How long will a monumental sandcastle stand?
If you leave it alone with the waves and the wind—not long.
A creation cannot live without its creator.
Decay begins at once. Wear, cracks, rot. Someone has to keep digging the moats, fixing the towers, and strengthening the walls.
This takes real effort, especially if the project is meant to last for years. And it would be fine if it were mostly creative work. But most of it is routine.
Do you know anyone who loves maintaining and creating equally? More often, you see a tilt to one side or the other. I do, at least.
So what do you do? Start and then quit? Or push through, forcing yourself?
The ideal is to grow both sides in yourself—your “logistics department” and your “R&D.” But that takes time. For now, the way forward is a complementary partnership.
Just make sure your partner values your edge. Otherwise, after the growth phase, conflict is inevitable over who contributed more.
But even more important is to ask yourself at the very beginning:
Do I even need this project?
Is this something I’ve long wanted to do?
Is it worth giving years of my life?
Sincerely yours,
-Alexander
As a business therapist, I help tech founders quickly solve dilemmas at the intersection of business and personality, and boost company value as a result.
Stuck? Your business grows when you do. I’m your business therapist to guide your shift. See testimonials here. Ready? Book your Catalyst session.