Stay Upwind
Keep options open
The 'Stay Upwind' framework is about keeping your options open and being adaptable in a rapidly changing world. It involves working on things that interest you and increase your options, rather than committing to a specific goal or plan. This approach allows you to be prepared for different opportunities and to make the most of the resources available to you.
- Keep your options open and be adaptable.
- Work on things that interest you and increase your options.
- Don't commit to a specific goal or plan, but instead focus on making progress and learning.
- Identify your interestsTake time to reflect on what you enjoy doing and what you're good at. This will help you identify areas where you can work on things that interest you and increase your options.Pro tipTry new things and explore different fields to discover your interests.WarningDon't be afraid to try new things, but also be aware of your limitations and don't overcommit yourself.
- Look for smart people and hard problemsSeek out people who are working on challenging problems and try to learn from them. This will help you stay upwind of good places to land and increase your options.Pro tipAttend conferences, join online communities, and read books to stay informed about different fields and meet smart people.WarningBe careful not to get discouraged by the difficulty of the problems, but instead focus on learning and making progress.
- Work on hard problemsFocus on working on challenging problems that interest you, rather than just going through the motions. This will help you stay engaged and motivated, and increase your options.Pro tipBreak down large problems into smaller, manageable tasks to make progress and stay motivated.WarningDon't be afraid to ask for help or seek out resources when you're stuck, but also be aware of your own limitations and don't overcommit yourself.
When choosing a college major, it's better to choose one that will give you more options, such as math or computer science, rather than one that will limit your options, such as a specific trade or skill.
When starting a business, it's better to focus on solving a real problem and creating value, rather than just trying to make money. This will help you stay upwind of good places to land and increase your options.
The concept of 'Stay Upwind' was developed by Paul Graham as a replacement for the traditional 'don't give up on your dreams' advice. He realized that the world is changing rapidly and that it's not a good idea to have fixed plans. Instead, he suggests working on things that interest you and increase your options, and to stay upwind of good places to land.