The Case for Sharing Your Work in Public: A Path to Success

The Case for Sharing Your Work in Public: A Path to Success

In today's society, it's common for people to keep their intentions private when it comes to their goals and aspirations. Some studies suggest that this approach can actually increase the likelihood of accomplishing those goals. The reasoning behind this is that sharing your goals with others may give you a sense of psychological satisfaction, as if you've already achieved them, without actually putting in the work. This premature praise from others can make you feel accomplished, even if you haven't made any progress.

However, other studies show that sharing your progress can be incredibly beneficial. For example, sharing your weight loss journey on platforms like Twitter can help you stay motivated. It allows you to track your progress, reflect on your achievements, and plan your next steps. By becoming a documentarian of your work, as Austin Kleon, author of "Show Your Work," suggests, you can gain valuable insights and feedback from others.

Sharing your work in public also allows you to take a more iterative approach. By putting your work out there for others to see, you can receive valuable input and ensure that what you're working on answers the needs you've identified. Great ideas often come from a network of information in a transparent community. By sharing your ideas, you increase the likelihood of connecting the dots between your own ideas and those of others.

Additionally, sharing your work in public is a fantastic way to connect with like-minded individuals. It opens doors to finding mentors, potential collaborators, or even partnerships. Working on an idea in isolation can stifle the creative process, but by sharing your work, you invite fresh perspectives and ideas that can take your work to new heights.

While it may feel uncomfortable at first, sharing your work in public on a regular basis becomes easier over time. This is a sentiment echoed by many users of Glasp, a platform that encourages public sharing. Finding people who care about your work and connecting with them is crucial. This can be done by joining online groups or attending offline meetups. The key is to find your tribe, a community that supports and inspires you.

It's important to note that sharing your work in public should not derail you from actually doing the work. It should be done in a way that fits within your workflow and enhances your productivity and creativity. Once you develop the habit of sharing, it will almost feel strange to work in a vacuum. This is the power of sharing your work in public.

On the other hand, achieving product-market fit is a whole different ballgame. In the world of entrepreneurship, finding product-market fit is often the holy grail. It means being in a good market with a product that satisfies that market. To achieve this elusive fit, it's important to focus on the market first and foremost.

Contrary to popular myths, product-market fit is not always a discrete, big bang event. It's not always obvious when you've achieved it, and it's not something you can't lose once you have it. Additionally, even with product-market fit, competition is still a factor that needs consideration.

Hiring before obtaining product-market fit can slow you down, while hiring after achieving it can accelerate your progress. Cohort retention rate is a fair metric for evaluating product-market fit. A flattened retention curve can indicate that you've achieved product-market fit for a particular market or audience. However, it's important to note that this is just one leading indicator and shouldn't be the sole method of verification.

In essence, market matters the most when it comes to product-market fit. It's better to create something that a small number of people want in large quantities rather than a product that a large number of people want in small quantities. For consumer products, a good rule of thumb is to aim for at least 25% satisfaction, while for B2B SaaS products, 70% is a good floor.

Adapting to the ever-changing market is crucial for maintaining product-market fit. Markets are constantly moving and evolving, and your product needs to move with them. Product-market fit is like a pulse that you must constantly keep your thumb on to ensure success.

In conclusion, sharing your work in public and achieving product-market fit are two distinct yet interconnected concepts. Sharing your work allows you to gain valuable feedback, make connections, and improve your ideas. On the other hand, product-market fit ensures that your product satisfies the needs of a specific market. By understanding and implementing both, you can increase your chances of success as an individual or a business.

Three actionable pieces of advice to take away from this article are:

• 1. Embrace the discomfort: Start sharing your work in public, even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Over time, it will become easier, and the benefits will outweigh any initial hesitations.

• 2. Find your tribe: Seek out communities or groups of individuals who share similar interests or goals. Connect with them, learn from them, and collaborate whenever possible. This network of like-minded individuals can provide support, inspiration, and opportunities for growth.

• 3. Stay adaptable: Keep your thumb on the pulse of your market. Continuously monitor and assess the needs and preferences of your target audience. Adapt your product or offerings accordingly to maintain product-market fit and stay ahead of the competition.

By incorporating these actionable steps into your work routine and business strategy, you can unlock the power of sharing and achieve the elusive product-market fit. So, don't be afraid to put yourself out there, connect with others, and adapt to the ever-changing market. Your success awaits.