My decision-making framework for which ideas to chase

whatshot 599 snips

Feb 3, 2026

They discuss how irritation and personal frustration spark new ideas. They explain a simple 'yes test' for picking projects and why big bets can make scaling easier. They talk about turning your personal voice into a product and when a project can become a prison. They compare missionary versus mercenary approaches and unpack Nike-style branding and emotional positioning.

01:07:57

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ADVICE

Irritation As A Product Idea Generator

If something irritates you, brainstorm a version that wouldn’t suck and explore it playfully.
One out of ten such experiments can become a meaningful innovation.

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ADVICE

The Yes Test For Projects

Use the "yes test": would you do this project even if it lost money or paid nothing?
If yes, you already win something meaningful and leave room for upside.

insights

INSIGHT

Bigger Ideas Make Execution Easier

Bigger, bolder projects attract better people and simplify execution.
Scale creates easier recruitment, which further improves the project.

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How irritation leads to innovation

06:38 • 1min

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The yes test: Would you do it for free?

08:01 • 2min

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Win-win versus win-lose projects

10:24 • 2min

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The bigger you go, the easier it gets

12:23 • 2min

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Productize yourself: the product is you pushed out

14:45 • 2min

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When your project becomes a prison

16:30 • 3min

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Missionary versus mercenary approaches

19:38 • 1min

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Patience with results, impatience with action

Choosing bets that create joy for everyone

25:20 • 3min

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Prototyping with peer leverage

27:57 • 3min

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The guts of Steve Prefontaine and branding

30:41 • 9min

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The Nike playbook: emotion over features

Applying brand playbooks beyond sports

44:50 • 9min

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Culture, values and proportion

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Bowerman and the Men of Oregon

Kenny Moore

This book by Kenny Moore tells the story of Bill Bowerman, a renowned track coach who transformed the University of Oregon into a running powerhouse and co-founded Nike. It explores Bowerman's coaching career, his relationship with athletes like Steve Prefontaine, and his role in shaping Nike. The book also delves into historical events such as the 1972 Munich Olympics and the evolution of running coaching.

#111

• Mentioned in 153 episodes

Shoe Dog

Phil Knight

Shoe Dog is a memoir that chronicles the journey of Phil Knight as he builds Nike from its humble beginnings as Blue Ribbon Sports. The book is a personal and detailed account of Knight's experiences, from his early days selling Japanese running shoes out of the trunk of his car to the global brand Nike is today. It highlights his relentless work ethic, the challenges he faced, and the key relationships with his partners and employees that were crucial to the company's success. The memoir also touches on Knight's personal life, including his family and the emotional struggles he encountered along the way.

#7107

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

Jogging

William J. Bowerman

Written by William J. Bowerman, 'Jogging' is a seminal work that introduced the concept of jogging as a beneficial form of exercise for the general public. The book, which became an international bestseller, was based on Bowerman's experiences and studies, including his work with cardiologist Waldo Harris. It provided various jogging plans tailored to different physical levels and helped ignite a global boom in physical fitness and running. Bowerman's initiative in promoting jogging transformed the way people approached exercise and contributed significantly to the development of modern running culture.

Run your life like a $100M business. Get the system here: https://clickhubspot.com/ff97bf

Episode 791: Shaan Puri ( ⁠https://x.com/ShaanVP⁠ ) and Sam Parr ( ⁠https://x.com/theSamParr⁠ ) talk about how to how to decide if an idea is worth chasing.

Show Notes:

(0:00) Basketball camp with billionaires

(2:24) Irritation leads to innovation

(8:30) the yes test

(12:56) the bigger you go, the easier it gets

(15:17) the product is you pushed out

(25:28) doesn't matter how rich you are, everyone is a little kid

(34:46) The guts of Steve Prefontaine

(40:15) NIKE branding

(46:25) The NIKE playbook broken down

(58:26) An argument about values

—

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• Shaan's weekly email - https://www.shaanpuri.com

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Mercury is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column, N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust, Members FDIC

• I run all my newsletters on Beehiiv and you should too + we're giving away $10k to our favorite newsletter, check it out:

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—

Check Out Sam's Stuff:

• Hampton - https://www.joinhampton.com/

• Ideation Bootcamp - https://www.ideationbootcamp.co/

• Copy That - https://copythat.com

• Hampton Wealth Survey - https://joinhampton.com/wealth

• Sam’s List - http://samslist.co/

My First Million is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by HubSpot Media // Production by Arie Desormeaux // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano /

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