My question is really whether it is rational to pursue a competitive goal (#1 tennis player), not a personal goal (learn French). Thousands of children practice tirelessly to one day become a pro tennis player. Only 100 men can eventually make a living from it. Is it worth the intensely hard work for such a long shot? Wouldn’t it be smarter for all those kids to spend those hours doing their homework instead?
I’d really like to start a small business, but the odds of success are very small. Should I throw myself at this goal? If the probability were 50%, definitely. But what if it’s 10% or 1%? What about the opportunity cost compared to simply getting a corporate job? There’s a wee bit of insanity to startup founders that I wish I had.
Candidates who have founded a startup company are often considered extremely desirable by recruiters, even if their company fails, and for that reason the opportunity costs may not be as high as you think.
My question is really whether it is rational to pursue a competitive goal (#1 tennis player), not a personal goal (learn French). Thousands of children practice tirelessly to one day become a pro tennis player. Only 100 men can eventually make a living from it. Is it worth the intensely hard work for such a long shot? Wouldn’t it be smarter for all those kids to spend those hours doing their homework instead?
I’d really like to start a small business, but the odds of success are very small. Should I throw myself at this goal? If the probability were 50%, definitely. But what if it’s 10% or 1%? What about the opportunity cost compared to simply getting a corporate job? There’s a wee bit of insanity to startup founders that I wish I had.
Candidates who have founded a startup company are often considered extremely desirable by recruiters, even if their company fails, and for that reason the opportunity costs may not be as high as you think.