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20 Lessons from 2020.
2020 was an unforgettable year, and I was fortunate enough have the opportunity to learn some important lessons.
See all 20 here:
2020 was an unforgettable year, and I was fortunate enough have the opportunity to learn some important lessons.
See all 20 here:
1. Take asymmetric bets.
Understand the downside vs the upside of your actions. Take risks with capped downside and unbounded upside. This has resulted in new relationships, writing on my blog, and building MyMBA in public ( @nntaleb and @naval).
Understand the downside vs the upside of your actions. Take risks with capped downside and unbounded upside. This has resulted in new relationships, writing on my blog, and building MyMBA in public ( @nntaleb and @naval).
2. Give first.
Enter each relationship looking to give to others first. It’s often difficult to find ways to help those more experienced and further in their journey, but learning to have this perspective is important. (Learned from @techstars).
Enter each relationship looking to give to others first. It’s often difficult to find ways to help those more experienced and further in their journey, but learning to have this perspective is important. (Learned from @techstars).
3. Experiment.
Try more and tinker. Start small and see what works. If it doesn’t work, you learn from it. If it does work, keep experimenting to make it better. In general, don’t sit on an idea – put it to the test and see if it can work.
Try more and tinker. Start small and see what works. If it doesn’t work, you learn from it. If it does work, keep experimenting to make it better. In general, don’t sit on an idea – put it to the test and see if it can work.
4. Remove the airpods.
Digital wellbeing is important. Take time away from other people’s content to reflect. Give yourself time to think through problems and be creative. Spend more time on walks and away from the computer. https://twitter.com/grant_nissly/status/1219985325759651841?s=20
Digital wellbeing is important. Take time away from other people’s content to reflect. Give yourself time to think through problems and be creative. Spend more time on walks and away from the computer. https://twitter.com/grant_nissly/status/1219985325759651841?s=20
5. Think in terms of flywheels.
What can you do that compounds over a long period? What will get the flywheel to turn faster? Do you know each point of the flywheel and how can you improve the weakest point? https://twitter.com/grant_nissly/status/1215297168535433216?s=20
What can you do that compounds over a long period? What will get the flywheel to turn faster? Do you know each point of the flywheel and how can you improve the weakest point? https://twitter.com/grant_nissly/status/1215297168535433216?s=20
6. Start small but think big.
I learned this from @atnissly. MyMBA had to start small. However, starting small gave us the feedback to quickly iterate and build a better experience. From the small beginnings we’ve been able to think more the long term. (More to come in 2021!)
I learned this from @atnissly. MyMBA had to start small. However, starting small gave us the feedback to quickly iterate and build a better experience. From the small beginnings we’ve been able to think more the long term. (More to come in 2021!)
7. Responsiveness.
I read Deep Work by Cal Newport and came away thinking that email was a waste of time. Deep Work is important, but I’ve realized that responsiveness is key to effective communication and important in building trust with others.
I read Deep Work by Cal Newport and came away thinking that email was a waste of time. Deep Work is important, but I’ve realized that responsiveness is key to effective communication and important in building trust with others.
8. Build.
Building something you’re passionate about creates compounding opportunities and relationships. Whether it’s a blog or podcast or company, building something is a great way to be creative and find what you’re interested in
Building something you’re passionate about creates compounding opportunities and relationships. Whether it’s a blog or podcast or company, building something is a great way to be creative and find what you’re interested in
9. Cold emails.
Building something to show your interest and knowledge is key, but writing a great cold email to initiate an online relationship is just as important (Learned from @brandonthezhang & @tobydoyhowell) https://twitter.com/grant_nissly/status/1296839721562312705?s=20
Building something to show your interest and knowledge is key, but writing a great cold email to initiate an online relationship is just as important (Learned from @brandonthezhang & @tobydoyhowell) https://twitter.com/grant_nissly/status/1296839721562312705?s=20
10. 99% is 0%.
Finish and execute or nothing will move. I’ve caught myself leaving an email as a draft to come back later thinking, “well at least it’s 99% complete.” It’s not done until it’s done. Send the email and finish.
Finish and execute or nothing will move. I’ve caught myself leaving an email as a draft to come back later thinking, “well at least it’s 99% complete.” It’s not done until it’s done. Send the email and finish.
11. Learn to Sell.
I’ve never tried to sell anything before this year. After over 90 sales pitches I’ve learned how important selling is if you’re looking to start a business. To learn to sell, you have to do it. https://twitter.com/grant_nissly/status/1331643781557448708?s=20
I’ve never tried to sell anything before this year. After over 90 sales pitches I’ve learned how important selling is if you’re looking to start a business. To learn to sell, you have to do it. https://twitter.com/grant_nissly/status/1331643781557448708?s=20
12. Seek diverse perspectives.
Some of the best ideas I’ve had to help MyMBA have come from people with a background in an unrelated field. Try to incorporate some randomness and never assume anything about who you’re meeting.
Some of the best ideas I’ve had to help MyMBA have come from people with a background in an unrelated field. Try to incorporate some randomness and never assume anything about who you’re meeting.
13. People can only talk from their experience.
Related to #12, people’s perspectives are based on their experience. Everyone has a different experience and it’s on you to understand what will work best for your situation.
Related to #12, people’s perspectives are based on their experience. Everyone has a different experience and it’s on you to understand what will work best for your situation.
14. “Let me know how I can help” does not work.
This is a SV meme, but I learned why this year. If you really want to help someone, help them. Especially for customers, you have to find ways to help them because they will not ask you outright.
This is a SV meme, but I learned why this year. If you really want to help someone, help them. Especially for customers, you have to find ways to help them because they will not ask you outright.
15. Ask for Support.
People are open to supporting you if you’re genuinely interested in learning from them. People like to give back but they won’t come to you. Ask for help.
People are open to supporting you if you’re genuinely interested in learning from them. People like to give back but they won’t come to you. Ask for help.
16. Make a dollar online.
One of my goals for 2020 was to make a dollar online, and it changed my perspective of the internet. Making $1 dollar opened my eyes to opportunities online. I tell this to many MyMBA Members looking to start something for themselves. ( @jackbutcher)
One of my goals for 2020 was to make a dollar online, and it changed my perspective of the internet. Making $1 dollar opened my eyes to opportunities online. I tell this to many MyMBA Members looking to start something for themselves. ( @jackbutcher)
17. Sleep.
The pandemic helped me to realize I was not prioritizing sleep and it has huge consequences. You’re simply smarter and more productive if you sleep well.
The pandemic helped me to realize I was not prioritizing sleep and it has huge consequences. You’re simply smarter and more productive if you sleep well.
18. Do the little things.
I learned this from @fazz. It’s important to say thank you, be grateful, give back to others, and really care for others around you. Business is about relationships and caring for the people around you is the right thing to do.
I learned this from @fazz. It’s important to say thank you, be grateful, give back to others, and really care for others around you. Business is about relationships and caring for the people around you is the right thing to do.
19. Deliver WOW.
When building a product, deliver an experience that makes your users think, “Wow this is more valuable than I expected.” Tony Hsieh pioneered this thinking at Zappos. https://twitter.com/grant_nissly/status/1337468382812233728?s=20
When building a product, deliver an experience that makes your users think, “Wow this is more valuable than I expected.” Tony Hsieh pioneered this thinking at Zappos. https://twitter.com/grant_nissly/status/1337468382812233728?s=20
20. Have fun (obligatory corny conclusion).
Lean in to what you’re having fun with. I’ve had a ton of fun building MyMBA over the past 8 months and being excited to work on something gives me confidence for the future.
Lean in to what you’re having fun with. I’ve had a ton of fun building MyMBA over the past 8 months and being excited to work on something gives me confidence for the future.
