Superpower and Kryptonite of Entrepreneurs

— by Justin Forman

I’m not a huge Marvel movie fan. 

But I’m also the dad of three. 

So you won’t be surprised to hear that more than a few times I find myself walking into a multiplex movie theater—tub of popcorn in my hands—willing to enjoy a little nostalgia with our 13 year old son.

Not too long ago, we weren’t too deep into our popcorn when I rediscovered a common plot line… 

• There’s a disturbance in the universe. Something is broken. 

• Characters discover a calling to this mission bigger than themselves. They envision a future (or alternate universe…) where things are different.

• They have a unique superpower to solve the world's problems. 

Sound familiar? 

I’m not going to equate an entrepreneur to a Marvel action hero. But then again at the rate Elon Musk is sending things into space, it seems the gap for some is closing rapidly.

Still, when we look at the framework, they’re not altogether different. 

We praise entrepreneurs who try to solve the world’s problems. We praise them for never being satisfied.

It impresses us how they shout from the rooftops, “Bury the status quo in a time capsule.” 

With increasing emotions and visuals, they paint a beautiful picture of why the offerings of today are simply not enough. They call us to visions of a future reality … one where we can see, feel, and explore an existence where things can be better.

And like a superhero, they feel specifically called and uniquely qualified to solve the problem. 

And for years, if not decades, they carry this discontent around with them. Through long nights—50-60 hour weeks and countless personal sacrifices—they live in this superhero space with their teams … customers … partners … vendors … 

Over family gatherings, dinner parties, or debriefs with their spouses, it invariably comes up. Passionately they speak of their big idea. 

Oftentimes those conversations are met with understanding or affirmation. These entrepreneurial champions are hailed as visionaries. And they’re celebrated for their calling to deliver us from the ailments we face in the present day and onto the precipice of a shiny, new future. 

Some pastors have even gone so far as to say in some contexts that this is a “holy discontent”.

So after years of business owners and innovators trying to get people to move towards something better … 

Are we surprised that the greatest struggle of entrepreneurs is often contentment?

I have come to find that like the Marvel action hero, our greatest superpower as we pursue our call to create is also our kryptonite. Our greatest strength is our greatest weakness.

Today is not enough. 

Tomorrow needs to be better. 

The performance of today is not good enough for tomorrow. 

There’s so much more we could and should be doing. 

So the question for us is how can someone be so “in” on a future reality yet fully present where we are? 

Casey Crawford shared this insight recently on the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast: “God hasn’t called me to comfort. He’s called me (as an entrepreneur) to some really dangerous places.”

There’s no mistaking that God has called entrepreneurs to dangerous places.

And the hidden dangers have consumed many along the way—entrepreneurs are 2-3x more likely to struggle with depression, anxiety, and more likely to fall into alcoholism.

Behind it all, I think, a battle of contentment is being waged.

If we’re not mindful, that trained discontent can quickly lead us into striving, working, pushing… trying to get to that future reality so fast that we run away from our understanding of who we are and whose we are.   

We all know the life of an entrepreneur is difficult to compartmentalize. It’s an all-consuming, full-contact sport.

We’ve trained a muscle inside ourselves to run fast and hard.

And yet we need to keep in our hearts and minds fixated on the real truth of our pursuit.

We have been given so much more than we deserve. 

God is more than enough.

One thing is for certain, entrepreneurs who are on this journey cannot go it alone. We need to put to death this idea of the lone wolf.

We need people close enough to help us unmask the sacred and secular tensions of this road less traveled. 

For the past year, we’ve been doing more to support and help. Online and in person. No cost, no catch. From over 88 different countries, we’ve gathered entrepreneurs and investors together. 

They come for the content, but many stay for the community. 

It’s been a gift for Henry, the team, and so many leaders of the movement to see the joy that comes from walking this road with others and to find the allies we need for the journey ahead. We are honored to be connecting the next generation of superhero entrepreneurs. It’s a marvel to witness.

Is it any coincidence that many of the action hero movies we enjoy involve a team…four superheroes teaming up together to fight evil…or Spider-Man from three different multiverses uniting to save the world from chaos? 

Maybe it is. 

But then again, maybe not. 

Maybe there’s something to this idea that each of us has a unique superpower. And that together we’re more powerful than we are trying to go alone. Perhaps we can experience contentment not in settling for what is, but while running with others to an exciting future that is yet to come.

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