The Resilient Founder

5Building Our Psychological Quotient

… dealing with our emotions and inner worlds is the biggest challenge of all.

– from hackernews, an online forum for entrepreneurs

Just as we have developed a better awareness of Intellectual Quotient (IQ) and Emotional Quotient (EQ), let us introduce a concept of Psychological Quotient (PsyQ), in which we make an attempt to understand and develop our mysterious internal resources. What constitutes a healthy psychological profile, especially for founders? How can they develop their awareness of psychology and then strengthen their inner core, which can help us go on to meet any obstacles and tackle our frustrations with flair?

SEEKING A CRAZY KIND OF ADVENTURE

The core tenets of an entrepreneur's psychology are confidence, optimism, and a sense of adventure. These tenets propel founders to seek problems – and the bigger the problem, the higher its lure. For that which can be solved easily provide no sense of wonder, adventure, or heroic overtures, and those are not worthy. And the reward at the end of the journey could be fame, fortune, power, or glory. No one knows what the reward will be. Nor can we predict precisely the time. How much? And when? This uncertainty and the mystery of it all excites and intrigues, stoking the fire within. So why do we get stalled? Maybe the journey is way too long. Impatience kicks in. Or we get distracted. Or it suddenly seems too hard. Or maybe the ups and downs of the journey cause nausea and we want ...