Startups taught me more about life and business than I ever could imagine

Thread: 20 tips I wish I could give to my 20 year old self

Startups are simple:

There are good times and bad times

Good times: enjoy the ride Bad times: enjoy the ride

Beware of pessimistic people

Pessimism is the worst disease

Professional lies we tell ourselves:

1. Your email inbox is getting stuff done 2. A full calendar is positive 3. Big meetings are the answer

You know better

Bob Dylan on the common sense behind criticism

“Don’t criticize what you can’t understand.”

There is nothing easier than being a critic

A tremendous waste of energy and bad vibe

On the life at a startup:

I’ve never met a startup that has gone according to plan

Buckle up

Emotional decisions kill startups, careers and your day

How to avoid making emotional decisions:

1. Wait

Point: If you can wait, wait

Be kind to yourself

A recipe for failure:

1) Being compulsively critical 2) Being massively unforgiving

Being too hard on yourself is a hindrance to growth

Reminder: you are enough

The greatest productivity trick:

Listening to people you respect

You won’t be able to get them out of your head

They will make you better

Tip: the internet makes it easy to find and listen to these people

Elon Musk on what it takes to change the world

“I could either watch it happen, or be part of it.”

Say less, Elon

Reading fast: defeats the point of reading

Read slow to really learn

A sweet illusion:

You are in control

A true sign of success:

Someone who doesn’t keep track of failures

Unlearn: filling your life with possessions Learn: filling your mind with mastery

Everyone could become a master

Literally, everyone

Free:

– Exercise – Go for a walk – Being in nature – Sharing knowledge – Learning from others – Listening to others – Asking for help – Being kind – Positive attitude – Twitter

The amount of growth you can experience for free is massive

Expensive:

– Spending time with the wrong people – Populating feeds with toxic content – Spending too long at a job – Spending not enough time at a job – Chasing startups for the money

Realization:

People don’t support your company’s vision. They support their own vision of the world

#1 behavior of successful people:

Thinking clearly

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