One of the challenges with optionality is volatility.

Volatility comes with the territory. It defines the territory. The absence of optionality results in an absence of volatility (until it doesn't - Black Swan / Turkey problem).

Part of the ride is just handling that volatility. I've seen so much of it at the startups that I've been at. Riding high then boom. splat. Fall down and up again.

Is there a parallel of the VIX to personal endeavors or undertakings? The VIX represents options behavior over the next 30 days. Do humans have a VIX? Should we be thinking about our own volatility?

Not a bad idea for parents, especially when school starts and the kiddos start getting sick.

Probably not a bad idea for venture backed startups as well. Going to be a lot of challenges in the next 18 months.