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1/ In the beginning the math was simple.
As a first time founder, I was going to exit with 8 or 9 figures, donate a few million to my school, college and university and change the world.
Later my 6,150 options as employee #53 were going to save the world once we got acquired.
As a first time founder, I was going to exit with 8 or 9 figures, donate a few million to my school, college and university and change the world.
Later my 6,150 options as employee #53 were going to save the world once we got acquired.
2/ The big exit didn't happen and the options expired worthless.
I did the round a few times and then settled for much smaller exits and payouts.
Sadly, there were no donations to my school, college or university.
Because once debts were paid, not much was left.
I did the round a few times and then settled for much smaller exits and payouts.
Sadly, there were no donations to my school, college or university.
Because once debts were paid, not much was left.
3/ While I was focused and driven by exits and writing checks, my saving grace, Plan B, was teaching.
When I look back and weigh the scales, it is 29 years as a technologist vs 25 years as a teacher.
Guess which one had more impact?
When I look back and weigh the scales, it is 29 years as a technologist vs 25 years as a teacher.
Guess which one had more impact?
4/ I didn't start as an adjunct because I wanted to save the world.
I started because a graduating batch in 1995 was stuck. Their software engineering instructor had been transferred to another country.
They were desperate. I volunteered to fill in temporarily.
I started because a graduating batch in 1995 was stuck. Their software engineering instructor had been transferred to another country.
They were desperate. I volunteered to fill in temporarily.
5/ It's not that technology companies I built and ran had no impact.
We built great products. I think we changed the way our teams thought about work, products and teams in our market.
But it was limited to the people who came and left through our doors. 150+ employees at max.
We built great products. I think we changed the way our teams thought about work, products and teams in our market.
But it was limited to the people who came and left through our doors. 150+ employees at max.
6/ Teaching was different.
20 to 50 students a year doesn't sound like much. But in 25 years it adds up. 500 - 750 souls.
Add the training circuit to the mix and it jumps to 2,750.
2,750 lives touched by your teaching style, your way of thinking, your outlook and work ethic.
20 to 50 students a year doesn't sound like much. But in 25 years it adds up. 500 - 750 souls.
Add the training circuit to the mix and it jumps to 2,750.
2,750 lives touched by your teaching style, your way of thinking, your outlook and work ethic.
7/ I spoke to another tech founder the other day chasing the same dream of writing big checks.
He said, I have a responsibility to do this well. Touch million of lives. Drive impact. Give back.
I told him.
Touch one. Start with that. It will add up.
Let that be your plan B.
He said, I have a responsibility to do this well. Touch million of lives. Drive impact. Give back.
I told him.
Touch one. Start with that. It will add up.
Let that be your plan B.
7/ Maybe someday, I will write a check. But till that day comes, I will continue to teach.
Plan B hasn't done as well as Plan A, but its done something.
25 years of teaching. One life a year. 25 lives.
I will take that any day of the week. At least I have something to show.
Plan B hasn't done as well as Plan A, but its done something.
25 years of teaching. One life a year. 25 lives.
I will take that any day of the week. At least I have something to show.
8/ Million dollar checks are hard to write.
Getting to the point where you can, requires planets to align and the universe to come together. Not every one is that lucky.
While you are waiting for that to happen, focus on what you can do. Start with something simpler.
Getting to the point where you can, requires planets to align and the universe to come together. Not every one is that lucky.
While you are waiting for that to happen, focus on what you can do. Start with something simpler.
9/ Touch one life in your circle. Save one soul.
If you don't have time to teach, mentor, counsel, volunteer, help, open doors, support, chip in, hold a hand.
Have a Plan B. Start with one life. It will add up.
You can always write big checks later.
If you don't have time to teach, mentor, counsel, volunteer, help, open doors, support, chip in, hold a hand.
Have a Plan B. Start with one life. It will add up.
You can always write big checks later.
10/ On million dollar checks and plan B. #021Disrupt2020
@jehan_ara
@babushka99
@Atyab
@MunirUsman
@alinawab
@SaharHGhazi
@Sameerpeace
@jamilgoheer
@MaroofAliSyed
@TheNestiO
@jehan_ara
@babushka99
@Atyab
@MunirUsman
@alinawab
@SaharHGhazi
@Sameerpeace
@jamilgoheer
@MaroofAliSyed
@TheNestiO
