It’s really hard. Working in a start-up, fear is your ally. it’s your go-to drug after coffee. It’s the benchmark for all adrenaline surges.  But after a while, crises and problems melt into the background noise of the day-to-day. And you look up one day and realize that the problems are nothing to be afraid of – all failures will be weathered or all victories will be glorified. And you stand in the center, already knowing the dread or  exultation that either outcome will provide.

So we have to go back to Marcus Aurelius philosophy of stoicism, which has tenets in to that state we need to accept the outcomes, whatever they may be, and that fear does nothing except crystalize our anxieties for better or worse. Once you get “tired” of being afraid, life becomes a lot like a saunter than a sprint. Well, at least for me. Also, it’s a lot easier to be blunt, honest, and humane. Getting past fear helps me be a better person, not just to the people in my company but also to my friends, family, and of course Julie.

Because what is fear? It’s the unknown. But we already, in our hearts, know what will happen with all of our lives. We will struggle, love, and pass on. Sure, there’s a few more details to be filled out, but that’s the broadstrokes.

In the meantime, let’s focus on what gives us bliss and purpose.

Einstein thought all time was an illusion. Marky Marc didn't/doesn't/will never care...

Just got back from an AMAZING Company retreat at Long Beach Island. We flew out the entire Chicago office, and the NYC + Chicago family met altogether for the first time in a LONG time. The company probably hasn’t all been in the same place in over….a year? Probably since the launch of the Chicago office back in 2010.

Here’s a pic of the place we stayed….

Location unknown, in case assassins try again next year...

 

 

I met new people in the company I never met before, I got to know a lot more about others, and the best part was just spending the days with this hardy crew at the beach or at the haus.  The company is changing. The company is growing. This weekend was a snapshot of bitter-sweet moment when I realized we’re passing through the start-up phase and into a more corporate environment. So long as we stay true to Do Good, Be Good I’ll be happy in whatever fashion we grow.

Dom and I just got back from an incredible wedding with friends we’ve known for 2/3rds of our lives. Bill, Tony, Dan, Johns, etc – these people are the core of what I aspire as genuine friendship. We’ve all gone through our struggles, and years go by without seeing each other, but every time we get together it’s like we left off 5 minutes ago.

What impresses me is that they’re doing (roughly) the same things that Dom and I are doing: making games, working on their own software, and generally being entrepreneurs.

It’s funny to think that people who have lived most of their lives in different parts of the country, independent of one another, are still “the same” people they were years ago. I once read a study that 10 of your closest friends will have 83% of the same values as you do and be within 10% of the same income bracket. Of course, there’s a lot of statistical questions to that. But it seems to be true for me.

What was that old saying? “If you had five real good friends before you died, you’ve lived a good life.” I think I have about that so far.

I'm the good-looking one...