Skills Stick, Projects Don't

Shaan Puri believes that hard work is overrated and is only the fourth or fifth most important variable in achieving success. He argues that project selection and who you work with matter far more than how hard you work, based on his experience working in the restaurant industry where hard work had limited impact on outcomes.

Key Points:

• Hard Work is Overrated:

  • It's probably the fourth or fifth most important variable, not the first
  • Project selection is the very first and most important factor
  • Who you work with matters a ton
  • Timing and luck are also critical variables

• The Real Value of Hard Work:

  • Good at developing skill: This is where hard work truly shines
  • Good for being serious: Shows commitment and dedication
  • Most valuable in your twenties: Easy to throw hours at problems when you lack good judgment
  • Less important as you age: Your judgment must compensate for less available time

• Skills Are the Most Valuable Thing:

  • They can't be inherited, bought, or taken away - they can only be earned
  • Skills stick with you, projects don't: Most projects fail but the skills remain
  • Example: His sushi business failed, but he learned After Effects, iMovie, and Photoshop, which served him well in Silicon Valley
  • Mastery is the key that unlocks infinite doors

• Project Selection as a Skill:

  • Most people don't even think about "project selection" as a concept
  • People think about industries and careers, but the atomic unit is a project
  • Very few people know how to pick good projects or good partners
  • It's a skill that builds over time if you're intentional about it

• Early Career Advice:

  • Be really intentional with project selection and people selection
  • Focus on the skill-building part of working hard
  • Don't just optimize for money - consider what gives you the most time for things that matter
  • Skills you build can be applied to better projects once you pick them