The Small Steps of Giant Leaps - Farnam Street

The Small Steps of Giant Leaps - Farnam Street

In life, the strong positions we find ourselves in are not mere accidents. Similarly, weak positions are not a result of bad luck. The position we are in today is the culmination of the small choices we have made consistently over the years. These choices, often referred to as compound daily habits, play a significant role in shaping our future success.

It's important to note that not doing the obvious thing we know we should do, the thing that positions us for future success, may not hurt us right away. However, for our choices to compound and yield significant results, we need to be consistent. Intensity can carry us in the short term, but if we want long-term, compounding effects, consistency is key.

When we excel at the small choices that compound over time, we perpetually find ourselves in favorable circumstances. No matter what challenges arise in the world, we are never forced into making bad decisions. This is because, beneath the surface, giant leaps are not really giant leaps at all. They are a series of ordinary choices that suddenly become noticeable. If we are constantly searching for that magical moment, we may miss how the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

Designing a better reading experience with Matter

Reading online encompasses several behaviors, including deciding what to read, the act of reading itself, and what we do with the knowledge we gain. Read-it-later apps have become a common practice for many individuals, allowing them to save articles to read at a later time. However, the first generation of these apps lacked the necessary smarts to aid in prioritization, resurfacing, or decay.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, emphasizes the importance of focusing on needs that won't change. This principle applies to the world of online reading as well. Regardless of how technology evolves, customers will always desire faster delivery. Similarly, the supply of great content will continue to rise, attention will remain scarce, and the returns on making good decisions about what to read will only increase over time.

Trust plays a crucial role in deciding what to read, and people tend to trust other people's recommendations. Recognizing this, Matter made the decision to elevate writers as first-class citizens in their system. Good curation is highly valuable, as it helps uncover hidden gems that may be overlooked by engagement-based algorithms.

While the bias toward new content is understandable, it is essential to recognize that the vast majority of the best-written pieces were not created in the past week. There is a need to balance the emphasis on new content, which is why Matter is designed to serve as a counterweight. The challenge lies in delivering relevant and manageable content to readers. The design space is vast, presenting an exciting problem to solve.

Email inboxes are not conducive to a quality reading experience. Most individuals aim to get through their inbox quickly, rather than spending more time there. Additionally, email platforms do not provide the ability to highlight or annotate text. Matter recognizes this limitation and is actively working on highly reliable parsing techniques, incorporating natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision to enhance accuracy.

In terms of consumer behavior, audio consumption has seen a significant rise. This trend is driven by the convenience offered by hardware that makes listening on the go easier. Matter has introduced a feature called "audio highlights" that allows users to highlight text while listening without needing to open their phones. This feature can be activated with a triple-tap on Airpods or by pressing both volume buttons simultaneously.

To enhance the reading experience, Matter has also introduced minimaps. By two-finger tapping on an article, users can view a miniaturized version that displays headers, allowing for quick navigation. This feature draws inspiration from video games and code editors, adding an element of fun and efficiency to the reading process.

Matter's core users are what they refer to as "active" readers. These individuals not only read extensively but are intentional in their choices and actively curate their information diets. They often have favorite writers and subscribe to newsletters or frequent obscure blogs. Matter's ultimate goal is to increase the return on investment (ROI) of reading. They aim to help individuals gain more insight, knowledge, and even thrill from the time they invest in reading.

Actionable Advice:

1. Be consistent in your small choices: Your daily habits and choices have a compound effect on your future success. Strive for consistency rather than relying solely on intensity in the short term.

2. Prioritize timeless needs: When making decisions or investing in projects, focus on needs that won't change over time. This ensures long-term relevance and success.

3. Embrace a balanced reading experience: While staying updated with new content is important, don't overlook the value of older, timeless pieces. Seek out diverse sources and platforms that provide curated recommendations for a well-rounded reading experience.

In conclusion, the small steps we take consistently over time have the power to shape our positions and lead to extraordinary outcomes. By understanding the importance of timeless needs and embracing a balanced reading experience, we can maximize the value we derive from our choices and investments. So, let us strive for consistency, prioritize wisely, and curate our reading habits to unlock the full potential of our endeavors.