YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

As a startup founder, I must focus on my customers first and understand the problems they care about, ensuring I stay laser-focused on providing solutions.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

It's easy to get distracted by shiny objects and fun tasks instead of addressing the core issues that will truly move the needle for my business.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

Writing down my priorities and tracking my key performance indicators (KPIs) is essential to identify bottlenecks and understand why revenue may not be growing as fast as it should.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

Productivity tools can be distracting and may impose someone else's way of thinking on me; it's okay to use simple tools like Apple Notes or spreadsheets instead.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

Pre-product market fit, I need to be as accessible and close to my customers as possible, rather than getting bogged down in complex systems and documentation.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

Productivity often boils down to priority; I should regularly ask myself what my main goal is and whether my current activities align with that goal.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

Fake work is a dangerous trap for startup founders; it feels productive but doesn't lead to real progress, so I must stay focused on my actual goals.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

Understanding the difference between maker schedules and manager schedules is crucial; I need uninterrupted time for deep work rather than mixing it with meetings.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

As a technical founder, I need to ensure my schedule allows for long, uninterrupted periods to write code effectively, so I take the first chunk of my day for meetings and then schedule no meetings in the late afternoon and evening to have six hours of uninterrupted coding time.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

It's important to be intentional about how you chop up your schedule, balancing between meetings and creative work.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

The danger with social media for a founder is believing in the media personality of yourself rather than focusing on how things are actually going with the product.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

Some of the best founders spend very little time on social media because they prioritize direct validation from customers over online engagement.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

You should always link your social media activities back to your primary goal, which is proving or disproving your business hypothesis.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

Stack ranking your priorities helps you focus on what truly matters, as you will likely only accomplish the top three tasks on your list.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

The most important model for time management is deciding what not to do, as there is an infinite supply of distractions that can occupy your time.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

Being judicious about what you say no to is a key productivity hack, often involving disappointing others or missing out on interesting opportunities.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

The most productive founders do not focus on productivity tools but are willing to make hard decisions about how they spend their time.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

The best productivity tip is to avoid multitasking; hyperfocus on your main tasks instead.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

10/07/23

@ Y Combinator

Ultimately, nothing can substitute for putting in the hours and maintaining a mindset focused on hard work rather than shortcuts.

Startup Experts Reveal Their Top Productivity Advice

Takeaways