Justin Welsh Quotes

The longer I'm alive, the more I realize that most people's idea of a good life is someone else's.

It's rarely anything they sat down and designed themselves.

We strangely celebrate the unprofitable startup that raises $5M more than the solopreneur who earns $5M at 90% margins.

The "boldest" people we know aren't as bold as we think.

- They run tiny experiments
- They have proof they'll be OK
- They make the decision scared

We envy the final "bold" move but miss the fear, prep, and smartly built runway.

A weird side effect of building a simple business is that people always assume you're hiding the complicated part.

Don't build a business.

Build a lifestyle that generates income.

Staying in shape is the one investment that pays you back in every other area of your life.

Improving your life is a lot like improving your body.

It's not easy, and it's not fast. It's difficult and slow. But if you commit to it, a few years later, you'll be amazed at your progress.

Once you've built your own business, the idea of being told what to do by another adult seems ridiculous.

The easiest way to be interesting online is to be interesting offline.

Past a certain point, money stops buying things you want and starts buying the absence of things you don't.

The people I admire all have a moment where they did something that looked unreasonable to the average person.

Took a pay cut for a better gig. Moved somewhere totally random. Started something everyone laughed at.

Most of us think of it as bravery, but it’s really conviction.

You'll never work for a better company than the one you build.

So, if you want to work for a company that cares deeply about you, consider building one and employing yourself.

Three questions worth asking once a quarter:

1. What am I doing because I want to?

2. What am I doing because I think I'm supposed to?

3. What would I stop doing tomorrow if nobody was watching?

Never destroy your mental and physical health for a company that would terminate you instantly if it meant a few extra cents on their share price.

Find a good company, use your salary as investment capital, and fund your side project until you have solid traction.

Then leave.

Degrees are depreciating assets.

Specific knowledge is an appreciating asset.

Stop trying to master the things everyone knows and start mastering what isn't taught in the classroom.