frankly speaking

3 years ago

bryc3:

Its not often that I do any kind of public speaking. I’ve done it a few times but most times I’m asked, I pass. Today my good friend Matt Marshall called me in a bit of a panic. The east coast had been snowed in and left him panel memberless for his VC panel at DEMO09. The ask- could I make it from SLC to Palm Springs before 1pm and help him out. Given my inclination to help friends and given I had no time to make a decision, I decided to go. And, I’m glad I went.
But, there was something I regret not saying on the panel. Its something I feel strongly about particularly given the topic of the panel and the times we’re collectively in.
I’ve lived a (relatively) short business career. In 1999 I set out on my first series of entrepreneurial endeavors. In 2001, at the age of 28, I joined a venture firm. And in 2005 I started OATV, which I hope to be a part of for a very long time.
Despite its brevity there’s an undeniable pattern that’s emerged. Just prior to some of my biggest professional breakthroughs and successes, I’ve had to pass through some of the most gut wrenching trials of my life. Trials and stresses that made me want to curl up in the fetal position and hide from the world. Failures and floggings that made me want to stay in bed and not face another day of getting my teeth kicked in. Hearing so many “NOs” that I didn’t want to pick up the phone or request one more meeting because I already knew what the answer was going to be. Even though I kept the faith in myself and believed I could do whatever I threw my energy in to, some days I just wanted to take shelter from the storm.
There’s no doubt we’re living in stormy times. I’ve had recent conversations with friends and colleagues who are getting tossed about by the challenges and trials of this uncertain and tumultuos world. If you’re in that camp, if you’re facing what seem to be the greatest trials of your life, know that storms subside and that troubled waters eventually calm. There are lessons for you to apply today that will never get taught if you don’t unravel from the fetal position, get out of bed, pick up the phone or take that meeting. Though things may not always work out exactly as you’d planned, they’ll work out the way they should if you’re doing your part.
That’s what I wished I’d said. Have faith in yourself and what you’re trying to accomplish. Because, from my experience, the most challenging trials you’re facing today are prerequisite to your successes tomorrow.

Its not often that I do any kind of public speaking. I’ve done it a few times but most times I’m asked, I pass. Today my good friend Matt Marshall called me in a bit of a panic. The east coast had been snowed in and left him panel memberless for his VC panel at DEMO09. The ask- could I make it from SLC to Palm Springs before 1pm and help him out. Given my inclination to help friends and given I had no time to make a decision, I decided to go. And, I’m glad I went.

But, there was something I regret not saying on the panel. Its something I feel strongly about particularly given the topic of the panel and the times we’re collectively in.

I’ve lived a (relatively) short business career. In 1999 I set out on my first series of entrepreneurial endeavors. In 2001, at the age of 28, I joined a venture firm. And in 2005 I started OATV, which I hope to be a part of for a very long time.

Despite its brevity there’s an undeniable pattern that’s emerged. Just prior to some of my biggest professional breakthroughs and successes, I’ve had to pass through some of the most gut wrenching trials of my life. Trials and stresses that made me want to curl up in the fetal position and hide from the world. Failures and floggings that made me want to stay in bed and not face another day of getting my teeth kicked in. Hearing so many “NOs” that I didn’t want to pick up the phone or request one more meeting because I already knew what the answer was going to be. Even though I kept the faith in myself and believed I could do whatever I threw my energy in to, some days I just wanted to take shelter from the storm.

There’s no doubt we’re living in stormy times. I’ve had recent conversations with friends and colleagues who are getting tossed about by the challenges and trials of this uncertain and tumultuos world. If you’re in that camp, if you’re facing what seem to be the greatest trials of your life, know that storms subside and that troubled waters eventually calm. There are lessons for you to apply today that will never get taught if you don’t unravel from the fetal position, get out of bed, pick up the phone or take that meeting. Though things may not always work out exactly as you’d planned, they’ll work out the way they should if you’re doing your part.

That’s what I wished I’d said. Have faith in yourself and what you’re trying to accomplish. Because, from my experience, the most challenging trials you’re facing today are prerequisite to your successes tomorrow.