Most people overestimate the importance of f(x) relative to f'(x). Where you're going matters more than where you are. This is not just a feel-good hippy aphorism. Getting this is why traders and startup founders split the top spots in the Forbes 400.
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common nerd failure mode: make this observation & extrapolate until you overestimate the importance of f''''''(x), eg "I need to have the right process for determining the right values to create the right environment to discover the right problems to work on the right problem"
For startups at least, you want to reduce f''(x) to a single bit. I.e. it's worth caring whether your growth rate is itself growing, but not worth caring how fast.
