4 posts tagged “startups”

I recently saw another Terrence Howard movie called Pride and the swimming team he coached was PDR - The Philadelphia Department of Recreation.

He goes on to coach a bunch of kids playing basketball on the street to win a major league but only after he makes them believe in PDR:

"Pride, Determination and Resilience"

Imagine: Startups without the above

Since I am always driven by learning and unlearning from others and whenever I see, read or hear something that I feel really inspired about, I make it a point to share it here. Here is one that got my mindshare on the treadmill today - the tag line of Marines.com

"We don't accept applications. Only Commitments!

The only currency for startups is commitment:

• Its a small army of 300 wishing to disrupt the might Persian army
• It can not, should not accept mediocrity
  
• Its a passion to make a difference in people's lives
• Its against conventional wisdom
• Its not comfortable - ones works everywhere, wherever and is on duty all the time
  

Imagine: The Few, The Proud!

I came across this really well written post on "Why Not To Do A Startup" by Matt and Yes - I had some thoughts that are tied to some basic beliefs I have about life and people.

I think his observations were on the money with respect to startups but it is applicable only to people who are doing with the sole focus of making a lot of money overnight. They are inspired by the phenomenal exit for the Founders of YouTube or the buzz of Facebook and its potential large exit. Another parallel was this article on Max Levchin, the Founder and CEO of Slide.com in New York Times - I dont know him and nor can I speak to the accuracy of the article.

I started with a small step by joining LinkedIn very early in 2004 when social networking was not a category and then after 2 years there went on to start CrossLoop with a very neat team. I am definitely not as experienced as many others out there but there is a common question that needs an answer - whether it is startups or your supposedly-secure job in a large company:

"What Drives You?"

If you choose to have a cause that transcends the need for making money, becoming popular, paying bills, need for validation from others - you will NOT experience what Matt suggests and will have one of the most fulfilling purposes of your life. Some hardships maybe but I guarantee no regrets and and a very possible outcome could be that house in Hawaii. Think collateral success - the L-Letter should sum it all up.

Otherwise, I couldn't agree more with Matt - I have known and seen a few people living EXACTLY what Matt describes.

Imagine: A FUNomenal "ride" (and it is short)

As I was watching the final moments of the Oscars, I think Daniel Day Lewis was the only one that I had a high recall for and on pondering it over a little, here is why:

• He thrives on quality, not quantity and consequently picks the right story
• He is very selective (focused with no dilution to his brand) about his movies
• He loves acting, not money and generally eschews the trappings of a celebrity (Nope - Social Media is not for him :). His passion talks

• He attracts the best people - they want to work with him
• He owns and lives his character 24/7 - on and off-set: sleeves rolled up and gets into the trenches 

• He defies conventional wisdom

"For 1989's "My Left Foot" he insisted on staying in his character's wheelchair during the shoot to the consternation of crew members forced to carry him above or around camera cables and lighting"

"For Martin Scorsese's period drama "The Age of Innocence," Day-Lewis reportedly donned 1870s garb and spent several weeks wandering around New York to get into character"

Imagine: Its Not about the Exit, its the Journey