The best entrepreneurs know we have an OBLIGATION to ask for the sale, because that’s the best way to help our customers. The best entrepreneurs know we have to avoid reporting the “fake” numbers and focus on the number that matters — sales.

This is table stakes.

someone will give you a magical idea that will give you millions, you should just put it down. Or if you’re looking for someone to coddle you for how busy you are, how you don’t have any time, and how tough it is… I have to say, that’s not me.

we’re standing at the greatest opportunity in our lifetimes. For the first time, we don’t have to wait for some gatekeeper in Manhattan or at some fancy company to choose us and give us a shot.

But the biggest failures aren’t things you did. They’re things you didn’t do. Playing it safe is one of the biggest failures possible.

I already gave you the 4 simplest words you can use to get people to talk: “Tell me about that.” Here are some other simple but effective questions to dig into their problems: What’s going on? How do you think about this? How does it make you feel?

Typical wantrepreneur fears revolve around me, myself, and I. “What type of business should I start?” “Will people buy from me?” “What will my friends think if I fail?”

I still read books and get advice from people whose businesses are a fraction of the size of my own. Here’s why: First, you want to stay sharp. Second, you can always learn something from everyone, no matter what they do. And third, the bigger your business gets, the more impactful a single insight can be.

“Ramit, nobody cares what you did. They only care what you’re doing.”