A Smart Bear · Jason Cohen
articleprincipleHow many things should there be? (Hint: Not 10)
10 December 2023Profit
Source excerpt
About A Smart BearIf we happened to evolve with nine fingers, we would have "Top 9" lists. So, a "Top 10" list probably doesn't have the correct number of things.
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Apollo layer
What a founder can learn
Founder takeaway
Don’t let familiar formats or arbitrary round numbers determine your priorities. Choose the smallest set of initiatives that reflects the real differences in impact, evidence, and urgency.
Why it matters
A fixed-length list can elevate weak ideas, obscure the few consequential ones, and spread scarce founder attention too thin. Deliberate prioritization improves decision quality and execution.
Relevant guides
Put it to work
Review your current priorities without targeting a preset number: Which items would you still fund if each required twice the expected time or money, and which remain only to complete the list?
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