I’ve made lists of what I’m willing to give up! Alcohol, living in the same (overpriced) city as friends and family with too many social obligations, etc and it’s been a game changer
Totally agree. I built 90M€ ecommerce and along the way I had to sacrifice a lot of good things I loved to do before. Unfortunately I almost bankrupted the company because of too steep growth (6 to 100M in 3 years without external financing) so I have to grind again. :D
Thank you for this article, needed that for my frame of mind and setting my direction. I am currently exploring time blocking on my calendar. It’s essential to make that appointment for myself.
I enjoyed the article it came at a time, where I’m questioning what I want to do with my life, what that looks like? What am I willing to give up for it and where do I want to go.
Is this whole article assuming that "working smart" is table stakes? I.e., even if you are grinding this hard, if there's room for someone to grind just as hard in more leveraged ways I guess it still won't work out...
Does the need to grind this hard for ultra-success come from the competitive dynamics of winner take all markets? It strikes me that, depending on competitive dynamics (if you have no competition at the beginning because you're creating the category, for example) you could do the same quality work, but slower, and ultimately get the same results, right? Mr. Beast is actually an interesting example, because personality-based YouTube creators are one-of-one (it's not like there's ANOTHER Mr. Beast he had to worry about beating to market). So his 30k hours of YouTube analysis sounds like "hard work," except that he could have spread it out over an arbitrary length of time, enjoyed a relatively sustainable life in the meantime, and just made it to the top a couple years later.
If Mr. Beast would have spread out his work to have a leisurely life, he'd never be where he is today. The truth is, the most successful people always have "periods of intensity." Whether Mr. Beast, Sam Altman (OpenAI), etc.. Operating that way isn't forever, but that's how you have to get something significant from 0 to 1.
If people want something small or with less growth, they can certainly make that choice - but you won't get the same results. I'm always surprised that people don't want to actually dive in and work hard for something they deeply believe in - especially at first. It is the opportunity of a lifetime to be able to change your life so significantly, and it isn't forever. People admire all of these people, but behind the scenes almost all have made these hard choices to get where they are....and now enjoy the fruits of that years later.
I don't care what people choose to do - but I work with some of the very best, and I'm honest about how they get there. It's not for everyone.
I’ve made lists of what I’m willing to give up! Alcohol, living in the same (overpriced) city as friends and family with too many social obligations, etc and it’s been a game changer
Knowing who you are, and what you're willing to sacrifice is half the battle. Cheers to you!
Good for you!!
Totally agree. I built 90M€ ecommerce and along the way I had to sacrifice a lot of good things I loved to do before. Unfortunately I almost bankrupted the company because of too steep growth (6 to 100M in 3 years without external financing) so I have to grind again. :D
Time to answer the tough, yet necessary questions. This is my homework for the day. Thank you, for the challenge. Ouff!!
Good luck taking on the challenge!
Thank you. It’s partly what sparked my audio note on becoming the villain.
Your work benefits people like me, beyond what you could imagine.
Fitting read on this Labour Day.
Thank you for this article, needed that for my frame of mind and setting my direction. I am currently exploring time blocking on my calendar. It’s essential to make that appointment for myself.
Time blocking is a fantastic way to make sure you get in those pushes, but have a purpose to them to move things ahead!
Noted and will have a purpose for each block as suggested. Thank you
Love your newsletter. But after months of reading and contemplating, wondering if you could start another one called "fairly successful" lol.
I enjoyed the article it came at a time, where I’m questioning what I want to do with my life, what that looks like? What am I willing to give up for it and where do I want to go.
Thanks Julie! Couple clarification Q's:
Is this whole article assuming that "working smart" is table stakes? I.e., even if you are grinding this hard, if there's room for someone to grind just as hard in more leveraged ways I guess it still won't work out...
Does the need to grind this hard for ultra-success come from the competitive dynamics of winner take all markets? It strikes me that, depending on competitive dynamics (if you have no competition at the beginning because you're creating the category, for example) you could do the same quality work, but slower, and ultimately get the same results, right? Mr. Beast is actually an interesting example, because personality-based YouTube creators are one-of-one (it's not like there's ANOTHER Mr. Beast he had to worry about beating to market). So his 30k hours of YouTube analysis sounds like "hard work," except that he could have spread it out over an arbitrary length of time, enjoyed a relatively sustainable life in the meantime, and just made it to the top a couple years later.
If Mr. Beast would have spread out his work to have a leisurely life, he'd never be where he is today. The truth is, the most successful people always have "periods of intensity." Whether Mr. Beast, Sam Altman (OpenAI), etc.. Operating that way isn't forever, but that's how you have to get something significant from 0 to 1.
If people want something small or with less growth, they can certainly make that choice - but you won't get the same results. I'm always surprised that people don't want to actually dive in and work hard for something they deeply believe in - especially at first. It is the opportunity of a lifetime to be able to change your life so significantly, and it isn't forever. People admire all of these people, but behind the scenes almost all have made these hard choices to get where they are....and now enjoy the fruits of that years later.
I don't care what people choose to do - but I work with some of the very best, and I'm honest about how they get there. It's not for everyone.