Molson Hart

It’s so pervasive that I didn’t notice this weird dynamic either. It affected my help to aspiring entrepreneurs. I’d hear their desire to be a founder. I’d cheer them! “Yes, you can start a business!” 3/x

Yet many never did anything except talk. (Or worse, wait for mentors to tell them what to do). It was very frustrating and confusing as a mentor/coach. “Surely this life is for me? Why won’t these others just do it?” I thought. It all clicked when two things happened. 4/x

One, I started using personality assessments. Things like DISC, Culture Index, Strengths Finder, etc. All agree only some people are wired to stomach risk, pressure, leadership, and uncertainty. Others cannot. Just who they are. Hmm.. so people aren't all like me? 5/x

Two, I started asking aspiring Founders why they’re starting a co? Then I watched. Those who went nowhere were founders because of external reasons. It might be trendy, their friends did it or Dad would be proud. Founding a company was someone else’s idea *for* them! 6/x

The ones who made progress were those who couldn’t imagine any other way to live. They’d look at me like I’d asked me the most insane question in the world. “You mean like not be an entrepreneur?! Are you crazy?” They couldn’t imagine living any other life. 7/x

I learned is that the founder’s life isn’t for most. If founding is not how you’re wired but you feel you should, that's often just society and/or others imposing the idea on you that founding is the apex of achievement. That’s a bullshit narrative that we should stop. 8/x

So, if you’re thinking about making the leap then think: Why are you *really* doing it? Is it really the life for you? Or is it someone else’s idea of the life you should be living? Whatever the answer is, it’s OK to be you and do what you’re put on the earth to do. /fin

Super thought-provoking thread and a topic I've also thought a fair bit about (thought with much less experience than you). Let's see if I can reply to your thread with a thread of my own on the topic. I didn't prewrite this, so bear with me. 1/x