B2BVault's summary of:

How to do great work

Published by:
Paul Graham
Author:
Paul Graham

Introduction

Want to do work that truly matters? It all starts with curiosity, a clear focus, and the courage to keep going even when it's hard.

What's the problem it solves?

Most people don’t know how to do meaningful work or even where to start. This article helps you figure out what to work on, how to keep going, and how to make your work stand out.

Quick Summary

Doing great work isn't about following a step-by-step guide or waiting for a lucky break. It's about finding what you’re naturally good at and deeply interested in. From there, you explore your curiosity, take risks, and work hard on projects that excite you. These projects may start small or seem strange, but with consistency and bold thinking, they can grow into something great.

Success comes from chasing ideas that others ignore, being honest about what matters, and working in a way that feels right to you. Instead of copying others, build something you truly care about. Don’t wait for permission or the perfect plan-just start, stay curious, and keep improving. Over time, your efforts will stack up, and you might find you've done something important.

The biggest secret? Keep asking good questions. Great ideas often begin as simple questions no one else thought to ask. If you stay curious, bold, and true to yourself, you're already on the right track.

Key Takeaways from the article

  • Choose work that matches your interests and natural skills.
  • Curiosity is the most powerful tool-you should follow it.
  • Start before you feel ready; plans help less than action.
  • Big work often starts small and grows with time.
  • Be consistent. A little progress every day adds up fast.
  • Don’t worry about seeming smart-focus on being honest and clear.
  • Avoid fake personas; do the work in your own way.
  • You don’t need to copy trends. Pick bold, weird ideas if they excite you.
  • Ask better questions. Great answers come from unusual questions.
  • Find good people to work with-they raise your game.
  • Protect your energy, health, and mindset. Morale matters.
  • Ignore gatekeepers. Good work speaks louder than approval.
  • Copy with purpose, not blindly. Learn from other fields too.
  • Don’t fear failing. Trying new things is how you discover great ones.
  • Work doesn’t have to be perfect-just honest, bold, and yours.

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