Effectively Starting Before You’re Ready

This week, I’m officially taking over the Think Like Amazon podcast! Funny enough, podcasting wasn’t exactly on my roadmap. But as I’ve learned, sometimes you have to start before you feel ready, especially when the long-term impact can help others - like you, reading this right now.

Sure, I have a long list of things to improve: thumbnails, intros, better camera quality... But instead of aiming for perfection, I’m applying Amazon’s Ownership mindset and MrBeast’s “Rule of 100” by improving one small thing at a time. My first episode is live - subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform or my newly created YouTube channel, where I’ll also be diving deeper into the best newsletter insights in video format.

Tip of the Week: Start before you feel ready. You’ll learn, adapt, and improve along the way.

THE THEORY

Ownership is Long-Term Thinking. Amazon’s leadership principle of Ownership teaches us to think beyond short-term results and act as if we own the long-term success of our projects. Owners don’t wait for perfect conditions - they start, adapt, and improve. This mindset applies to business and personal growth. By focusing on long-term value rather than immediate perfection, we create space to learn and evolve without the pressure of instant success.

Ownership transfers from corporate to entrepreneurship. In this week’s podcast, Tyler shared key insights on transferring ownership from a corporate role into entrepreneurship. He emphasized that ownership isn’t about doing everything yourself. Instead, it’s about acting as a highly invested board member - seeking solutions, empowering others, and driving long-term success.

MrBeast’s Rule of 100. When asked for advice, the YouTube creator often says: "Make 100 videos, changing one thing each time. By the 100th video, come back with any questions you still have." He says that no one ever comes back because by then, they've either figured it out or quit. This approach embraces iteration over perfection. Instead of waiting until you know everything, you learn by doing - tweaking one element with each attempt until you naturally level up. It’s a simple, powerful reminder: consistency and incremental improvements lead to mastery.

MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS

No one is ever truly ready (that’s why you should start). The theory is clear, but I'll be honest - it still feels uncomfortable. To push through, I laid everything out and stepped outside of my "comfort zone" gradually. First, I started this newsletter, then I moved to LinkedIn, and now I’m making videos (ranked from least to most uncomfortable). [I actually mapped it all out in this post from 7 months ago]. Now, after 157 days of posting on LinkedIn and 81 weeks of writing this newsletter, I can say this: it gets easier. This approach takes time, but without it, I might have quit altogether.

Now, I’m launching more videos on my new YouTube Channel. I’m still in the early days, but let’s see how a few iterations change that. If any post from this newsletter resonates, let me know - I’ll turn it into a video. A lot of people talk about personal and professional growth but don't share the human side of it. I hope this "personal thoughts" section encourages you to try something new. We’re all anxious, scared, and uncomfortable at first - sometimes, you just have to start.

HOW TO PUT THIS INTO PRACTICE

If you’ve been waiting to start something (a side project, learning a new skill, or stepping into a new role) here’s how to get started before you feel “ready.”

1. Define Your Long-Term Why. Focus on the bigger picture. A clear goal helps overcome short-term fears.

2. Take the First Step Today. Focus on one single task rather than the entire project. Begin with what feels most manageable.

3. Use the Rule of 100. List all the things you could improve, rank them, and tackle one with each iteration.

4. Think Like an Owner. Take responsibility for your progress - seek feedback, empower yourself, and drive long-term success.

5. Track and Reflect. Document your progress. Regular reflection shows how far you’ve come and guides your next step.

Remember, no one is ever truly ready - but that’s what makes starting the first step toward success. And hey, if MrBeast says you’ll figure it out by the 100th try, I’ll take those odds!

Imperfectly Yours,

Jorge Luis Pando