Founder Sanity

Why Being a Founder is the Most Challenging Thing You’ll Ever Do

And why seeing the big picture is the most important.

For the third Saturday evening in a row, I lifted my eyes from my computer screen as I saw the last of the sunset outside my office window. I could have been watching that very sunset over a cold glass of wine with my friends like I used to.

But as my mind began to dream, the crippling anxiety and guilt over the thought of spending valuable time on something other than my startup was too consuming. I had people depending on me, my reputation to uphold, and a dwindling bank account balance.

So back to my computer I went, for another hot date with spreadsheets and powerpoints.

So congrats — you’re a founder! You’ve leapt into the unknown and done something most people will never have the guts to do. At first, it’s all excitement, and you’re full of juice. Then — slowly — customers start churning, deals fall through, people screw you over (because yes, that’s business). And gradually, your doe-eyed optimism fades, you find the weight of the world on your shoulders, and pressure rising while motivation diminishes.

As NFL player-turned-venture-capitalist, Ryan Nece, aptly said in one of my favourite…