LAST VERSION: March 20, 2020
Guideline on how to search for problems and evaluate the merit and value of solving them.
Table of Contents:
As with physical mazes, there is likely a right-hand rule that exists for what Balaji Srinivasan identifies as "the idea maze." Most young technical individuals (myself included) find themselves forced to do things the hard way, build something our friends or we want, then try and figure out how to make it a business. Sometimes that works out great, but I believe at the more substantial sacrifice of ninety-five energetic kids for every five that make it work. Takes a bit of time, but in effect as long as you do not give up, stay intellectually honest, and function as frugally (time + money) as possible, this right-hand rule will work out in some way, shape, or form (likely one you will not recognize or cannot predict).
How to methodically search? ie. is there a solution to the idea maze?
The core exercise of finding a big pain point and providing the best product possible is always priority number one. However, there are blocks and pitfalls along the way to finding that knock up most young/first time founders. Most second-time founders typically develop a sense along the way that helps them navigate these missteps through practice. Unfortunately, much like surfing, the naturally intuitive thing to do often leads to getting wiped out. Below is a set of rules lying on top of previously well-established mechanics to help people looking for a problem to solve to end up working on the right one. The seemingly non-obvious will be bolded and highlighted.
scan from the original meeting. this is no longer accurate, but remains a decent summary. (2018)
If done correctly, this process should vastly increase the surface area for luck required to make something big, lasting, and valuable.
The fundamental goal here is to pick problems, not markets nor ideas. It's easy to default and get caught up with building, spending our time obsessing over what'll we build and how we'll do it. Create a scope for the search, following the guidelines suggested below: