The Paradox of Faith and the Pursuit of Dreams

Seems like an apropo message for times like this: faith in the future while not burying or running from the truth of the current reality. (Hmmm, if all had gone according to plan, I would have been coming home later today from my "vacation".) Hell, it's a great reminder for all times frankly.

“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end – which you can never afford to lose – with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.” - Jim Stockdale

Jim Collins coined the term the Stockdale Paradox in his business classic, Good to Great. It's named after Admiral Jim Stockdale who was the highest ranking US military officer imprisoned in Vietnam. He was held in the “Hanoi Hilton” and repeatedly tortured over 8 years.

Joe Kraus, founder of Excite and now at the helm of his new venture JotSpot, in his blog continues:

Most startups are long on faith and short on reality.

Entrepreneurs are wired for optimism. But, in Stockdale’s story, it was the optimists who died. Don’t forget to balance optimism with fact and belief with reality. If that can get someone through 8 years of torture, it certainly can get anyone through a startup.

I'm trying to maintain my sense of humor - vitally important right now - and I had to smile at the thought that folks compare business, and specifically start-ups, to torture.

Comments

[Christopher Bailey]

We are truly creatures of paradox. Faith is the fuel that gets us through the rough times and keeps us humble in the good times. And they're right on that faith has to be counter-balanced by an awareness of reality. Yet, reality is always framed by personal interpretation and hope for what's next offers a brighter lens for viewing present circumstances.

Thanks for the reminder.

[Troy Worman]

Re. "...and I had to smile at the thought that folks compare business, and specifically start-ups, to torture."

I am continually amazed by my encounters with people who have the incredible ability to transform positive circumstances into a negative attitude. These are smart people, fortunate people, and even faithful people.