The 3 Sentences That Should Guide Every Founder
In 2015, I gave a talk at a startup conference that distilled starting a startup down to 7 simple rules.
In 2015, I gave a talk at a startup conference that distilled starting a startup down to 7 simple rules. Over the years, those rules have been reduced even further to just 3 key sentences:
1. Embrace the problem, not the idea.
2. Progress beats perfection.
3. Start small. Iterate. Scale.
Pin these 3 sentences above your desk. Make them your mantra. They capture the core mindset required for success as a founder.
I’ve seen far too many founders stumble because they ignored this advice. So take a few moments to internalize what each sentence really means.
Embrace the problem, not the idea.
Founders fall head over heels for their initial solution idea. They become attached and unwilling to consider alternative approaches. But their idea is usually wrong.
Instead, founders need to relentlessly obsess over the problem they’re solving, not their preliminary solution. Truly grok customers’ struggles. Immerse yourself in their world.
The right solution will emerge from this deep understanding of the core problem. But you have to stay flexible and open-minded to pivot as you learn. The problem is the fixed point, not your idea.
All the most successful startups began this way. Facebook didn’t start with a rigid social network concept but with wanting to connect college students. Uber wasn’t married to black car service — they wanted to solve transportation pain points.
Fall in love with the problem. Solutions will follow.
Progress beats perfection.
Founders waste endless time waiting for their idea to be perfect before shipping. But nothing’s perfect. And you only learn from real customers.
Strive to make each iteration slightly better than the last. If you’re embarrassed to launch version 1.0, you’ve waited too long. Get it out there and start getting feedback right away.
Resist designing every minor detail upfront. You can always refine later. And often you’ll realize those details didn’t matter anyway.
Don’t let the search for flawless perfection prevent progress. If you’re improving each time, you’re on the right path.
Start small. Iterate. Scale.
Founders dream of massive success from day one. But almost all hugely successful startups began small then grew organically. Trying to scale too soon is suicidal.
Launch with just a tiny sliver of your idea — an MVP (minimum viable product). Pick the smallest possible beachhead market to test it in.
Watch real customers use your MVP. Seek to understand their actual problems and needs versus your assumptions. Be ready to change everything based on what you observe.
Then tweak your product and model repeatedly based on customer feedback. Add new features carefully — don’t bloat your product trying to boil the ocean too soon.
Gradually expand into adjacent markets as you prove product-market fit. Let data guide each growth decision, not just intuition.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Nor was Facebook, Google, or any lasting startup. Have a vision for the future, but take the long view. Start small, iterate, and earn your growth step by step.
In Summary…
Print out these 3 sentences and paste them on your wall:
1. Embrace the problem, not the idea.
2. Progress beats perfection.
3. Start small. Iterate. Scale.
Follow this advice diligently, and your chances of startup success will rise dramatically. Ignore it, and you risk failure from preventable mistakes.
But don’t just memorize these words. Really meditate on the mindset shifts they represent. Internalize them as reflexes through conscious practice.
Success leaves clues. This wisdom is hard-earned from observing thousands of startups — both failures and extraordinary triumphs. Heed it.
© Buzzedison
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About the Creator
Edison Ade
I Write about Startup Growth. Helping visionary founders scale with proven systems & strategies. Author of books on hypergrowth, AI + the future.
I do a lot of Spoken Word/Poetry, Love Reviewing Movies.
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