Exponential Growth Mindset

An ex-startup founder friend shared Sam Altman’s "13 Rules for Success," and it completely shifted the way I think about growth and success. They’re about changing your mindset. Lets call it "exponential growth mindset". 

tldr? Footnotes.

If you've to take just one point out of this here's it: The idea that if you focus on creating something truly impactful, your past appears to be a mere "footnote" in comparison. This concept completely blew my mind. The idea that, with exponential growth, you could work on something so significant (every-single-time) that everything else you did in the past, becomes a mere afterthought -- that’s the kind of growth trajectory we should all aim for. This thought process propels growth in non-linear, exponential ways.

Compounding to growth

Sam talks about the power of exponential growth -- If you want to create something that outlasts you, you need to compound everything: your time, your relationships, your effort, and your ideas. The sooner you realize this, the farther you can go. If you’re stuck thinking in linear terms, you’re limiting your potential.

Be almost delusional

The second rule really hit home: to succeed, you need unshakable self-belief. People will doubt you, and that’s when your conviction needs to be stronger than your doubts. It’s not delusional if you’re right. If you don’t trust yourself, you’ll never have the courage to pursue big, unconventional ideas.

Original thinking is missing

Sam emphasizes that original thinking is crucial. Stop following the crowd. You can’t create something remarkable by merely following others. You need to think from first principles and be willing to test your ideas in the real world.

Get good at sales

No matter what you’re doing, at some point, you’ll need to sell something—whether it's an idea, product, or even yourself. Being able to communicate clearly and persuasively is vital. The key to great sales? Believe in what you're selling.

Make risk easy

Most people overestimate risk and underestimate reward. Early in your career, taking risks is easier because you have less to lose. But even as you grow, you need to keep taking calculated risks. Find small bets that have massive upside potential.

Focus

Focus is everything. It’s not about working more hours; it’s about focusing on what truly matters. Most people waste their time on low-impact tasks. Once you’re clear on your priorities, execute them relentlessly.

Work harder

To make it to the top 1%, hard work is non-negotiable. You need both talent and effort. The more effort you put in, especially early in your career, the more it compounds over time. The work you put in now will set you up for future success.

Be bold

Sam advises tackling hard, meaningful problems. Boldness attracts the right people, and when you’re working on something exciting, people will want to help you. Don’t second-guess yourself. If you're passionate about something, go for it.

Be willful

Success often comes down to sheer persistence. Keep pushing when everyone else would give up. Persistence is key because eventually, luck will favor those who keep going long enough. It’s not just about hard work—it’s about not quitting.

Be hard to compete with

To be irreplaceable, you need leverage. This could be through building relationships, acquiring unique skills, or developing a strong personal brand. Find a way to make yourself difficult to compete with.

Build network

Relationships are everything. The most successful people I know are the ones who help others without expecting anything in return. That’s how you build a strong network. Over time, your network becomes one of your most valuable assets.

Own things

Wealth isn’t built from salaries. It’s built by owning things that increase in value—equity in a business, real estate, intellectual property, etc. Own assets that scale over time.

Be internally driven

The most successful people are driven by their own internal motivations. External validation will never sustain you. It’s your internal drive that will push you to keep going when everything else fades.

Hopefully not too late for me :)