Comments on: Managing Emotions Under Pressure http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/10/managing-emotions-under-pressure.html Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:44:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Balaji http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/10/managing-emotions-under-pressure.html/comment-page-1#comment-3803 Balaji Wed, 08 Nov 2006 20:01:47 +0000 http://www.feld.com/wp/?p=1342#comment-3803 Wonderful advice. "Do not take it personally" is valid in any business context irrespective of whether one is an entrepreneur or not. thank you for this advice. I have to learn this to progress. You mentioned that you will handle difficult circumstances in a different way in a business context. Can you please tell me how you handle it? Wonderful advice. “Do not take it personally” is valid in any business context irrespective of whether one is an entrepreneur or not. thank you for this advice. I have to learn this to progress.

You mentioned that you will handle difficult circumstances in a different way in a business context. Can you please tell me how you handle it?

]]> By: Brad Stewart http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/10/managing-emotions-under-pressure.html/comment-page-1#comment-3802 Brad Stewart Tue, 31 Oct 2006 06:53:00 +0000 http://www.feld.com/wp/?p=1342#comment-3802 Great advice. As a young investor I often get caught up in the emotional aspects of the game and take it far too personally. I'm getting better, but a good reminder is always welcome. Great advice. As a young investor I often get caught up in the emotional aspects of the game and take it far too personally. I’m getting better, but a good reminder is always welcome.

]]> By: Bo Brustkern http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/10/managing-emotions-under-pressure.html/comment-page-1#comment-3801 Bo Brustkern Fri, 27 Oct 2006 16:42:35 +0000 http://www.feld.com/wp/?p=1342#comment-3801 Interesting that you used Amy -- your closest personal relationship -- as an analogy. It's a good analogy for a whole host of reasons. With my Amy, I have from time to time reminded myslef, "Hey, I didn't marry her because she was [insert gripe]. She's fabulous, just not necessarily in that area." You can imagine how many times she says the same, regarding me. So it goes with entrepreneuship. I often find myself saying, "Hey, I didn't join this company because it was [secure/predictable/whatever]. This is a fabulous opportunity, just not necessarily easy." And so it goes. Btw, I'm on board with Zach's comment. It just struck a chord. Interesting that you used Amy — your closest personal relationship — as an analogy. It’s a good analogy for a whole host of reasons.

With my Amy, I have from time to time reminded myslef, “Hey, I didn’t marry her because she was [insert gripe]. She’s fabulous, just not necessarily in that area.” You can imagine how many times she says the same, regarding me.

So it goes with entrepreneuship. I often find myself saying, “Hey, I didn’t join this company because it was [secure/predictable/whatever]. This is a fabulous opportunity, just not necessarily easy.” And so it goes.

Btw, I’m on board with Zach’s comment. It just struck a chord.

]]> By: Michael Schoeffler http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/10/managing-emotions-under-pressure.html/comment-page-1#comment-3800 Michael Schoeffler Thu, 26 Oct 2006 21:22:21 +0000 http://www.feld.com/wp/?p=1342#comment-3800 Excellent post. All of us running startups experience enormous personal pressures, but know full well whinging won't help. It's great having something outside to keep everything in perspective (in my case, wife and kids). Cool to contemplate that plenty of other people operate in the same position. Thanks for pointing that out. Excellent post. All of us running startups experience enormous personal pressures, but know full well whinging won’t help. It’s great having something outside to keep everything in perspective (in my case, wife and kids).

Cool to contemplate that plenty of other people operate in the same position. Thanks for pointing that out.

]]> By: Justin http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/10/managing-emotions-under-pressure.html/comment-page-1#comment-3799 Justin Thu, 26 Oct 2006 14:40:46 +0000 http://www.feld.com/wp/?p=1342#comment-3799 This advice definitely transcends the startup realm -- it is pertinent to all aspects of life. Agreed on all counts; I think there is something to be said for the learning curve of going through rough times, but at the end of the day I think the greatest learning comes when you can train yourself to keep a smile amid the most arduous of circumstances. It's all about conquering fear and seeing the big picture. Stellar post. This advice definitely transcends the startup realm — it is pertinent to all aspects of life. Agreed on all counts; I think there is something to be said for the learning curve of going through rough times, but at the end of the day I think the greatest learning comes when you can train yourself to keep a smile amid the most arduous of circumstances. It’s all about conquering fear and seeing the big picture. Stellar post.

]]> By: Ben Casnocha http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/10/managing-emotions-under-pressure.html/comment-page-1#comment-3798 Ben Casnocha Thu, 26 Oct 2006 09:27:19 +0000 http://www.feld.com/wp/?p=1342#comment-3798 He who has a "why" to live can endure any "how". (or something like that, by Nietzsche) If you are pursuing a life of meaning, you can endure rough stretches. More in a post I'll do soon. He who has a “why” to live can endure any “how”. (or something like that, by Nietzsche)

If you are pursuing a life of meaning, you can endure rough stretches.

More in a post I’ll do soon.

]]> By: andrew callen http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/10/managing-emotions-under-pressure.html/comment-page-1#comment-3797 andrew callen Thu, 26 Oct 2006 01:49:43 +0000 http://www.feld.com/wp/?p=1342#comment-3797 I agree with Zach. Although I have not been reading your blog as long, I really enjoyed your post. It's nice to see we all have the same roller coaster. I know I haven't always dealt with tough situations well but in the end you need to step back and find the humor in it....you can't ever take yourself too seriously (which is what i think you're saying) I agree with Zach. Although I have not been reading your blog as long, I really enjoyed your post. It’s nice to see we all have the same roller coaster. I know I haven’t always dealt with tough situations well but in the end you need to step back and find the humor in it….you can’t ever take yourself too seriously (which is what i think you’re saying)

]]> By: VeraBass http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/10/managing-emotions-under-pressure.html/comment-page-1#comment-3796 VeraBass Wed, 25 Oct 2006 19:34:43 +0000 http://www.feld.com/wp/?p=1342#comment-3796 I'm debating whether or not to clue my husband in on your method of distracting Amy (especially the dogs part :) ). Personally I've used lots of different methods for dealing with high negative stress moments, and agree that thick skin is the best. In those rare times when things build past that point, I'll usually call a time out to myself, focus on what all the worst possible outcomes of the current situation might be, accept the fact that if they materialize I'll deal with them, and then more easily re-focus on working for a best outcome. Vera I’m debating whether or not to clue my husband in on your method of distracting Amy (especially the dogs part :) ).

Personally I’ve used lots of different methods for dealing with high negative stress moments, and agree that thick skin is the best. In those rare times when things build past that point, I’ll usually call a time out to myself, focus on what all the worst possible outcomes of the current situation might be, accept the fact that if they materialize I’ll deal with them, and then more easily re-focus on working for a best outcome.

Vera

]]> By: Christine Herron http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/10/managing-emotions-under-pressure.html/comment-page-1#comment-3795 Christine Herron Wed, 25 Oct 2006 19:26:38 +0000 http://www.feld.com/wp/?p=1342#comment-3795 Absolutely good advice. I also led a struggling software company during the bubble burst, and it's human to get upset - you just have to get over it and get back to work. Especially if it's your job to motivate everyone around you, not to mention assuring that your team's mortgages are paid and their kids are fed. There's no stress like founder stress... Absolutely good advice. I also led a struggling software company during the bubble burst, and it’s human to get upset – you just have to get over it and get back to work. Especially if it’s your job to motivate everyone around you, not to mention assuring that your team’s mortgages are paid and their kids are fed. There’s no stress like founder stress…

]]> By: Zach Coelius http://www.feld.com/wp/archives/2006/10/managing-emotions-under-pressure.html/comment-page-1#comment-3794 Zach Coelius Wed, 25 Oct 2006 18:05:40 +0000 http://www.feld.com/wp/?p=1342#comment-3794 Brad, I have been reading your blog for over a year now and this post is by far my favorite. As a startup entrepreneur (this is by fourth rollercoaster ride) I empathize deeply with the turbulence and intensity of the startup experience. I think this post really captures those feelings. Thanks for writing it and the rest of the blog. You have been doing great work. Zach Brad,
I have been reading your blog for over a year now and this post is by far my favorite. As a startup entrepreneur (this is by fourth rollercoaster ride) I empathize deeply with the turbulence and intensity of the startup experience. I think this post really captures those feelings. Thanks for writing it and the rest of the blog. You have been doing great work.

Zach

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