Must-Read Book: The hard thing about hard things

Building a business when there are no easy answers

In this book, you learn

• How to get through the hard times.
• What makes a leader.

The myth about starting a company

The biggest myth is that it is fun. The reality is that creating and running a business is emotionally hard. It can be euphoric sometimes, but more often than not, it is terrifying.

Building a business from scratch is not an easy thing to do. Maintaining it in an unstable and rapidly changing market is even harder.

There is no recipe for starting a successful high-tech company. That is the hard thing about hard things. There is no one size fits all formula to avoid unplanned obstacles and unforeseen bumps on the road. Nevertheless, there are practical advice and experienced guidance that can help with the hard things.

“Focus on the road, not the wall.”

Winners do not quit

Time flies, and the world changes quickly. Tomorrow may be the day you find the answer to the problem you’re facing today, so hang in there and survive to see another day.

What separates entrepreneurs who make it from those who fail is one essential characteristic: winners do not quit. They play long enough, and, eventually, they get their chance.

“Spend zero time on what you could have done, and devote all of your time on what you might do.”

Buckle up and do the best you can

Things get hard when things are falling apart. Major accounts leave, new competitors enter the battle, and investors withdraw. At this point, no positive messaging will save the day. When things go wrong, spend zero time on what you could have done; instead, concentrate all of your efforts on finding that one seemingly impossible way out of your current difficulties. And, whenever you think you are out of moves, think harder. You are never out of options. There is always a plan B.

Key attributes of a leader’s character and behavior

• Ability to articulate the vision
• Alignment of interests
• Ability to achieve the vision

A great company story is a must. It gets you instant alignment from and the interest of employees, partners, customers, investors, and press. Jeff Bezos’ 1997 letter to shareholders is a good example. A great company hires smart people and has their interests in mind and at heart. Finally, a great company’s leader should keep gathering information systematically and continuously. Then, when a crucial decision-making point arrives, he or she will be armed with knowledge and will know the right decision to make to achieve the vision.

Take-Aways

• Not a thing exists in this world that can promise entrepreneurial success.
• Hard things are hard because there are no easy answers or recipes.
• Focus on where you are going rather than on what you want to avoid.

About the Author

Ben Horowitz is an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, blogger, and author. His firm, Andreessen Horowitz, funded ventures like Airbnb, Skype, Facebook, and Twitter.