Got Knocked Down? Afraid to Fail? Here’s the Solution (Video)

Have you ever felt like you just couldn’t get back up?

You failed.  Or you’re afraid you’re about to fail.

I’ve had those moments through out my life… some more recently that I’d like to admit.

From the honest conversations I’ve had lately with friends who are entrepreneurs, I know I’m not alone.

And yesterday this interview landed in my inbox.  Derek Halpern of Social Triggers (if you aren’t reading his blog yet, subscribe right now) interviewed Tim Ferris about suicide, fear of failure, and the secret to success.   And I’ve got a whole new level of respect for these two guys for their honesty and openness.

Entrepreneurialism is a roller coaster…

First and foremost, a start-up puts you on an emotional rollercoaster unlike anything you have ever experienced. You flip rapidly from day-to-day – one where you are euphorically convinced you are going to own the world, to a day in which doom seems only weeks away and you feel completely ruined, and back again. Over and over and over. And I’m talking about what happens to stable entrepreneurs. There is so much uncertainty and so much risk around practically everything you are doing. The level of stress that you’re under generally will magnify things incredible highs and unbelievable lows at whiplash speed and huge magnitude. Sound like fun?
– Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Netscape

As I listened to the podcast interview, I browsed through Tim’s blog where I found the quote above and this video in a post called “The Prescription for Self-Doubt.”

Click play.  It’s 5 minutes long and you won’t regret it.