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Three years ago, I lost my job. In that dark moment, I started writing. Along the way, 10,000+ readers joined me in my journey. 10 lessons I wish I knew then:

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You become valuable when you become a bridge from someone's pain to desire.

Feb 4

I'll never forget the people that read my work in the beginning. Those early supporters have been some of the most important people in my life. There's no way I'll be able to repay them. So I'll just say thanks. Thank you for believing in me.

I couldn't find the words back then, but now I know I never want to rely on an employer again. I started writing three years ago to channel my thinking. I shared public journal entries online and after a while I had a small audience of readers who were interested in my journey.

After I lost my job at WeWork something inside of me changed. I don't think I'll ever be the same person as I was before that. It's probably the same for someone who goes through a really bad breakup. Trust issues, I guess.

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In 1 word, why do startups fail?

116

Thinking about how writing is like an individual sport, while also being a great team sport. I can sit in my office for hours, entirely uninterrupted. But my best ideas flow when I'm hanging out with other writers. Are there any other jobs like this?

In 1 word, why do startups fail?

116

Climbing is not a solo journey. It can be an individual or team sport. Teams offer mentorship. Teammates are like spotters. They'll have your back when you fall. The view from the top is a lonely one. It's best if you bring friends along for the journey.

There is no elevator to success. You must take the stairs. You don't need to see the entire staircase, just the first step. If you skip steps, you might fall. Falling from the first step hurts little. Falling from the top hurts a lot.

Success is not an accident. It is the byproduct of hard work. It is relentless focus. This is not a secret. Every top performer will tell you, "put in the reps." This is not a trick. Dedication separates the 0.1% from the 99.9%.

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100%. I hesitated writing for the public out of fear I wasn't good enough. I sucked it up and started writing last month. Surprising how much I actually learned about myself along the way

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Three years ago, I lost my job. In that dark moment, I started writing. Along the way, 10,000+ readers joined me in my journey. 10 lessons I wish I knew then:

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If you build a product with the goal of helping others, rather than making money, you will make more money. If you build a product with the goal of making money, you'll probably forget about what matters, and not make much money.

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Three years ago, I lost my job. In that dark moment, I started writing. Along the way, 10,000+ readers joined me in my journey. 10 lessons I wish I knew then:

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10 things I wish I knew 3 years ago: • Just start • Stop comparing • Write to 1 person • Curate your inputs • Stop doom-scrolling • Read timeless books • Write drunk, edit sober • Find like-minded people • Deliver actionable advice

Stop comparing: Most beginners compare growth to other accounts. • You are not them • Stop trying to rush a good thing • Enjoy the process Compare yourself to you 6 months ago.

Read timeless books: IG offers a quick burst of dopamine. But it's destroying your attention span. Instead, consume content from: • Books • Podcasts • Long-form videos You’ll learn more and stress less.

Stop doom-scrolling: Doom-scrolling is when you’re scrolling out of boredom with no agenda. You’re like a gambler playing a slot machine, pulling the lever repeatedly. Notice when you’re doing this and put the phone down. It’s fucking up your mental health.

Write Monday, edit Tuesday: Get ideas out of your head: • Braindump • Word vomit Never edit on the same day. • Edit for clarity • Create a signature style

Deliver actionable advice: Too many writers publish platitudes that will never be seen. Stop impressing; start teaching: • How-tos • Templates • Step-by-steps Your advice is a roadmap for another.

Curate your inputs: Unfollow celebs, athletes, and companies. Follow accounts that: • Inspire • Educate • Motivate Quality inputs > quality outputs.

Write to 1 person: If you write for everyone, you impact no one. Before publishing, ask: • Who is this for? • What's the big idea? • What's the primary benefit? A focused writer is a winning writer.

Find like-minded people: Millions of people share your goals. They hide in plain sight in places like Twitter. I met some of my best friends in NYC by writing online. Your ideas are an attraction.

Just start: Stop holding yourself back. • Publish that article • Write that tweet • Send that DM Repetition builds confidence. Get started.

When you set your sights on many goals, it dilutes focus, which is crucial for achieving goals. You're better off with one big goal, and creating habits that will help you get there, one step at a time.

A 1-person business is more agile than a 1,000-person business. Make it your competitive advantage.

Whats the #1 book for startup CEOs?

Surprise and delight your customer. • Underpromise, overdeliver • A+ customer service • Friendly refund policies Master this—never spend $1 on marketing.

Whats the #1 book for startup CEOs?

Jan 31

No one is hiring. Time to start your own thing.

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Jan 31

At 21, a phone call changed my life. The panicked caller couldn't find the words. "Have you heard what happ...?" An hour earlier, my best friend passed away—weeks before his 21st birthday. Instantly, my life turned upside down...

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Jan 31

dear jamie, when life feels uneasy, remember: you've got this. sincerely, you

Life twists and turns in mysterious ways. If I could say something to my 21-year-old self, I would say "relax, you’ve got time, you’ll figure this out." But it's hard to take advice when your world feels like it's falling. To stay grounded, I wrote a letter to my future self:

I never thought of writing as a career. It was always something I did in my free time. Good friends see unrealized potential in others. This was my chance to turn my passion into a second career. Today, I'm behind the scenes on some of my favorite accounts on Twitter.

I changed careers; joined a startup. 100-hour weeks wore me down. Within a year, I burned out. Overnight, I left. Fearful of the future, I called a friend. With no backup plan, I felt screwed. "I'll hire you," they replied. "For what?" I asked. "To write."

Over the next few years, I struggled to find a sense of direction. I landed a decent job, climbed the corporate ladder, and hit milestones that made my family proud. But inside, I felt empty. I was tired of fulfilling others’ dreams. I wanted to chase my own.

From the funeral home to the college classroom, nothing could ease my wandering mind. • Why him? • Why now? • What next? Life is short, a fragile thing; the moment we forget, our lives upend.