Six Principles for Making New Things by Paul Graham
The essay by Paul provides several key lessons about creating new things, whether they are startups, products, or creative works. Here is what I learnt :
- Embrace simplicity - Simple solutions can be more effective and elegant than complex ones. They might not seem as impressive at first but often prove to be more powerful and efficient.
- Focus on Overlooked Problems - These problems typically have less competition and can lead to significant discoveries and innovations.
- Solve Real Problems - Ensure that the problems you are addressing genuinely need to be solved. Focus on what truly matters rather than what seems superficially important
- Informal Delivery - Present your solutions in a straightforward and informal manner. This approach can save time and effort, and also helps in avoiding self-deception about the solution's effectiveness.
- Start Crude, Iterate Rapidly - Begin with a basic, crude version of your product or solution and improve it based on user feedback. Rapid iteration allows for continuous improvement and adaptation.
- Expect Initial Contempt - Be prepared for initial skepticism and criticism. Innovative ideas often look wrong or unimpressive at first. Over time, as their value becomes evident, they will be recognized and appreciated.
If there's one takeaway, its this : Innovative success often comes from tackling simple, overlooked problems with straightforward solutions.