| I took a big chance on something that failed. Simply put, don't avoid the warning signs that it is failing, even if others feel that it isn't. Here are a few personal examples: 1. You believe that your company will get paying customers (or investors), after 'this thing' or 'that thing 'happens. You feel like you are holding out too much for these things to happen. 2. Your partners seem to act oblivious to the failings of the business model and tend to cling to it. They fail to understand that admitting defeat sooner than later is more important that an idealistic goal and business plan. This failing would be coupled with a dedication that "we need to hold on and keep going if we want to make this happen." 3. Your partner/s do not recognize the importance of their own or your personal welfare, because the goal of the startup is more important. This can be true despite not making any strong sales or establishing investor relationships in the time span of at least six months or more. (I personally say 'six months' because you have personal finances to attend to. Frankly, six months with absolutely nothing is a sign in itself, in my personal opinion.) 4. You feel guilty for giving up. You are also guilted into not giving up. Stop believing you lost your life. At this time, you need to fail fast. Realize that sinking yourself more into risk will create more problems down the line. Leave now. Take your skills and maybe get a job somewhere else and build up your wealth again. I was almost broke myself, with my wife, in another country (which I still am in now.) I failed fast; got my resume out there and a month later, had the movers come to move where I got the job. It was fun, it was sad, but it was a life lesson to be more attentive to this stuff in the future. As a side thought, there might be a lot of glamour around startups these days, but business is still business. If you are going broke, your DOA-startup is nothing to glamourize. I wish the best for you. EDIT: Just as a follow up to this ... I went from the startup to one of the most interesting jobs I have had, given the new programming challenges to work with. Life can lead you down interesting paths. :) |
That not to say that it's always like that, but a little optimism goes a long way.
Certainly, though, if you feel like shit, you shouldn't continue. Startups aren't everything if other parts of your life are suffering.