This month's good stuff
Things that got me thinking this month.
Hi, it’s Melissa, and welcome (back) to “your founder next door”, a weekly publication with stories and tidbits of my human journey bootstrapping eWebinar to $5m ARR. No BS, just straight-up truth bombs on what it’s like to build a company without an abundance of resources or friends in high places.
What got me thinking this month
Earlier this year, I attended my first retreat. On the first day, we had to complete this sentence: The pain in my life is _____.
Mine was ungratefulness.
I just read Sahil Bloom’s piece, The things you prayed for, which got me thinking about this topic again. He talked about complaining about the exact thing he had prayed for, and how we’re susceptible to bemoaning the reality today that we would have been thrilled to have yesterday.
I find myself in this position all the time.
I founded my startup as a lifestyle company because I wanted complete freedom. But after having the life that I left my job for 15 years ago, I keep wanting more, thinking what I have is not enough.
I remember wishing for $40k MRR so we could cover our expenses. But then I wanted to double that, and double that, then double that. No matter where we are, I wonder when we’re going to even double that.
My dad didn’t come from much and by the end of his life, he had everything he ever dreamed of. But I don’t remember a day where he didn’t complain about how much he hated his job, and whatever else he could get his mind on.
At that retreat was when I promised myself that I would never turn into him.
I promised myself that I would never live another day feeling ungrateful.
Gratefulness is not a feeling. Gratefulness is a choice.
Happy belated Thanksgiving. 🦃
Quick hits
The gap and the gain
Can money buy happiness?
A window into what it takes for hyper-performers to win
This month’s articles you may have missed
What happened when my startup got acquired: The hidden process behind what happens when a startup gets acquired.
I procrastinated 2 years. Then AI was invented.: Why I’m both impressed and terrified by what AI just did.
Progress doesn’t feel like winning: When everything feels hard and nothing seems to work.
Till next time,
— Melissa ✌️
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