Life expands or shrinks in proportion to one's courage...

As promised, here is a brief compilation of some of the resources I received in response to a note to several entrepreneurs who have built companies and started new ones during a downturn or a stagnant environment for new purchases. These are to understand the downturn, identify what to focus on and some perspectives about keeping the faith during this time.

Here are links under several topics:

Perspectives about the downturn:

• The ominous slides from Seqouia Capital
• Jason Calacanis' startup depression email
• GigaOm piece on the economy
• Benchmark Capital's email to portfolio companies
• ...

Articles / Perspectives about surviving and executing in this economy:

• Tim O'Reilly's perspective
• Startup advisor Dave McClure's thoughts
• Alan Patricoff, Founder of Apax
• Fred Wilson on interpreting the VC's pov
• Brian Solis' post on the echo chamber
• Sramana Mitra
• Y Combinator calls for applicants
• 5 Tips to avoid depression
• Brad Feld's call to entrepreneurs
• Padmasree Warrior's tweets
• ...

Resources:

• Get Feedback on your ideas on Increo Solutions' Backboard.
  

I wanted to also quote verbatim, one perspective about believing during a downturn:

DEBORAH STEPHENS,
FORMER CONSULTING PROFESSOR AT STANFORD, SUCCESSFUL WRITER

At the risk of sounding old (and I am not!) this is the 8th recession I have experienced. During difficult times I think back to an interview I conducted with one of America's greatest entrepreneurs. We were talking about Wall Street and his words are appropriate for today. He said Wall Street is a psychological game run by greed and fear and fed by uncertainty. Right now I believe that Wall Street and our country, are feeding upon fear and running from uncertainty. Greed, to some extent, can be controlled and regulated but fear and uncertainty can only be contained and controlled by leadership.

Starting Monday, I will be purchasing stock in some of America's best companies. Why? There are great bargains to be had and I believe in the long term that these companies will bounce back. Also, I will be making stock purchases because I believe in this country, its innovation and its workforce and I am drawing a line in the sand against fear. I would urge you to do the same, even if it is 50 or 100 dollars at a time.

Fear is a contagion and fear more than economic indicators are driving our markets right now. Fear is also driving our employees and they will look to us for direction. The best leaders, in these times, over communicate, become very visible, assure people and listen to ideas from employees at all levels for cost cutting, implementation, new products, etc.

Finally I have learned that during such times it is best to keep focused, keep positive, and remember that "life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."

Feel free to share your own personal perspective.

Pic credit: Energy Tribune magazine.