Reid Hoffman

Because generally speaking, you need to be able to convert negatives into positives on the entrepreneurial journey. So it's like, look, that was really bad. And I learned from it.

Because generally speaking, you need to be able to convert negatives into positives on the entrepreneurial journey. So it's like, look, that was really bad. And I learned from it.

So part of the reason I wrote Startup Review was that the advice that universities frequently give is – You know, follow your passion. First, do the things that you're very passionate about. Oh, you want to go volunteer in Bhutan? Do it now, it tends to be. And it's terrible advice, right? That actually is the wrong end for the advice.

So part of the reason I wrote Startup Review was that the advice that universities frequently give is – You know, follow your passion. First, do the things that you're very passionate about. Oh, you want to go volunteer in Bhutan? Do it now, it tends to be. And it's terrible advice, right? That actually is the wrong end for the advice.

The right thing – and it doesn't mean don't follow your passion. But the right thing is to start with how do I get to a place where I have established myself and have like the ability to – like economically, the platform to move. It could be enough wealth to be – to no longer need a salary. That was my own personal goal. But it also could be the I'm well-known.

The right thing – and it doesn't mean don't follow your passion. But the right thing is to start with how do I get to a place where I have established myself and have like the ability to – like economically, the platform to move. It could be enough wealth to be – to no longer need a salary. That was my own personal goal. But it also could be the I'm well-known.

I have a network of contacts of people who would want to hire me and so forth. And now I'm going to go spend a year volunteering in Bhutan because I really want to do that. So the answer is go be vigorous about the thing that matters for your entire life early. And take the big risks. Yeah, take the big risk early. Now, you might say, I want to be a doctor. It's not a particular risk. It's fine.

I have a network of contacts of people who would want to hire me and so forth. And now I'm going to go spend a year volunteering in Bhutan because I really want to do that. So the answer is go be vigorous about the thing that matters for your entire life early. And take the big risks. Yeah, take the big risk early. Now, you might say, I want to be a doctor. It's not a particular risk. It's fine.

But then go to medical school. Establish yourself as a medical professional before you do that. So whatever thing that is the thing that you think gives you the platform for resilience in your later life, Go establish that now. And by the way, that's part of the thing of like wealthy. But wealthy, by the way, can be measured in I have a bank balance, right, or on stock equity portfolio.

But then go to medical school. Establish yourself as a medical professional before you do that. So whatever thing that is the thing that you think gives you the platform for resilience in your later life, Go establish that now. And by the way, that's part of the thing of like wealthy. But wealthy, by the way, can be measured in I have a bank balance, right, or on stock equity portfolio.

But wealthy can also be the I have a great network of people who want to work with me, who want to hire me, who value my talents, right? So this whole range for things. But go establish that. first. And that can be take big risk. By the way, some people say, I want to take as few big risks as possible in my whole life because that's who I am. Fine. But go establish yourself first.

But wealthy can also be the I have a great network of people who want to work with me, who want to hire me, who value my talents, right? So this whole range for things. But go establish that. first. And that can be take big risk. By the way, some people say, I want to take as few big risks as possible in my whole life because that's who I am. Fine. But go establish yourself first.

Now, if you're going to be an entrepreneur, you want to be an entrepreneur, then like, for example, it's like, okay, maybe you shouldn't start a business at 18, but maybe you should go join a startup. Start learning it. Start building the network. And it's roughly build the network is the broad thing.

Now, if you're going to be an entrepreneur, you want to be an entrepreneur, then like, for example, it's like, okay, maybe you shouldn't start a business at 18, but maybe you should go join a startup. Start learning it. Start building the network. And it's roughly build the network is the broad thing.

And by the way, build the skills and get – like frequently doing a startup is very difficult economically. Usually you start with no salary, et cetera. Like having some reserves is a good thing to have.

And by the way, build the skills and get – like frequently doing a startup is very difficult economically. Usually you start with no salary, et cetera. Like having some reserves is a good thing to have.

Well, network is hard to lose if you really authentically built it. Right? It can be lost, though. It can be. But it's very hard. It's kind of like a nuclear bomb kind of thing. I mean, it's like, look, you may, like, one particular person on you may have a real difference of opinion. You know, you may move and then get fired. And a lot of your network is that.

Well, network is hard to lose if you really authentically built it. Right? It can be lost, though. It can be. But it's very hard. It's kind of like a nuclear bomb kind of thing. I mean, it's like, look, you may, like, one particular person on you may have a real difference of opinion. You know, you may move and then get fired. And a lot of your network is that.

But by the way, even if you've gotten fired, if you've got a couple people at that company that you had good relationship with, they may still be part of your network.

But by the way, even if you've gotten fired, if you've got a couple people at that company that you had good relationship with, they may still be part of your network.