| Without commenting on your product I'd like to be frank about why this mentality can be unhealthy. Motivation is great, but sometimes the fuel that motivates you isn't always healthy. The way that your article reads comes off as having a point to prove because you were rejected. Analyze the psychology of that for a second. You're indirectly implying that you will make decisions because of rejection. Your problem solving and decision making will now gravitate towards whatever bias that "chip on your shoulder" created. This may seem obvious, and you may be thinking you're impervious to such a fallacy, but let me point out a few warning signs in your article. 1) "... Investors look for it since it’s an indicator of persistance. When you’ve got something to prove, you’re more likely to blast your way to success. But how do you actually get this fire?" Do investors really look for this? These statements come off like a confirmation bias. 2) "And with a chip on my shoulder, I find myself more focused, thinking more clearly and getting stuff done." Can you quantify why? I've been in analogous situations a few times in my past and observed it in many colleagues. I've rarely seen healthy work come out of it. In summary, while there is room for personal bias and creative preference when building a startup, you shouldn't take your motivational fuel lightly. It's really easy to let the ego get in the way of doing what's right for your company. |
"The way that your article reads comes off as having a point to prove because you were rejected."
In order to prove a point, my understanding is that I would have to have been rejected or given negative feedback. If it was a positive response, everyone would be in alignment and I wouldn't have a point to prove.
"Your problem solving and decision making will now gravitate towards whatever bias that "chip on your shoulder" created."
The chip on my shoulder/bias is a pure desire to succeed. The rejection was an implicit statement that all the other companies appear to have a higher chance of success. I see this desire to succeed as a very good context to make decisions from.
"1) "... Investors look for it since it’s an indicator of persistance. When you’ve got something to prove, you’re more likely to blast your way to success. But how do you actually get this fire?"
Do investors really look for this? These statements come off like a confirmation bias."
Mark Suster wrote a whole article on it. http://www.bothsidesofthetable.com/2012/05/17/what-to-do-abo...
"2) "And with a chip on my shoulder, I find myself more focused, thinking more clearly and getting stuff done." Can you quantify why?"
I don't track my time so I don't have any quantitative numbers. With that said, I find I'm able to fight distractions more effectively with an "I've got something to prove" mindset.