5 Startup Lessons That Changed How I Work

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Being a part of fast-moving startups has taught me lessons that go beyond work.

Startups thrive on speed, adaptability, and execution—and those principles now shape how I approach decisions, challenges, and personal growth.

Here’s how those lessons have translated into both my professional and personal life:

1. Move Fast, Fail Fast, Iterate

Perfection isn’t possible without action. In startups, decisions are made quickly, and failures are treated as lessons, not setbacks. I’ve internalized this: move fast, take the shot, fail if needed, and iterate.

When it comes to decisions—whether at work or in life—I’ve trained myself not to overthink. If it won’t matter in a week, I give it five minutes, tops. This habit saves me time and energy and keeps me moving forward.

This newsletter? It’s far from perfect. The design could use work, and the color palette is, well, experimental. But I procrastinated on starting it for over a year.

So for now? We ship. 

2. Bring Solutions, Not Just Problems

Startups teach you to approach problems with solutions in mind. Sharing an issue is only half the job; bringing even one potential solution shows you’ve thought it through.

I apply this everywhere. Whether it’s a work challenge or something personal, I make it a point to think critically before speaking. This practice:

a) It often helps me solve issues on my own.

b) Makes it clear that I’m not just offloading problems, but contributing to their resolution and also open to a conversation.

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3. Results Over Progress

Progress updates are fine, but in the end, results are what matters.

It doesn’t matter how many late nights you’ve pulled—if there’s nothing to show for it, the effort doesn’t count. If it doesn’t move the needle, does it even matter?

This keeps me honest with myself. For example, when I claimed to eat “clean” but wasn’t seeing results at the gym, it was clear my definition of “clean” wasn’t working.

The solution? Adapt, tweak, and get better.

4. Mistakes Happen. Everything Is Solvable.

Startups are chaotic, and mistakes are inevitable. The key is to own them, communicate clearly, and solve them.

I follow a simple approach:

1. Understand what went wrong and the consequences.

2. Share the context with everyone impacted.

3. Propose a solution with a clear plan: “This happened, I know it’s not ideal, but here’s what I’m doing to fix it by [date].”

This mindset has helped me navigate challenges, build trust, and foster clarity in life.

5. Execution is Everything

Startups thrive on one thing: getting it done. No matter how complicated or impossible something seems, you find a way to make it happen.

In work, it’s the ability to push through excuses and deliver. In life, it’s about believing every problem is figureoutable and refusing to limit yourself. This mindset has taught me to bend challenges to my will and keep going, no matter what.

A Few Notes

1. This only works if you’re a rebel.

Whether in startups or life, walking a different path requires a mindset that challenges the status quo. You need the courage to look at life and say, I think I’ll do this my way.

2. Pick your battles wisely.

Not every problem deserves your energy. Focus only on what truly matters. If something doesn’t impact your long-term goals, eliminate it.

The lessons I’ve learned in startups have reshaped how I think, act, and grow. It’s about progress, adaptability, and resilience—not perfection.

Every day is an opportunity to build clarity, create impact, and keep moving forward. And the best part? The more I practice these principles, the more life feels less like a series of obstacles and more like a canvas of possibilities.

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