Would you fly across Europe for a meeting that might change everything?
I’ve done it. And if you’re a founder, you probably know that feeling – the fear of missing out on the opportunity that could make or break your startup.
The Problem
Startup culture glorifies speed. Every day, you see headlines about founders who “moved fast and broke things.” Investors love urgency. Social media amplifies success stories.
And then there’s you – refreshing your inbox, scanning LinkedIn, chasing every lead because… what if this is the one?
That’s FOMO: the fear of missing out. It’s not just social; it’s professional. And it’s dangerous.
My Story
Early in ROOTKey’s journey, I said yes to everything. Calls at midnight, meetings in cities I’d never been to, events that promised “game-changing connections.”
One time, I flew to Rome and back in the same day for a meeting with a potential investor. Spoiler: it was a scam. A complete waste of time and money.
Why did I do it? Because I was terrified of missing an opportunity. Because in my head, saying “no” felt like closing the door on success.
The Consequences
FOMO doesn’t just drain your calendar. It drains your energy, your focus, and your ability to think strategically.
When you’re chasing everything, you’re building nothing.
I learned this the hard way. After months of running at full speed, I realized I wasn’t moving forward – I was just moving. As I often say, I was running on ice – I was moving a lot but not getting anywhere.
The Lesson
Here’s what changed everything for me:
I started asking one simple question before saying yes:
“Does this align with our mission and long-term goals?”
If the answer is no, I pass. No matter how shiny the opportunity looks.
Because real growth comes from focus, not frenzy.
Closing
FOMO is real. It’s powerful. And if you let it drive your decisions, it will burn you out before you ever reach your goals.
Slow down. Choose wisely. Build intentionally.
