When you're a startup before achieving product-market fit, thinking long term seems preposterous because you might not even have a long term to consider. You're focused on survival, not on future plans.

Transitioning from freelance to working with a startup involves understanding that timelines are fast and decision-making is crucial, especially in the early stages of product development.

While immediate and actionable plans are critical for startups, maintaining a meaningful and inspiring vision is equally important.

It's important for founders to resist the urge to have a complete plan or exit strategy from the start, as many successful companies evolve beyond initial expectations.

Startups often win by moving quickly, as they rarely have enough data or time to deliberate, so team members must be willing to act with limited information.

As a startup, your life exists in moments, so focus on achieving your immediate goals and hire accordingly.

There is a critical exploration phase for a company that is often ignored; it's important to allow time for ideas to develop before committing to a specific direction. Don't make a fixed plan; instead, plan to plan, allowing for adjustments every three months based on new insights and variables.

It's important to regularly communicate the company's goals and roadmap to ensure everyone understands them. Founders often underestimate how frequently they need to reiterate these messages to keep the team focused.

For consumer hardware startups, having a critical fundraising roadmap is essential to reach escape velocity and ensure long-term success.