Essay Review: How to do great work
I recently read an essay by Paul Graham titled 'How to Achieve Great Work,' spanning an impressive 11,756 words and 40 pages, I found myself captivated by the insights, wisdom and actionable tips shared. Allow me to share my takeaways from this remarkable essay.
Paul Graham is the founder of Y Combinator. The biggest tech incubator in the world. Companies like: stripe, AirbnB, dropbox and paystack are all aluminis of the program
Here are my takeaways from the essay
Make Yourself A Big Target For Luck: Paul Graham, emphasizes the importance of making yourself a big target for luck. This can be achieved by expanding your experiences, such as traveling to new places, reading diverse books and biographies, and engaging in conversations with people outside your usual circle. By doing so, you increase the chances of encountering new ideas and opportunities.
Certainly! In addition to the examples mentioned earlier, here are a few more ways to make yourself a big target for luck:
1. Attend industry conferences and networking events to meet new people and expose yourself to different perspectives.
2. Volunteer for projects or initiatives outside of your usual scope of work to broaden your skill set and increase your chances of serendipitous opportunities.
3. Seek out mentors or advisors who have diverse backgrounds and expertise to gain insights and guidance from different fields.
4. Embrace new technologies and platforms that can connect you with a wider audience or provide exposure to new opportunities.
5. Stay curious and open-minded, actively seeking out new knowledge and experiences to expand your horizons.
Remember, the key is to actively seek out and embrace new experiences, connections, and ideas to increase the likelihood of serendipitous encounters and opportunities.
I met the lady that gave me the contact to do training for Access and Zenith bank in a coffee shop in Lagos. This is because i exposed myself to experiences upon which luck can land upon
Your Niche or Industry Is Not A Person: The second point emphasizes that one's field or niche should not be treated as a person deserving of loyalty. This notion, highlighted by Paul, holds significant weight. If you find yourself in a niche that isn't yielding results despite your dedication, it's crucial to recognize that your niche is not a person deserving of your loyalty. Consider exploring alternative niches or adjusting your current one to align better with your goals. After all, why persist in something that isn't working? Remember, your niche is not a human being, and you owe it no loyalty."
Market demand plays a significant role in the success of a niche. A niche with high market demand indicates a larger customer base and potential for sales. It suggests that there is a need or desire for products or services within that niche, increasing the chances of success and profitability. Conversely, a niche with low market demand may struggle to attract customers and generate sufficient revenue. Understanding and targeting a niche with strong market demand can greatly enhance the chances of success.
I used to be in the customer service and motivational speaking niche, but when i realized that it wasn’t helping me meet my family obligations i changed niches to SALES COACHING and that change has brought prosperity, prominence and property into my life.
It Is Not A Flaw In Your Character: The third point made is a powerful one: starting work can be more challenging than continuing it. Once you initiate a project and gain momentum, progress becomes easier. It is not a flaw in your character if you struggle to start, but rather a natural aspect of work. Similar to Newton's law of motion, objects at rest require an external force to set them in motion. Overcoming the inertia of starting is essential. Additionally, the article highlights two types of procrastination: day-to-day procrastination and project procrastination.
Per-day procrastination is when you tell yourself you’ll start next week and next week comes you postpone it again. Like some people say “Day one or one day’’ Please do the work, procrastination will steal your dreams
Per-project procrastination is when you’re working but you’re doing low priority work and procrastinating on high priority jobs. If the project you should be working on is making sales calls to your clients and all you’re doing is doing admin work you’re doing per-project procrastination.
The Value Of Questions: In the article Paul Graham emphasized the value of unanswered questions, stating that the more questions one has, the greater the potential for finding solutions. He highlighted the importance of being rich in unanswered empowering questions, as they contribute to personal and professional growth. Disempowering questions, on the other hand, should be avoided.
Empowering questions are those that inspire action, growth, and positive change. Examples of empowering questions include:
- What steps can I take to achieve my goals?
- How can I improve my skills in [specific area]?
- What opportunities can I explore to enhance my career?
- What can I learn from this situation to become better?
- How can I make a positive impact on others?
- What strategies can I implement to overcome challenges?
- What resources can I utilize to reach my full potential?
- How can I create a more fulfilling and balanced life?
Disempowering questions on the other hand are those that focus on negativity, limitations, or a sense of helplessness. Here are some examples:
- Why do I always fail at everything I do?
- Why can't I ever catch a break?
- What's the point of trying if I'm destined to fail?
- Why does everything go wrong for me?
- Why am I so unlucky?
- Why can't I be as successful as others?
- Why do I never get the recognition I deserve?
- Why does life always seem so unfair?
These questions tend to reinforce negative beliefs, discourage action, and hinder personal growth. It's important to reframe such questions into empowering ones to shift focus towards solutions and possibilities.
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Youtube Video of the week: My interview with Steve Harris