Focus on Signal

The concept of signal vs noise began with Steve Jobs and was later mastered by Elon Musk. It refers to ignoring things that do not matter in order to focus on the most important.

Most founders make the mistake of applying it to long time frames. That is wrong.

🔥 Signal vs noise is best applied to daily activities.

Chances are you have less than 5 daily activities that really matter. Probably only 2 or 3 that must get done. Do the hardest one of those first.

You don’t work 9 to 5 or 24/7. Sometimes it makes sense to take a break. But, don’t shy away from resuming work at night or weekend. The point is not hours in the office, it is accomplishing the signal work and avoiding the noise.

Early stage founders like to focus on the noise. The logo, website, white papers, features, and blog posts. Those things will matter in the long run, but not more than early sales pipeline.

📈 Focus on results instead of job satisfaction.

For example: I recently launched a new AI native company that automates cold calls for founders. My day to day can be less than enjoyable, but we have generated revenue from day one.

The noise for me is technical challenges, marketing strategy, and even overall vision. The signal is working with new clients. Talking with them. Learning from them. Understanding their problem at a deeper level.

That means my days are spent in front of founders. But, at some point soon, the signal will be applying what is learned back into the product, strategy, and vision.

💯 Signal work must be specific

Break down signal work into tasks. Do the most uncomfortable first. For a new company, that is 100 cold calls per day. For a Seed founder, it may be talking directly with customers.

A good indicator of signal is that it comes with tasks. Noise does not. Signal is specific, has an outcome, and a deadline. Noise does not. Signal accomplishes a goal. Noise does not.

Todd Moses