authenticity, self-accountability, and hard work matter more than ever

especially when it's possible to build anything

in a world where you can vibe code your imagination, YC holds 4 batches, and you can raise money off of a twitter post, being a founder feels easier than ever.

which is exactly why it’s so tempting to chase a shiny object and a coveted social status of building the future. pursuing this was once met with more adversity from society, and required a different level of sacrifice than today. imagine a current Google employee claiming they are as cracked as the early Google employees.

this is not to say that it’s bad that it’s become easier to be a founder. in fact, it’s a beautiful thing. rather, it’s encouraged those chasing shiny objects to be founders. it’s created a world where projected agency sometimes lacks accountability.

and i think it’s because we live in a world where people are constantly sprinting without taking time to evaluate what it is they want. being a founder isn’t the equivalent of getting a coveted quant role or earning $X salary; it’s a commitment with uncertain outcomes. you can do every single thing “right” and still fail. it’s a path that requires multiple attempts of failure to succeed.

when viewing it through this lens, being a founder requires a certain level of grit, sacrifice, and conviction to push through extremely uncertain times.

authenticity and hard work matter more than ever to develop these traits and block out the noise to keep pursuing the path you want to pave.

understand why it is you desire something. is it because my past? is it because i want to be viewed in a certain way? am i tempted by the money? am i masking something i’m missing? (more about mental clarity here)

put in the work to fill in what’s missing AND what you feel is missing. it can be tempting to chase shiny objects, and after you reach a certain level of agency, these shiny objects will come to you. but you need to stay strong. your path may change in the future, but you have to do what you think is best for you today.

in a time when everyone can build, your compass isn't the accelerator you got into or the viral tweet that got you funding. it's knowing why you're building in the first place. It’s being honest about whether you're building for yourself or for the perception of others.

the world is your playground once you understand yourself.