The Overconfident and Unrealistic Entrepreneur | Hacker News Reader

The Overconfident and Unrealistic Entrepreneur

leosternlicht.com

5 pointslsternlicht4 comments

I hate these drink-the-Kool-Aid articles.

Doubt is healthy and normal. If you don't have doubts about whatever path you're on, you're probably not thinking clearly enough. If you truly don't have any fears about risk, you're missing a critical self-protection mechanism that comes factory-standard for even the most primitive creatures on the planet.

In particular, when I encounter people who suggest that I shouldn't have any doubt about an financial transaction, I hide my wallet and back away slowly.

Timr, my point was more about letting go of things that are inhibiting you from doing what you really want to do. This article is written for individuals that aren't able to give it their all because they are being influenced by societal pressures.

"There is a reason why you want to run a startup—much of everything else is the influence of societal pressures."

The problem is, you conflate reasonable doubts with irrational outside influences. It's not as if people who want to be entrepreneurs can't also want to get a law degree. Entrepreneurial ambition is not the only kind, and there are many legitimate reasons that a smart person might want to get a professional degree, aside from "society told me to do it".

The idea that you need to commit yourself wholly to whatever path you choose is well-taken, but the notion that you must eliminate all doubt in order to act decisively is excessive (and impossible).

Timr, I fully agree with you. However, what I wrote is not written for everyone. It was an opinion piece written for myself, and many in the same situation. I think that due to the ever changing nature of the internet technology industry, it is very hard for many to justify going after what their gut tells them. Because it is a lot more tangible to see and understand what you're working for when you choose to pursue a J.D. program or go into investment banking, my mind (and others I've spoken with) tends to ask "what if," during times of doubt. The times when I am most productive are times when I am working with a team and am really confident. If I could silence those reservations or "what ifs," I am positive that I would be more productive.

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