Golden Decision Questions

A framework of three powerful questions to help make better decisions and overcome mental blocks, inspired by Jess Ma (founder who built a $900M business).

The Three Golden Questions

• What would I do if I wasn't afraid to fail?

  • Removes fear as a limiting factor
  • Forces you to think about your true desires
  • Helps identify where fear is holding you back

• What would I do if I had $500M in the bank?

  • Removes financial constraints from decision making
  • Helps identify what truly matters to you
  • Shows what you'd do when money isn't a factor

• How will I deal with being an absolute beginner?

  • Acknowledges the discomfort of starting over
  • Especially important for successful people with established reputations
  • Takes power away from the insecurity of being new

Real World Application (Jess Ma's Example)

• Started biotech company despite being a C student in biology
  • Hired a biology tutor
  • Watched podcasts and TED talks
  • Asked experts thousands of questions
  • Partnered with domain experts
  • Focused on commercialization while learning the science

Key Principles

• Don't let ego prevent you from learning
• Being a beginner is a necessary part of growth
• Partner with experts while developing your own knowledge
• Use structured learning (tutors, courses) to accelerate progress
• Being successful in one area doesn't mean you can't be a beginner in another

Implementation Tips

• Hire tutors/coaches even as an adult
• Don't be afraid to pay for expertise ($500/hour example)
• Document and share your learning journey
• Focus on applying learnings immediately
• Have a specific use case or goal for new knowledge