Ryan and Will discuss the psychological challenges founders face by constantly looking ahead and rarely celebrating their achievements. They explore how important it is for founders to practice gratitude and recognize their progress, even if their ultimate goals haven't been reached. The conversation delves into personal experiences, including Ryan's move to Guatemala and Will's time in Beverly Hills, highlighting how perspective and gratitude can significantly impact one’s satisfaction and motivation in their entrepreneurial journey.

Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast
https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy
Website
https://www.startups.com/begin
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/

Join our Network of Top Founders
Wil Schroter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/
Ryan Rutan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/

What to listen for:
00:29 The Psychological Cost of Milestones
00:58 The 1% of Startups
02:01 Celebrating Small Wins
02:38 The Comparison Trap
03:45 Balancing Credit and Complacency
04:33 Contrasting Success Stories
09:14 Perspective on Startup Success
16:26 The Olympic Mindset and Startup Mentality
17:39 The Power of Perspective and Gratitude
19:35 Balancing Ambition and Gratitude
21:16 Family Traditions and Simple Joys
22:47 Reinforcing Self-Worth and Capability
28:19 The Curse of the Exited Founder
31:02 Changing Perspectives for Greater Happiness

Dive into the common struggle founders face with burnout and the inability to truly relax. Ryan and Will share their personal experiences and discuss how traditional relaxation methods often fail for them. Instead, they highlight the importance of finding other meaningful and challenging obsessions outside of work to channel their energy. From woodworking and home-building to martial arts, they explore how these activities can provide a sense of accomplishment, progression, and actual mental rest, ultimately making them better and more effective in their startup journeys. Tune in to gain insights on how to recharge as a founder by embracing big, consuming projects that challenge and fulfill you.

Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast
https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy
Website
https://www.startups.com/begin
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/

Join our Network of Top Founders
Wil Schroter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/
Ryan Rutan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/

What to listen for:

00:44 The Struggle with Relaxation
01:36 Failed Attempts at Relaxation
03:32 Vacation Dilemmas
05:52 The Need for Mental Engagement
09:47 The Importance of Completion
14:07 Finding New Problems to Solve
22:10 Woodworking as a Solution
24:13 The Obsession Begins: From Birdhouses to Building a House
24:48 The Challenge of Building a House from Scratch
25:35 Balancing Work and Passion Projects
26:31 The Importance of Completion and Physical Activity
27:53 Managing Overwhelm and Finding Solutions
29:14 The Power of Small, Consistent Efforts
30:22 The Role of Meaningful Side Projects
33:17 The Need for Mental and Physical Challenges
36:21 The Value of Overwhelming Projects

Ryan and Will discuss the prevalent fear in the market due to economic uncertainty in April 2025. They delve into how fear is a constant companion for founders and argue that it's not a weakness but a strength. Drawing on personal experiences, including public speaking and risky business moves, they illustrate how leaning into fear can drive massive growth and success. Comfortable activities rarely lead to significant achievements, they argue, emphasizing that true progress requires embracing discomfort. They also highlight the importance of conditioning oneself to fear and rejecting complacency to ensure continuous growth and impactful outcomes.

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Resources:
Startup Therapy Podcast
https://www.startups.com/community/startup-therapy
Website
https://www.startups.com/begin
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/startups-co/

Join our Network of Top Founders
Wil Schroter
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilschroter/
Ryan Rutan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-rutan/

What to listen for:
00:35 Founders' Relationship with Fear
01:35 Fear as a Motivator and Asset
02:38 Personal Experiences with Fear and Risk
03:17 Balancing Risk and Reward in Decision Making
06:36 The Role of Fear in Entrepreneurship
07:05 Cultural Differences in Risk Perception
12:57 Embracing Fear as Part of the Job
14:55 Building Resilience Through Failure
15:39 Embracing Fear in Business
16:02 The Role of Fear in Motivation
17:46 The Danger of Complacency
19:25 Taking Big Risks for Big Rewards
21:23 Balancing Fear and Progress
25:44 Facing Public Speaking Fears
30:08 The Importance of Leaning Into Fear