ShopTalk Blog

Let's say you have a box.

Except your box is in deep outer space.

And you strap a magical engine to it.

This engine uses an inconsumable fuel that allows it to apply a constant force to your box forever. Let's graph the box's distance from its starting point over time.

Suddenly, although its in an expansive frictionless vacuum, people are looking at your box's graph and saying that it has traction. Your box is beginning to attract unwanted attention from venture capitalists on Sand Hill Road.

Many of us entrepreneurs would like to see more graphs like that.

Perhaps we should emulate the magical engine: a constant, unquenchable force, determined to push for years on end without respite.

What can we learn from cutting the graph in half?

Overnight success

takes years.