Adapting to the Heat

The stories on NPR (National Public Radio) are unique in their depth and scope. Today's "All Things Considered" segment provided a story on the effects of global warming. The story profiled the city of Phoenix and how the city is getting hotter due to global warming and the city's growth. The city has had 22 days over 110 degrees this year. All the while, construction working are busy building houses to accomodate the huge population boom.

How do workers function during these brutally hot days? The report explains that the human body can adapt to hot temperatures by creating "heat shock proteins". These heat shock proteins stop cells from committing suicide as a natural reaction to heat exposure. The body can perform at a high level until the core body temperature hits 104 degrees. Then everything falls apart.

Everyone has heard the stories about the amazing work and production that a small startup team can acheive. Extra hours, passion and focus make up for the lack of resources and other advantages of larger organizations. It is important for a startup to be able to maintain a high level of performance over a long period of time. Most startups get off to a strong start as the team is excited, energized and motivated. Over time, a startup can burn out as the team gets exhaused from the massive hours and energy exerted in getting the business launched. This is the business equivalent of the body hitting a core temperature of 104.

It is important for a startup to quickly get accustomed to a high performance level while still maintaining a sustainable level. A performance level that is too low will result in lost time, missed deadlines, and insufficient cash flow. A performace level that is high but unsustainable, will burn out the team and leave the business short of the goals that come with sustained progress over time. This delicate balance is critical for the success of the startup. Only those with drive and stamina, or huge amounts of external capital, can realize the full potential of their business vision. For those making the journey, it is wise to keep the "twice the money, and twice the time" warning in mind as you work towards your goals.