well, except when you have a job and you fantasize about starting your own business.
Grass is always greener. Life is a challenge on both sides. Seems like there’s always a better life, a better way. When you look around, people seem to have it a little better. Or do they? Really? I believe the trick to a good life – is finding that one thing (you know, like Curly said in City Slickers…)
Curly: Do you know what the secret of life is?
[holds up one finger]
Curly: This.
Mitch: Your finger?
Curly: One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and the rest don’t mean shit.
Mitch: But, what is the “one thing?”
Curly: [smiles] That’s what *you* have to find out.
When you have that one thing in your grasp, and you know you’ve found it, then stop searching. Let that one thing be enough. Feel gratitude. Appreciate the beauty of your life because it’s fleeting. Because what Curly didn’t tell us is that one thing – it changes. Keep up.
betsyrowbottom 