Create and Preserve / January 7, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

History knows countless inventive minds and promising young companies whose names faded away. Why? They couldn't safeguard the "Wow" value they brought to the world.

The moment one player in the market gains a significant advantage, there's a swarm eager to grab a piece of it too. Some competitors play fair, like buying licenses or investing in R&D. Others easily break any laws and norms, just to get what they want.

That's why the best players stand on two legs, figuratively speaking. In fat and lean times, they keep investing in new ideas to stay ahead. Simultaneously, they deepen the moat around their castle (patents, lobbying, systems), strengthen their army (lawyers, cybersecurity, etc.), and station guards on the walls.

Stop neglecting novelty; your business will wither inevitably. Let your guard down? Barbarians breach your city through a gap in the fortress wall.

Creativity thrives with stability and abundance. In the real world, if there is no security, there is no growth.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

How can I help you?
If you've long been trying to understand what is limiting you and/or your business and how to finally give important changes a push, then The Catalyst Session is designed specifically for you. Book it here.

Magicians are Among Us / January 6, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

I'm grateful fate led me to advertising early in my career. There, I discovered that magic is real. A modern wizard is a creative soul. Their power knows no bounds.

The ordinary turns into enchanting uniqueness. To make it happen, all you need is an idea. The fact that it's so ephemeral but mighty is hard to wrap your head around.

It's especially tough for conscientious, diligent, and organized folks to accept. They firmly believe that the super result is directly proportional to the labor expended.

Then, right before their eyes, a miracle unfolds. Colossal value emerges from nothing. When they ask, "How did you do it?" the creative person shrugs, "I don't know. It just struck me while I was showering."

One invests billions in innovation but ends up with a whimper. Another, without support and against all odds, creates not just a revolutionary product but a whole industry. Life constantly teaches us: "Always seek the main resource within people."

Once, humans feared fire and considered oil as dirt. But at some point, someone realized that a rock isn't just a rock; it's an axe or the tip of a throwing spear.

Many years have passed since then, and my belief in human ingenuity has only grown stronger. No matter how stuck an individual, a company, or a country is, create the right conditions for people, and a solution will emerge out of nowhere.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Dancing with the Unknown / January 5, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

Contrary to the advice of "marketing gurus," I don't have a content plan. When I sit at my desk in the morning, I usually have no idea what my story will be.

This uncertainty both scares and inspires me.

One fear - what if there are no ideas at all? Another - I'll write nonsense. It's also unpleasant if the meaning turns out to be valuable only to me.

The discomfort of uncertainty is redeemed by freedom. I can try to answer any intriguing question. Reflecting, choosing words, listening to myself - is there anything better?

Also, I never know where this process will lead me. It's a mini-exploration of familiar and new concepts. Like a gibbon jumping from branch to branch, I move from one hyperlink to another.

For example, yesterday I learned more about:

Synovial fluid
Aggregated state
Petting
Foreplay
Preface
Mustard seed
Troglodyte
Pithecanthropus
Australopithecus
Lao Tzu

Strange list, isn't it? That's the charm of engaging with novelty. It changes me for the better. And I can't predict how. No wonder, I value the time in my "R&D lab" so much.

And when you play with the flames of your creative fire?

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Body Wisdom / January 4, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

While recovering from an injury, I learned a lot about joints.

I got fascinated by synovial fluid. Usually, it hangs out deep in the cartilage layers. But when you put pressure on it, the fluid comes out through pores, doing the job of internal joint lubrication and shock absorber. So, even with a heavy load, the joint glides smoothly without wearing out.

Honestly, at the beginning of a workout, grabbing a kettlebell feels unpleasant. Your body creaks, hurts, and complains. But 20 minutes of warm-up seem to transform your ‘state of matter’, turning ice into liquid.

I once read that actor Jackie Chan spends a solid hour every morning stretching his body. Otherwise, he is not able to function like everyone else. Jackie is famous for doing all of his own stunts. He has accumulated all kinds of injuries during his long film career.

As we see, there’s a massive reserve inside our bodies. Thanks to it, we can endure and achieve things we never dreamed of.

But there’s a catch— the reserve isn’t available right away. It takes initial effort and time to open access. So if the goal is ambitious, discipline and patience are a must.

Warm-up, prelude, or buildup is always necessary:

Before hunting, primitive men pierced a petroglyph with a spear.
Modern entrepreneurs create MVPs.
Scientists test prototypes.
Artists make sketches.
Writers create drafts.

Conclusion: there’s more respect for that handful of dirt, from which, according to Lao Tzu, a nine-story tower eventually rises.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

When Time Has Come / January 3, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

One thought freed me from unnecessary worries and concerns. But first, I had to set all clients free.

How was it before? I met the founder and listened to his (or her) description of the problem. Usually, I had a hypothesis about the root cause and what might make sense to do.

The entrepreneur agreed to my conditions, eager to start, promising an answer soon. But then suddenly disappeared. I wondered, "Hmm, strange. The problem in his business is serious, and time is working against him. It seemed like he realized and was ready. What did I do wrong?"

It took time to hear the sobering voice: "Sasha, who are you to know if someone is ready or not?" The voice continued: "No, buddy, it's pride. Trying to control what's beyond your power. Maturing to change is a great mystery, no one knows it. Let him go. Everything has its time."

So, I became more willing to hand people the responsibility for their lives. Is your determination crystallized? Okay, let's get to work! Need more moments to ponder? Sure, don't rush, take your time.

Moreover, when I see doubts, I can dissuade the client. Why? Experience shows that wow results come only when we eagerly pursue the problem like two hounds.

And if I used to get upset about false starts, I'm now pleasantly surprised on a regular basis. After a month, a year, or even a couple of years, the founder or CEO suddenly writes to me: "That's it, now I'm ready."

I'm incredibly happy because we don't need to overcome resistance to what is. Now, we are united with great changes.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Don't Hurry to Throw in the Towel / January 2, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

I couldn't find the perfect workout towel. My criteria were compactness, quality, and face comfort.

“Amazon only has huge bath towels,” I told my wife. Marina shrugged, “At a tailor's, they'll cut it however you want.” I was amazed, “Of course! Why didn't I think of that myself?”

Then I realized that a tailor, as an option, wasn't in my experience. In our 28 years of marriage, I always got the thing ready after handing my fairy wife a "brief." Similarly, a novice will see a match differently than an experienced grappler. Where the first sees chaos, the second notes, "Here you can do a 'triangle,' here a 'kimura,' and so on."

My trivial case offers valuable insight. We more easily recognize new opportunities if they resemble those we've experienced in the past. Stress, by the way, worsens this ability.

In an extremely tough situation, it seems like there's no solution. Our usual methods either don't work or make things worse. But let someone shift our perspective, and we exclaim with joy: "Eureka!"

That's why it's crucial to broaden the range of experiences within your profession, sport, or hobby. An expert is someone who "has been there and done that."

But if you've been struggling with a problem for a long time without success, call in another person to spark the fire through friction. And if he knows how to ask the right questions, you'll be surprised at the possibilities where it seemed there were none at all.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Healing Emptiness / January 1, 2024 by Alexander Lyadov

For some folks, holidays, vacations, and downtime, in general, are a tough nut to crack. (Hi everyone, I'm Alexander, and count me among them).

No matter how hard they toil, new tasks are already breathing down their necks. In good times and bad, they have one excuse: "Not now!"

It is easy to admire and respect oneself for this attitude. Demanding parents, teachers and bosses love it too.

Unfortunately, one day the body says, "Stop!" or falls apart into pieces. In organizations, a crisis unfolds because one specialist carried the entire load. And if it's the founder or CEO, chaos instantly erupts.

What's the remedy? It's what they hate the most.

For the slacker, a "massage course" of discipline is recommended. The workaholic needs a series of injections of emptiness.

It's not about a one-year world tour on a yacht or a winter in a monastery. Simply set aside a day, an hour, or even fifteen minutes. This should become a regular personal ritual. One of my clients, a founder, named it "Silent Day."

The goal is to consciously do nothing. To be precise, eliminate the usual "To-do" list. Create space for what couldn't enter before. For instance:

Review family photo albums,
Read long-delayed non-business books,
Gather information about a mysteriously intriguing subject,
"Senseless" daydreaming: "What if I radically..." and so on.

"Leave a child alone with boredom, and each will engage in their talent zone," a therapist once told me.

The adult's task is to regularly return to their roots, recharging and renewing that part of themselves that's trying to become rigid.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Let's Surprise Ourselves! / December 31, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Starting June 4, 2020, I've been firing off this newsletter for the 1208th time.

Usually, I'm so pumped with inspiration that words just pop out. But sometimes, I stare at the blank screen for what feels like forever. Like when the thought hits me: maybe no one really needs this.

On one hand, I can't not write. Unspoken thoughts, like termites, chew away at my "foundation." But on the flip side, it loses meaning without readers. Any musician will tell you there's a difference—performing in front of a mirror versus a live crowd.

Because it's not just about catching deep meaning. It's about skillfully preparing it, setting the table, and savoring it with other enthusiasts. Sharing ideas, stories, or food is an ancient need.

Sure, we don't always know how people react to our words and deeds. But secretly, we believe they might be useful to someone too. It's like reconnecting with something much greater than ourselves.

Then, a letter comes and restores my harmony:

"Thanks, Sasha, for not stopping writing. Your letters are a little island of stability in this world of uncertainty and black swans that pop up here and there :)"

Maybe something similar is happening with you. You've been at your craft for a long time, diligently and passionately. But feedback is nowhere to be found, making you doubt. Be patient.

Those who truly value it notice your contribution. It's just that in the hustle and bustle of life, there's not always a chance to let you know.

By the way, I want to say thank you. You were there when darkness thickened and when dawn broke. There are still many challenges ahead, but together, we'll overcome them. We do not yet know our potential.

I wish you to be pleasantly surprised: 'Wow! It turns out I can do THIS!'

Happy New Year!

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Your Time Machine / December 30, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

"Get to your studies! The exam is just a month away," says the mother.

"A whole month! There's plenty of time!" protests the youngster.

Perception of time drastically changes with age. The younger the kid, the more they live in the present. What was and what might be rarely bother them.

As the years go by, the past and future gnaw at pieces of the present. One day, they devour all the space inside that exists.

Now, like a pendulum, man swings from the past to the future, back and forth. And only occasionally do they succeed in forgetting about them, dissolving into existence.

For instance:

during an extreme situation,
emotional intimacy,
challenging work,
physical activity,
engaging game,
creativity,
orgasm.

It's clear that the present loses ground for a reason. Analyzing the past and preparing for the future not only helps achieve goals but also survive in this unpredictable world.

Unfortunately, the defense mechanism often goes too far, and people begin to suffer from imagined guilt and unlikely fears. In such rocky soil, truly creative ideas don't grow.

Conclusion: a mature people need to master their "time machine." They should travel between the past, present, and future at their will, not getting stuck suddenly in any of them.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Free the Entrepreneur / December 29, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Vitally important to freely discuss what someone forbids. This holds true for society, companies, and each individual. Looking at the individual, it's easy to see why.

The prohibition could be shaped by family or personal experience. Perhaps it once helped someone save or succeed. In other words, the prohibition made perfect sense in those ancient times.

Since then, almost everything has changed: the environment, society, technologies, culture, and of course, the specific person. And what if the prohibition is no longer relevant? Then friction or even contradiction with the environment will inevitably arise. At its extreme, such conflict with life is incompatible.

Adaptation to change implies questioning any taboo. The goal is to preserve and update the useful aspects, letting go of the rot. This requires discussion, debate, dialogue.

What I value in psychotherapy is the opportunity to speak openly about absolutely everything. With each year of our work, mutual trust grew, and with it, the depth of my inner excavations.

I dragged certain experiences like kettlebells for several decades. Their label warned, 'Danger. This will kill you." But once I shared them with a therapist, I was shocked at how much energy was unleashed and how much easier life became.

Likewise, in business therapy, I help founders analyze their experiences and separate the wheat from the chaff. The freer the entrepreneur breathes, the faster the business grows.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Think Before You Grow / December 28, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Thanks to the team, an entrepreneur reaches sky-high heights. However, people can start posing a threat to the business.

It happens when the founder rushes to expand the team while the business model isn't fine-tuned. For example, the ideal customer portrait is still fuzzy, and the sales process isn't outlined.

An energetic new employee will try to prove their worth to themselves and everyone else. In their eyes, the first available customer X is desirable, as long as the deal is done without a loss. The thought that customer Y could have brought in profits ten times greater doesn't even cross their mind.

Quietly and gradually, the company starts accumulating customers it doesn't really need. Servicing them will require more employees in all departments.

Unfortunately, low profits with high turnovers raise risks. The business becomes fragile, cracking at any internal or external hiccup. The founder wonders, "Business for the sake of business. This is nonsense."

But the further it goes, the harder it is to change anything in the company. "Wrong" customers increase the share of "wrong" employees, and they, in turn, strengthen the "wrong" culture.

Of course, people are not to blame. No one explained to them the clear rules of the global game, so for survival and entertainment, they invent their own local games.

Some decisions impose greater responsibility on us. Hiring new people into the team is like buying a home rifle. You can't just leave it on the shelf. You must know how to manage this resource, understanding its danger, not just its benefit.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Domesticate Fire / December 27, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

One of the biggest questions in business and life is:

"What's the potential damage?"

Its benefit skyrockets when facing something new.

Imagine stumbling upon fire a million years ago. If you're not just curious but also cautious, playing with this "beast" won't kill you. Well, maybe you'll burn your hands or singe your eyebrows.

But in return for your experiments, you'll be rewarded beyond measure. Now, predators don't scare you, food tastes better and is easier to digest, and children grow up in warmth.

The point is, novelty always has a two-sided nature. As your reward, the numerator is a blessing, and the denominator is harm, the inevitable price. If you limit the denominator, that fraction will enrich you. Why? The numerator can reach as high as the sky.

Unfortunately, sometimes we misread such fractions. We either undervalue the prize or get scared of an imaginary price. As a result, a unique opportunity slips by.

But if we honestly answered the aforementioned question, we'd find that real risks are manageable, and the consequences are okay.

By the way, this explains why some people are discouraged, saying 'There are no opportunities,' while others exclaim, 'Opportunities are everywhere!'

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Winning the Unseen Battle / December 26, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Incrediblehistory, Soba noodles deliveryman in Tokio, Japan, 1935.

"Invisible Jiu-Jitsu" may sound mystical, like something out of an old Hong Kong action flick. But in reality, it's all about savvy strategies and techniques that a newbie won't notice or appreciate.

Take it from the champion's coach, John Danaher: "The basis of guard position will always be your ability to off balance your opponent. Learn to constantly threaten your opponents balance first and then attack second."

Now, flip that advice on yourself. Your opponent (competitor, foe) is also hunting for effective strategies. Before they strike, they'll try to:

rob you of peace of mind,
shake your foundation,
disrupt your habits,
throw you off etc.

So, your top priority is maintaining inner balance. Once that wavers, you drop everything and patch up the vulnerability. Without balance, even our finest initiatives are doomed.

An outsider won't even notice when you wobbled and risked losing it all. Then, you pull yourself together and regain strength.

Likewise, spectators will wonder why your mighty and menacing enemy suddenly collapses, like a house of cards.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

About me:
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.

Look for Lever / December 25, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

"Give me more resources, and I'll solve this problem."

If your top managers talk like this, things are screwed up. It means they're desperate and don't get the real problem. Most likely, after blowing through another million in six months, managers will just throw up their hands.

Sure, with endless time, money, and people, someday there's a chance to solve everything. But the market won't passively wait for you. Diverting resources will breed other, more dangerous problems.

"There are no solutions. There are only trade-offs," bluntly said Thomas Sowell, an American economist and social philosopher. In other words, everything has a price, and it's good to know and accept it beforehand.

Complaints about a lack of resources are just admitting there's no Big Idea. Back in my advertising days, that's what we called a bright, creative idea that shook up the market with bitty ad spend.

But the skill of finding non-trivial solutions is valuable for top managers too. That's how they ensure high returns for shareholders. And that's why they're worth their weight in gold.

Today in business therapy, my job is to help CEOs find the Lever. It's still the Big Idea, but in a broader context. Ideally, the CEO realizes, "I already have everything I need! And by concentrating efforts on point X, the effect will be 100x for every cent."

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.

”Who are you and what do you do?"
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"I have an important business decision to make. Can you help me?
Reserve a time on my calendar that is convenient for you to meet with me. We'll clarify your request and discuss options for how you can help.

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CEO Secret: Keep Everyone in Sync / December 24, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Let's say shareholders are unhappy with your performance as a CEO.

By trial and error, they can make a replacement N times.

One day, all the stars may align and the company will leap forward.

But there's a risk that competitors will own the market by then.

And what if the problem isn't with the CEO at all?

To double-check that, just ask one question:

"How often does the board mention the company's value?"

If the answer is "Very rarely" or "Never," a lot becomes clear.

Can you become a hockey champion without counting goals?

Speed measurements and successful pass counts are important, but secondary.

Yes, sometimes debt repayment or Q4 profits are a top priority.

But you don't start a business just to survive; you start it to grow.

Are customers getting more value? Okay, the value of the company is growing.

According to Drucker, "What gets measured gets managed."

But if you don't do this, a host of problems arises:

Team conflicts,
Hiring difficulties,
Customer complaints,
Decreased CEO motivation,
Low return on invested capital,
Profit margin reduction, and so on.

To unite their efforts, shareholders and CEOs need a "polar star".

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.

”Who are you and what do you do?"
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.

Book a free call

Dissolving Into Life / December 23, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Do you feel anxious about the future or regretful about the past?

Personally, I do, and quite often. Like a spoon of tar, they poison the honey of my life. But there are moments when the bad thoughts evaporate, like smoke.

For instance, when I:

Write a new article,
Open up to a therapist,
Immerse myself in an ice bath,
Listen to a fascinating interview,
Practice techniques with a partner,
Help a client find a solution to a tough problem, and so on.

In those moments, I'm like a handful of table salt NaCl. If you throw salt into a glass of water, what happens? It disappears, but at the same time, it remains itself. Instead of solid crystals, there's a uniform solution.

That's how I dissolve into the task (activity, environment) that is greater than me. Even if it takes an extra effort, I feel good. Instead of regrets and worries, I feel:

Determination, even a bit of audacity,
Openness to novelty,
Energy to create,
Serenity,
Meaning, and so on.

It is as if there's no past or future here, so there's nothing to worry about. 'As if' because the most valuable from everything ever experienced is used in this moment. And paradoxically, such "dissolving" activity is the optimal care for the impending day.

Dissolve into Life – is a clearer hint needed on what must change?

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.

”Who are you and what do you do?"
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.

Book a free call

The Signal of (In)Sanity / December 22, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Humanity is just starting to grasp the impact of its actions.

Take, for instance, social media and the internet.

The fabric of society held up for 300 thousand years, and now it's tearing at the seams.

Why?

In relationships, the Noise : Signal ratio is changing fast.

According to stats, 13% of the world's population – around 971 million people – deal with some mental disorder.

Today, many of them got hold of a super-powered microphone.

If they've got free time and are fixated on an idea, they team up and passionately broadcast their nonsense to the whole world.

In a small community, it was clear who not to listen to. But now, we're increasingly communicating remotely, sometimes with strangers and often with unknown folks. It's tough to figure out who's who.

Plus, you're in a vulnerable spot from the get-go. Writer Charles Bukowski noted, "The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts. While the stupid ones are full of confidence.”

Even worse, by the age of 75, half the world's population will go through a mental health disorder. And, yeah, you and I aren't immune to that risk.

So, what's the takeaway?

Be even more selective about who speaks on the bullhorn.
Seek, shape, and cherish a circle of sensible people.
Ignore most comments on the social web.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.

”Who are you and what do you do?"
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.

Book a free call

The Burden of Money / December 21, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Only a very naive person would envy the rich. If he studied their lives up close, he'd cross himself: 'I am OK.'

Twenty years ago, I was invited into an industry I knew little about. It was wealth management for High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs). I quickly recalled the Chicago Business School courses on investments, finance, and macroeconomics.

But beyond the actual strategies of preserving and multiplying money, I immersed myself in a parallel world where my clients:
- strolled through the pavilions of the Venice Biennale.
- acquired luxury items from the Rob Report list.
- collected contemporary art.
- enjoyed winter rides in Courchevel and summers in Forte dei Marmi, etc.

As a result, I observed firsthand the lives of wealthy families and became intimately acquainted with individuals whose accomplishments were regularly featured in Forbes.

Undoubtedly, the aesthetics of wealth please the eye—the sparkle of Graff diamonds, the purr of a Bentley engine, and the tickle of Dom Perignon bubbles. Like a Chinese screen, they hide the gloomy side of existence.

Alas, suffering remains suffering, even if you throw a Louis Vuitton scarf on top of it. Betrayals, illnesses, and tragedies are experienced by all people equally, regardless of the size of their bank account.

Yes, money lubricates the resolution of many problems. But it cannot bring back a husband's love, reform a spoiled child, or fill the void inside. But there's more.

By adding freedom in one place, money steals from you in another. For example, you must strive to protect your assets from damage, rust, and theft. And it is much harder to believe in the sincerity of other people. Because in the eyes of many, you are the most desired prey, opportunity, and jackpot.

Money is a lever. And vast amounts of money are a massive lever. Special skills are required, like steering a ship. That's why, for instance, heirs usually lose both money and themselves.

My business partner used to say, 'Money is not a privilege but a burden.' It doesn't mean one should refrain from earning money. A larger margin of safety would not hurt in an increasingly chaotic world.

Let's just avoid the illusion that affluence will pave the way to paradise.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.

”Who are you and what do you do?"
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.

Book a free call

Prepare for Surprise / December 20, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

I remember the times when money poured in like from a cornucopia.

But other times I had no money and no idea where to find them.

In both cases, I was convinced that this state would last forever.

This meant that things could only go:
- better and better in the first case or
- worse and worse in the second.

Of course, I was absolutely wrong.

Each time, life surprised me in a clever way.

Just when I was enjoying life and crafting even more ambitious plans, a black swan would swoop in and topple my house of cards.

And in the darkest moments, when I was at the bottom, light would emerge out of nowhere, and the flapping of white wings could be heard.

The truth is that we are bad predictors of our own future (well, I certainly am).

And not because we lack data or have a low IQ. The problem lies in the proud mind, which is convinced that it has sufficiently understood the world outside and inside.

However, the external world is constantly changing, not only by itself but even by the fact that we observe it. Therefore, we are doomed to be regularly caught off guard.

We also know little about who we are and what we can do. So as long as we are alive, we will continue to surprise ourselves again and again.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.

”Who are you and what do you do?"
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.

Book a free call

Return on Effort / December 19, 2023 by Alexander Lyadov

Every day, there are two things I'm not eager to do.

It's the morning workout (jiu-jitsu, kettlebells, or mace) and the evening ice bath.

Yet, every time, I end up grateful that I overcame the barrier.

Moreover, even what I love doesn't just happen on its own.

For example, it takes some effort to start writing an article.

What do these examples have in common?

The reward comes later in exchange for making sacrifices now.

This is different from leisure, entertainment, and indulging in tasty things.

There, pleasure doesn't require tension and there is immediate reward.

And all would be fine if these pleasures didn't wear off quickly.

So, we're left with only working on either the numerator (reward) or the denominator (price).

Firstly, seek unique opportunities where modest efforts yield colossal results.

Secondly, choose tasks that personally mean a lot to you. Where others falter and give up, some force will pull you forward.

Thirdly, engage in what you are naturally inclined towards. Then, what may seem like torture to others will be manageable work for you.

Sincerely yours,

-Alexander

You can help Ukraine defend itself and the World from Russian aggression here.

”Who are you and what do you do?"
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.

Book a free call