The time-saving power of one simple word

In this issue: the fantasy of "overnight success," how one simple word gives your time back, the critical thing you need when iterating, and what grudges does to your physical health.

Author

PJ Milani
May 27, 2025

In partnership with

🤔 INTERESTING

Success isn’t about being a genius on your first shot. Just ask the data (which tells a sobering story).

  • 1st time startup founders success rate: 18%

  • Those same founders success rate by 10th attempt: 65%

"Better than yesterday" isn't just motivational fluff. The idea of becoming an overnight success is a fantasy. A harmful one. (and this doesn’t just relate to entrepreneurship) It's how mastery actually works.

Think about it. If you improve just 1% daily, you'll be 37x better in one year.
Not 365% better.
3,700% better.

You might ask, how do you actually improve 1% daily?

Answer 3 simple questions:

  1. “What went slightly better today than yesterday?"

  2. “What small improvement can I make tomorrow?"

  3. “Where am I aiming my next arrow?”

It’s not about having perfect aim.
It’s not about being the best.
It’s just being a little better. Everyday.

P.S. I talk more about the importance of consistency in this post.

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📐 DESIGN

If you’re a long time reader, you may have noticed I iterated a new banner!

10 Iterations of the Visual IDEAs banner

Iterations!

Settled on version 10 if you're counting! 😅

Here's the funny thing about iteration. You need fresh eyes to see straight.

That's why finding your creative safety net matters. Those trusted few who'll tell you:

  • "This font feels off"

  • "Actually, the shadow is too far too the right"

  • "The old logo had more charm because…"

Without them, you're just rearranging pixels in the dark. Find your people.
(shoutout to Hannah Wilson and Michael J Boorman — Hype crew for life!)

Cartoon ninja character wearing a blue helmet with four lightbulbs on top, each glowing and labeled with a letter to spell “IDEA.” The character’s eyes look focused and determined, symbolizing creative thinking and visual problem-solving.

Before

Visual IDEAs banner featuring a playful ninja character with lightbulbs on its head, symbolizing creativity and insight. The word “VISUAL” appears in handwritten style, and “IDEAs” is bold and highlighted in blue, reinforcing the focus on imaginative thinking through visuals.

After

What do you think about the new banner?

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🔮 ENCHANTING 

Time doesn’t disappear.
It’s given away, one "yes" at a time.

We make time for what we prioritize.
And the shape of a priority starts with the gentle art of “no.”

🧠 ANALOGY

Letting go doesn't mean saying what happened was okay.
But what would you say if it might literally save your heart?
Read more.

🤓 WHAT I’M READING NOW

I discovered Will Eisner from Scott McCloud, author of “Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art.” As you can see, my copy has seen better days! There’s so much practical wisdom on visual thinking and visual storytelling crammed in “Graphic Storytelling and Visual Narrative” that I’m prioritizing rereading it this summer.

ONE LAST THING

I don’t normally like to read the news these days but when I do, I stay away from the mainstream sites and read the digest from our second partner for this newsletter:

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