YC
Consume Information That Encourages You To Do More - Dalton Caldwell
@ Y Combinator
10/12/19
Takeaways
DC
Dalton Caldwell
10/12/19
@ Y Combinator
Be mindful of the information you consume; it should encourage you to take action and work on your aspirations rather than discourage you.
DC
Dalton Caldwell
10/12/19
@ Y Combinator
Consuming media that focuses on fundraising can lead aspiring founders to feel they need permission from investors to start their companies, which is not true.
DC
Dalton Caldwell
10/12/19
@ Y Combinator
Aspiring founders often mistakenly believe that the first step to starting a company is to create a pitch for investors, but the first step should be identifying who you want to work with and what you want to build.
DC
Dalton Caldwell
10/12/19
@ Y Combinator
Surround yourself with information that inspires you to create and provides positive feedback on your efforts, rather than focusing solely on fundraising and business mechanics.
DC
Dalton Caldwell
10/12/19
@ Y Combinator
Establishing thought leadership and gaining notoriety is a common concern for aspiring founders, but it's essential to focus on building your product first.
DC
Dalton Caldwell
10/12/19
@ Y Combinator
Be cautious about consuming thought leadership content that suggests you need to replicate the exact actions of successful individuals to achieve success yourself.
DC
Dalton Caldwell
10/12/19
@ Y Combinator
Many successful founders funded by Y Combinator had little to no online presence in the early stages of their companies, and focusing too much on establishing thought leadership can distract from what truly matters: making your company work.
DC
Dalton Caldwell
10/12/19
@ Y Combinator
Content marketing is often used by individuals to promote their products or services, but it doesn't necessarily correlate with the early success of their startups.
DC
Dalton Caldwell
10/12/19
@ Y Combinator
If thought leadership can be proven to improve your bottom line, then it makes sense to pursue it. However, if it doesn't relate to your core business, it may not be a good use of your time.
DC
Dalton Caldwell
10/12/19
@ Y Combinator
Your thought process as a founder is heavily influenced by the five most common information sources you consume, so be thoughtful about what you read and watch.
DC
Dalton Caldwell
10/12/19
@ Y Combinator
It's important to consume information that encourages you to do more and inspires you to move in the right direction as a founder.
DC
Dalton Caldwell
10/12/19
@ Y Combinator
If the information you're consuming inspires you to build more and work harder, it's beneficial. If it discourages you or leads you off track, stop consuming it.