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keyletoday at 6:49 AM1 replyview on HN

That was my contracting philosophy for 15 years.

Create more value than what I cost, otherwise why are you paying me?


Replies

austin-cheneytoday at 7:07 AM

Yes, but I make it more precise into two points:

1. Build tools/libraries that empower superior execution performance. If you can execute faster than others you have more potential free time than them. This is a form of compound interest. I do this for myself but my output is not exclusive to myself.

2. Be operational. Create products that are always more durable than what is trendy, but when something does break return a resolution as rapidly as possible, provided excellent regression testing. Be constantly healthy, healing once injuries are found, and constantly aware of new injuries.

I find most people cannot do those two things. Most people cannot measure things and a great many people fear novelty.