• Takedowns.
    • Today is a new reality where anyone can be in business.
      • Informations are easy to access and within reach.
      • It’s easy to work from home or collaborate with others across the globe.
      • Stuff that was impossible is simple today.
    • Writing a plan makes you feel in control of things you can’t control.
      • Plans are guesses.
      • Don’t be obsess you it. It’s OK to wing.
      • Figure out what’s the next most important thing and do it.
    • Don’t be insecure about aiming to be a small business. As long as it’s sustainable and profitable, you should be proud.
    • Working more doesn’t mean you get more done.
  • Go.
    • If you’re going to do something, do something that matters.
      • To do great work, you need to feel you’re making a different, putting a meaningful dent in the universe, that you’re part of something important. You don’t have to cure cancer. You want your customer say it makes their lives better.
      • You should feel an urgency too as you don’t live forever. Don’t wait for someone to make the changes you want to see.
    • The easiest way to create a product/service is to make something you want to use.
      • Solve your own problem first as you know what you need the most.
    • Having the idea has nothing to do with actually making it.
      • Start creating.
      • Ideas are cheap, how you execute them are what matters.
    • Perfect time never comes as you’re always too busy doing something else. Do it now.
    • Always know why you’re doing what you’re doing. Stand for something and be proud of it.
    • Avoid outside funding as much as you can.
      • Service businesses don’t require much capital to bootstrap anyway.
      • Taking people money means you have less control of your business and more human problem.
      • You need less than you think. Stay lean. Be frugal.
    • Think about profit from day one.
    • Think about commitment strategy (how to grow and succeed), not exit strategy. Focus on getting customers to love you, not about worrying who’s going to buy you.
  • Progress.
    • Focus on the core product itself, ignore the details early on.
    • Don’t wait for the perfect solution. Do it and reflect.
    • Stick to the essential. Cut out unnecessary details, simplify, sort out what truly matters.
    • Once your product does what it needs to do at the minimum, get it out there.
  • Productivity.
    • Start making something real. Anything else is just a distraction.
    • Ensure that you’re doing work that matters?
      • Why are you doing this?
      • What is the problem, exactly?
      • Is it actually useful?
      • Is it adding value at all?
      • Is there an easier way?
      • What could you be doing instead?
      • Is this really worth it?
    • Interruption is the enemy of productivity.
    • Avoid meetings as they’re unproductive most of the time. Only meet when:
      • Have a set time.
      • Invite as few people as possible.
      • Have a clear agenda.
      • Begin with a specific problem.
      • End with a solution and implementation plan.
    • When good enough gets the job done, go for it. You can usually turn good enough to great later.
    • Build momentum by accomplishing small wins regularly.
    • Have enough sleep everyday.
    • Break your time frames into smaller chunks and estimate accordingly.
    • Use a small todo list.
  • Competitors.
    • Don’t copy competitors since you don’t know their why. Instead, believe your way.
    • Instead of trying to win a competitor, focus on quality (really good basic features) instead of quantities (more features).
    • Don’t spend too much time worrying about competitors. Focus on improving yourself instead.
  • Evolution.
    • Learn to say no.
    • Ask for feedbacks and ideas with enthusiasm but always evaluate the priority with a calm mind.
  • Promotion.
    • When it’s early, it’s easier to take risks without worrying about embarrassing yourself.
    • Build an audience.
      • Speak, write, blog, tweet, make videos, and so on.
      • Share valuable information and slowly grow your fan.
      • Get people interested in what you have to say.
    • Teaching/sharing educational content is one of the best marketing tactics.
    • Be genuine. Be transparent.
    • Have personal, meaningful press releases instead of vague and generic ones.
    • As long you have something to sell, don’t be afraid to give things away for free.
  • Hiring.
    • Do it yourself first to understand what it takes.
    • Hire when you can’t do it no more.
    • Pass on hiring people you don’t need.
    • Hire slowly.
    • How long someone’s been doing it is overrated. What matters is how well.
    • Hire the best talent, regardless where it is.
    • Best way to test-drive applicants is to see them work. Hire for a mini project and go from there.
  • Getting real.

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