You need to figure out what the 2 or 3 most important things are, and then just do those.

It takes years and years, usually a decade, to create a great startup.

I care much more about the growth rate of the market than it's current size and I also care if there's any reason it's going to top out.

The most common post YC failure case for the companies we fund, is they're incredibly focussed during YC on their company... and after they start doing a lot of other things. They advise companies, they go to conferences, whatever.

In addition to relentlessly resourceful, you want a tough and a calm cofounder.

Most things are not as risky as they seem.

If someone is difficult to talk to, if someone cannot communicate clearly, it's a real problem in terms of their likelihood to work out.