You need to think small to win big.
I know this sounds like blasphemy.
"Think big" is what practically everyone says you have to do if you want to become an entrepreneur.
To the point that it has become a tired platitude at best, and a silly unactionable meme at worst.
But thinking big is possibly your worst enemy if you're just starting out.
For the simple reason that big goals overwhelm you when you get down to work, and when you're overwhelmed that's when you start procrastinating.
Big goals paralyze you.
Say your goal is to build a house.
Which mental target is more likely to spur you to action:
- "Build a house"
or
- "Build a door frame?"
The answer is clearly 2, because it seems much more doable.
In your business, if you think of making $10k/mo when you're not even at $100/mo, you're more likely to feel overwhelmed and then you start doing non-work tasks such as:
- Doing "market research"
- "Studying" courses
- Watching motivational videos on YouTube
- Designing your logo, "engaging" on social media, reading business blogs, business books, the list goes on.
Things that make you feel fake-productive but actually doesn't move you forward an inch.
You might as well have been watching Netflix at that point -- it's the same thing.
Don't avoid small goals because of your ego.
A lot of new entrepreneurs eschew smaller goals like making $100/mo, because they think it's beneath them.
They've been making a good 6-figure salary in the corporate world, so $100/mo is a joke to them.
But the truth is they're afraid to set small goals.
Yes, most entrepreneurs are afraid of setting small goals, because deep down they're scared that they can't even hit that.
It's like dudes at a club who insist on "shooting their shot" with the hottest girls in the club.
They deliberately go for the most attractive ones because, when they inevitably get rejected, they can rationalize to themselves and others that it's expected, because they're hot.
They have an excuse for failing.
They're more concerned about optics than actual results.
In the same vein, a lot of entrepreneurs don't dare to proclaim to others (and themselves) that they want to make $100/mo to start, because they have zero excuse if they don't get there a month from now.
But there's no room for ego in entrepreneurship, everyone starts from the bottom.
If you can't hit small goals, you can't hit big goals. Period.
Momentum is how you succeed.
The whole point of setting small goals is to convince yourself that you're on to something, that you can do it, and that this can someday help you live your dream life.
But if you're new, you desperately need tiny wins, because you badly need evidence to convince yourself that this venture has legs.
You won't be motivated to do anything if you can't see signs of micro-traction -- human beings are motivated by progress, no matter how small.
It's better to set 5 small goals, i.e. set one after hitting the previous one, and with each slightly bigger than the other, that to set 1 massive goal and still be in the same place 6 months later.
Each small success leads to a bigger success, you build up on your progress and foundation to achieve bigger targets.
If your immediate goal is to make $100/mo or even just your first dollar ever online, it puts you in an uncomfortable spotlight (which is a great thing).
You get to work immediately, you become determined to prove that you can do it, because there's no excuse to not be able to complete such a tiny goal, and you know it.
Pour conclure
Set your ego aside.
Goals aren't permanent -- you're allowed to revise them once you hit them, and most of us naturally do.
I've never heard of a single entrepreneur who suddenly stops working just because he hits a certain revenue target.
So set goals you can actually achieve, so that you'll actually get to work.
Get out of your own way, and you shall prosper.
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Such a great read. Thank you for writing it. Love the honest self-reflection and straight forward words. “Think big but start small”, it’s so true. I like how you show that “fear” (of failure) is the actual culprit of why it’s sometimes hard to start/think small and get started with the right things. To add another angle, I learned from the book “the mountain is you” that your ego/brain is actually trying to protect you from feeling the pain, which comes from the fear of failure or of not being good enough. These are elemental fears and we all have them. Knowing in a particular moment that your action (or inaction) is based on a fear, and you’re able to stop, take a breath, and do the right thing instead, is probably half the rent of becoming a successful (indie) entrepreneur.
Yes, the first important step is to catch yourself having that fear.
And still moving forward despite that fear.
There's no room for ego or chips on shoulders in entrepreneurship.
Very great read Jay. It sounds logical but we forget about small wins on daily basis. A good reminder and great advices!
Glad you liked it!
Love this perspective! Setting achievable goals keeps you focused and motivated to succeed. Small wins lead to big victories 💪
So spot-on, I just have to subscribe.
Thanks for subscribing.
Truly appreciate the valuable guidance offered to budding entrepreneurs.
You got it.
This is so true! Setting small goals and achieving them is a great way to stay motivated and build momentum.
Totally agree. Small (I'd even say nano), simple, and clear are all key.
Relating to the momentum part!
Think big in your goals, think small in your execution. The former drives motivation, but the latter is what actually drives success and improvement. No one achieves success through big leaps. It's all about the small steps.
I like this.
This comment was deleted 9 months ago.
There's a lot of FOMO in social media and twitter. Sometimes it's good to just stuck your head in a rut and focus :)
I'd go as far as saying that social media is a net negative for founders.
We need more focus, not less.
This is a welcomed reminder on how to not just recognize when shifting mindesets is important but also a great foundation to live by when developing goals.
I always say thing big but split it in multiple smaller goals. That way you will get to your big goal in steps that you can easily enjoy! Baby steps to a big result. It's exactly how we grew to become the people we are today.
Most new entrepreneurs don't know how to do that though.
Self-leadership is actually very hard.
Most of us are used to having people tell us what to do and how to do it.
I love the way you have articulated this. For me, the greatest challenge was staying consistent after achieving those small goals because they weren't lucrative enough anymore and not having enough resources to manage the bigger ones. I have subscribed to your newsletter. I run a small podcast for designers. What is the best way to reach out to you? :)
You can drop me a line at jay@zylvie.com.
Many of my friends who are starting or thinking about starting a startup tend to focus too much on the big picture. I always advise them to concentrate on the small steps they are currently facing and not let visionary thinking consume too much of their daily time. However, for startup newbies, it can be challenging to remember the importance of these small details. Based on my years of experience, I've learned that these small parts are the actual building blocks of a successful startup. Big picture thinking often leads to self-deception in the face of uncertainty.
Visionary thinking is just what our entire startup literature has taught us to think.
They've brainwashed us about stories about Steve Jobs and Bill Gates from Day 1.
Can't really blame these newbies for drinking the Kool-Aid.
Yes, this kind of conditioning is a common hurdle that everyone encounters, and overcoming it comes at a cost. Whether through reading, practice, or any other method newbies choose, it remains a significant obstacle that must be overcome.
I agree 100% with this.
From my experience, when you think too big you end up achieving nothing.
Small goals, small steps and small wins! After some time you may end into something big!
Yup, a lot of people think you can't revise your goals to bigger goals over time, which is not true.
But small wins are better than no wins for sure, they will lead to bigger wins so long as you persevere and keep working hard.
I relate to this and would add this:
Starting is key. Even working just 1h on a project (real work, not "productivity work") will spark your emotions and let you advance further. Don't get caught up on a big goal or a big project. Just start. Start even if you are not ready. Take massive imperfect action.
Process > Goal : If you are just working on something to achieve the goal, perhaps you need to reframe your situation. Once goals are achieved you set bigger ones and you are never enjoying the current moment, but living for the future. Don't forget to enjoy the process, the personal growth you experience and the excitement of the challenges ahead.
Real work is key lol.
A lot of people procrastinate with "learning" or "research" and think they've actually done something productive... not.
And also agree on process > goal. Not just enjoying it, but focusing on the process is actually what gets you to your goal.
Fixating on your goals gets you nowhere if your processes are crap.
Focus on the input, and the output takes care of itself.
This was incredibly insightful, thank you!
I'd suggest anyone in this boat to also focus on the learning process itself. Every small task or goal achieved is not just a step forward but a lesson in what works and what doesn't, which is invaluable for any solopreneur.
I believe that both "approach a problem in small steps" and "have a big goal" can live together. You need to know where you are aiming to actually take a next small step. Otherwise there is a big chance you will be walking in circles or on the same place.
Maybe, but why have big goals that paralyze you and cause you to procrastinate?
Don't forget you can always revise your goal upwards at anytime.
Your short-term goal has to be something small.
Your long-term goal can be as big as you want, and it has to be waaayyyy behind at the back of your mind and not something you think about all the time.
Honestly the most sage advice but there's an entire culture celebrating the antithesis.
One piece of advice sounds good.
The other is actually good (and actionable).
Dude, I felt you wrote that post especially for me.
I've been a five times failed startup founder over the last 10 years.
Last business I poured over 3,000 hours and failed to generate any revenue. It was in the educational technology sector. Fully bootstrapped. Met with clients. Hundreds of cold calls. Nothing.
Long story.
After 2 years of reflection I've been trying to get back into the game.
And I can't tell you how much I identify with the big goals and big thinking mentality.
100%.
It's as you say. I get in a forever loop trying to absorb more content.
I've found this community after seeing levelsio and Marc Lou get ahead. And it seems you are ahead too.
I'm trying to build some confidence, and definitely this is the medicine that I need.
I'm thinking on indie projects that I can launch in Product Hunt and get the feeling of winning back again.
I love thinking big. Would love to have a chat sometime.
Dude, you need to think small.
Edutech, client meetings, cold calling, that's like flashy, big business stuff.
You need to scale down a lot more and just make $100 first.
Tiny wins > No wins at all for a long time
You can always start thinking big once you have a few small wins under your belt.
Thanks. Will do
Good piece! It is good to have a big vision for your start-up. Some North Star. But in practice, the focus should stay on small steps that move the company forward.
It's not too late to have a big vision once you have some traction.
But a big vision in the beginning hurts more than it helps.
"momentum is how you succeed" I needed that reminder.
You sir are a very good writer, keep up the good work
Thank you for your kind compliment!
Very interesting!
Set your ego aside, goals aren't permanent - I love that
Thinking small allows for focused and achievable goals, creating a foundation for long-term success. Breaking down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps fosters clarity and a sense of accomplishment. This approach promotes better problem-solving and adaptability, crucial traits for overcoming challenges. Small wins build confidence and momentum, propelling you toward larger aspirations. Ultimately, the path to winning big often begins with strategic and deliberate small-scale efforts.
For startups hoping/needing to raise outside money, most Angels and VCs are looking for something that is at least potentially very "big".
That's cool and the gang, but the vast majority of us here are indie solopreneurs who are bootstrapping.
It's called "Indie Hackers" after all.
Yes, sometimes called a "life style" company. Just trying to make a buck ... or two.
LMAO, yes a lifestyle company indeed.
You're either optimizing for your own lifestyle, or you're optimizing for your investors' lifestyle.
Your choice.
I have one shot at this life, I know exactly what I'm picking.
I have done both, startup -> IPO, startup to SMB. If outside funding, ask yourself: Do you want to work for your company? Do you want 100% of something small or maybe a few percent of something potentially very big?
How are Benioff and Bezos (for examples) doing today? :)