I applied to The Inflection, found what environment I thrive in, and found hope business can be fun.

3 minute read time

Today’s issue: I applied to The Inflection, learned what environments I thrive in, and the founder who reminded me business doesn't have to suck.

I got sage advice a couple months ago “Work for a business that puts you in front of the people you want to serve.” and “Get a job while you figure out business.”

Only took as long and three different people for it to sink in.

So let’s talk about it.

What the last week and (a half-ish) looked like:

• Gave my resume a refresh using the F-format I learned on X (link at the bottom)

• Hated most jobs out there and then found The Inflection - who so happens to be co-founded by Sahil Bloom who I learned about from Aidan.

• Panicked over The Inflection video question and landed an interview.

• Had an interview where I could not answer basic questions about me or my work — but couldn’t shut up about project specifics. I know because she told me time was running out.

• I spent the next 24 hours convinced I failed the interview and felt like shit.

• Got an email that I moved on to the next stage of the interview with 2 exercises.

• 4 days of overthinking the exercises later, I submitted it the morning of the deadline.

• I have the next interview this Thursday.

Turns out all that panic boiled down to one problem:

The idea that getting a job while I figure out what I want to do business-wise made me a failure like I couldn’t hack it.

Why couldn’t my imagination be.. more magical and hopeful?!

Because here is what (my) reality and truth:

• “Quit your job and chase your dreams" didn’t work. I had no ideas and took the year to figure out I was pursuing all the WRONG things.

• Passion is important but only as far as picking a topic, people to service, and a problem to solve. And it’s only sometimes for two of them.

• Bills are paid with money and creating solutions under extreme pressure is a recipe for burnout.

  My friend basically smacked me upside the head with, "So, you gotta be homeless to figure this out?" Harsh, but true. Why wait for things to fall apart before making a move?

Speaking of moves, I was reading Please Unsubscribe (yes still) and found a passage that got me. Julio mentioned creating a personal mission, vision, and values the way businesses do. Now, before you roll your eyes, there was actually an aha moment hiding in there.

One simple questions: What is your mission, vision, and values?

This whole exercise helped me figure out the kind of people who give me energy, the brands I listen to, and the businesses I wouldn't mind throwing myself at (in a good way, of course).

Maybe that's why we settle for jobs and relationships that suck the life out of us – we have no idea where we thrive. Survival, guilt, ego – all play a part, but do they have to be permanent life choices?

Just a thought. But If you don’t know the answers to those questions for yourself, I highly recommend you try it. aHere's a peek at my personal values: candor, humor, and transparency.

I found all three values when I found, Lilli and Breezi.

• A newsletter promoting oversharing

• An app built from two of my favorite things: Pinterest and Notes

• A Discord channel where she personally welcomes you and engages — and in the app.

• Bi-weekly-ish Discord chats where her and the Breezi team talk about what’s happening while being humans without sales pitches.

• Her content online feels like shes texting even if it’s to all of X

From the outside it’s hope you can build a business solving a problem no need to rush and with people who energize you for people you’d want to help.

No rush here (yet), just finding the right problem and getting the financial ducks in a row. Optimistic.

I counted three questions, bt it’s 11pm and WAY past my bedtime. Hope this weeks newsletter helped — or at least helped some.

Either way, check out this funny thread on the resume. Even if you aren’t looking to get a job its hilarious and insane from a psychological angle.

The infamous X post that made my resume not suck.

Here’s a sneak peek of the end product. Funny enough I was living in a car for one of these roles and half for another.