2 years or so in, our "brains" change as founders. You just think ... differently

I used to think it was due to the intense pressure of carrying something your shoulders

I also used to think it was due to the intense focus needed to create a viable company from nothing

But

Now I think what really changes is as founders we get very, very good at "compartmentalization"

Too many near-death start-up experiences. Too many co-founders that walk out the door. Too many folks telling you it won't work. Growth that starts off too slow. Running out of $

How can face all this? I don't you can as a human being unless you find out how to 'compartmentalize' it all.

"Oh, our top customer left? That's horrible. Now ... let's move on."

"Oh, the term sheet got pulled? We can't make payroll? Ok ... time for Plan B!!"

And it's a super powerful skill, that builds on itself. We can process change in particular at a rate almost no one else can. We get so good at it. And we can plan for the future so much better, because we know we can compartmentalize whatever comes.

And yet ...

And yet, we push so many things >down< when we do this.

You feel everything at work, but so many other things you just push down. You get good at compartmentalizing everything

And someday, someday, everything can't be pushed down

And when you hit that day, just know it's OK

And also try to hang out with other founders doing this. Things like SaaStr help.

And also if you don't have a great co-founder, go find one later. This is hard but not impossible. You can find a late co-founder

And also enjoy the good times. You gotta find a way to do this

And remember other folks will not understand