For most of our lives, many of us are driven by what are ultimately optics. I was mulling the other day, just how often optics align with what matters.
Examples...
-As I said goodnight to my daughter last night, I could sense she was stressed. I asked her why. She complained that she had been working on homework since 4PM. This is a kid that just wants to play her flute and read Harry Potter. Yet she knows her grades must be good, and therefore she must work hard in school. What are grades? They are optics that measure our accomplishment as students. That said, I think more flute time would be time better spent.
-When I was a senior in high school, I had a 3.8 GPA. When I graduated from college, I think my GPA was more like 2.4. Those optics wouldn't have gotten me into any kind of business school had I applied. Yet, I have been thru 2 IPOs, an acquisition, and have started 3 companies, all of which still exist. I like the way things turned out, despite my poor college grades.
-A friend of mine is trying to get a new job, but he doesn't have any notable, relevant wins on his resume. Not only is he trying to improve his career, but he's trying to jump into a new industry. I've always felt that the best of us reinvent ourselves every few years, but this guy can't seem to find his way from pharmaceuticals to web 2. Any company would be lucky to have him, but optics are missing.
-One side of my family were immigrants who struggled and succeeded their way to financial stability over time. But because of what they went thru, they're always hung up 'how much money' you make. Your income is an optic that tends to measure your success. Your house and car represent that too. For some reason, the more money you make, the more respect you get. Sounds superficial doesn't it?
-There are lots of facebook app developers out there. The simpler the app can be discerned by people, coupled with utility and popularity, the more likely people will use it. The optics are # of users and level of engagement. And then ultimately how big your valuation becomes, and finally the size of your exit.
-Once you have kids, the optics circle of life restarts, since your kids optics are a reflection of you.
-Then...finally, your optics are your golf handicap, your investment portfolio and your vacation homes, boats, etc.
Are optics everything to you?
Me, it's more about the drive.
Technorati Tags: optics, startups
