Q: How Can I Manage the Stress of a Startup?
Tips to cut the stress of a startup: plan for learning, take time to recharge, join a peer support group, don’t compare yourself to others.
Q: How Can I Manage the Stress of a Startup? Read More »
Spirit
Sridhar Vembu: Capital is a group’s capability to meet its diverse needs
A review of two short essays by Sridhar Vembu that explore the meaning of capital as the capability of a group or population to meet its own diverse economic needs.
Sridhar Vembu: Capital is a group’s capability to meet its diverse needs Read More »
Clayton Christensen on “How Will You Measure Your Life?”
Excerpts from Clayton Christensen’s address to the 2010 graduating class at Harvard Business School on “How Will You Measure Your Life?”
Clayton Christensen on “How Will You Measure Your Life?” Read More »
Thanksgiving 2019
Both of our sons were able to join us for Thanksgiving 2019. It was wonderful. We ended up in a conversation about George Washington, I have included his 1798 proclamation that established Thanksgiving as a national holiday in the US.
On That Day: 9-11 Eighteen Years On
I want to commemorate the 18th anniversary of 9-11 by focusing on people who stayed at their post or rushed in to help. I was inspired by the closing lines of Leonard Cohen’s “On That Day,” a song I heard yesterday for the first time.
On That Day: 9-11 Eighteen Years On Read More »
Michael Wade: Things I Wish I Knew in My Twenties
I came across a list of 21 “Things I wish I knew in my twenties” by Michael Wade and was impressed by the insights he offered. Here are my top eight.
Michael Wade: Things I Wish I Knew in My Twenties Read More »
Octavia Butler: Cultivate Habits That Enable Persistence and Learning
Octavia Butler rejects inspiration, talent, and imagination as essential to creative pursuits and suggests that habits that enable persistence and learning are the essential element.
Octavia Butler: Cultivate Habits That Enable Persistence and Learning Read More »
Some Reflections on My Life Triggered by a Recent Birthday
I had a birthday this week which triggered from reflections on my life. I prepared a short list of lessons learned for my party. I hope you find them helpful.
Some Reflections on My Life Triggered by a Recent Birthday Read More »
Why I Like Working with Entrepreneurs
I like working with entrepreneurs because I find it easier to deal with their psychological challenges and the small team dynamics of a startup than the political problems of an enterprise.
Why I Like Working with Entrepreneurs Read More »
Reciprocal Gift-Exchange and Charity Knit Networks into Communities
Humans like to give and to receive without cheating or being cheated: we want to be part of networks of reciprocal gift-exchange. If you want to become a member in good standing of community you will need to “give to get.”
Reciprocal Gift-Exchange and Charity Knit Networks into Communities Read More »
Father’s Day 2019: a Story of My Father
Some personal reflections on my father and a stroke he suffered in June 1994 when I was launching a new company and expecting my first son in a few weeks.
Father’s Day 2019: a Story of My Father Read More »
Thanksgiving 2018: a Look Back at Founders Who Persevered
For Thanksgiving 2018 I wanted to recap how the events of the first Thanksgiving feast: here are excerpts from “Mourt’s Relation” and “Of Plymouth Plantation.”
Thanksgiving 2018: a Look Back at Founders Who Persevered Read More »
Independence Day 2018: Live Free Or Die
In college a good friend put up an old New Hampshire license plate on his dorm room wall, he liked the state motto: “Live Free or Die.”
Independence Day 2018: Live Free Or Die Read More »
The House I Grew Up In
Some reflections on change, renewal, and transformation after watching a short video of the demolition of the house I grew up in. We think of our buildings as permanent, as much as we think of ourselves as permanent, but things change.
The House I Grew Up In Read More »
Thanksgiving 2017: Counting My Blessings, Bootstrapper Potluck, Finest Hour
Thanksgiving 2017 is a chance to reflect on your blessings and give thanks to those who have helped you in the last year.
Thanksgiving 2017: Counting My Blessings, Bootstrapper Potluck, Finest Hour Read More »
Ogden Lilly 1948-2017
Ogden Lilly passed away suddenly on Sun-May-14-2017. He worked as an accountant for 47 years at a firm that ultimately added his name to the masthead. I have relied on his advice and counsel for more than two decades and feel his loss keenly on a personal and a professional level.
Ogden Lilly 1948-2017 Read More »
Thanksgiving 2016: Bootstrappers Potluck and Reflections on Mayflower Compact
For Thanksgiving 2016 we hosted the Bootstrapper Potluck for the third year in a row, it’s becoming a tradition we really enjoy.
Thanksgiving 2016: Bootstrappers Potluck and Reflections on Mayflower Compact Read More »
Veterans Day 2016
A thank you on Veterans Day 2016 to all of the men and women in our armed forces who made the United States possible, in particular this Silicon Valley oasis of invention and innovation I get to call home. Some quotes to meditate on follow.
What a Mixmaster our dreams are for our memories
I take a fair amount of inspiration from dreams, which I believe are a way for the mind to reprocess memories into new configurations, the same way that a mixmaster can beat eggs or potatoes into a smooth consistency. I think dreams are a way of reprocessing experiences and distilling additional insights and learning.
What a Mixmaster our dreams are for our memories Read More »
15 Years After 9-11, Four After Benghazi
15 years after the 9-11-2001 attack on New York that left some 3,000 Americans dead and 4 years after the 9-11-2012 attack on a US diplomatic mission in Benghazi left four dead including a US ambassador it’s time for a look back. As to what difference this may make, George Santayana advises “those who cannot
15 Years After 9-11, Four After Benghazi Read More »