PG Essays The Top Idea in Your Mind
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Sep 5, 2023 Discover the power of morning shower thinking as a fertile ground for breakthroughs. Explore how one 'top idea' can dominate your mind, often sidelining other important thoughts. Learn about the distractions that fundraising poses for startups and academics, redirecting focus from essential work. Hear how ignoring minor injuries can save mental energy, and understand the Velcro-like grip of money and disputes on your brain. Finally, Paul Graham emphasizes the importance of recognizing and guiding your top ideas for a clearer, more productive mindset.
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Shower Thoughts Drive Deep Progress
- The thoughts you have automatically (e.g., in the shower) shape which problems get real progress.
- Paul Graham argues such unfocused, background thinking is necessary for deep work and breakthroughs.
Fundraising Became The Dominant Distraction
- Paul Graham recounts how startups slow down once they start raising money because fundraising becomes the top idea.
- He observed the same effect personally when raising money for Y Combinator and ViaWeb.
Shape Your Environment To Control Focus
- Control what ideas dominate your mind by controlling the situations you put yourself in.
- Try to make the most urgent problems the ones you actually want to work on.