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PB

Paul Buchheit

07/31/14

@ Y Combinator

It's a mistake to sacrifice your life for a startup you don't care about in pursuit of an external success that may never come.

Video

YC

Paul Buchheit

@ Y Combinator

07/31/14

Related Takeaways

MS

Michael Seibel

08/17/19

@ Y Combinator

First-time founders often make the mistake of solving problems they don't care about, which can lead to a loss of motivation and ultimately failure.

PH

Peter H. Diamandis

05/31/25

@ Peter H. Diamandis

Many startups fail because founders pursue them for money rather than passion, leading to burnout before success.

MS

Michael Seibel

11/29/18

@ Y Combinator

If you're not irrationally motivated to pursue a startup, the experience can be frustrating and you may not grasp the risk-reward balance.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

Avoid the trap of extrinsic motivation, which may help you achieve short-term goals but is not sustainable for long-term success in startups.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

03/21/25

@ Y Combinator

It's important to recognize that disagreements in a startup can feel life-or-death, but often they are not as critical as they seem in the moment.

CW

Chris Williamson Cast

05/18/25

@ Chris Williamson

The price of success often involves personal sacrifice and the risk of losing sight of what truly matters. It's important to ensure that your ambitions align with your values to avoid future regrets.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

08/30/19

@ Y Combinator

It's better to work on an idea that may not be the best if you're enjoying the process, rather than becoming disheartened while pursuing a startup.

BS

Ben Silbermann

11/09/16

@ Y Combinator

The biggest risk for a startup is the founders becoming discouraged and burning out, which can be exacerbated by tying personal worth to the company's success.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

03/01/25

@ Y Combinator

Young founders often prioritize what investors want over solving problems they genuinely care about, which can hinder their potential.