DC

Dalton Caldwell

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

I think we had it backwards by creating a company around a hot technology instead of focusing on a real problem to solve.

MS

Michael Seibel

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

A solution in search of a problem is when you build something and then look for a market or use for it, which often leads to failure.

MS

Michael Seibel

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

Founders often float in space without a clear opinion on what the market should be or who their customers are, which can lead to misguided startups.

MS

Michael Seibel

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

People are trained in school to accomplish specific tasks rather than develop opinions, which can hinder their ability to innovate in startups.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

When people say 'follow your passion', they often mean to find something you would do even without financial gain or approval from others.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

There are individuals who face real problems daily and are passionate about solving them, which can lead to meaningful startups.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

Some people reach for global problems they don't encounter in their daily lives, making it hard to measure their impact or improvement.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

Passion can be defined as doing something you love even if there is no financial incentive, like the early founders of Microsoft and Apple.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

It's important to find something you care about deeply, even if it doesn't receive validation from authority figures or the market.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

In many startup teams, not all founders share the same level of passion for the problem they are solving, which can create challenges.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

To sustain motivation in a startup, it's crucial to identify what else you can be passionate about beyond just the problem at hand. The things you care about the most might be the same as everyone else's, so consider not letting passion be your primary decision-making factor.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

Success, users, and revenue can create passion for your work, as the gravity of a successful business pulls you deeper into understanding your customers' problems.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

When you have something working, it can be motivating in itself, even if you weren't initially passionate about it.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

Working with friends in a startup feels like winning compared to a traditional job, as it allows for more freedom and enjoyment.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

Setting up psychological motivators can help you stay engaged and motivated in your startup journey.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

Focusing on revenue as a metric can provide motivation and a sense of accomplishment, as seeing numbers go up releases positive chemicals in your brain.

DC

Dalton Caldwell

01/06/22

@ Y Combinator

Founders who are intrinsically motivated tend to win in the long run, even if those motivated by external factors seem to succeed earlier.

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.

Should You Follow Your Passion? – Dalton Caldwell and Michael Seibel

Takeaways