After reading ‘10X Is Easier Than 2X’ by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy and ‘The 10X Rule’ by Grant Cardone, I am completely convinced that that’s the way to go.
So what 10X is? Exactly what it sounds like with extras. It’s not just about goal setting. It’s a complete mind-shift in every aspect of your life.
What does 10X look like?
Let’s start with a great example, from Thinking Like an Entrepreneur by
(Shortened version):…In one week I was asked to build 3 different integrations for 3 different systems. As you can probably imagine, I don’t have the resources available to build each of these individual integrations, as it’s an N+1 problem. Instead of looking at each integration as an individual goal, I took a step back and asked how we could build all of these integrations without having to actually build each and every one of them.
The problem statement changes. It’s no longer “How can I build integrations X, Y, and Z?”—instead, we’re asking “How can I build a system to support building integrations X, Y, and Z, but also A, B, and C as well?” And that’s how Spot Connect was born. We ultimately built a feature that allows developers to build a custom integration to connect third-party data sources with your camera footage.
This is a perfect example of a 2X vs 10X mindset. In a 2X mindset, you would have focused on finding the best integrations to connect to, and doing it as fast as you can. 10X mindset is saying “I want to be able to integrate with everything. How can I make it possible?”
Let’s see another example. Say you have a small team of developers, and a very packed roadmap in the next 6 months, which you know will be very tough to fulfill.
A 2X mindset will consider options like asking the developers to work more hours, higher freelancers, or asking for help from other teams.
A 10X mindset will say: “I want to achieve those goals in the same working hours, with minimum additional cost. How can I do it?”
This will force you to come up with different solutions.
Maybe buy ChatGPT + Copilot licenses for all the developers, and do a quick seminar in the most effective ways it can save them time?
Or try to understand what takes the most time for them, and improve underlying processes - CI/CD, local development ease, etc.
Why is 10x easier?
When you have a regular 2X goal and your mind is set on 2X, you will come up with pretty basic solutions. When you 10X, you put everything you’ve got into figuring it out.
Clayton Christensen, the author of “The Innovator’s Dilemma” says that 100% commitment is easier than 98%. Why? Because when you are fully committed, you eliminate all internal conflicts and decision fatigue. You know what to do and you know that you need to do it.
Heck, it’s not only about commitment. Many people around you try to achieve 2X goals with 2X tools. The competition is ruthless. The waters are red. When you go for 10X goals, you will not find a lot of people who are at the same level you are and can compete with you. It’s too scary. Aiming for 10X forces you to commit and put your mind to achieving that crazy goal.
In the book, The 10X Rule, Cardon writes:
Most limitations are self-imposed. What you believe, what you think, what you say, and how you act are limits you place on your achievements.
And by the way, if you “fail” your 10X goal and achieve only 30% of what you aimed for? It’s still 3x your previous goals.
Limiting beliefs
Look, we all have those beliefs and old phrases that we were told since the beginning of time. And I am sure you will be able to complete each and every one of them.
“It’s never been done ….” or “It’s not realistic” and “You should stick to what you ….”
All of these put you in a restricted mindset that limits your potential. You need to challenge each one of those that goes through your mind. Do you think you’d have your iPhone to read this newsletter if Steve Jobs had thought “It’s not possible. It was never done before and it’s not realistic to put 1000 songs in anybody’s pocket”. Probably not.
Real-life examples
Let’s take Bill Gates as an example. When Gates founded Microsoft, his goal was “to put a computer on every desk and in every home."
This idea was almost inconceivable in the 70s, when the prices were between 7500$-100,000$ and more ( 5,031$-620,000$ inflation-adjusted). People never dreamed that it was even possible at those times. But, gates had a mission and a 100X goal, and well, you know the rest of the story.
What would’ve happened if Gates had set a goal to make computers affordable for small companies? Microsoft would probably not grow to be the most valued company in history and reach a 3 Trillion(!) worth.
So how do you 10x?
Write down your goals and 10x them. You can’t get anywhere without a clear goal.
Develop a “Who not how” mentality. In short, whenever you encounter a task, before you ask yourself how to solve it, ask yourself “Am I the best person for the task? Is there someone else who can do it for me, better?”
We wrote a great article about this subject. You should stop working too muchEliminate actions. We all know the Pareto Principle. 80% of the results come from 20% of the work. Same thing here. To achieve 10x goals, you need to be more creative and do more within the same 24-hour day.
Commit 100%. It’s not enough just to say you’re going 10x. You have to commit to it 100% and know that that’s the goal. It’s not an aspiration or something you wish you could have, it’s a tangible goal and you’re going to get it.
Change your perception. It’s not only about business or financial goals. Develop a 10x mentality. Multiply every anticipation you have in your life and figure out how to achieve it.
Use data to confirm your ideas and your gut feelings. The data don’t lie and you should always aim to gather as much data as you can analyze. Use analytics to understand customer behavior, market trends and measure the effectiveness of different strategies.
Leverage networking. This one point can single-handedly change your whole life. Getting in touch and connecting to people who are more connected or even increasing your own network is key to success. People must know you. If they don’t know you, they won’t help you.
Do the best you can and don’t let your old thinking stop you from achieving the greatness within you. 10X and aim higher than you ever did before.
This is great! I'd add 8) Build authority. Most of these actions require you to be in a position where you can suggest them. You don't need to be a leader to make these calls, just build up some credibility as a developer and you can bring your entire team or a project to 10x.