Don’t Ignore This Signal When Measuring Success

Key Concepts:

• External Signals of Success (likes, comments, subscribers)
• Internal Signals of Success (personal enjoyment, fulfillment)
• Experimentation (testing ideas and projects)
• Persistence (continuing with an experiment)
• Pivoting (adjusting the experiment: scaling up, scaling down, changing direction)
• Data Collection (gathering information to inform decisions)

External vs. Internal Signals of Success

The video emphasizes the importance of considering both external and internal signals when evaluating the success of a project or experiment. External signals are defined as easily quantifiable metrics such as likes, comments, and subscriber counts. These are the metrics we are typically comfortable tracking. However, the video argues that internal signals, which relate to personal feelings and experiences, are equally crucial.

The Importance of Internal Signals

The core argument is that external success alone does not constitute true success. A project might be outwardly successful (e.g., high engagement), but if the individual working on it hates the process, it may not be a sustainable or desirable path. The video poses the question: "Is that really success? If you hate every single moment of something you're working on, maybe not." This highlights the need to assess personal enjoyment and fulfillment alongside external validation.

Experimentation and Decision-Making

The video frames projects and endeavors as "experiments." After running an experiment, one must evaluate both external and internal signals to decide on the next course of action. There are three primary options:

1. Persistence: If both external and internal signals are positive, the individual may choose to "persist" with the experiment and "go for another round." This implies continuing with the current approach.
2. Data Collection: If the results are unclear or the individual is unsure, they may choose to gather more data. The example given is extending the experiment for another two weeks to gain further insights. The speaker says, "Let me do another two weeks. I need more data. I'm not sure."
3. Pivoting: This involves making adjustments to the experiment. The video mentions scaling up, scaling down, or changing direction as potential pivot strategies.

Conclusion

The video advocates for a holistic approach to evaluating success, considering both external metrics and internal feelings. By viewing projects as experiments and carefully analyzing both types of signals, individuals can make more informed decisions about whether to persist, gather more data, or pivot. The key takeaway is that true success encompasses both external validation and personal fulfillment.