各位创业者，我请求你：当事情不太妙时，要寻求帮助

肖恩·珀西瓦尔（Sean Percival） | Myspace（曾经是最受欢迎的社交网站之一）前副总裁，儿童服饰创业企业Wittlebee的联合创始人
英文演讲独家翻译：笔记侠钟子涵深度好文：1758字 | 3分钟阅读

导读：亲爱的创业者，如果您正处于灵魂的黑暗期，您可以选择看完这篇文章，也可以选择在文章底部留言，乃至请您联络笔记侠，联络方式就在文章后面，我们愿意倾听您的烦恼，也请读者们一起：关心你身边的创业者吧，他们正在默默付出巨大的隐形代价！

全网完整版翻译首发

当我第一次（2015年）听到乔迪·舍曼（美国科技企业家）去世的消息时，我的心沉了下去，他已经过完了自己的生活。后来，这则消息成为了我最大的恐惧。

仅仅一周前，一个共同的朋友将乔迪和我重新连接在一起，我们曾经见过一次，又和他在另一个时间坐下来一起聊天。我们在公司之间做了一些合作，但没有什么重大的项目。现在回想起来，好像他可以在市场营销方面需要一些额外的帮助。我能理解，我知道以库存为基础的公司的跌宕起伏。

我不是很了解乔迪，但我很钦佩他，我很高兴帮助他。他需要在星期日的早些时候见面，而我周边的咖啡店还没有开。我们选择在我的办公室一角相见。我们相谈甚欢，一小时后他开车离开，回到拉斯维加斯。

我们分享战争的故事，我们也遭遇过类似的创伤，经营类似的企业，当然也有类似的胜利。很显然，在过去的这一年，我们谈论更多。最后，显而易见，我们可以使用对方的帮助，而且我们已经开始勾勒出一些想法。

那天，当我们走到我们各自的汽车处时，我们笑了，开玩笑说各种各样的东西。

他告诉我在拉斯维加斯发生的所有令人兴奋的事情，好比他开车开错了方向；

他也告诉我他未来的规划，让我觉得我好像刚刚赢得了一个新朋友和盟友。

我感到非常兴奋，立刻回家，并对我妻子夸奖他。

然而，即使乔迪是一个相当坦率的人，但不幸的是，我不知道他到底需要多少帮助。现在我正在努力地改善这方面的问题，我知道我不能改变过去，但这悲剧真得让我无比惋惜。我希望现在（有你们的支持）我们可以开启一个关于探讨创业者的压力和自杀倾向的开放式对话，是时候这样做了。

对于其他创始人，也请知道：

1）在今天，创始一个企业，并不是为了打破什么，而是为了使它不被打破；

2）我们总是会处于一个边缘状态：可以做成巨头，也可以一步之差就全盘皆输；

3）你的企业其实处于钟摆的最顶端，你并不能控制它该如何波动；

4）实际上，每一个创业者和创业公司都会遇到相似的困难，所以你并不孤单。

因此，各位创业者，我请求你：

当你感觉没有希望的时候，请寻求帮助，直接去询问，无需有负罪感。与你的家人、投资者、律师、导师、朋友，甚至敌人去交谈。一定要找个人去聊，公开地、坦诚地、无所畏惧地揭示你的挣扎与困扰。

我知道，有时候你只是碍于面子，难以张口，但不要这样做，请放心大胆地去说。我知道有时候你真得想像胎儿一样，蜷缩在一起，然后隐匿起来，但不要这样做，请放心大胆地面对。

在过去的一年里，我在工作和抑郁症上经历过多次波动。我并不惧怕与我的同事、朋友、家人、甚至在公众场合分享这些经历。我很感谢互联网，它陪我度过了最黑暗的时期。

我知道，并不是所有人都能成功熬过黑暗期，所以为了纪念乔迪，我决定提供帮助。如果你即将失败，请联系我；如果你想和我谈谈你的公司、你的投资者、感情生活或者其他什么别的，也请联系我。

亲爱的创业者，笔记侠在此也提醒您：

如果您正处于灵魂的黑暗期，您可以选择另外一位美国投资人面对抑郁症的时候，给出的建设性解决方案（可点击：创业者度过灵魂的黑暗期，方法竟是...如此简单！），也可以选择在文章底部留言，乃至请您联络笔记侠，我们愿意倾听您的烦恼，我的电话是：13959972140（笔记侠，任何通话，都是一种信任，但万望：非诚勿扰），或者发邮件给我们：[email protected]。我们知道创业者的困难，所以也请读者们一起关心你身边的创业者吧，他们正在默默付出巨大的隐形代价！

以下是完整英文版

WHEN IT’S NOT ALL GOOD, ASKFOR HELP

When I first heard the news of Jody Sherman’s passing myheart sank. The news would later confirm my biggest fear—what I dreaded most.He had taken his own life.

Only a week earlier, a mutual friend had reconnectedJody and I. We had met once before and I had sat on a panel with him anothertime. We had done some co-marketing between our companies, but nothing major.Now it sounded as though he could use some additional help on the marketingside. I could understand that, knowing the ups and downs of aninventory-based business.

I didn’t know Jody terribly well but admired himgreatly. I was glad to help him. He needed to meet early that Sunday, and mylocal coffee shop wasn’t yet open. So we met at my office around the corner. We talked for a good hour beforehe left to drive that long road back to Las Vegas. We shared war stories. Wehad suffered similar wounds running similar businesses—similar victories aswell. It was immediately clear we should have been talking much more this pastyear. In the end, it was also clear we could use each others help, and we hadstarted to outline a few ideas.

As we walked to our respective cars, we laughed and jokedabout various things. He told me about all the exciting things happening inVegas and his future plans. He drove off in the opposite direction, and Ifelt as though I had just gained a new friend and ally. I was excitedabout that and went home immediately to gush to my wife about our meeting.Even though Jody was a fairly candid person, I unfortunately didn’t know justhow much help he must have really needed. And now I’m struggling with a greatnumber of questions in that regard. I know I can’t change the past, butthis tragedy has truly consumed me. I hope that now (and with your support)we can begin an open dialogue about suicide and the pressuresfounders face. It’s time.

To the other foundersout there, please know this if nothing else:

Having a start-up today is not about crushing it. It’s aboutnot getting crushed.

We are always on the brink of making it big or losingeverything.

Your company sits atop a pendulum, and you won’t be ableto control how it swings.

Every other founder and startup is going through thesame challenges you are. You are not alone.

So please, founders, I beg of you. When it feels asthough there’s no hope left, please ask for help. Ask for it directlyand without shame. Talk to your family, investors, lawyers, mentors, friends,or even enemies. Just talk to someone. Talk openly; be candid and unafraidto reveal your struggles. I know that sometimes you just want to run facefirst into a wall before asking for help. Stop it. I know that sometimesyou literally want to go into a fetal position and hide from the world.Please don’t.

I was to the edge andback a few times this past year with my business and own depression. I wasnot afraid to talk about that with colleagues, friends, family, andnow publicly. I was lucky to have a support network that took me throughthe darkest times. I understand that not everyone has this though. So inhonor of Jody, I want to make myself available. If you’re about to lose it,please contact me. If you just need to talk aboutyour business, investor problems, love life, or anything, please contact me.

原文地址：http://seanpercival.com/2013/02/01/when-its-not-all-good-ask-for-help/?from=groupmessage&isappinstalled=1

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