tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2460005.post3545596203044605971..comments2023-11-05T04:28:29.961-08:00Comments on Adventures in Capitalism: You're not indispensable (except when you are)Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00927628412285314176noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2460005.post-14650589186062911352015-11-05T16:25:21.352-08:002015-11-05T16:25:21.352-08:00I gave up spending time with my family during resi...I gave up spending time with my family during residency. I took that risk and traded it for a much greater future. I now enjoy helping others while also spending copious amounts of quality time with my family. The lesson here is quite obvious. Life is made up of choices. You do what fits you. I dislike all these graduation speeches that try to make sweeping and sound-bitey aphorisms in the name of advice. Personalized medicine is winning because of the simple fact that we all are individuals who have unique circumstances, desires, and risk to reward profiles.Riannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2460005.post-60015329068860368182015-11-01T21:54:33.049-08:002015-11-01T21:54:33.049-08:00Rudi,
I agree that things are even harder for fou...Rudi,<br /><br />I agree that things are even harder for founders. And I think that your solution of making tradeoffs consciously, and with the support of one's family, is a good solution. Far too often, the family isn't given a chance to participate in the decision-making process.Chrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00927628412285314176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2460005.post-32658854351403545992015-11-01T10:50:06.929-08:002015-11-01T10:50:06.929-08:00The "five balls in the air" analogy is c...The "five balls in the air" analogy is certainly beautiful, Chris, and a good representation of the dynamics one must face when trying to achieve the so sought after life-work balance. But let me offer an "exception to the rule" scenario while staying faithful to one of the main themes of your blog: startups.<br /><br />In an older post from you this year, you mention that "the values that actually shape a culture have both upside and downside" and I wholeheartedly agree with it. Considering that there is no great opportunities without risk, it is fair to say that if someone is in the early stages of his/her startup (and I mean startup in the classic sense, aka a "swinging for the fences" startup) the work ball mentioned in the analogy is actually made of glass too. If it drops -- and we know that the gravitational forces acting against startups are brutal, it *will* break. <br /><br />So in these rare but possible scenarios where all balls are made of glass it is important to understand the trade-offs of the situation since it is impossible to avoid them. You soon will be forced to make a decision in which ball to focus your attention on and if you are in the startup game as a founder you have already made that choice. <br /><br />I don't know much of Jesse Noller's situation so I'm not commenting specifically on it. The general point is that the trade-offs that matter are often tough, but there is nothing inherently wrong in reserving a period of your life to focus mostly on work as long as everybody you care about understand and accept the risks and your family is supportive of your decision.<br /><br />The family part is really key here: if they support your decision it will not only help you protect your relationship with them during your adventure but also improve the chances that you stay strong through it and get the goal you want.Leismannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05764860788651760940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2460005.post-28265983259858487192015-11-01T10:47:47.088-08:002015-11-01T10:47:47.088-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Leismannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05764860788651760940noreply@blogger.com