How to Level Up Without Rushing and Burning Out
Many people feel an urge to rush to the next step. Even when they know it’s not always rational or justified, they want to go faster, skip ahead, and as a result, often miss important steps or don’t do them well enough.
Take building software, for example. Some people launch their product straight away, talk to everyone, and then nothing works. On the other hand, you shouldn’t fall into the opposite trap either—spending years perfecting something, only to realize after three years that nobody cares, or that your users’ needs have changed. That’s even worse.
Getting negative feedback can be discouraging. Sure, it helps you improve, but it can also sap your motivation. There’s a lot of talk about building products quickly—what’s called an MVP, or Minimum Viable Product. But people often forget the “viable” part. The goal isn’t to make a product that does everything, but to make a small product that does one thing extremely well.
Instead of creating a complete but imperfect product, focus on making a perfect but incomplete one. Do one thing, and do it better than anyone else. If you’re a freelancer, this is even more important. Your reputation is all you have. If you try to offer too many features and none of them work well, it’s better to offer just one feature and make it outstanding. Find out what your users want most, and make that experience far better than your competitors.
People might think, “Why would anyone come to me if my product does almost nothing?” But if that one thing is done much better than anywhere else, they will come. I once read a definition of MVP that stuck with me: the minimum effort for the maximum impact. Always aim for the least effort that brings the biggest result—whether that’s for your users or your bottom line.
For example, OpenAI is a fan of MVPs. As of November 2024, there’s still no way to change your password in your account settings. The only way is to log out and use the “forgot password” link. That’s it. They don’t waste time building features that don’t add real value. Their focus is on making their AI more accurate and up-to-date, not on perfecting every dashboard detail.
So, as a freelancer, ask yourself: what’s my MVP? What’s the smallest, most impactful thing I can do? Focus on that.
I love coming to places surrounded by nature. Even on cloudy days, the view inspires me. Being in the right environment sparks creativity and new ideas. Just like a tree grows better in fertile soil, we grow faster and stronger in the right surroundings. In some countries, it’s simply easier to succeed because the environment is more supportive. The people around us and the place we live in shape our success, even if it’s indirect.
The same goes for raising funds. Money can speed things up, giving you a head start. If you move faster, you’re ahead of your competitors, and your success will be bigger because you’re already in the future while others are stuck in the present or past.
That’s why the MVP principle matters: do one thing perfectly, not many things poorly. Pivot if you need to, but always ask: what’s the smallest effort for the biggest impact? This is the heart of the Pareto principle—20% of your actions bring 80% of your results.
Sometimes, we think we don’t have enough time or money to change our habits or start something new. But time won’t magically appear. You have to make time. The same goes for money. There will always be new expenses, so you have to carve out the resources you need. Even 10 or 20 euros a day can be enough to start something.
Money comes and goes, but time is a train that never stops. If you waste weeks, that’s lost life you’ll never get back. Money is a flow, a tool, a lever.
In the end, the goal is to be happy. If you want something, do it now. Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. I love the saying: If you really want something, you’ll get it. If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way.
Start today. Life won’t wait for you. If your path is beautiful, you won’t even care where it leads—you’ll just enjoy the journey.
If you want something, start today. Life won’t wait for you.
— Pierre
Do one thing, and do it better than anyone else.
— Pierre
Key Takeaways
- Don’t rush—focus on doing one thing perfectly, not many things poorly.
- Your environment matters. Find places and people that inspire you.
- Always ask: what’s the smallest effort for the biggest impact?
- Time is precious. Make time for what matters now.
- If you want something, start today. Don’t wait for the “right” moment.
Action Steps
- Identify your MVP: What’s the one thing you can do better than anyone else?
- Find or create an environment that sparks your creativity.
- Make time and budget for your project, even if it’s just a little each day.
- Start now, not tomorrow.
Reflection
- What’s holding you back from starting today?
- Are you focusing on what matters most, or spreading yourself too thin?
- Is your environment helping you grow, or holding you back?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Entrepreneurship #Focus #Mindset #Money #Personal-Growth #Productivity #Success Strategies #Tech