Is it in you?

I had an opportunity yesterday to end up in my "dream" job. Interesting
work, much higher pay than I'm used to, good lifestyle, surrounded by
smart, fun people, minimal politics. I turned it down.

I'm too excited about my new company. Huge risk of complete failure,
but huge upside if it works. I'll get paid less, work harder, travel
more, my business cards won't get as much attention - and I'll be
happier anyway. If it doesn't work out, there will be other great
opportunities.

I had a call last week with a Chicago law student contemplating leaving
school to do a startup. I did that and it worked out, so the dean sent
him to me. He was asking "how do I decide whether to go for it?"
There's no analytical way (as much as I hate to admit that) - it's a
deeply personal, emotional choice.

If my choice to take the harder road makes sense to you, you're an
entrepreneur. Otherwise, you're not. No shame in that, but if you do a
cost/benefit on startup life before launching your own company (as
opposed to on the company idea itself), you'll have a hard time being
successful as an entrepreneur.

Apologies to Gatorade.
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