My decision-making framework for which ideas to chase
About This Episode
Shaan Puri outlines his decision-making frameworks for choosing projects, including the "Yes Test" and the philosophy that irritation leads to innovation, using his exclusive billionaire basketball camp as a case study. The hosts also explore the branding history of Nike, specifically how co-founder Bill Bowerman and athlete Steve Prefontaine established the company's "soul" through a punk-rock, non-conformist attitude.
Episode Description
Show Notes
- 0:00Basketball camp with billionaires
- 2:24Irritation leads to innovation
- 8:30the yes test
- 12:56the bigger you go, the easier it gets
- 15:17the product is you pushed out
- 25:28doesn't matter how rich you are, everyone is a little kid
- 34:46The guts of Steve Prefontaine
- 40:15NIKE branding
- 46:25The NIKE playbook broken down
- 58:26An argument about values
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Check Out Sam's Stuff
Key Takeaways
Use the 'Yes Test' to filter opportunities: only pursue projects you would be willing to do for free or even lose money on to ensure your standards and motivation are high.
Embrace the philosophy that 'the bigger you go, the easier it gets,' because ambitious and differentiated ideas attract higher-quality talent and resources than 'reasonable' ones.
Internalize the concept that 'the product is you pushed out,' meaning your most successful ventures will be those that are a direct, uncompromised productization of your own personality and obsessions.