“The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates

As motivated people, we’re used to telling ourselves, “I should do this” or “I should do that,” but this “shoulding” can be counter-productive too.

I’ve been reading a book called Feeling Good by David Burns where he discusses how your thoughts define your reality. This shouldn’t come as a mind-blowing insight to anyone, but what I like about the book is the practical approach he takes to helping people come over unhealthy thought processes.

I admit that I will sometimes “should” myself into an anxious state with thoughts like:

“I should be spending more time writing.”
“I should be spending more time talking to my employees and giving them feedback.”
“I should be attending more events.”
“I should be exercising more.”
“I should be eating better.”
…and on and on it goes.

In 2014 I want to take things a bit easier on Rob. I did conduct an introspective review of 2013 and have set some goals for 2014, but instead of “shoulding” myself every day, I’m going to try and focus a bit more on well-being. (Well – as much well-being as running a startup allows anyway.)

I challenge you to try and go a week, no – a DAY, replacing every “should” in your mind with “could.”

You’ll thank me later.

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.”

– Mark Twain

I love this quote.

It seems strange if you really think about it. Many people are inspired by such phrases that try to instill the spirit of individuality, while trying to do everything they can to fit in.

Over the last few weeks I’ve noticed how much I really admire the ability to go against the grain for an extended period of time. In startups, the ability to see what others don’t see is invaluable. Paul Graham says that all you have to do to avoid a failed startup is just to not die. It’s that simple.

How many startups have been rejected by partners, investors or mainstream customers for years to eventually become “overnight” successes?

Did Airbnb think that they were going with the flow?

I doubt it.

This ability to have vision, conviction and belief so strongly that one can sustain headwinds of negative feedback is undoubtably valuable.

But at what point does this “vision persistence” cross the line into just being cynical?

It’s obviously not a black-or-white issue as an infinite number of independent variables can act as an input into the equation, but it’s important to realize that cynicism for cynicism’s-sake is likely a recipe for disaster.

Persistence is a common theme that continues to reveal itself in my thought processes.

I’m an entrepreneur so I’m naturally competitive and I want to win. This is precisely why I’ve spent so much time trying to figure out how to work efficiently, productively and effectively.

But as I explored in my essay on Persistence, it is not a sufficient condition of success. I can’t remember where exactly I read about it, but there was a science fiction writer who wrote something like forty novels without a hit. He consulted with everyone he knew because he was determined to be a successful writer.

The problem was the this writer used the same formula for creating each novel. He didn’t test different strategies or explore creative ways of doing things. He had persistence and was determined.

The missing ingredient in this equation is experimentation.

Most successful people will tell you that a large portion of their ability comes from stickability. (i.e. persistence)

But keep in mind that if something doesn’t work – you need to experiment. It will drastically increase the probability of finding your secret formula.