--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a young founder in high-stress…" description: "\"As a young founder in high-stress situations, I often used alcohol to escape facing things. I've struggled with this for a long time, and while I think..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f8/justin-kan-4459_alcohol_as-a-young-founder-in-high-stress-situat_2650944.png" --- # As a young founder in high-stress situations, I often used… ![“As a young founder in high-stress situations, I often used alcohol to escape facing things. I've struggled with this for a long time, and while I think I've gotten better over time, I believe that this is the last thing preventing me from actualizing my 100 percent conscious self.” quote by Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f8/justin-kan-4459_alcohol_as-a-young-founder-in-high-stress-situat_2650944.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f8/justin-kan-4459_alcohol_as-a-young-founder-in-high-stress-situat_2650944.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8f8/justin-kan-4459_alcohol_as-a-young-founder-in-high-stress-situat_2650944.png) > “As a young founder in high-stress situations, I often used alcohol to escape facing things. I've struggled with this for a long time, and while I think I've gotten better over time, I believe that this is the last thing preventing me from actualizing my 100 percent conscious self.” [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker admits using alcohol as a coping mechanism under stress, recognizing it as a barrier to fully realizing his potential. **In simple terms:** Alcohol hinders personal growth and clarity. Key Takeaway Address the habit to unlock full potential. Themes self‑improvement stress addiction growth mindfulness Mood reflective determined hopeful Type personal motivational When to use this quote - entrepreneurship - high‑pressure work - personal recovery - mental health - habit change Key Concepts psychology habit formation self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - What healthier coping strategies could replace alcohol? - How can you create accountability for change? A Different Perspective Alcohol may provide temporary relief but can worsen long‑term performance and relationships. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alcohol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alcohol/) [Escape](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/escape/) [Stress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stress/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wine/) ## Related quotes > [When it rains, it pours, and sometimes life is full of thunderstorms and high winds. It is in these high stress situations that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-it-rains-it-pours-and-sometimes-life-is-full-of-thunderstorms/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've tried it long ago, with hashish and peyote. Fascinating, yes, but no good, no. 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Bringing people together and getting stuff done in moments of high stress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-auchincloss/i-ve-worked-in-the-military-in-business-and-nonprofit-and-local/) [Jake Auchincloss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-auchincloss/) > [With the combination of spending a fair amount of time on planes, having twins that go to elementary school, and generally living a lifestyle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-de-cadenet/with-the-combination-of-spending-a-fair-amount-of-time-on-planes/) [Amanda de Cadenet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-de-cadenet/) > [People tend to think astronauts have the courage of a superhero - or maybe the emotional range of a robot. But in order to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hadfield/people-tend-to-think-astronauts-have-the-courage-of-a-superhero-or/) [Chris Hadfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hadfield/) > [How we perceive a situation and how we react to it is the basis of our stress. If you focus on the negative in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-pulsifer/how-we-perceive-a-situation-and-how-we-react-to-it-is-the-basis-of/) [Catherine Pulsifer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-pulsifer/) ## More by Justin Kan > [The big thing was realizing for myself that I had tied my ego to the outcomes and to startups.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/the-big-thing-was-realizing-for-myself-that-i-had-tied-my-ego-to-the/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [During the pandemic, obviously gaming has become almost like a primary activity. 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It is much easier to tell people how to talk to customers, build…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/it-helps-tremendously-to-have-operating-startup-experience-when/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [Alcohol was this crutch for me, to be able to be confident or go do those things I was scared to do. Eventually, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/alcohol-was-this-crutch-for-me-to-be-able-to-be-confident-or-go-do/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [I like the idea that I can make a big difference to a startup in a short period of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-kan/i-like-the-idea-that-i-can-make-a-big-difference-to-a-startup-in-a/) [Justin Kan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-kan/) > [Companies are bought not sold, an investment banker told me that once and it is very true. 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