Essays.
192
essays
Selected essays
How it Feels like Being an Early-Stage Startup Founder
The responsibility, isolation and freedom of starting a company.
Role Modeling
On purpose, success and being a role model.
I categorize decisions into three types: shirts, hiring, and tattoos.
How reversibility changes the way I make decisions.
Creating vs. consuming: two ways to spend your lifetime
Why I prefer creating to consuming.
Changing your behavior won’t solve the climate crisis — why & what actually solves it
Why climate progress depends on companies and technology.
How I deal with difficult conversations
Making difficult conversations feel safe enough to be honest.
Recipe for a happy and fulfilled life
Small improvements without comparing yourself to others.
This realization can change your life – finite vs infinite games
Using infinite games to think about work and life.
192 essays / All topics
2024
Role ModelingAvicii's death reminds me why purpose beats success — I try to be the person my younger self would look up to.Goal AchievementI categorize decisions into three types: shirts, hiring, and tattoos.Optimize for speed when it's reversible, diligence when it's costly, and deliberation when it's permanent.Goal Achievement
2023
Creating vs. consuming: two ways to spend your lifetimeI worked through my own vacation and realized creating brings me more joy than consuming.CommunicationHow I deal with difficult conversationsCrucial conversations fail when people feel unsafe — restore safety and almost anything can be said.CommunicationMore Than Just ‘Hola’: My Plan to Learn Spanish for a Greener FutureWhy my e-methanol startup made me commit to fluent Spanish, starting from zero words.Goal AchievementChanging your behavior won’t solve the climate crisis — why & what actually solves itMost emissions sit far beyond individual choices; only scaled climate technologies can remove them.Goal AchievementHow it Feels like Being an Early-Stage Startup FounderIt's a trailblazer's trek — isolating, heavy with responsibility, and still exhilaratingly free at every step.Goal AchievementMy trip to Paris – a story of resilienceViva Tech went wrong in every way — reframing, iterating, and humor kept me pitching investors.Goal AchievementTransforming into a great CEO – my first coaching sessionsI hired three coaches because the CEO ICODOS needs in five years doesn't exist yet.Goal AchievementBeing sickTwenty meetings with a fever reminded me why I protect my health when I have it.Well-BeingLast-Minute Trip: Startup Glory or Waste of Time?I flew to Madrid overnight for a pitch we lost — the expected value still made it right.CommunicationRecipe for a happy and fulfilled lifeIt is just you versus you — small improvements daily, gigantic ambitions for the decade.Goal AchievementHow I Find Joy in the Entrepreneurial JourneyFounding my startup fulfilled a dream, yet happiness lives in the pursuit of goals, not their achievement.Well-BeingThe art of dealing with negativity: my unconventional approachI resolve issues fast and confine the rest to one reflection a week — even if it makes me harder to read.Goal AchievementAlmost every failed startup has a product but lacks tractionTraction deserves half the founding team's attention — product alone never saved a startup.Goal AchievementConsulting taught me how to achieve even my biggest dreamBreaking huge problems into small ones gave me the confidence to skip the MBA and start now.Goal AchievementFrom Mediocre to Great – How to Achieve Greatness in WorkGreat work starts with owning the outcome and knowing exactly whose needs it must serve.Goal AchievementFrom Complaints to Commitment: The Power of Effective FeedbackNine in ten of my friends complain about leaders who can't give, receive, or appreciate feedback.CommunicationAssertiveness: The key to the best possible lifeA bouncer broke my phone; staying calm and refusing to back down got it paid for.Goal Achievement3 new habits I test in 2023Box breathing, weekend priorities, and a nightly question about how I actually came across.Goal AchievementHow serial entrepreneurs make decisionsExpert founders don't hunt for perfect experts — they socialize problems and let committed stakeholders self-select.Goal Achievement
2022
Talking shit about a bad situation is fun, but…Venting relieves tension for a moment; framing challenges as growth builds the resilience that lasts.Goal AchievementThe most important question to askEverything worth having comes at a cost — decide which pain you are willing to sustain and drop the rest.Goal AchievementTalk less to convey moreOverexplaining, underpreparing, and missing the point are the three habits that keep us from being concise.CommunicationHow to achieve the most annoying tasksI eat the frog first thing each morning, aiming for one tangible outcome per session.Goal AchievementSocialize your problemMention your current problem in every conversation — someone has usually already solved it for you.Goal AchievementThe learnings from the past weeks are clearSeven intense weeks taught me you cannot have it all — if you don't rest, your body makes you.Goal AchievementCheering for people you don’t likeI compete only against my best self, so anyone else's win costs me nothing.RelationshipsYou have to receive feedback – here’s how you get itQuality feedback rarely arrives on its own — ask for it, narrow it, and give it back.Goal AchievementAs much as I love it: this situation is challengingNever stress about what you cannot control — embrace the challenge and enjoy the ride.Goal AchievementFrom start to end I wished it to endA recruiter's unprepared 20-minute call showed me why every meeting deserves five minutes of preparation.CommunicationHow to better say noPostpone the decision, sandwich the refusal between two yeses, keep reasons short, and repeat yourself.CommunicationLearning How to LearnFocused attention, basic understanding, and practice that simulates the real test build lasting knowledge.Goal AchievementAsking for help - how to get what you wantAlways ask for help — but the more concrete and personalized the request, the better.Goal AchievementHow you can solve every problemHypothesize the solution first, then gather only the data that proves or disproves it.Goal AchievementAn entrepreneur who makes money from students’ existential fearsA reputation takes decades to build and minutes to destroy; short-term greed rarely survives scrutiny.CommunicationHow people achieve extraordinary successOutliers are built by cumulative advantage, not talent — so socialize your vision and ask for help.Goal AchievementBoost your productivity by making use of agile methodsShort sprints and honest retrospectives beat detailed plans when the problem is complex and unfamiliar.CommunicationHow to better deal with fear of missing outTime is the scarce resource, not events — every great party will happen again.Goal AchievementHow to get people to listen when you speakPresence comes from purpose, clarity, and authenticity: say nothing without intending to deliver it.CommunicationYour definition of success can change your lifeBorrowed definitions of success make us miserable — mine had to be anchored in a why.Goal AchievementWork hard, play hard – how to find the right balanceI burned out running on caffeine and three hours of sleep — rest is what makes hard work sustainable.Goal AchievementA transformational leadership experienceAn inclusive environment is what turns a diverse group's potential into actual learning.RelationshipsHow to make work most enjoyableA sense of accomplishment, not salary, is what makes demanding weeks feel joyful.Goal AchievementHow to work at an elite levelDistraction-free deep work is the increasingly rare skill that lets you master hard things fast.Goal AchievementHow to properly design habitsPick a reliable trigger and a consistent reward, and the behavior stops needing willpower.Goal AchievementA life without regrets – how to find out what you want from lifeClarity fuels ambition — picture your ideal normal day ten years out and work backwards.Goal AchievementHow to stay calm in stressful situationsWhen panic hits, I ask whether stressing helps, write down the answer, and act on it.Goal AchievementWhy I am happy working long hoursMy weeks look like work-work balance — purpose makes those hours the most meaningful ones I have.Goal AchievementReliability matters — how to become more reliableI missed a meeting I cared about — reliability is respect for other people's time.Goal AchievementLearning something new – what an incredible journey so farWork turns us into experts who stop learning — people, podcasts, and practice restart the curiosity.Goal AchievementWhat makes for a dream job?Forget following your passion — six evidence-based factors predict job satisfaction far better.Goal AchievementWithout this mindset you won’t climb the career ladderPromotions follow proof — end-to-end ownership means acting like the company owner before anyone asks you to.Goal AchievementUsing the pyramid principle can incredibly improve your communicationLead with the core message, then two or three arguments, then evidence — and know when not to.CommunicationThis simple trick significantly increased my productivityNoise-canceling headphones cut distractions better than anything else I tried — deep focus only lasts four hours anyway.Goal AchievementI learned the hard way what it means to not have the trust of othersTrust splits into practical and emotional — met expectations, empathy, sound logic, and authenticity build both.CommunicationA quality all millionaires have in commonDecisiveness is a learnable skill, and not deciding is usually the worst decision of all.Goal AchievementA skill everyone has to learnLife is a series of negotiations, and I practice every time I get the chance.CommunicationToday a new chapter has begunMoving in with my girlfriend taught me to ask instead of assume — and to prefer solutions over being right.CommunicationThis technique increases my learnings by 10xA layered reflection routine turns my consulting work into compounding lessons I can actually build on.Goal AchievementThis realization can change your life – finite vs infinite gamesCareers and health have no finish line — treating them as winnable games makes us unhappy.Goal AchievementWhy brilliant teachers teach the worstThe curse of knowledge makes experts forget the struggle of learning — a novelty index preserves it.CommunicationNew Year’s resolutions – how you can achieve all of themResolutions stick when they are concrete, backed by next actions, and framed as process goals.Goal Achievement
2021
Make better decisions by thinking in probabilitiesPerfect decisions exist only in hindsight — estimate the odds, weigh expected outcomes, then commit.Goal AchievementVaccination – why making this decision is so clear to meMy values made a polarizing choice simple: risk appetite, trust in technology, and long-term thinking.Goal AchievementBe persistent and convince anybodyRejection is rarely about you — ask why, address the real reason, and try again.Goal AchievementSelf-belief — and how to strengthen itI used to doubt everything — small goals and little wins built the conviction that carries me.Goal AchievementHow to stop overstressing and perform betterWorking harder when stressed backfires — rest, health, and reframing keep pressure productive.CommunicationMaster the skill of prioritizationTime, energy, and attention are scarce — value comes from choosing and communicating what matters most.Goal AchievementI asked for feedback and it changed my lifeRegularly asking, listening without defending, and acting on the answer is the fastest way I know to grow.Goal AchievementHow to best deal with highs and lows in lifeHappiness always drifts back to baseline — savoring stretches the highs and softens the inevitable lows.Goal AchievementFind your strengths and focus on themWe’re raised on weakness-based feedback — differentiation comes from building what we’re already good at.Goal AchievementHow to find the ideal place to workCulture beats pay — define what you need, then ask insiders before committing to an employer.Goal AchievementHow to wake up fully motivatedWhat made me love Mondays: knowing what tomorrow holds, a routine I enjoy, and a strong why.Goal AchievementHow to better manage expectationsNever assume, over-communicate, and under-promise — most disappointment starts with expectations nobody spoke out loud.RelationshipsHow to become more persistent and achieve your goalsPerformance is talent multiplied by persistence — an obsessive goal, an adaptable plan, and unshakable faith.Goal Achievement10 signs of personal growth – how to avoid getting stuckGrowth isn't inherently good; I'd rather choose my problems than let life pick them for me.Goal AchievementHow to deal with unfortunate incidents (bad luck)When my bike got wrecked, asking how a role model would cope beat getting angry.Goal AchievementThe limits of self-improvementI aspire to never be satisfied, but time and energy are finite — the why behind improvement matters.Goal AchievementMake better decisions – the negligence of alternativesAlternative blindness makes us weigh one option against the status quo and miss everything in between.CommunicationA habit that changed my lifeWhenever I feel afraid of something, I force myself to do it as fast as possible.CommunicationOwnership – a key skill to developConsulting taught me that ownership means being trusted to deliver — no blaming, no waiting, no overpromising.CommunicationHow to give your best to your lifeDoing my utmost means being fully present in each moment — judged by effort, not results.Goal AchievementMy learnings from optimizing caffeine intake for 1 yearTwo cups before lunch and one caffeine-free day a week keep the drug working for me.Goal AchievementWhy mindset mattersI once believed success needed talent and luck — adopting a growth mindset taught me otherwise.Goal AchievementFeeling too dumb to speak up? How to deal with it and change your perspectiveThe sense of being the dumbest in the room is a comparison error — your perspective still counts.Goal Achievement3 tips for immense personal growthThe sweet spot for growth lies in just-manageable tasks, honest feedback, and regular reflection.CommunicationWhat I love about my jobSix months into consulting, the people matter most — and purpose and health decide whether a job is right.Well-Being3 tips to withstand high pressureA brain dump, honest priorities, and self-care turn crushing pressure into something workable.Goal AchievementHow to become more consistentWe overestimate what a few weeks can do and underestimate what ten years of persistence delivers.Goal AchievementHow to actually solve your problems by thinking outside the boxCreativity starts by making the box visible — name your implicit assumptions before pushing past them.Goal AchievementGreatly increase your productivity – harness the 80/20 ruleFind the two activities that truly drive your results, then eliminate, automate, or pause the rest.Goal AchievementHow to better deal with stress and grow fasterStress mainly harms those who believe it does — embrace acute strain and recover deliberately.Goal AchievementHow to boost your learning curve: From challenges to learning opportunitiesDiscomfort often signals a safe chance to grow — spot it, weigh the long-term benefit, act fast.Goal AchievementStop having expectations of other peopleNobody is in this world to live up to your standards — state your wishes instead of assuming.CommunicationLive a better life – fall in love with solving problemsThere is no problem-free life — happiness means trading bad problems for ones worth solving.Goal AchievementGratefulness – a secret weapon to a happy lifePracticing gratitude is my counter to hedonic adaptation — the mind's habit of dulling every win.Goal AchievementEasier and better decisions – how to deal with riskWhy loss aversion paralyzes us, and how quantifying outcomes helped me decide on eye surgery.Goal AchievementMindset matters: How to start something newLearning to inline skate reminded me: at first the easy things are hard, so set process goals.Communication8 signs of true self-confidenceConfidence built on external validation is fragile; the real kind lets you admit your weaknesses.Goal AchievementHow to harness positive emotions to live a better lifeFear of rejection starves us of joy — honesty, appreciation, and a smile bring it back.Well-BeingHow a simple rule can boost your productivityIf a task takes two minutes or less, do it immediately — but only within your priorities.Goal AchievementHow to make better decisionsClear personal principles freed me from decision paralysis — I judge every choice by long-term happiness.Goal AchievementHow a lack of positive thinking hurts my well-beingA month of low energy traced back to one cause — I had stopped choosing optimism.Well-BeingDo more and do better – the importance of breaks and restControlled, scheduled pauses are a performance tool, not laziness — how I sustained 80-hour study weeks.Goal AchievementFocus on things you can control, ignore the restAn unfair teacher taught me to own my reactions instead of blaming what I couldn't change.Goal AchievementHow to make stress your secret weaponStress I load on myself makes me sharper — health, rest, and purpose keep it from turning chronic.Goal AchievementAlways determine the next stepIdeas die without an owner — every meeting should end with a next action assigned.Goal AchievementWhy and how I always take notesListening alone stores almost nothing — a notebook in every meeting forces the engagement that makes knowledge stick.Goal AchievementSay yes to great opportunities (how & why)When in doubt I say yes — my 80-year-old self regrets missed chances more than failures.Goal AchievementHow to determine what really matters to youThe pandemic taught me that cutting something out is the surest way to learn its value.Goal Achievement
2020
How to convince people – never hesitate to admit a mistakeOwning your errors fast builds trust — sometimes an apology wins even when you were right.CommunicationSet process goals – make your ambitions a realityOutcome goals depend on factors you can't control — goals built on daily actions guarantee progress.Goal AchievementTransform your life – make more conscious decisionsMost choices happen on autopilot — long-term thinking and clear values turn daily seeds into a better future.Goal AchievementBecome a top performer – fall in love with the processTop performers show up through the boredom because they love the daily practice, not the outcome.Goal AchievementBecome outstanding – learn to work when work isn’t easyWhat separates high achievers is the ability to keep working when motivation is at rock bottom.Goal AchievementYou must learn to say noA reluctant yes costs more than an honest no — boundaries make room for what matters.CommunicationNever give unsolicited advice & what to do insteadPeople want to be heard, not fixed — ask what would help before offering solutions.CommunicationHow to really boost your happinessBuy experiences over stuff, choose time over money, and be kind daily — the levers the evidence supports.Well-BeingWant to really support your loved ones? Just do itOffered help almost never gets accepted — real support means doing the favor without waiting to be asked.Goal AchievementHow a definition can change your lifeSociety's metrics of success are poison — I measure mine by the impact my actions have.Well-BeingUtilize the power of communityPeople genuinely love helping — asking for support and giving without keeping score multiplies what you can achieve.RelationshipsGrow personally by measuring your lifeWhat you track, you improve — a rough proxy and three metrics create the awareness that matters.Goal AchievementWhy you are less happy than you could beWe miswant — shifting reference points and constant comparison mean achievements barely move our happiness.Well-BeingHow reading has changed my lifeBooks alone change nothing — I write three to-dos after every one to put it into practice.Goal AchievementHarness clarity — achieve your goals and become more productiveVague to-dos make the brain say no — break every task into small, concrete pieces.Goal AchievementHow to set priorities & get more out of your timeNobody lacks time — we just avoid admitting that some things don't matter enough to us.Goal AchievementGive without expecting something in returnNo expectations means no disappointment — I give kindness freely but guard my time and money.Goal AchievementWhy integrity is crucial — and how to build itHow you do anything is how you do everything — consistent standards buy trust and peace of mind.Goal AchievementFor every setback there is a comebackSeven consulting rejections led me to SAP — failure is only final if you stay down.Goal AchievementInterdependence in Relationships – a Success FactorThe strongest couples are two self-sufficient people who choose each other, not two halves filling holes.RelationshipsSelf-control — and how to improve itSelf-control predicts life success as strongly as intelligence — and habits make discipline nearly effortless.Goal AchievementStop needing to be rightWinning an argument usually just means the other person stopped debating — conceding feels better.CommunicationThe happiness equation – keep joy, fun, and pleasure in balancePleasure can be bought but joy has to be earned — a happy life needs deliberate doses of both.Goal AchievementReduce distractions, increase productivityThe phone in another room, single-tasking, and taming interruptions buy back hours of focus.Goal AchievementCreate the life you dream of – harness a five-year planYou can't plan happiness, but a five-year plan shrinks what makes you unhappy.Goal AchievementUncertainty – how to deal with itUncertainty is a feeling, not a fact — worst-case thinking and borrowed experience turn it into energy.Goal AchievementEnvy – how to deal with itExamine the desire, ask if you would pay the price, then go get it or accept it.RelationshipsThe importance of listening wellMaking others feel heard decides relationships and careers, yet it is the least trained communication skill.CommunicationThe Surprising Benefits of JournalingTwo minutes of writing each night turned into ideas, perspective, and most of my achievements.Goal AchievementFocus on quality instead of quantityNothing in large amounts makes you happy — except at the start, when volume beats polish.Goal AchievementWhy showing vulnerability is a real strengthDropping the armor and risking rejection is what creates depth in every relationship.CommunicationInfluencing others – how to better persuade and convince peopleHead, heart, or hands — pick the tactic that fits the person, prepare well, and persist.CommunicationForget about perfection! Focus on progression and compound improvementsOne percent better a day, compounded, is 3800 percent a year — consistency beats chasing ideals.Goal AchievementEmpathy — its importance and powerListening without judging or fixing is a skill anyone can build — and every relationship needs.CommunicationFailure – how to deal with it?I failed my GMAT after four months of prep — how I turned it into a lesson.Goal AchievementConsistency – why is it essential for success?Success is small efforts repeated daily — we overestimate weeks and underestimate a decade.Goal AchievementWhy I always write down ideas immediately & how it’s changed my lifeThe brain generates ideas but can't store them — capturing every thought and reviewing them built my projects.Goal AchievementWhy to always have a smile on your faceEven a forced grin lifts my mood, feeds gratitude, and opens conversations with strangers.CommunicationHow to add more variety to life?Novelty in two of three categories — places, people, activities — keeps a routine-driven life vibrant.Goal AchievementHow to have more meaningful conversationsGenuine curiosity, asking why, and sharing small vulnerabilities turn small talk into real connection.CommunicationHow to deal with the chaosThree principles for a pandemic: stay calm, protect the weakest, and respect the rules.Goal AchievementHow to stay productive in chaotic times (COVID-19 Crisis)Box your worries into fixed daily slots, keep a routine, and turn isolation into an opportunity.Goal AchievementWhy reflection is so importantExperience alone teaches little — my reflection routines turn it into happiness, ideas, and faster learning.Goal AchievementWhy great things take timeOvernight success hides thousands of hours — the real question is whether you'll pay the price.Goal AchievementNever regret anything – how to guide your decisionsSkipping Bethlehem taught me to test choices against the regret I’d feel in 80 years.Goal AchievementHow to deal with a lack of motivationWhen GMAT drills wore me down, going back to my why restored the drive.Goal AchievementLong-term patience – key for your successGreat things come from small daily efforts — sprint in the moment, stay calm for years.Goal AchievementWhy relationships are so importantI ditched a packed to-do list for a friend's weekend — success means nothing without people to share it.RelationshipsHow to deal better with criticismSeven steps from defensive reflex to useful conversation — breathe, find agreement, and never justify yourself.CommunicationCuba – what I should have knownCuba rewards low expectations and hard preparation — I arrived with neither.CommunicationLate? A plan does not work out? Why I won’t stress myself any morePlanning is freedom, but when things collapse, accepting the situation beats losing my mind over it.Goal Achievement
2019
Semester abroad – what to know before you goLanguage gains, local friendships, and great trips abroad all demand deliberate effort — I learned that the hard way.Communication1 year of cold showers – not what I was expectingThe promised health benefits never showed up — the discipline and gratitude did.Well-BeingHealth is the most important need for us human beingsInvesting in your body works like a pension — small daily habits pay off decades later.Well-Being3 reasons why openness pays offCuriosity has brought me friendships, knowledge, and opportunities I would otherwise have walked past.CommunicationHow to improve your sleep – 6 tipsA fixed schedule, a cool quiet room, and no caffeine after 3 pm do most of the work.Well-BeingHow to get the most out of your dayThree habits: wake to an alarm every day, plan three vital tasks, schedule each morning.Goal AchievementHow to become more optimisticOptimism can be trained — watch your inner dialogue and stop downplaying your wins.Goal Achievement3 reasons why I love being an optimistBelieving you can master a challenge quietly raises the odds that you will.CommunicationHow you say something matters a lotI hurt a friend not with what I said but with the tone I said it in.CommunicationHow quitting video games changed my life for the betterNearly crying over lost games made me decide everything I do regularly must carry a purpose.CommunicationWhy I always wake up at 7 amA fixed wake-up time only works with something worth waking for — naps cover the short nights.CommunicationWhy video calls are awesomeOne spontaneous call from a friend showed me how much more personal video feels than audio.CommunicationWhy purpose is extremely importantThere is no universal meaning of life — choosing my own mission is what gives me energy.CommunicationAccomplish the most annoying task of the day firstThe dreaded chore only grows while it waits; doing it first thing frees the whole day.CommunicationCreate not-to-do lists to change habitsWhat you stop doing determines what you can do — banning habits works better than listing them.CommunicationDo it with all your heartA half-hearted hello taught me to greet, thank, and say goodbye like I mean it.CommunicationDo not be afraid to make mistakes!How a failed deadline at my consulting job became a win, and why honest feedback matters.CommunicationDo not work away like mad — the power of schedulesA strict exam plan with built-in breaks and buffers gave me more calm, not less freedom.CommunicationDon’t give up until you’ve even triedHow talking my way out of a non-refundable booking taught me to act before conceding defeat.Goal AchievementDon’t hesitate when you are afraid to do somethingActing before my mind can invent worst-case scenarios is how I leave the comfort zone.CommunicationDon’t try to impress but express yourself the best you can“Just be yourself” is useless advice — showing people who you genuinely are takes deliberate effort.CommunicationHold yourself accountable for everything happening to youYou can't control what happens, but owning your response moves you from victim to driver's seat.CommunicationHow to identify your strengths — and why you need to capitalize on themWhen the work fits you, the clock runs fast — three questions to find that job.CommunicationJust do itStart within 72 hours or the odds of ever starting collapse — there is no perfect moment.CommunicationManage your energy levels not your timeTime is fixed, but energy from body, emotion, mind, and spirit can be grown.CommunicationNever satisfied, always gratefulDissatisfaction fuels my improvement while gratitude keeps me happy — the two are not opposites.CommunicationSuccess does not come overnightConsistency beats talent and luck — small daily decisions compound into what later looks like sudden success.CommunicationThe power of marginal gainsOne-percent improvements compound — they took me from worst in class to best in school.Goal AchievementHow to get startedAccepting that my first tries will be bad is what lets me begin at all.Goal AchievementStart now and get perfect laterFeeling unready is the excuse I kept making — the perfect moment to begin never arrives.Goal Achievement