Founder’s Dance with George Levin #15

Every year, I celebrate Thanksgiving with the family of my school friend Alex, who emigrated to the U.S. at 14. I moved here at 27, with no close friends in the country then. Alex’s family became my only connection to my past.

I’ve known Alex and his brother Mike since I was 9, and our friendship has stood the test of time.

Speaking of old friends, I want to share a simple way to stay connected. Friendships often grow from shared activities or environments, like school, college, or sports clubs. When those shared spaces disappear, friendships can fade, too.

To keep these connections alive, I schedule recurring calendar events with friends. Whether bi-weekly, monthly, or even quarterly, having it on the calendar keeps us disciplined. This works even for friends in other countries. Before each call, I reflect on what’s happened in my life and what I want to share. It’s a small but meaningful routine that adds rhythm to life.

Startup Hacks: Energy Efficiency for Uncertainty

Building something new and finding product-market fit is like solving an equation with too many unknowns. Startups are unpredictable, no matter how much you plan.

What sets successful founders apart is how they manage uncertainty. When handled well, uncertainty fuels progress and growth. When mismanaged, it leads to anxiety, burnout, and setbacks.

Navigating uncertainty feels like running a marathon, with the constant risk of being told to start over. The key to enduring is optimizing your life for energy efficiency. Here’s my three-part system.

Focus on what you can control. A Stoic principle is to focus only on what’s within your control. For instance, NFL coaches teach players to prioritize accuracy and conditioning over worrying about wins and losses. When faced with a challenge, ask:

“Can I influence this?” If yes, act. If not, let it go.

As a founder, you can’t control how quickly you’ll find product-market fit or how much funding you’ll raise, but you can control your habits, team interactions, and response to setbacks.

Eliminate energy drains. Startups require years to achieve product-market fit and even longer to scale. Identify energy-draining habits—like overcommitting or shame—and try to remove them. Even small steps can have a big impact.

Prioritize mental health. Founders set the tone for their teams. Issues like mistrust or poor communication can spread, damaging morale.

After 12 years in startups, I’ve learned most success stories involve pivots and iterations, with unexpected market shifts playing a role. The key is staying alive long enough for these shifts to work in your favor. Startups fail when founders run out of energy. Simply put, founder energy equals startup success.

Product Spotlight: vidIQ – The Semrush for YouTube Creators

This week’s spotlight is on vidIQ, an incredible tool for YouTube creators. It’s like Semrush, but for YouTube, it helps you find the best keywords, identify trending topics tailored to your channel, and compare performance with competitors.

One standout feature is analyzing competitors’ comment sections to discover what audiences discuss and the questions they ask so you can create videos that directly address their interests.

I’m fascinated by how YouTube creators are transforming the content landscape, becoming closer to Netflix in quality. VC funds are investing in creators, and teams of 30+ people are now standard for large channels, each focused on different aspects of production.

I dream of reactivating my YouTube channel one day. I believe founder-led marketing is the best approach for startups. But producing great video content alone isn’t efficient—you need a team and great tools. Essentially, a YouTube channel is like a startup in itself.

Culture Corner: How to Stop Procrastinating

One of the first people who influenced my content journey was Mark Manson. Years ago, I discovered his blog and a post titled How to Stop Procrastinating. It introduced an interesting idea: procrastination often stems from the labels we assign ourselves.

We love labels: “Successful Founder,” “Efficient Employee,” “Athletic Person.” Each label comes with expectations:

• A “Successful Founder” works 12-hour days and is always confident.

• An “Efficient Employee” finishes tasks immediately.

• An “Athletic Person” never skips the gym.

These labels create pressure. A child avoids studying because they see themselves as a “rebel.” A writer delays their book, fearing it won’t make them a “popular author.”

Living up to labels turns simple tasks into identity tests. Writing a report becomes a test of being “efficient.” A workout becomes proof of being “athletic.” This pressure creates anxiety and leads to procrastination.

To break free, let go of labels. Without them, taking action becomes simpler. Instead of striving to be “a great founder,” just set a timer for 30 minutes and work on your current task. Then rest and repeat. The goal is steady progress—not becoming someone else.

Speak soon,

George

December 1, 2024. Brooklyn Heights.

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