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The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Depression and
ADHDHyper Mind Project
Arnobio Morelix | @arnobiomorelix | [email protected]
Colin Tomkins-Bergh |@ColinT_B | [email protected]
Workshop at SXSW InteractiveAustin, TX 2016
© 2016 Arnobio Morelix and Colin Tomkins-Bergh
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4 Reasons to Attend this Session | Goals for Today(even if you don’t have a mental health condition or are not an entrepreneur)
1. Normalize. Help de-stigmatize mental health conditions in entrepreneurship• If you are an entrepreneur, it is normal not be “normal”
2. Understand. How mental health affects entrepreneurs.• Decode the entrepreneurial brain
3. Change. Learn tools and strategies to deal with mental health disorders and psychological issues• Your brain is not a magical land only accessible to psychiatrists and drugs
4. Enjoy. Have fun – today and onwards
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AgendaA) normalize
1. Entrepreneurship’s Strangest Secret • Research and Background
2. Disney Glasses and the Myth of the Super-Founder• Breaking stigma
B) understand3. Power of Vulnerability
• Group exercise and conversation4. The Double-Edged Sword and the Entrepreneurial Rollercoaster
• How entrepreneurship affects mental health
C) change5. ADHD and Depression – Background and Strategies
• Peer-to-peer exercise6. The Entrepreneur’s Mental Health Toolkit
• tools7. Q&A, The Road Ahead and Conclusion
D) enjoy
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If you had a mental health condition, would you not be comfortable talking about it here?Show of hands
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What are your goals for the session? What do you want to get out of it?white boarding
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Two Guidelines for Today• Open Forum
• Chatham House Rule Applies• You can talk about was said, but never who said it without their explicit consent• “participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor
that of any other participant, may be revealed”• This is so all of us can feel comfortable here today sharing whatever you’d like
• Open, ongoing Q&A and discussion
• Choose Your Own Adventure• There is no “one size fits all”• “Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own.”
• Bruce Lee quote• There is no “one size fits all”
• This is drawn from our research and our own personal experiences.• We speak with as fellow entrepreneurs and patients, not medical professionals
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Why This and Why Now1. Long-running anecdotal evidence, now backed up by research
2. Discussed “hush hush” in certain forums• put people also open up (e.g., when sharing in conference, panels)
3. Personal experiences with mental health
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Who We Are – The Hyper Mind Project• www.hypermind.org
• We are fellow entrepreneurs and patients – not medical professionals• Arnobio Morelix
• Social entrepreneur and entrepreneurship researcher at day job, a multi-billion dollar foundation• Colin Tomkins-Bergh
• Entrepreneur on natural food startup and entrepreneurship researcher a multi-billion dollar foundation• Special panelist – Dave Parker
• A passion project to understand the entrepreneurial brain and create tools to help entrepreneurs
• Acknowledgments• Therapist Catherine Morelix, LMSW [1] (co-author on this)• Dr. Michael Freeman, psychiatrist (review and feedback)
[1] Licensed Master Social Worker. Previous version of slide had an error here
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Research Background – Our Work in the Past Year• 100+ review of books, scholarly articles
1. Brad Feld, Foundry Group2. Norris Krueger, Entrepreneur and
Researcher 3. Kristen Webber, Ascendo4. Micah Baldwin, Graphic.ly5. Mark Woeppel, Pinnacle Strategies 6. Andy Sparks, Mattermark
7. Ben Huh, Cheezburger
8. Corey Miller, Ithemes9. Rand Fishkin, Moz10. Chris Meyers, BodeTree11. Kit Hughes, Look-Listen12. Catherine Morelix, Therapist13. Michael Freeman, psychiatrist, psychologist,
former CEO
• 13 interviews with high-profile entrepreneurs and mental health expertsHigh-growth entrepreneurs (Inc. 500), VCs, high exits, mental health experts
• Project in expansion: more interviews, review of hundreds more books and articles
• We will love to get your feedback
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What Steve Jobs, Brad Feld and Sir Richard Branson have in common with 49% of entrepreneurs?Entrepreneurship’s Strangest Secret | The Intimate Link Between Mental Health and Entrepreneurship
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Entrepreneurship’s Strangest Secretthe intimate link between mental health and entrepreneurship
• What Steve Jobs, Brad Feld and Sir Richard Branson have in common with 49% of entrepreneurs?
• There is an obvious answer: they all started new ventures
• But there is also a more surprising one: They all have lifetime mental health conditions
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Entrepreneurship’s Strangest Secretthe intimate link between mental health and entrepreneurship
• Well-recognized anecdotal evidence• Sir Richard Branson
• dyslexia and reputed ADHD• Steve Jobs
• described by one his biographers as obsessive and likely bipolar• David Needleman, founder of Jet Blue
• attributes some of his successes and failures to ADHD• Brad Feld, entrepreneur and investor
• obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression
• High-profile founder suicides• Austen Heinz, CEO of Cambrian Genomics• Aaron Swartz, Reddit• Jody Sherman, Ovik Banerjee, and Matt Berman from the Downtown Vegas Project.
• Bipolar disorder as the “CEO’s disease”
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3 Facts About Mental Health and Entrepreneurshipa look at the research and data
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1) 49 % of entrepreneurs have a mental health condition
• Survey by researchers at University of California and Stanford• Moreover, entrepreneurs are
• 6x more likely to have ADHD• 2x depression• 3x substance abuse• 10x bipolar condition
• Survey methodsentrepreneurs definition =business founders or co-founderswith or without employeesincluding non-profit foundersSample sizesentreps n = 242comparison n = 93
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2) Kids with ADHD are 4x more likely to be entrepreneurs as adults than non-ADHD kids• 16-year study with almost one hundred children with ADHD• Children with ADHD 4x more likely to be entrepreneur as adult than non-ADHD children
Children with ADHD Children Without ADHD0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
16%
18%
20% 19%
5%
Business Owners as Adults (%)
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3) Adults with bipolar disorder are 33% more likely to be entrepreneurs than the general population• Study with over 2.4 million adults in Denmark
• Researchers from Stanford and Aalborg University
• Bipolar adults were 33% more likely to own an incorporated business than general population
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3 Facts About Mental Health and Entrepreneurshipa look at the research and data
1. 49 % of entrepreneurs have a mental health condition
2. Kids with ADHD are 4x more likely to be entrepreneurs as adults than non-ADHD kids
3. Adults with bipolar disorder are 33% more likely to be entrepreneurs than the general population
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Entrepreneurship’s Strangest Secretthe intimate link between mental health and entrepreneurship
• Long-running anecdotal evidence, now supported by the data and research
• Two reasons why we think of it as entrepreneurship’s strangest secret1. In certain circles, this is no secret at all
• Rarely discussed in mainstream media• However, a small but growing topic of discussion in certain entrepreneurship forums – especially in relationship to
depression
2. It makes intuitive sense, especially if you are an entrepreneur and/or have a mental health condition.• A lot of the puzzling behaviors of entrepreneurs make sense through mental health lens (e.g., failure rates, lower earnings)• We have long accepted that the mental processes for artists are different than those for most other people
• Long research history on that spanning across decades
• It is time we talk about it in a more open forum.
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Meet Dick• High school dropout
• Two times in jail
• Often flirts with death
• Got close to dying more than once on his high-risk "dares“
Meet Richard• Extremely successful entrepreneur
• Prominent philanthropist
• Builds world-changing companies
• …and schools in Africa and the Caribbean
• Has a program to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs in the developing world
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The Founder’s Paradox• As you probably guessed, Dick and Richard are the same person:
• Sir Richard Branson
• Yet, we look at these two very contrasting patterns of behaviordestructive and constructive -- and it puzzles us. How can this be?
• Far from limited to very “famous” entrepreneurs• Micah Baldwin
• Super-founder• Medical entrepreneur in Brazil
• From “male prostitute” to family hero• Kit Hughes
• From struggling artist to CEO of Look-Listen• Khalid Hakim,
• Struggling young professional living on mom’s couch to turnaround CEO and executive coach
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The Founder’s Paradox
Source: Zero to One (Thiel, 2014)
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“Of the six people who started PayPal, four had built bombs in high school.”“The Founder’s Paradox,” by Peter Thiel on his Zero to One book (2014).
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Implications of the Founder’s ParadoxDisney Glasses and Myth of the Super-Founder
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Disney Glassesoutside looking in• It is very hard for popular culture and media to make sense of these people who
are very gray, rather than black and white
• Binary treatment: Heroes or Villains, never both
• The truth: not black and white, but gray characters• If Steve Jobs was not the harsh boss and leader that he was, and dedicated to his
company at the expense of his family on the way that he did, I’m not sure we’d the iPhone and iPad on the same way that we have
• Richard Branson’s “screw it let’s do it” attitude is behind both his building of Virgin into a multi-billion dollar empire as well as his jailing for tax evasion
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Disney Glasses in Action
• The Microsoft File: The Secret Case Against Bill Gates• “…portrays Microsoft as a
scheming, double-crossing predator out to stomp its opposition into submission.”
• “Why Bill Gates is a true hero”
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The Myth of the Super-Founderinside looking out
• Media and society looks at entrepreneurs through Disney Glasses
• …but founders are part to blame of the myth-building
• Myth building by founders• Exaggerate natural uniqueness and abilities• Good for business, because it can attract
• employees• investors• media attention• Customers, suppliers, etc.
• Interviewee Micah Baldwin from Amazon talks about founders playing the role of superman and superwoman
• Takes many forms, but eccentric super-founder can be a helpful stereotype for entrepreneurs• “computer whiz,” “mad genius,” “creative artist,” etc.
Source: Zero to One (Thiel, 2014)
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The Result of the Super-Founder Myth and Disney Glasses• It works really well. Until it doesn’t.
• Until company turns south and or the media starts to corner• Elizabeth Holmes, Theranos
• Inevitably founders become cornered. Because if you are a hero, you can’t show weakness, you can’t show vulnerability and you can’t fail.
• It can cost not only a founder’s image or company, but also his/her sanity
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Breaking the Myth of the Super-Founderthe Power of Opening Up
• Really tough to change. Changing how society views this requires nothing short of a revolution on how entrepreneurship is talked about and how stories are told.
• What we can do: • Opening up and letting go of the cape a little bit• Creating open, safe forums –for opening up with fellow entrepreneurs,
friends, family, and teams
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Normalizing Stigma• Entrepreneurs opening up• Brad Feld• Jerry Colona• Marcus Lemonis• Rand Fishkin• Tim Ferris
• Power of Opening Up
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Power of Opening Up“The response was incredible. I got so much from the talk itself – lots of people just got up and shared their story to the whole group during Q and A. I’ve received so many thankful messages from others who have gone on to seek professional help after hearing my message.”
- Corey Miller, Ithemes“Being able to talk with people like Jerry – who have dealt with depression for years has really helped.” - Khalid Halim, Reboot.io
“I found that the more that you share your struggles and solutions – your story – the more that you become self aware and the more that people want to come and work, engage with you.”- Chris Meyer, Bode Tree
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The Power of Opening Up
•“The way that we start erasing the stigma is by helping the people suffering in silence – the ones who aren’t able to seek and find help.”• Corey Miller, Ithemes
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Discussion Exercise1. Who here has a personal story of psychological struggles with or
without any mental health condition? Raise of hands
2. Keep your hand up if you’re willing to share your story
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Change: what we can do about itYour brain is not some magical land, only accessible to psychiatrists and drugs
(quote inspired by Mr. MMM)
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A Complex Relationship -- OverviewMental Health Affects Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Affects Mental Health
1. The Entrepreneurial Rollercoaster• How it affects mental health• Business Triggers
2. Double-Edged Sword• Huge both for upside and downside
3. Top 5 Strategies for Change• Interviews with entrepreneurs and experts
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Entrepreneurial RollercoasterHow entrepreneurs describe it
Credits: Tim Ferriss
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Business Triggers Affect Mental Health• “Startups are a major stressor, and it can be a trigger for dormant
stuff that’s already there.” • Kimberly Knoll, therapist who works with Downtown Project Las Vegas
• “The challenge is to identify which way the correlation/causation runs. My depression started taking over and that hurt performance or The Company performance took a toll on my mental health. I believe its some of both.”• - Rand Fishkin, Moz
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The Double-Edged Swordthe Entrepreneurial Brain as both an asset and a liability
• Both an asset and a liability
• Study with over 2.4 million adults in Denmark
• Researchers from Stanford and Aalborg University
• Bipolar adults were 33% more likely to own an incorporated business than general population
• This study focus on bipolar condition, but we believe the findings we are about to share can be applicable really across a broad mental health spectrum
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The Double-Edged Swordthe Entrepreneurial Brain as both an asset and a liability
Downside• 43% less earnings on average• $50,000 v. $28,500
• 27% + likely to zero income
Upside• 33% + likely to be entrepreneur• Own incorporated business
• 8% + likely top 10% income
• + likely to be executive at small and young firms (but not larger ones)
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The Double-Edged Sword – Maximizing Upsidethe Entrepreneurial Brain as both an asset and a liability
• With treatment
• Eliminated the wage penalty
• 13%+ likely to join top 10% of income
Source: Michael Freeman Interview, CNN
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5 Strategies for Changefrom interviews with entrepreneurs
1. Mindfulness• Journaling | Meditation | Apps (e.g., Headspace, Omvana)
2. Support network• Spouse, Friends, Family | Peer groups (e.g., Entrepreneur Organization) | Meet ups (e.g., Portland
Crappy Hour, Donut Weekly Meetup, Co-Founder Weekly Dinner)
3. Sane body, sane mind• Sleep hygiene | Healthy diet | Exercise
4. Coaching• CEO coaching (e.g., Reboot.io, Dr. Michael Freeman), Marriage counseling
5. Medical help• Therapy | Medication
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Understanding ADHD and DepressionAs fellow patients, NOT medical professionalsSelf-reporting
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Brief Description: Depression• Causes may include chemical imbalance in the brain or from stressful life events (including in business).
• Symptoms must last for at least two weeks.
• Symptoms• loss of interest or pleasure • significant weight change • diminished concentration • fatigue nearly every day • feelings of worthlessness • recurring thoughts of death
• Source: Therapist Aid
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Brief Description: ADHD/ADD• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Also commonly known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
• Neurodevelopmental disorder
• “Impairing levels of inattention, disorganization, and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity.”• Inattention and disorganization
• Inability to stay on task• Seeming not to listen
• Hyperactivity-impulsivity• Overactivity (mental and physical)• Fidgeting• Inability to wait• Intruding into other people’s activities
• Source: Therapist Aid
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Group Sharing Strategies• Show of hands, who is dealing with a problem related to a psychological issue?
• Keep your hands up if you would like to discuss potential solutions to your problem
• Please break into groups that have at least one person willing to share per group (4-6)
• 10 minutes
Breaking it down, and focusing on what we can do about it
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On Suicide• Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the US for all ages. (CDC)
• We are not medical professionals. If you are going through suicidal ideation – especially if you are creating a plan – please:• seek medical help
• therapist• doctor• psychiatrist
• Share with trusted family member or friend
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If you are having suicidal thoughts• What to do:• “Don't drink or do drugs. Doing so will impair your judgment and worsen
feelings of depression and hopelessness.• Reach out to a friend, family, or doctor. A true friend will want you to be
healthy• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline if you don’t know where to turn. The 800
number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).• Call 911 if you feel you're in an emergency situation.”
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HALT•HALT reminds us that when we are Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired, we do not feel well and are not good at decision making.
•Luckily, you can usually fix these• Hunger• Anger • Loneliness• Tiredness
• Suggested by therapist Catherine Morelix
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The Entrepreneur’s Mental Health ToolkitMy top 3 favorites for managing ADHD and DepressionWe talked about very helpful strategies. Here are some specific tools you can use
1. 2-Year Gratitude Gap
2. Zen Log Book
3. Momentum Calendar
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Future Gap and the Ambition Treadmill• A simple idea that explains so much of our frustration, especially
among entrepreneurs
• The Future Gap• The vision of what you want to be and build• It work well to set the vision. But it can be burdensome, disheartening –
because we look at ourselves today and know that we are not there
• Inspired on concept by Dan Sullivan and Vishen Lakhiani
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Future Gap and the Ambition Treadmill• By itself, the ambition is not a problem
• It becomes one, though, when we postpone our happiness because of it
• I’m gonna celebrate it when…• “I make it big”• “I sign on that big customer”• “I raise the next round of funding
• Ambition treadmill: there is no finish line, because you’re always adding a new goal
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2-Year Gratitude Gap• Solution is not to get rid of ambition, but recognize your progress in the past
• Recognizing progress and being grateful can never happen looking forward. Only backwards.
• Compare the Present You with your Reverse Gap, 2 years ago• Where were you two years ago? How did your life look like? Were you attending cool conferences like
this one? How were your relationships? Your company? You, personally? What did not know then that you do now?
• Life not always gets better, but this exercise focuses on the improvements
• Write it down
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Zen Log Book• Journaling and mindfulness practice
• Inspired on skydiving jump log
• Happiness is elusive and hard tochase. We need better defined“directions”
• Help you identify and track your:• Progress• Purpose• Pursuit
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The 3 Ps of Happiness• Progress
• Improving, learning, growing• Moving towards a goal
• Purpose• Why you do what you do
• Pursuit• 2-fold
• Enjoying the journey• Pursuing excitement and adventure
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Momentum Calendar• Jerry Seinfeld on becoming a master:
• Writing jokes every day (to become better comedian)• “After a few days you’ll have a chain. Just keep at it and the chain will grow longer every day. You’ll
like seeing that chain, especially when you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job is to not break the chain.”
• Once you build momentum, all you have to do is not break the chain. And add just one more X
• You may not want to write a joke every day. But maybe you want:• 3 goals (e.g., from Zen Log Book)• Daily mindfulness• 4 hours of focused work (what I use in my calendar)
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Access Entrepreneur’s Mental Health Toolkit• Tools previously just a preview. For more, access the Entrepreneur’s
Mental Health Toolkit
• Visit www.hypermind.org
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4 Takeaways and Insights1. If you are an entrepreneur, it is normal not to be “normal”
• Intimate connection between mental health and entrepreneurship• De-stigmatizing and cracking the myth of the super-founder
2. The entrepreneurial brain is a double-edged sword• Both an asset and a liability
3. The Entrepreneurial rollercoaster and how entrepreneurship affects mental health• Business triggers
4. You can do something about it• Your brain is not a magical land…
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Discussion and Q+A,
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Thank You! •www.hypermind.org
• [email protected]• @arnobiomorelix
• [email protected]• @ColinT_B
