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When it comes to figuring out what works, Sam Altman has a simple yet powerful approach: experiment, evaluate, and focus. This strategy, which has guided him through his successes, can be applied to anyone looking to carve their own path, whether in business, personal projects, or life in general.
The Power of Trying Everything
Sam Altman encourages a mindset of curiosity and exploration. He believes in taking time to explore a wide range of possibilities, trying out different ideas, and not being afraid to start something new, even if it seems uncertain. This approach is particularly valuable in today’s fast-paced world, where the next big thing could come from anywhere.
For example, consider how many successful companies began as simple, even seemingly trivial, ideas. Take Airbnb: what started as a couple of guys renting out an air mattress in their apartment evolved into a billion-dollar company that revolutionized the travel industry. They didn’t start with a perfect plan—they started with an experiment.
Similarly, Slack, the popular communication tool, was born out of a failed gaming project. The team noticed that the internal communication tool they had created was more valuable than the game itself. By being open to experimenting and recognizing what was truly working, they were able to pivot and create something hugely successful.
Trust Your Intuition but Be Honest
Altman emphasizes the importance of trusting your gut feelings when deciding which projects to pursue. Your intuition can guide you toward what genuinely excites you or what seems promising. But, he also highlights the need for brutal honesty when evaluating your experiments.
This means recognizing when something isn’t working and having the courage to let it go, no matter how much time or effort you’ve invested. It’s easy to get attached to an idea, but if it’s not showing potential, it’s crucial to cut it loose and shift your focus to something that does.
A real-world example of this is Instagram. Before becoming the photo-sharing giant it is today, Instagram was part of a larger app called Burbn, which had several features. The founders realized that the photo-sharing aspect was the most popular, so they scrapped everything else and focused entirely on that one feature. This honesty in assessing what was working ultimately led to Instagram’s massive success.
Focus on What Works
Once you've identified what’s working, Altman’s advice is to double down on it. Narrow your focus to the one or two things that are showing the most promise. This focus allows you to put all your energy and resources into making those things as successful as possible.
This principle can be seen in companies like Netflix. Originally a DVD rental service, Netflix saw the future in streaming and shifted its entire business model to focus on it. That decision allowed Netflix to become the dominant player in the streaming industry, far outpacing its competitors who were slower to adapt.
Accept Failure and Move Forward
One of the most important takeaways from Altman’s philosophy is accepting that not everything will work out—and that’s okay. Failure is a natural part of the process. The key is to keep experimenting, learning from your failures, and moving on to the next thing with the same enthusiasm.
Altman himself has had projects that didn’t pan out. But by staying true to his approach—pursuing what interests him, cutting what doesn’t work, and focusing on what does—he’s been able to achieve significant success with initiatives like OpenAI and Y Combinator.
Conclusion
Sam Altman’s approach is about more than just business—it’s a mindset that can be applied to any aspect of life. By experimenting widely, trusting your intuition, being brutally honest about what works, and focusing your efforts, you can create something meaningful and successful. And most importantly, by embracing the possibility of failure, you open yourself up to discovering the things that truly matter and work for you.
Listen to Sam Altman:
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