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I've lost enthusiasm for my startup
8 points by greenjournal on Feb 24, 2012 | hide | past | favorite | 11 comments
I find myself doing things for the startup out of obligation to the investors, who have been awesome. When people ask me if I'm excited, I can't honestly say yes. I still love the product and love the process of creating a company, we are not doing badly (but not exploding either), but I don't really like the people I'm working with anymore. I also just broke up with a long term girlfriend, which was devastating, so maybe that is influencing things.

What should I do? I'm not sure if my reason for a lack of enthusiasm is because of the people I have to work with, it is just one of the first things that come to mind. I still need these people and their skills for the startup, though.



It sounds like you are in a "funk" from your personal life and it's spilling over into your professional life. I hate to say it and I might get downvoted for saying this, but you need to take your mind off your ex gf by going out on some "dates"... then reevaluate things at work. What I am trying to say is...let's add a little excitement back into your personal life and see what happens.


This for me is one of the hardest parts. The stereotypical obsession with "The Idea" is usually devoted to finding one which will make it magically rain money. Finding something that will keep me interested and motivated for more than a year - that's HARD.


actually, I still love the idea, the product, the vision, etc. So it's not that, it's something else.


Probably your breakup affecting things. I know how it is, but hang in there. Find a good friend to lean on--I don't know what your support network looks like. When I went through divorce, I had good friends that helped me through, and after a few months, I was back to myself.


Napoleon Hill once said that man just does ambitions to impress women! Now that you lose your girlfriend, perhaps this is the case for you? You lost the bulk of your motivation?


I think your title isn't correct. You said as much yourself - you don't hate the startup, you hate the people, and your analysis is correct, it's the break-up that's tainting things.

Are you the boss? Can the thing run without you for a while? Take a break. Make a decision: stay or go. Come back and implement it.


Take a break and go to Hawaii or some place exotic ALONE. Meet some exotic women there. You'll be fine. Dont think too much. I have noticed that the best way of dealing with a bad mood is to ignore it.


Have you talked to your cofounders about it? If not, maybe you should. If you can't, then quit.


Don't make a move until the dust from your girlfriend settles.

You have to get the passion back...or quit!


personal crisis is a huge factor here, and don't assume you can or that you should separate personal life from business. it doesn't work.

what don't you like with the people you're working with?


Some advice: When I'm sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead.

The fact that you are making money is already great, a lot of people are struggling to get by in their companies.

Don't make a decision that you will later regret.




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