When it comes to fun, not all of it is created equal. It actually falls into three distinct categories:
- Type 1 Fun:
The classic good time. It’s fun while it’s happening and stays fun in retrospect. For me, this is riding my motorcycle or getting into the pilots seat of a small plane. It’s lazy beach days, hanging out with friends, or losing myself in a good book. - Type 2 Fun:
The “why-am-I-doing-this” kind of fun. It can be challenging, sometimes downright miserable in the moment, but incredibly rewarding when you look back on it. - Type 3 Fun:
The stuff that’s not fun in the moment and doesn’t become fun later. Those are the bad decisions and regrettable experiences you swear to never repeat.
The “Why-Am-I-Doing-This” Moments
Let’s be honest: building a business is hard. It’s late nights, early mornings, and an endless stream of decisions. It’s dealing with setbacks, self-doubt, and a to-do list that never seems to shrink.
But those moments are where the magic happens. Every challenge you tackle, every problem you solve; they’re not just obstacles. It’s where you stretch, adapt, and discover what you’re really capable of.
It’s Type 2 Fun in its purest form: hard now, satisfying later.
The Reward of Looking Back
The best part of Type 2 Fun is the way it changes how you see the journey. When you look back on the tough times, you see them for what they really were: proof of your grit, creativity, and perseverance.
That first sale. The launch of a long overdue feature you thought would never get done. The unexpected customer feedback that reminds you why you started in the first place. For me, one of the most rewarding moments (so far) was taking our earliest customers on celebratory flights around Austria to mark our company’s fifth anniversary.
Those moments shine even brighter because of the work and hardship it took to get there.
The grind isn’t glamorous and it is most definitely not Type 1 Fun. But it’s where you grow. Each obstacle overcome and each lesson learned doesn’t just move your business forward. It shapes you. It certainly shaped me as a leader. It’s less about the destination and more about the transformation that happens along the way.
It’s not supposed to be easy
Some days, you’ll feel like you’re making progress. Other days, it’ll feel like nothing is working, no matter how hard you try. But each step, even the ones that feel like missteps, is part of the process. Over time, those small, imperfect efforts can add up to something remarkable.
So, next time you find yourself knee-deep in the frustratingly hard stuff, remind yourself: this is what Type 2 Fun feels like in the moment. You’re struggling because you’re building something you’ll look back on with pride.
Keep going.
