A VC: http://www.avc.com/a_vc/2009/01/thoughts-on-re.html
BerislavLopac
· 11 months ago
and Australia if you can call that Asia
No you can't...
vruz
· 11 months ago
welcome back :-)
Tony Bain
· 11 months ago
I think this becomes easier if you have a defined a set of core objectives for yourself (both professionally and personally). As cheesy as it sounds, after 8 straight years of working 80-100+ hours a week (don’t get me wrong, it brought me good reward) working out clearly what I was trying to achieve has helped me start to filter this down so I am spending more time on stuff that matters and much less time on stuff that doesn’t.
Also feeling really positive about 2009, happy new year all.
markjosephson
· 11 months ago
I met a few weeks ago with a successful entrepreneur and when I asked him for any advice, he said, among other things, "start saying no."
He said that it was incredibly liberating and gave focus to your team and those with whom you work. Saying no can be positive.
I've been trying to say no a lot more since, and so far so good. People and organizations seem very good at adding things to the list instead of removing them. Paraphrasing Jeff Jarvis, "do what you must do, and say no to the rest".
Steven Kane
· 11 months ago
If you have the luxury of being able to do so, do revise the schedule, and one way or another, definitely reduce the grind.
My wife says it best: "Life is not a dress rehearsal."
heri
· 11 months ago
re: Asia
you should definetely have a look at Asia, esp. South Korea, China, Japan, and South-East Asia
Asia is where the growth is, especially for the Internet. Did you know that 8 of the top 20 "most connected" countries are now in Asia. I wrote a blog post about this from collected stats http://blog.iweb.com/en/2008/12/the-exponential...
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
yes, i know that. i blogged about that too a while back. internet use in asia is going to soon be bigger than the rest of the world!
davemc500hats
· 11 months ago
fred i'm sure you have plenty of connections but if you ever have interest in visiting japan i'm happy to intro you to folks i've met over here... we've been visiting with my wife's family here pretty much every winter holiday, and i've met a bunch of smart geeks in the tokyo startup scene.
similarly, planning to do trips to India, China, S. Korea / SE Asia over next 4-5 years, especially once our kids get a little older (just 2 & 3.5 right now). hope to mirror your travels with family, only more pacific rim focus for us (since we're left coast & the kids are "hapa" that's only natural ;)
aarondelcohen
· 11 months ago
Fred, as someone who barely knows you but has been following your blog quite intensely for the past year or so, my gut tells me that saying no will be very hard for you. I also think you make a great contribution as an intellectual by having so much input to synthesize. Knowing what I know about venture capital, I bet there's work you could use analysts/associates to backfill on. This may not fit the USV blueprint or economic model, but I think if you and Brad are serious about investing in companies that really solve the world's problems, then your energy is wisely invested in hanging out with people.
Plus it keeps you young and with kids going off to college ....
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
i might have to couple later mornings with more evenings with entrepreneurs. that has not been something i've been willing to do with kids at home.
and i think i'll suggest andrew and eric start taking a lot more first meetings with entrepreneurs which i largely do myself now. it will be good for them, maybe not so good for entrepreneurs
publicspend
· 11 months ago
Fred - Thanks for this post and the positive note you end on. As one of those people starting a technology company and launching this year it is great to know that people like you feel this way. I feel good about 09 too. In fact I see the meltdown as an opportunity not a burden. It would have been easy for me to just go and get a job but building something from nothing, innovating and having the chance to kick the ball out the park is just too big a pull for me. My objective this year is simple - create a product that makes a difference and start making some money. I can't wait and am convinced I will do it!
DanBlank
· 11 months ago
Fred, I think that is a powerful and appropriate message for 2009: "saying no more often." When I look back at the reasons why our world is in such a mess right now, I think this could be the crux of it all. The person/business who didn't want to say no to building mortgage and lending crisis - that they would somehow stop the wheels of profits from spinning; to consumers who didn't want to say no to a new purchase, because it would mean they weren't good enough - validated enough - to afford what their coworker had; that people only see the upside, and never the downside.
Saying no is not negative - it is about choosing very carefully what to focus on to ensure that we create more that is positive. Saying no is taking a stand - it is being responsible - and it is doing the one thing that many have a hard time with: making a conscious choice.
Have a great evening. -Dan
timo
· 11 months ago
I think it's a great idea to start the day at 11am. Do it! :-)
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
To be clear, I start my day at 5am and show up at the office around 8:30am
I am thinking of starting at 7am and showing up at 10:30/11
timo
· 11 months ago
Okay. But still a great idea. :-)
Nik
· 11 months ago
I am not sure why but this blog post really resonated with me. Esp the paras 4 &5 about your kids, growing up, life and other things. I read this post half groggily at 5:30 AM (in India) on my WSJMobileReader.
Somehow, after reading this, it made me really think about being attentive and focusing on relationships with my wife/parents/family instead of thinking of my startup even when I am with them physically.
Something about your daughter going to college made me realize that lost time cannot be got back esp if we are always thinking about the future and tomorrow. The present is also important.
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
someone once told me that if you haven't "connected" with your kids by the time they are teenagers, you never will. that was a big time wakeup call for me. fortunately they were all sub 5 at the time.
Nik
· 11 months ago
Very valuable advise when I end up having kids.
Brian Requarth
· 11 months ago
Fred,
I came across your blog this morning and enjoyed reading your reflections about your travels. I am excited to hear you speak at Real Estate Connect in the session "Steering Your Business through a Downturn." Based on what I have read about you, you have been through a lot of ups and downs. Take care and welcome back home.
TimWalker
· 11 months ago
Glad you had such a rewarding trip, Fred.
One quick note from my perspective: you're not creating a "negative tone" when you talk about saying "No" more often. It's only by saying no to more of the ancillary stuff that we have the room in our lives (minds, budgets, etc.) to say an adamant "Yes" to the things that really matter to us.
More power to you as you say "No" more often!
MartinEdic
· 11 months ago
Fred, I'd add Viet Nam to your Asia list. Lots of very exciting stuff going on there including a massive investment in manufacturing infrastructure that is entirely new and state of the art. Plus there is that layer of French culture that still remains from colonial days. I'm definitely planning to get there this year. And I too start at 7 and get to the office around 10. It means I spend the busy commute time at my desk dealing with emails and then have a relaxing drive in to work. If today is any indicator, 2009 is going to be big for us. I started my day with over 20 requests for information! Amazing how the holiday ending recharges people!
NICCAI
· 11 months ago
You've got to look after number one - you. The rest always follows. We too often let our contributions to others define us - whether it is work or family.
Keenan
· 11 months ago
I would love to see an update Post on how saying "NO" works out. I have always struggled with that. To me, a "YES" is an opportunity. It is a door to the unknown opportunities for discovery, growth, opportunity, and more. A "NO" is just that a "NO"! Door closed! It is true, that many times, (most times) the door leads to a dead end. However, it is the optimist in me, that says the next "YES" could be the "YES" of all yes's that keeps me sayin' it.
Without a doubt, when I am just about to adopt the "NO" approach as you have oulined here, a last "YES" proves to be an unexpected gem I would have lost otherwise.
Keep us in the loop on this.
John Ball
· 11 months ago
Fred; I read you daily when you appear in my FeedDemon and follow you on Twitter. I don't always agree with you, but I admire your focus and timing.
Our oldest daughter started college this year, and like you, we allowed our headstrong and very focused daughter to work through the application process with little "guidance" from us. As a parent, you will understand what I mean when I say it was painful. I think one of should be writing about how to help new parents understand what will be required of their kids thinking about college in 3-7 years. We have 3 more to work along this route and by the time our youngest, now 7 "finds his way," it will be a very different world. The process was eye opening and a far cry from my college experience (University of Colorado and Wharton).
Our similarities don't end there. Our family had the pleasure of living in Europe for a few years and traveled extensively. Your experiences about scheduling and letting go hit home for me; but the benefit was drilled into my head and heart when my oldest daughter, then 13 and I were visiting the Uffizi gallery. She stopped to point out a painted wood mantel and reminded me that this was the 2nd piece of three distinct pieces and that we had seen the first piece the previous year at the National Gallery in London where we lived. In short, the global experiences are powerful and make for very interesting young adults.
I blathered on long enough, but I wanted to stop and say thank you for blogging/sharing and for helping your readers keep a positive view of what is possible in our industry and our country. Best wishes to you, your family, and the firm in the new year.
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
John
I loved this comment. You¹ve shared some of the same experiences my wife and I have had and I appreciate you letting me know.
Thanks
fred
scottfromshanghai
· 11 months ago
Let me know if you make it to Shanghai, happy to show you round.
Happy New Year!
RAM1
· 11 months ago
Yes, as a financier myself, I know the stress of year-end or yearround. Found that travel like yours is therpeutic but also everyday, as part of my workout regime, I spend time with thinking, planning and study time just for myself and my life. Then when stress or worldy obligations stuffle the muse, I spend some time "sitting for ideas". Just mindlessness which then brings on the inspiration and answers I need.
Just my thoughts.
jaymeydad
· 11 months ago
Fred,
Great post. I read it and imagined how in just a few more years my family will be able to go on long bonding trips. Right now the boys are too young but I can't wait to take my 3 boys to Stadio San Siro for the derby of Milan.
BTW, What is the Flickr to Twitter service you are using?
fredwilson
· 11 months ago
I use twittergram to post my flickr photos to twitter
Noticed you mention your first child heading off to college in 2009. I know the economic crisis is about so much over the past few years. But one notable thing that is also going on, starting this past fall: kids born in the 90s are entering university! I think that's pretty big!!!
All Comments
Also feeling really positive about 2009, happy new year all.
He said that it was incredibly liberating and gave focus to your team and those with whom you work. Saying no can be positive.
I've been trying to say no a lot more since, and so far so good. People and organizations seem very good at adding things to the list instead of removing them. Paraphrasing Jeff Jarvis, "do what you must do, and say no to the rest".
My wife says it best: "Life is not a dress rehearsal."
you should definetely have a look at Asia, esp. South Korea, China, Japan, and South-East Asia
Asia is where the growth is, especially for the Internet. Did you know that 8 of the top 20 "most connected" countries are now in Asia. I wrote a blog post about this from collected stats http://blog.iweb.com/en/2008/12/the-exponential...
similarly, planning to do trips to India, China, S. Korea / SE Asia over next 4-5 years, especially once our kids get a little older (just 2 & 3.5 right now). hope to mirror your travels with family, only more pacific rim focus for us (since we're left coast & the kids are "hapa" that's only natural ;)
Plus it keeps you young and with kids going off to college ....
and i think i'll suggest andrew and eric start taking a lot more first meetings with entrepreneurs which i largely do myself now. it will be good for them, maybe not so good for entrepreneurs
I think that is a powerful and appropriate message for 2009: "saying no more often." When I look back at the reasons why our world is in such a mess right now, I think this could be the crux of it all. The person/business who didn't want to say no to building mortgage and lending crisis - that they would somehow stop the wheels of profits from spinning; to consumers who didn't want to say no to a new purchase, because it would mean they weren't good enough - validated enough - to afford what their coworker had; that people only see the upside, and never the downside.
Saying no is not negative - it is about choosing very carefully what to focus on to ensure that we create more that is positive. Saying no is taking a stand - it is being responsible - and it is doing the one thing that many have a hard time with: making a conscious choice.
Have a great evening.
-Dan
I am thinking of starting at 7am and showing up at 10:30/11
Somehow, after reading this, it made me really think about being attentive and focusing on relationships with my wife/parents/family instead of thinking of my startup even when I am with them physically.
Something about your daughter going to college made me realize that lost time cannot be got back esp if we are always thinking about the future and tomorrow. The present is also important.
I came across your blog this morning and enjoyed reading your reflections about your travels. I am excited to hear you speak at Real Estate Connect in the session "Steering Your Business through a Downturn." Based on what I have read about you, you have been through a lot of ups and downs. Take care and welcome back home.
One quick note from my perspective: you're not creating a "negative tone" when you talk about saying "No" more often. It's only by saying no to more of the ancillary stuff that we have the room in our lives (minds, budgets, etc.) to say an adamant "Yes" to the things that really matter to us.
More power to you as you say "No" more often!
And I too start at 7 and get to the office around 10. It means I spend the busy commute time at my desk dealing with emails and then have a relaxing drive in to work.
If today is any indicator, 2009 is going to be big for us. I started my day with over 20 requests for information! Amazing how the holiday ending recharges people!
Without a doubt, when I am just about to adopt the "NO" approach as you have oulined here, a last "YES" proves to be an unexpected gem I would have lost otherwise.
Keep us in the loop on this.
Our oldest daughter started college this year, and like you, we allowed our headstrong and very focused daughter to work through the application process with little "guidance" from us. As a parent, you will understand what I mean when I say it was painful. I think one of should be writing about how to help new parents understand what will be required of their kids thinking about college in 3-7 years. We have 3 more to work along this route and by the time our youngest, now 7 "finds his way," it will be a very different world. The process was eye opening and a far cry from my college experience (University of Colorado and Wharton).
Our similarities don't end there. Our family had the pleasure of living in Europe for a few years and traveled extensively. Your experiences about scheduling and letting go hit home for me; but the benefit was drilled into my head and heart when my oldest daughter, then 13 and I were visiting the Uffizi gallery. She stopped to point out a painted wood mantel and reminded me that this was the 2nd piece of three distinct pieces and that we had seen the first piece the previous year at the National Gallery in London where we lived. In short, the global experiences are powerful and make for very interesting young adults.
I blathered on long enough, but I wanted to stop and say thank you for blogging/sharing and for helping your readers keep a positive view of what is possible in our industry and our country. Best wishes to you, your family, and the firm in the new year.
I loved this comment. You¹ve shared some of the same experiences my wife and
I have had and I appreciate you letting me know.
Thanks
fred
Happy New Year!
Just my thoughts.
Great post. I read it and imagined how in just a few more years my family will be able to go on long bonding trips. Right now the boys are too young but I can't wait to take my 3 boys to Stadio San Siro for the derby of Milan.
BTW, What is the Flickr to Twitter service you are using?
Here¹s the link to twittergram
http://flickr.twittergram.com/