Action equals information. By acting, especially in uncertain situations, you learn far more than thinking or planning. The faster you act, the faster you learn, creating a flywheel of growth.
In a startup, you need a bias for action. For startups, speed is survival, especially in the critical stages before profitability.
Fast iteration builds momentum, and momentum is energising. Speed of execution is a core advantage against incumbents, who are slowed by bureaucracy and risk aversion. The benefits of speed compound over time. Practically, how do you execute faster?
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Reframe your approach. Ask yourself, how can this be done 10X faster? This question forces you to challenge assumptions and find more efficient paths. Sometimes it’s not about finding a shortcut, but realising the task isn’t needed at all.
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Prioritise and focus. Your capacity is finite. Be ruthless and focus on what matters most. Prioritisation means saying no to some good ideas in pursuit of great ideas.
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Make decisions quickly. If you wait for 100% certainty, you’ve taken too long. Mistakes will happen, but the benefits of speed and momentum outweigh the occasional cost of mistakes.
The founders set the pace in a startup: create a sense of urgency, make decisions quickly, and celebrate speed.