Focus and Intensity
Success requires extreme focus on the right things with extreme intensity of execution.
Explanation
Sam Altman identifies focus and intensity as the two essential elements of startup success. Focus means doing fewer things but doing them better than anyone else. Intensity means working with urgency and caring deeply about outcomes. Most startups fail from distraction and low-energy execution, not from lack of opportunity.
Real-World Example
WhatsApp focused solely on messaging—no games, no social features, no ads (initially). They executed with obsessive intensity on speed and reliability. Instagram focused only on photo sharing with beautiful filters. Google focused on search quality while others added portals and features. Each won by being intensely focused.
How to Apply
Write your one-sentence mission and refer to it daily. Say no to features, partnerships, and opportunities that don't directly advance this mission. Work with urgency—not panic, but with the understanding that timing matters. Measure intensity: Are you giving maximum effort to the most important things? Regularly ask: 'What should we stop doing?'