1
Never say “no,” but rarely say “yes.”
"Focus" requires saying "no" to most things, but there's a way to do it that allows you to say "yes" exactly when it matters most.
Jason Cohen (A Smart Bear)
In 2022 I started writing some longer articles as well as new blog posts. Because I wanted a new format, with more fine-tuning, special control over image processing, and a print-specific PDF, I created a new website: https://longform.asmartbear.com/ Please join me there!
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Visit blog.asmartbear.com → RSS feedOn Hacker News Dec 2008 – Dec 2017
Tech Industry & Business 38Startups 27Career & Management 15Life, Learning & Writing 7Tools & Productivity 3Society, Policy & Culture 3
2
Why I feel like a fraud
Most high-performing people experience Impostor Syndrome. I did too. When you understand the cause, you can defeat it.
3
When you want to quit because it's just not worth it
Are you crying in the shower because you can't handle it anymore? Beyond Impostor Syndrome: Complete melt-down? Well, at least you're in good company.
4
The unfortunate math behind consulting companies
Hiring even one person creates a lot less profit than you'd think, and launching a product rarely works out. Here are some tips for consulting companies.
5
How cold calling (properly) works better than AdWords
How cold calling succeeded where AdWords failed, producing a 100% conversion rate and all the information needed to create a scalable business.
6
Business Advice Plagued by Survivor Bias
Advice from "successful entrepreneurs" might be unreliable due to Survivor Bias. What's real, and what's random?
7
Hiring Employee #1
If you want another pair of hands to screw things up, how do you acquire resumes, pair them down, and identify someone who is going to work well in your company?
8
Bending over: How to sell to large companies
Selling to big companies can be lucrative, and small bootstrapped startups absolutely have the power to sell to the big boys. But it's a very different world than you're used to. Here's what you can expect and how to deal with it.
9
Fighting micro-burn-out
Our emotions ride like a roller coaster -- we've all heard that phrase but it's different when you're actually living it. Noah Kagan believes that the real successful entrepreneurs are the ones that can deal with difficult times the best; here's some tips on how to do that.
10
Startup Therapy: Questions to ask yourself every month
Therapists don't tell you what to do. Rather, they ask probing questions that get you to discover for yourself what is true for you, your situation, and what you want. Similarly, these ten questions will force you to make the important decisions about your business. Ask them of yourself every month instead of writing…
11
No, I’ll tell you the answer
Beware of advice that tries to change who you are. True wisdom guides you to a better version of yourself.
12
Don't become an expert
Tired of being told you need "10,000 hours" before you can call yourself an "expert," and maybe become a "success?" Maybe you don't.
13
Employed with a side of startup
Starting a side gig during your 9-to-5: Avoid legal issues and maximize success.
14
The right way to position against competition
Most startup founders either claim there is no competition (because they're soooo unique) or define themselves as a combination of the best traits of their competitors. Neither is a good strategy; here's what to do instead.
15
Sacrifice your health for your startup
Maximizing your chance for success means sacrificing health and family. This sounds controversial, but it's not just me.