F%&k it. Let's do it.
Get rid of analysis paralysis and start moving now.
Paradoxically, one of the most annoying questions we all get in podcasts or interviews poses an interesting dichotomy. We all have been asked "if you could go back in time, what would you do differently?", "if you started your company again, would you make the same choices?" or variations thereof.
If you could go back in time and changed even the slightest thing, you would alter the course of history, being thus unable to make it to the point where you're being interviewed and asked this question. I have always been of the opinion that I'd do exactly the same things over and over again because I prefer safety to gambling.
On the other hand, I strongly feel there is indeed something I would change. That, of course, would alter the events and we would drift into a myriad of possible alternative universes so I wouldn't end up being where I am or even who I am.
That something is getting rid of analysis paralysis.
I have very low self-confidence. I am an overthinker and I tend to over-engineer whatever I want to do. That has led me to abandon projects I didn't even launch. It has also led me to lose interest in things because they were too complicated. Or, maybe, because I made them very complicated.
For the uninitiated, analysis paralysis refers to a state of indecision where you are unable to make a decision due to overthinking or excessive analysis of available options. This phenomenon often arises from the overwhelming volume of information or choices, leading to a cycle of rumination and anxiety about making the wrong choice.
When we started my company, MarsBased, I spent weeks, if not months, defining marketing plans, sales strategies and other stuff that ended up going nowhere. I studied, listened to podcasts, consumer countless hours of YouTube, read books & blogs and asked lots of people about how to do X, only to find that I couldn't do it that way because we had no budget, no team, no nothing.
Many projects died before seeing the light of day. Many side-projects too.
We all know the theory: move fast, break things, or what Reid Hoffman famously said: "If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you've launched too late". But too often I have found that even if we know the theory, we mess up all the same.
A few years ago, I decided to follow another approach. I would launch stuff to create a feeling of pressure, urgency and social accountability.
Here's three things I've done this week to show how I operate now.
- Yesterday, I quit Startup Grind. While this was premeditated, it didn't have a precise date, nor do I have defined an action plan of how to transition out, how to communicate it, or what to do about it. I had been delaying the decision for a few weeks because I needed this, that and to speak with this or that person. Fuck it, let's do it.
- On Monday, I decided that we would do a video streaming episode for my podcast Foc a Terra. We never do video, much less streaming. I booked a venue, signed the contract, paid and I decided to figure out later if it was a good idea. Today, we've had a very good time recording it:
We've got the video recording here (in Catalan).
Fuck it, let's do it.
- For the first time in the history of MarsBased, we're hiring more people than we need. After ten years of being understaffed and being extremely conservative, we're gearing up a bit. I greenlighted hiring 2-3 people even if we have no projects for them. We will find them. We always have.
Fuck it. Let's do this too.
If I can do it, you can do it, too. Next time you're convinced about doing something, adopt this approach instead. Action over planning.
Fuck it. Let's do it.
Other stuff
- Another longer article than desired. Maybe this is the format for this newsletter or should I write long posts separately and leave the Friday newsletter only for cool findings? Your feedback is more than welcome.
- I've received a cool investment opportunity in a company doing image detection for driving school lessons. It's almost too good to pass on. Let me know if you're interested.
- Also, my portfolio company Delitbee happen to be fundraising now. Let me know if you want to join us!
- Google's Notebook is strangely addictive. Throw in a few articles or websites and it generates a podcast about it. I'm using it to digest old long articles I don't have time to read.
- Check insider news of big tech companies here. Better than Glassdoor.
- The Wordpress drama continues. Matt is having a fucking meltdown and needs help. He's even having a spontaneous nosebleed during a freaking podcast.
- If you ever need to build yourself a personal site to get dealflow, Javi Lopez's is a one hell of a good example.
- I'll save you time: don't try Age of Empires mobile.