E900 Justin Kan of Justin.tv, Twitch, Atrium: live-stream video pioneer, YC, failures & successes

Stoicism

Justin Kan's approach to life and business is deeply influenced by stoic philosophy and mindfulness practices. He emphasizes the power of negative visualization, a stoic technique, to appreciate life's abundance and adapt to any circumstance. Justin shares, "I think about, what are all the bad things that could happen to me? And then it's like, how would I react?" 1. This mindset helps him maintain focus and resilience, even when faced with the challenges of success and abundance.

   

Reflection

Journaling and personal reflection play a crucial role in Justin's mental well-being and personal growth. He uses a simple app to list daily gratitudes and affirmations, which has significantly increased his happiness. "After a week, I felt much happier because it recontextualized everything that was happening," Justin notes 2. This practice, along with transcendental meditation, helps him maintain a positive outlook and navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

   

Pressure Management

Managing stress and pressure is a constant challenge for Justin, especially in high-stakes environments like Atrium. He realized the importance of making his mindset independent of external circumstances to maintain stability. "I need to figure out how I deal with the external circumstances independently," he reflects 3. By focusing on diet, exercise, and gratitude journaling, Justin has developed strategies to cope with the relentless expectations and pressures of startup life.