At a startup, it's hard enough to get a single thing right, much less a whole bunch of things. Especially if the things you are trying to do are not only dissimilar but actively impede each other.
Marc RandolphRead
If you want your company to succeed, you have to have the confidence in your business to take a bet on its future - to risk destroying a mediocre business model for the chance to have a strong one.
Interpretation
Success in business requires taking risks and having confidence in new ideas.
This quote emphasizes the importance of having the confidence to invest in the potential of your business, even if it means abandoning a mediocre existing model. It highlights that true success often comes from bold decisions and the willingness to embrace risk for the possibility of achieving something greater.
In practice
Using this quote during a business presentation to motivate stakeholders to embrace innovation.
At a startup, it's hard enough to get a single thing right, much less a whole bunch of things. Especially if the things you are trying to do are not only dissimilar but actively impede each other.
The biggest problem I see with early-stage entrepreneurs is they get the idea in their head, and they leave it in their head. And they begin embellishing it in their head, making it more ornate. They add on the second story to their dream house - then add the tennis court and the turrets and the gargoyles.
Iteration, not ideation, is the most important part of early stage entrepreneurship. You have to have a lot of ideas - a lot of bad ideas - if you want to end up with a good one.
Build something, make something, test something, sell something. Learn for yourself if your idea is a good one.
Almost everyone who has had an idea that's somewhat revolutionary or wildly successful was first told they're insane.
There's nothing glorious about being a professional. . . . Professionalism probably comes down to being able to work on a bad day.
When I’ve been unsuccessful, I’ve been controlled. When I’ve been successful, I’ve been in control.
I do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success ... Such emotions make a man forget food, sleep, friends, love, everything.
Success attracts success and failure attracts failure because of the law of harmonious attraction.
You don't need to be an expert in order to achieve satisfactory investment returns. But if you aren't, you must recognize your limitations and follow a course certain to work reasonably well. Keep things simple and don't swing for the fences.
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