Achieving Equity and Enhancing Thinking: Insights for Co-Founders and Note-Takers

Achieving Equity and Enhancing Thinking: Insights for Co-Founders and Note-Takers

In the world of startups, the distribution of equity among co-founders can be a crucial decision that can impact the success of the venture. While there are various factors to consider, one viewpoint suggests that equal or close to equal equity splits among founding teams should become standard. This approach is rooted in the belief that if you aren't willing to give your partner an equal share, perhaps you are choosing the wrong partner.

It is often observed that founders make the mistake of splitting equity based on early work. However, it is important to remember that building a valuable company takes time, typically 7 to 10 years. Therefore, small variations in the contributions made in the initial stages do not justify significantly different founder equity splits in the long run. Valuing your co-founders and offering them an equitable share is not only important for their motivation and commitment but also sends a signal to potential investors about how you value your team.

Investors often view the founder equity split as an indicator of how the CEO values their co-founders. If you only allocate a small percentage of equity to a co-founder, it may lead others to question their capabilities and potential impact on the business. To create a positive perception and attract support, it is advisable to consider equal equity splits among co-founders.

Turning our attention to the realm of note-taking, the Zettelkasten method offers an intriguing approach to improve thinking and writing. This method allows you to go beyond simple input/output-based note-taking and enables you to interact with and communicate through your system of notes. By actively engaging with your Zettelkasten, you can gain new insights and enhance your overall thinking process.

Writing down your thoughts and ideas has a profound impact on your ability to think coherently. By asking yourself "what's my point?" and consistently sticking to it, you can avoid jumping around in your mind and losing track of important details. Writing also aids in memorization, as thoughts that are written down can be easily retrieved as they were initially formulated. This helps conquer hindsight bias, which often leads to changing one's mind after the fact and pretending to have known something all along.

The act of writing forces us to crystallize our thoughts and organize them in a logical order. Thoughts and feelings may be abstract and elusive in our minds, but writing them down enables us to give them structure and coherence. This process enhances our understanding and ability to articulate our ideas effectively.

In the Zettelkasten method, the element of surprise plays a significant role in facilitating effective communication. By storing interconnected notes and intentionally forgetting what has been inputted, you can experience the surprise of discovering unexpected connections and insights. It is crucial not to waste time categorizing your notes, as this can hinder organic growth. Instead, focus on the quantity and depth of your writing on various topics. The more interconnected your notes are, the better your retrieval of information and performance in tasks will be.

In conclusion, both in the realm of equity distribution among co-founders and note-taking practices, there are valuable insights to consider. For co-founders, equal or close to equal equity splits can foster a positive perception among investors and motivate team members. When it comes to note-taking, the Zettelkasten method offers a powerful approach to improving thinking and writing by promoting coherence, memorization, and the discovery of unexpected connections. By incorporating these principles into your entrepreneurial journey and personal growth, you can enhance your chances of success.

Actionable Advice:

• 1. Consider equal equity splits among co-founders to demonstrate the value you place on your team and attract potential investors.

• 2. Embrace the Zettelkasten method for note-taking to improve your thinking process and enhance your ability to articulate ideas effectively.

• 3. Prioritize interconnectedness and depth in your note-taking, allowing for surprise connections and insights to emerge naturally. Avoid wasting time on categorization and focus on the quantity and quality of your writing.