So, the blog hasn’t seen a new post in a long time. I have a valid reason. I am working for a startup. This is the second startup I’m working for and I can safely put up this post.
Here are the things you have to forget when you’re working in a startup:
1. Ego: There’s no such thing as an ego in a startup. People will not recognize your company. The neighbor who shows off about the fortune 500 MNC he works for has won hands down! When you call people on behalf of your company, be prepared to the following reaction: ‘What?!?! What company is that?’ If you deal with college students (especially the snooty variety) be ready to be insulted, rejected and treated with malice. Sometimes people you’ve hired will act like your bosses and throw around attitude. Bear with it and don’t forget to flash that smile. You NEED them!
2. ‘Me’ time: The moment you signed the contract, you sold your soul. Your time is no more your time. You’ve got to bear with your phone tinkling at 2 am, you’ve got to answer it because the world might be coming to an end and you have to sound cordial if not chirpy.
3. Sleep: When you’re in your bed trying to dream of the hot eye-candy you’ve been noticing on a random hoarding on the way to work (that’s your only hope for bird watching!), you remember that you should have sent out another reminder for the upcoming deadline. You manage that with your fancy GPRS and then doze off. But no you must not sleep. When you’re not at work, you have to think about work. Panic attacks, nightmares about files lost and more will keep you away from your beauty sleep.
4. Social life: First up, there’s no time to dress up and all that. Secondly, if you’re working as hard as you are, you have to get some rest! Don’t forget that you’ve got to be at work mentally when you’re not there physically. And the rest of your day is for sleeping(refer to clause 3)
5. Pessimism: Even if you have a slim chance of completing the stuff by the stipulated deadline, you must truly believe that you will finish your work and do a stellar job. Remember, positive attitude can move mountains (so can begging, pleading and sticking to clause 1!)
6. Boredom: It’s hectic, it’s chaotic but you’ve got to love it. With so much to do you better love your job. You can’t survive the crazy chaos if you’ve not got the passion!
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