Principles for 2026
Last post I asked: does this compound?
That question kept rattling around. I realised I needed more than a question - I needed a framework. Something to filter decisions through when the answer isn’t obvious.
So I wrote down the principles I’m actually living by. Not aspirational. Not borrowed from a business book. Just the things I’ve learned work, distilled into something I can return to when I’m scattered.
Mindset
Build things that compound
Invest in assets that grow: skills, relationships, systems, reputation. A blog post lives forever. A skill unlocks the next skill. Avoid one-off efforts that don’t accumulate into something larger.
Skills lead, money follows
Don’t ask “how much can I make?” Ask “how deeply can I master this?” Money follows value, and value comes from skill. Chase the payout and you’ll quit before you get good. Chase the skill, and the money has no choice but to follow.
Play the long game
Patience is a competitive advantage. Build relationships that last decades. Short-term thinking is crowded; long-term thinking is surprisingly empty. The best opportunities come to those who stick around.
Building
Protect the constraint
Time is the scarcest resource, not money. Every yes is a no to something else. Ruthless prioritisation, not longer hours. Say no by default so you can say yes to what counts.
Steady rhythm, sprint when inspired
Show up consistently - daily practice compounds. But when inspiration strikes, ride the wave hard. Consistency is the baseline; intensity is the accelerant. Neither works alone.
Validate wide, master deep
Breadth when exploring: small bets, fast feedback, test ideas quickly. Depth when committed: build mastery, finish what you started. The mistake is going deep too early or staying shallow too long.
Foundation
Health is the multiplier
Without energy, nothing else works. Training, sleep, nutrition - these aren’t optional extras. They multiply everything. A fit body supports a sharp mind. Protect this ruthlessly.
Present when present
When with family, be fully there. Attention is the gift. Half-present is worse than absent. The work will wait; the moments won’t.
Relationships compound
Invest in people. The right relationships grow in value over decades. Don’t neglect the humans while building the things. Nobody on their deathbed wished they’d sent more emails.
These aren’t rules I follow perfectly. They’re the rules I return to when I’ve drifted.
The test for 2026: when I’m unsure what to do, do these help me decide?
We’ll see.