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Hey Reader, When I was in Mexico last month with the Kit team for one of our retreats, I led a session on how to make decisions. Specifically, how to make better decisions faster so you can have a bias for action. I walked the team through some of the tools I use all of the time, and I figured you might find them useful too. Here are 5 of my favorite decision making frameworks: 1. Does this get better or worse with time?When you're stressed about a problem, ask yourself two questions:
Only tackle problems that get worse with time AND whose outcome you control. Everything else will either fix itself or isn't worth your energy. This will help keep your stress low so you have more capacity for what you can influence. 2. One-way vs. two-way doorsHow reversible is this decision you need to make? This one comes from Jeff Bezos. Some decisions are one-way doors, meaning they’re hard or impossible to reverse. An example of this would be changing your company name. Others are two-way doors, which means they’re easy to reverse if you're wrong. Most decisions are two-way doors. Don't waste time deliberating over something you can easily undo. Move fast if it’s a reversible decision. Take your time if it’s irreversible. 3. The 1:3:1 ruleThis one's from Dan Martell's book Buy Back Your Time. It saves time if you have a team. Before someone can ask for help, they need to:
I find this so helpful because clearly defining the problem gets you halfway there. Three solutions forces you to get creative, and then the recommendation shows you've thought it through. 4. Unless I hear differently (UIHD)Instead of asking for permission or consensus, state what you're doing with a specific date:
"Unless I hear differently, I plan to ship this change on March 1st."
This is all about creating a bias for action, but it still gives people a chance to weigh in. It's good for decisions that aren't high stakes. Just be thoughtful about the timing and don't use this when key people are out or it’s a controversial decision. 5. Decision-Making Framework (DMF)For big decisions or ones that have gotten bogged down, we use Coinbase's decision-making framework at Kit. It forces you to get clarity on:
Half the time, just getting on the same page with things will give you enough clarity to move forward. We've used this for everything from designing Kit's logo to structuring our profit-sharing model. — These frameworks all create a bias for action and help you make decisions faster. Pick one decision you've been avoiding this week and try one of these. PODCASTHow To Train Your Mind Like The World’s Best AthletesJustin Su’a has coached athletes in the MLB, NFL, and PGA, along with teams at Google, Lululemon, WWE, and the military. In this episode, he breaks down how top performers make critical decisions under pressure. We talk about the mindset shifts that separate pros from amateurs and the systems that help you stay steady when everything feels chaotic. Justin shares some fun behind-the-scenes stories from the World Series and other high stakes leadership moments, plus how to build relationships strong enough for honest feedback. We get into:
Watch or listen to episode » JOBWe're Hiring at Kit Studios (Boise + NYC)We're hiring two roles at Kit Studios, our in-house recording space where creators can produce podcasts and video content for free. Both roles are on-site and focused on making sure every creator who walks through the door has a great experience. The Boise role is part-time (20-25 hours per week) and leans more toward operations and systems across all three studio locations. The New York City role is full-time and focused on community-building and becoming a go-to person in the NYC creator scene. If either of these sound like a fit for you or someone you know, take a look at the full listings below. Boise: Learn more and apply » CONFERENCECraft + Commerce 2026: Lifelong friendsMaking friends as an adult is hard. Making them online is even harder. Especially when it comes to finding people who actually get it. And not many people understand the unique struggles that come with being a creator. That's why getting in person is so important. When you're at a conference for several days, you build relationships fast. Over dinner, running into someone during a break, staying up late talking through ideas. The people you meet at Craft + Commerce are the type who will become your lifelong friends. We're announcing more incredible speakers soon, but if you know you want to come, now's the time to register. Because you can save $150 with our current promotion. The price goes up permanently February 20th. This event will sell out, so don’t wait! Have a great week! —Nathan |
I'm a designer who turned into a writer who turned into a startup CEO. My mission is to help creators earn a living. Subscribe for essays on building an audience and earning a living as a creator.
Hey Reader, A lot of the rules we built our work habits around made sense before AI. Some of them held up for decades. Right now, in early 2026, I think it's worth asking which ones still do. Here are five things I think are worth throwing out: 1. Detailed mid-level planning Knowing where you're going is still important. But the master plan that used to live between the destination and the work itself is mostly just a way to delay starting. Before, mapping out how all the systems connect just...
Hey Reader, If I say something dumb, I'm probably still replaying it in my head 11 years later. Just me? It’s an exhausting feeling. You're not really solving anything, you're just reliving the moment over and over. And when you're building a business, there's always something new to add to the pile. After a while, it gets hard to tell which things actually need your attention and which ones you've just been dragging around. Start by writing everything down. When a worry stays in your head,...
Hey Reader, Attending a conference is one of the highest-leverage things you can do as a creator. Three days in person will accelerate a relationship more than six months of talking online. The people you meet at events can often become your business partners, collaborators, and even some of your closest friends. But only if you know how to use the time. Here are my top 10 tips for getting the most out of conferences: 1. Choose the right conference Not every conference is worth your time. The...