"Nothing matters more than results"
Except for:
Community, contribution and what our friends think
And 💤 ! Seth Godin recently wrote about the importance of results. But he left out rest.
I'm all about powering through. Hell, I did back to back events Sat & Sun with lots of off-road. (Dirty Boar & The Brooks c13 Transfer Ride) Man was I sore Monday!
Long time readers know I've also written about sleep, burn out & other rest related topics here before. Of course, it is true: sometimes you have to take a break. But when?
Outside Magazine has some great questions to ask yourself to determine if you need some rest:
- Am I extremely sore?
- Did I sleep well last night?
- Is it possible that I’m coming down with something?
- Am I emotionally exhausted?
Sometimes exercise and the subsequent endorphin release can make you feel better instantly; other times, it can just make the problem worse. Listen to your body and be mindful of how various activities affect you. For example, if running at race pace will enhance anxiety, don’t do it. Take it slow, or try something entirely different. Olson, says.
- How many days have I worked (out) in a row this week?
I'm trying to take it easy & get some extra rest this week. Hopefully, you can too! ✌️
with appreciation,
Jon
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Cycling
Dirty Boar - Pen Paper Steel
"In true Belgium style the Dirty Boar was going to be a hard, wet gravel ride. With close to 2700 meters of climbing, over 170kms on gravel, single track and forest roads..."
Great Wild Boar write-up from Richard of penpapersteel.com
Pathfinder Giro 2017 | Eindhoven
Pathfinder Giro is all about escaping the busy city and getting in the mood for adventure.
If You Build It, the Dutch Will Pedal
Utrecht, the Netherlands’ fastest-growing city, is one of the world’s most bike-friendly places in one of the world’s most bike-friendly countries.
Startups
Lessons Learned Scaling Airbnb 100X
- When jumpstarting a marketplace, set super specific goals — then do whatever it takes to get there.
- Be willing to take a risk to serve your community.
- When competition appears, move faster than you think you possibly can.
- When it comes to edge cases, understand your tipping point (because they’ll bury you at scale!).
- When the fires are out, don’t rest. Focus on streamlining the user experience.
Top Tips & Insights from Volta Ventures’ Frank Maene
Volta Ventures is one of the top seed and early stage investors for internet and software companies in the Benelux area and a partner of Amsterdam Capital Week. They spoke to Frank Maene, Managing Partner at Volta Ventures, to get tips on how startup founders can make meaningful connections with investors.
My fave event of Amsterdam Capital Week?
🏢 Capital Tour XXL 🚲– it is an awesome chance for startups to cycle from investor to investor. I'm leading a group! Twotone subscribers get 25% off here.
🚴 p.s. On a beautiful 50km loop around Amsterdam, you also have the opportunity to ride, mingle and pitch to Volta Ventures, their angels, and world-class mentors. Details here.
What do I look for in a pitch?
Founders will often ask me, “Do you want to go through our deck?” It’s not about the slide deck.
- Sarah Guo of @greylockVC
Sales
How I’m Transforming My Life by “Cold Emailing”
Cold emailing is “a tactic that focuses on sending relevant, personalised emails to prospects [with whom] you’ve previously had no contact”
Cold emails work best when they are:
"Personal, to-the-point, respectful and humble, professional, easy-to-understand, and perfectly clear in its message/purpos"
I Once Talked To Seth Godin On The Phone: Here’s How It Changed My Life and Business"
Seth laid out two options for me:
- Scale my business, graduate to CEO, and acquire other businesses to help deal with the churn of my industry, eventually creating an 8- or 9-figure company and selling it
- Keep the business at the same size and focus on profitability instead of growth, saving at least half the money I make every year. Then, with that free time and energy, focus on my craft.
Ana Andjelic: The dark side of the direct-to-consumer brand experience.
Mistake No. 1 — Develop product or service first; worry about the brand later.
Radness
Privacy Paradox | the Note to Self podcast presents a 5-day plan to take back your digital identity
Feel like you've got no control over your data? Join our 5-day plan to take back your digital identity... and maybe even your soul.
👁 haven't done this yet but I'm planning on it. Thanks to Joachim for the heads up!