50 things I know

These are 50 lessons I’ve discovered along my journey. They may not be universally true, but they hold true for me. Inspired by Sasha and his essay.

1. I know that people are drawn to hard problems because they push us to exceed our limits. Even the smallest contribution to something bigger can inspire a person to work harder than they thought possible.

2. I have realized that your environment shapes you way more than we give it credit. Relocating to a new city or country can accelerate your personal and professional growth. Study the great cities, observe the types of people they attract, and consider moving to the epicenter of the field you're passionate about.

3. I know that advice is only valuable when it's sought out. When someone asks for your thoughts, pay close attention to what they’re truly seeking—be it validation, empathy, or genuine guidance.

4. Martial arts are the ultimate form of exercise. They improve your VO2 max, build muscle, and boost confidence simultaneously. You might never become an actual fighter, but you’ll reap the benefits regardless.

5. I know that 90% of service providers suck. I work either with the top 1% (in case I can afford them) or with freelancers where the accountability is clear. Cheap vendors are expensive.

6. I know that for a relationship to work, it needs to be win-win. This principle applies in both personal and professional capacities. You need to add value to the lives of those you want to keep close to, or the relationship will eventually falter.

7. I know that even if you are not super smart, you can still do well. Simply focus on qualities that come easily to you but are hard for others. For me, those are discipline, consistency, and an obsession with whatever I’m focused on.

8. I know that most people dread hard conversations, but mastering them gives you an edge, as true growth lies on the other side of those discussions.

9. Compliments are rare, and most people don’t receive them often. Praising them in public strengthens the relationship.

10. Maturity begins when you start taking accountability for problems you didn’t cause.

11. Having a low status will serve you better than having a high status. It allows you to learn new fields and ask questions others might shy away from. So, be a beginner in order to become an expert.

12. I’ve learned the importance of documenting important moments, and most moments in life are important; whether you write an essay or take many pictures later in life, that will come in handy.

13. I know I want to age gracefully, which means I must be more disciplined than most when it comes to exercise, diet, and lifestyle. Strong habits eventually become a desired lifestyle. Today, I can’t imagine a day without exercise.

14. Public speaking terrifies me, yet I love it. My hack is simple: Before I begin, I take a moment to smile at the audience. I find someone who looks engaged and happy and keep returning to them throughout my speech.

15. When faced with a difficult decision, I try to distance myself from it. With time, the right answer often becomes clear.

16. I know that random acts of kindness make people happy. Whether it’s sending postcards, buying them socks, remembering birthdays, or calling someone just to check in, these gestures build social capital like nothing else.

17. I know what my superpower is. It’s pretty simple how you can find out what yours is too. Once a year, ask people close to you to tell you your superpower. It will help you become much more self-aware and, in return, do the same for them. Be thoughtful and well-prepared.

18. When attending someone’s event or visiting their house, send them all the pictures you took and thank them for the invite.

19. I know how to stay optimistic. Focus on your long-term potential, but never become complacent in the short term. I’ve never met a successful person who didn’t work hard.

20. I know how to connect with new people. If you feel shy or uncomfortable with new people, make a habit of asking them questions. People love talking about themselves and will remember you fondly.

21. When building a startup, there is no one playbook that always works. The reality is complex, and while people tend to push you “best practices” and “common mistakes” for each of those, you can find an outlier that did the opposite and crushed it. It’s valuable to listen to advice and see if it would fit your worldview, but ultimately, trust your intuition and learn by having reality as your teacher.

22. I know how to learn a new domain quickly. The fastest way to learn is by taking action, which means becoming comfortable with making decisions with imperfect information. The second-best way is by talking to high-agency people who are a few steps ahead of you. The quality of these conversations matters more than the quantity. The third way is by curating excellent resources. Be extremely selective about your content, as average input leads to average output. The fourth way is by curating your social media feed to follow people just ahead of you and actively sharing their learnings. Lastly, teaching what you’ve learned—one-on-one, in a workshop, or during a talk—the process cements your understanding as others will challenge your thinking and expose gaps.

23. I know that people often complain about their jobs, but when they don’t have one, they’re more likely to feel depressed. Building a meaningful career is far more important for your happiness than most people want to admit.

24. I know that reading books is one of the best investments you can make. However, if a book doesn’t resonate with you or if you’ve grasped its main idea, it’s okay to move on. The value lies in the books you truly enjoy and learn from.

25. I realize how important friendships are, especially those that endure for a decade or more. Cherish these relationships and invest heavily in them. Travel across the world to attend their weddings, surprise them at birthdays, and make sure they know how much they matter. After all, a good friend is worth more than $100,000.

26. I know that when I’m feeling down, reading the biography of a great person lifts me up more than anything else. Study the greats and don’t hesitate to emulate parts of their journey.

27. I know that people cheer for you when you’re the underdog, but they will likely turn against you when you succeed.

28. I know that those who feel the need to show off—whether it’s about status or money—often have insecurities that are the exact opposite of the image they’re trying to project.

29. I know that you won’t be triggered or upset by others’ remarks unless there’s a kernel of truth in what they’re saying. Whenever someone offends me in a new way, I reflect on the insecurity they might have touched upon.

30. Through moving across seven countries, I’ve learned that the best way to build new friendships is by genuinely helping people without expecting anything in return.

31. I know there are two types of knowledge. The first is accumulative. You build on top of it as you go through life. Think about your work. The more you do it, the more you learn, the better you get. The second type is cyclical. You re-learn it every once in a while. Investment is one of those areas. Every once in a while, you get lucky, leading to greed and silly mistakes until there is a course correction and you learn a lesson. Then, the cycle repeats, and you re-learn the same mistake.

32. I used to think that science is all about knowledge. I have come to realize that science is first a way of thinking and only then about knowledge. Scientific thinking is about coming up with hypothesis, devising experiments and then replicating the findings until you are certain something is true. That’s way more valuable than memorizing facts discovered by other people.

33. I know that your 20s are for exploration. Travel the world, try new things, and discover what you’re truly good at and enjoy doing. As you grow older, you’ll naturally become more risk-averse and take on more responsibilities. Don’t settle into a comfortable life too soon—you might regret it later.

34. I know that even in the most foreign lands, you’ll find certain things that locals do that are strikingly similar to what you’ve grown up with. Recognize these small resemblances to build friendships more quickly. Then, explore how the locals have developed new ways of solving old problems, and embrace them if they resonate with you.

35. If you come from a no-money background, choose a sector that rewards merit over pedigree. For me, that was tech, as most startups operate on that principle. The downside is minimal, while the upside is unlimited.

36. I know that your rewards will be proportional to the size of the problems you solve. If you want a raise, ask about the company’s biggest problems. Prioritize either the least sexy or the most critical issues, and be relentless in solving them.

37. I know that doing hard things is painful in the short term but rewarding in the long run. Avoid jobs that feel too comfortable. Instead, say yes to opportunities where you feel slightly unqualified—you’ll grow with the challenge.

38. I know that every introduction someone makes on my behalf costs them social capital, which they have earned over time and with considerable effort. So, I do my best to act with gratitude and respect.

39. I know that when I seek advice, it’s my responsibility to pick up the tab.

40. I know that dropping a Calendly link when chasing someone for an online meeting can rub them the wrong way, so I try to align my availability with theirs, even if it takes more time and effort on my part.

41. I know that returning to large corporations often becomes impossible once people get a taste of startup life.

42. I know that if a person is able to solve a complex problem with nothing but a clear description of the [problem] itself, she is a rockstar.
    If I need to give the [problem + solution], then she is a B player.
    If I need to give the [problem + solution + clear instructions] on how to solve the problem, then this is likely a junior hire.
    The ability to act on limited, ambiguous information, get to the bottom of a problem, identify possible solutions, make an educated decision, and then execute exceptionally is what Paul Graham calls relentless resourcefulness.

43. I know having fewer people working at your startup is more impressive than having many.

44. I know that building your own company gives you unlimited vacation time, yet you end up working almost all the time. And that’s okay because the freedom you feel surpasses anything any job could offer.

45. I know that people with immigrant mentality tend to win.

46. I know that intelligence is not measured by any test, but by your ability to get what you want out of life.

47. I know that growing up poor can be a good thing. I rarely feel concerned about money the way many people do. Not because I have made it, not at all. Simply because I have developed a resilience that’s not rooted in external factors.

48. I know that startups do not die because of a lack of resources but from death by a thousand cuts. Every tiny failure is a nail in the coffin. As these setbacks accumulate, they begin to erode the founder’s resolve. Morale dips. The team loses its sense of conviction and direction, experiencing what is essentially a death by a thousand cuts. The antidote to this downward spiral is to win big every once in a while.

49. I know that no one likes to hear their baby is ugly—whether it’s a startup, their country, or an actual baby.

50. I know that the more successful you become, the nicer you should be. It’s probably the best guard against entitlement.