Ask HN: In a guide to inner work for founders and engs, what topics to cover? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: In a guide to inner work for founders and engs, what topics to cover?

7 pointscjbarber3 comments

Garry Tan had a nice video on twitter recently talking about how inner work is important for startup success.

Inner work being something like turning attention inward to surface the triggers and unprocessed emotions that drive your behavior so you can clear them and act with less inner friction and more integration, using things like meditation, coaching, and therapy.

I did my own inner work journey. Very helpful, top 3 life thing. I spent lots of money on different kinds of coaches over the years.

If I made a guide to all this what would you want to know?

I'm imagining that the focus of the guide would be a guide to inner work journeys, comparing different methods for processing emotions, things like Internal Family Systems parts work, different types of meditation, that kind of thing. Perhaps also methods for relationships too. I could give my review of all the different things I've tried plus what I'd do if I was starting again.

1) how to diagnose. do I need it? My mental state has been pretty good - relationships are great, kids pounce on my when I get home from work, overly motivated, etc. A lot of people who propose meditation come from a muddled default state to a clearer one. So it feels like someone shortsighted suggesting glasses to someone with good vision - most of the time nothing happens because we already spend our lives mindful.

2) how to treat

3) how to fit this into your schedule, esp. as a founder, mom, etc

inner work is way overlooked by founders and devs. we all grind on code and funding but ignore the mental stuff that burns us out.

a good guide would show how to spot when you need inner work, not just stress. teach simple ways to handle emotions, imposter syndrome, burnout, stuff that messes with focus and leadership.

also, quick practices for busy people, how inner work helps with team leading and deals. most think just “work harder” fixes it but really you gotta debug your brain first.

if you get this right, you dont just build a product, you build long term resilience.

>If I made a guide to all this what would you want to know?

>>> I wouldn't want to know anything about meditation, but everything about emotions at the behavioral level.

For example: How can I use anger to my advantage?

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