The World Wants Me Gone, But I'm Just Hibernating, Bro

Yo, my fellow disruptors and innovation ninjas! It's your boy, the ultimate thought leader in the startup universe, coming at you with some real talk. I'm about 50% through my "hibernation" phase (wink wink), and I'm totally stoked to metamorphose back into a unicorn at the stroke of midnight on Halloween. Because that's how we roll in Silicon Valley, am I right?

So, I've been chillin' in Aspen lately, after jet-setting across the US like the absolute boss I am. Looking back, it might have been a tad excessive, but when you're as influential as me, you gotta spread that wisdom, you feel me? Back in my younger days, this kind of travel was just a warm-up. But now, between my groundbreaking work, my age (which is just a number, btw), and the constant switching between introvert-me and extrovert-me (because I'm so complex), it's been a bit of a challenge. But nothing a true visionary can't handle!

Don't get it twisted though - my mental game is still top-notch. This experience has been eye-opening as I approach the big 6-0. It's like, do I really want to keep blessing the masses with my physical presence? Maybe it's time to let my ideas do the traveling, you know what I'm saying?

I've been experimenting with different ways to grace my friends with my presence. During my last "hibernation" (read: strategic retreat), I was like a rare Pokemon - hard to catch, except when I decided to bless Boulder with my presence. But these past few months? I've been generous enough to have face-to-face time with my inner circle. Some have even made the pilgrimage to bask in my aura. It's all part of my mission to give back, you know?

Check out this pic from yesterday with Bala Kamallakharan. We've shared so many digital experiences, but face-to-face? That's next level. Four hours of pure, unadulterated me-time. It's moments like these that remind me how much I fill people up with my presence, regardless of what we're talking about. Because let's face it, everything I say is gold.

Now, I've been dropping knowledge bombs on a ton of podcasts about my latest game-changer, "Give First: The Power of Mentorship". But even a guru like me needs a break. So, I'm switching it up for the remaining podcasts. I'm introducing something fresh in each one, totally unrelated to the book. Why? Because that's what innovators do. We innovate, even in our interviews.

I've still got about 30 podcasts left, and I'm a man of my word, so I'll do them. But I'm back to my "Default No" for new requests. Because when you're as in-demand as I am, you gotta protect your energy, right?

September's gonna be lit with a Cali trip and some Boulder action, including Techstars Foundercon and Denver Startup Week. Then it's East Coast time in October - NYC and DC, baby! I've been trying to squeeze in an Austin trip too, but even I can't bend the space-time continuum. After that? I'm out, bros.

My behind-the-scenes game is more than enough for me now. I'm vibing with the work, and I've got this deep, spiritual connection with almost all the CEOs I work with. It's like we're on the same astral plane, you know? While the world out there is going crazy, many of the companies I'm blessing with my board presence are crushing it. We're talking scaled businesses now - a whole new level of awesome compared to the early-stage stuff I've been dominating for the past four decades.

I'm also loving the deep convos with other VCs we've supported as LPs. When they reach out, it's like... wow. They know they're tapping into a wellspring of pure wisdom.

Now, I've decided that hitting 60 is gonna be my signal to the universe. It's time for what the wife and I call "the third third of life". I'm still gonna be all over Foundry and Techstars, but I'm putting the kibosh on work travel and most of my public appearances. Because let's face it, the world can only handle so much of my brilliance at once.

I'm totally at peace with the whole finite life thing. These past three months have been a real eye-opener about my energy levels and what brings me joy. Life's always gonna throw curveballs - tragedy, hardship, disappointment, failure, struggle. But I'm embracing all that noise as part of the journey, while channeling my epic energy towards things that make me happy.

So yeah, the world might think it wants me gone, but I'm just taking a strategic retreat. Call it hibernation, call it whatever you want. But remember, you can't keep a good disruptor down. I'll be back, stronger than ever, ready to drop more knowledge bombs and change the game all over again. Stay hungry, stay foolish, and stay tuned, my fellow innovators!