Gary Ong | March 15th, 2022

I had a conversation recently with a friend who is also a founder. His company is three years ahead of mine, and he called me at 9 pm one night just to check-in. I was working on a project submission, and I asked him why he called out of the blue.

“Well, it seemed like you have a lot going on of late, and I thought I would check in to make sure you’re okay.”

We talked, lamented over all the difficult things about having a startup: making payroll, keeping stakeholders happy, that feeling of always being behind despite working almost every waking hour every day. It was cathartic, and in the end he said this.

“You’re doing well Gary. I know no one tells you that because no one ever tells me that either. But, you need to hear it and you deserve to know.”

It’s lonely at the top. Often, no matter how hard you work or achieve, it never feels like it’s enough or that you’re doing well. So if you’re working really hard today, jumping from task to task just wishing for the day to end early, you need to hear this.

“You’re doing well. I know no one tells you. But you need to hear it and you deserve to know. You’re doing well.”

Image credit: Kyle Glenn