RadReads​ - The brutal truth about entrepreneurship

“Everyone’s got a plan until you get punched in the face.”

During the pandemic I turned to Lisa and said, “Babe, I think entrepreneurship is easy.”

Then I got punched in the face.

After crushing layoffs, economic uncertainty and seriously questioning if I wanted to stay in the game — I approach 2024 with a renewed vigor.

This week on The Examined Life Podcast, we ask:

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🎧 Or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.

My top 3 takeaways

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The myth of the online entrepreneur
​Aspiring creators think that all they need is a great product to succeed online. But they’re missing the one crucial skill that defines successful online entrepreneurs: marketing.

→ Watch the clip​
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Failure provides the groundwork for future growth
​Even in your hardest times, can you find the beauty that lets you to keep going? What happens if you embrace uncertainty versus trying to control the uncontrollable?

→ Watch the clip​
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Emotional freedom is true freedom
​Time freedom is great, but you’re still not truly at peace without the emotional and psychological freedom that comes from not caring about external metrics: like your net worth.

→ Watch the clip​

My favorite quote: What happens when a huge wave crashes on you?

Why this episode matters to me

2023 was one of my hardest years as an entrepreneur.

It started on a high of providing healthcare for a team of people who bet on me.

45 days later, I had to lay off half of them.

I was ashamed. I lost my confidence. I was groundless.

But it was by staying with the groundlessness that I found the path forward to becoming the multi-decade creator I’ve always wanted to be.

(For those counting, we’re approaching year 9.)

If you want to dig deeper

I had an in-depth conversation with Sarah Chappell about leaving money on the table. And make to sure check out my post about our $649,000 pivot and my podcast appearence with Jenny Blake where we discuss cutting losses and pivoting in public.

Love letters from our fans

"The binging is underway to catch up!"

August Bradley @AugustBradley @khemaridh @jonnym1ller This will be an epic conversation, saving it to my playlist now. I've been loving your new podcast, Khe. The binging is underway to catch up 📼 Khe Hy @khemaridh Forget infinite games. What's life beyond games? Wonderful convo with my fellow surf bud @jonnym1ller. (Wherever u get ur pods) https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1732532055727386842 7:11 PM • Dec 6, 2023 0 Retweets 4 Likes Read 1 replies

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Hope you enjoy the episode,

Khe

PS NYC friends, join us for a private event on 1/4 and meet other Examined Life listeners at a beautiful venue (with excellent cocktails).

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