I had a friend in college (I'll call Rob) who would shoot hoops, play golf, or play table tennis with anyone at any time. But he would never play anything else. He wouldn't play touch football, softball, bridge, or even shoot a game of pool. I could never understand it until I finally figured it out: he wouldn't play anything unless he knew that he would win. How sad, I thought.
I just realized (to my horror) that years later, I am just like him. I don't push boundaries like I used to. I don't call on that extra customer, volunteer for that project, or apply to programs like yc if I think there is any chance I won't win. There's always a reason: the software is missing too much, the demo sucks, there are 14 other things that have to be done first,... You get the picture.
I never thought of this as "fear of failure". I just got so used to succeeding in everything I did that I didn't want to do anything else where I didn't succeed. I became Rob without even realizing it.
I've got to change this stinkin' thinkin'. A good failure would probably do me good. Or maybe I should just try something I would have never imagined a month ago.
In my experience it is often the opposite trait that is a problem. Hackers don't want to do something they have already figured out -- they crave the novel.
Solving a problem a second time is much more profitable. A big part of business is focusing on your strengths, rather than your weaknesses. Find out what you do best and market the hell out of it. No product is perfect.
Solving a problem a second time is much more profitable
This is compatible with the OP's point - hackers often look for novel solutions, not necessarily novel problems.
But the terminology here is very uncertain - problems and solutions interact in very complex ways: the "assembly line" solution solved the "horse shit all over the roads" problem. Google Wave might end up solving the problems which ORM's and databases are solving - that of storing and synchronizing data structures across machines.
The generalization of Rob's avoidance of new sports and Slava's startup into the category of "new things" doesn't fit. The OP's post was about the effects of social pressure on his choosing to start a company before and after his decision, and the role YC played. The example of Rob only doing things he was good at relates because Rob was influenced by a similar model of success, failure, and social expectations.
Wow, that really puts things into perspective. I think I've fallen into this same trap, and given any number of names to the fear, but I've never thought of it that way.
I just failed an interview process out of the Valley. I won't name any names, but it was a relatively well known shop. This is probably the first time since I started my career wherein I just fell flat on my face. I learned quite a bit from the process, but I won't say it felt wonderful.
This post makes it just that much easier to get back up on the horse.
I started up an Internet idea(1st time) with the intention of getting something out of it. Initial goal was to learn how to code websites and work around like minded individuals; was answering customer svc calls at Comcast/Verizon.
I started almost three years ago and never imagined the journey it would lead me on; being in publications, getting investment & other cool things. It was a great journey and amongst mentioned accomplishments, I also learned how to code & now am doing that for a living; making a lot more money!
Overall it was better then going to college, as there was a chance of becoming wealthy or creating the latest whatever amongst gaining invaluable skills.
I think it's OK to continue doing the "same old" if you're good at it (and/or love it), and you continue to improve at it. It's also good to go out and try new things to change things up on occasion.
If you always stick to the "same old", you'll miss unique knowledge and experiences. If you're always jumping from one thing to the next and never staying focused, one never really gets "good" at any one thing.
It's a balancing act, really. IMHO a good way to measure if you're succeeding or not is with your overall state of happiness.
It just goes back and forth for me. When I really cared about my grades in school, I would stick to classes that I'd do good in. Then when I started sucking and school and grades quit meaning much, I started taking classes for how interesting they were instead of ease.
I just realized (to my horror) that years later, I am just like him. I don't push boundaries like I used to. I don't call on that extra customer, volunteer for that project, or apply to programs like yc if I think there is any chance I won't win. There's always a reason: the software is missing too much, the demo sucks, there are 14 other things that have to be done first,... You get the picture.
I never thought of this as "fear of failure". I just got so used to succeeding in everything I did that I didn't want to do anything else where I didn't succeed. I became Rob without even realizing it.
I've got to change this stinkin' thinkin'. A good failure would probably do me good. Or maybe I should just try something I would have never imagined a month ago.
Thanks OP, for the perspective.