A few simple things I’ve learned building Mintd in the past few months:
1. Writing things down and talking things through with someone else move me forward 10x faster than trying to play scenarios out in my head. Both help add structure to my thoughts, especially when I'm trying to make big decisions or think through something complex. I don’t know why I’m still surprised by how effective each of these things are every time, when they consistently deliver results
2. Things always take longer than you think. When you’re building something that involves multiple interdependent outcomes, the best path forward often involves barging straight ahead, doing things concurrently, and optimistically assuming you will just ‘figure it out’ along the way rather than trying to complete things linearly
3. Starting from scratch involves an endless amount of decision making every day. One way I reduce the decision fatigue is by planning the 3 things I’m going to get done the next day, and blocking my calendar with exactly when I’ll get them done. No waking up and wondering what to work on
4. I don’t go into a meeting without a clear set of objectives and an agenda, even if it’s informal. I don’t like meetings. I’m a huge believer of ‘this meeting could have been an email’ 95% of the time. However sometimes, especially for brainstorming sessions or other creative pursuits, you just have to get into a room together and hash things out. In those instances, having an objective and agenda ensures you walk out having a list of actionable outcomes.
