My TEDx Talk about Entrepreneurial Depression / Happiness

jsmcgd wrote: post #5

SteliE wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Appreciate the kind words :) Happy you liked it!

I agree, great talk. Sorry but I can't help be curious about this, what were the results of the drinking game?

Thanks! :)

Unfortunately I can't publicly tell that part of the story yet. But ping me at steli@elasticsales.com if you really wanna know ;)

Re: My TEDx Talk about Entrepreneurial Depression / Happiness

#7

Post by ivancdg » Wed, Aug 08, 2012, 8:13 PM UTC

cheez wrote: post #4

I don't think you ever truly get over a burnout like that, especially not if it has any long lasting effects. Too much was familiar to me a couple of years ago. Glad it is not so anymore.

Jacques Mattheij's blog posts on burnout are very helpful. I recommend reading them and re-reading them:

http://jacquesmattheij.com/Are+you+suffering+from+burn-out

http://jacquesmattheij.com/dealing+with+burn+out

There are various useful discussions in the HN archives, including this one:

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2300244

mrcharles's comment rings in my head to this day: "The first thing I've learned is that I can't accurately judge my limits."

Re: My TEDx Talk about Entrepreneurial Depression / Happiness

#8

Post by randomdrake » Wed, Aug 08, 2012, 8:30 PM UTC

Nicely done SteliE. I particularly enjoyed the part towards the end where you discovered meditation was a useful tool. I discovered the same thing a couple years ago; recently, I haven't been meditating enough. The value of it being able to clear all the things from your mind and to try hard to just exist without everything else is extremely calming and, in my opinion, necessary.

I really need to start doing it again and you've inspired me to start.

Being happy is the only thing that really matters at the end of the day.

Thanks for sharing.

Re: My TEDx Talk about Entrepreneurial Depression / Happiness

#9

Post by nugget » Wed, Aug 08, 2012, 8:37 PM UTC

I think this is a very under talked-about topic in Silicon Valley. I'm on my third startup after two successful exits and still deal with the "roller coaster" of emotions related to work in this field. I don't think it ever really subsides, at least not for certain people.

Like others mentioned I found meditation very useful. Also, I watch Stephen Hawking's documentary called something like "A Brief History of Everything" and this provides me relief as I'm reminded that eventually the sun will cool, the earth will implode, and all living beings who ever existed will return to the atomic ether.

Re: My TEDx Talk about Entrepreneurial Depression / Happiness

#10

Post by rdudekul » Wed, Aug 08, 2012, 8:54 PM UTC

Three points that stood out for me were: 1) meditate 2) work on one thing that matters the most for today 3) know that you have good options even if your startup fails

In essence through meditation entrepreneurs can bring forth deep resources from the subconscious, through one pointed attention they can complete tasks that matter and by putting others first, deliver right value at the right price.

I am an entrepreneur too and the way I keep my balance is follow the eight point passage meditation program (http://www.easwaran.org/the-eight-point-program.html).