Keep going, don’t stop, and don’t overthink the destination; just focus on continuous forward movement, as this is presented as the best advice for any endeavor.
Develop a deep, genuine belief in what you are building, as this conviction is contagious and will naturally attract others to your vision rather than requiring persuasion.
Mentally prepare for the worst-case scenario by considering its outcome and accepting it upfront, which disarms fear, allows for clearer judgment, and provides the courage to take big risks.
Give people clear objectives (what to do) but allow them full autonomy in how they achieve those objectives, fostering their imagination and potentially leading to surprising and superior results.
Strive to make your work feel like play, especially when deeply believing in what you’re building, as this dissolves the boundary between work and life and makes discipline effortless.
Prioritize and intensely focus on the single most important task at hand, as this discipline clears the mind and helps navigate overwhelming situations.
Extend trust generously to your team by providing real responsibility and autonomy, as this can inspire immense devotion and motivate people to move mountains to prove you right.
To understand your true feelings about someone (e.g., co-founder, employee, friend), imagine them leaving; your immediate gut reaction will reveal their actual importance to you.
Continuously work to be worthy of the trust placed in you by others, pursuing this goal relentlessly even if not always perfectly or gracefully, as it is fundamental for long-term success.
Understand that success will inevitably attract non-market challenges (legal, PR, political) from competitors who cannot win on product or price, and be prepared to fight in these new arenas.
During difficult times, intentionally shift your attention to what is functioning well rather than dwelling on problems, to maintain perspective, build momentum, and prevent fear from blinding you.
Be truthful and transparent about your product’s flaws and strengths, even if it means recommending a cheaper option, to build a reputation for trustworthiness and expertise among customers.
Employ positive affirmations, even if you don’t fully believe them at the moment, to maintain momentum and coach yourself through crises.
Find deep enjoyment in your work, as having fun makes you a formidable competitor and hard to beat, turning work into a source of energy rather than a drain.
Cultivate a management style rooted in implicit trust, giving employees significant autonomy and responsibility, which can inspire deep devotion and exceptional performance.
Adopt a mindset that views growth as essential for survival and progress, constantly seeking expansion and improvement in your endeavors to avoid stagnation.
Recognize that groundbreaking innovation can emerge from everyday observations and simple experiments (like a waffle iron), rather than solely relying on expensive labs or large budgets.
In evaluating partnerships or investments, prioritize trust in the people, their character, problem-solving approach, and dedication to the product over purely financial metrics or balance sheets.
Acknowledge and consciously choose between preserving a small, family-like culture and pursuing significant growth, understanding that each path involves inherent trade-offs and potential costs to culture.