Percival 2009 Survival Guide
I don’t think many folks in the tech space realize how much 2009 is going to be a make or break year for them. For myself, 09 means everything. I’m going to push harder than ever and go to the furthest possible edge on all fronts. Pull out ALL stops.
I’d suggest you do the same, I’m even going to help you out a bit.
Just follow these simple steps:
1. Ignore the A List
Stop listening or even caring what these guys say. In fact go in the complete opposite direction of them. If Scoble is gaga over your product you have a serious problem. While your tech may be hot, you want hit the mass markets, not these guys.
2. Do it by 30
Youth is wasted on the young. You need a huge hit by the time you turn 30. Trust me, this next generation is going to completely trump you in every way. They were born in this, while many of us slowly laid its groundwork these past few years. I’m 29 so for me this year is all or nothing. If you are past 30 you have to work extra hard. Hit the gym a few times while you’re at it chubby. Appearance isn’t everything, but a good one certainly doesn’t hurt.
3. Get Sued
On average someone threatens to sue me every 1-2 years. Sometimes its big companies like Newscorp, other times sole saber rattlers. If someone threatens to sue, or flat out does, you’re on to something. That means your shit is so good they’ll desperately try to derail you, sometimes by any means. Keep pushing.
4. Automate Your Social Media
Social media is a device used to time suck your life. Services like Twitter are amazing, also draining to use. Stop wasting the days status updating and get some actual work done. Start by automating some of your Twitter life with Socialtoo and Twitterfeed. Next setup your cell phone for all your social services. You’d be amazed how much social activity you can finish while on the john.
5. Go Out Less, Work More
This is really challenging in Los Angeles and I imagine any major city. The economy may be dead, but you’d never know it by the many mixers and events in the tech scenes. Here in LA there are typically 2-3 events every week. I usually skip most, citing that I’m both too old and too married to be out late drinking. Really though I’m at home, usually working, tweaking and prototyping whats next. I work till my hands hurt, slink into bed and rinse and repeat. Its not sustainable, but during these times you’ll bring your game up 2-3 levels. Take a vacation when you’ve earned it.
Some of that may seem a bit grim, that’s either the case or its due to “midnight blogging”. Either way I do encourage you bring everything you have this year. You’re going to need it to beat or catch up with guys like me. In the spirit of friendly competition I’ll even show you how I do most of it.
Just stay tuned here on the blog and of course Twitter.
On FriendFeed, this post was liked by 3 people and commented on 6 times 
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:01 am
Wow, by these rules I’m totally f-cked
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:05 am
Hat tip, Sean! Truly. One of the, probably, most nicest things I have seen from. Here’s to pulling out ALL stops!
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:09 am
@francisco
you have a chipendale body, you’ll be ok. also you are louder than any young kid.
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:11 am
3-5 is a good reminder for this year, what ever year it may be.
While it’s true that some of these tech A-listers get excited over wild ideas that push the envelope–ideas that will never catch on–they do have reach. If Scoble is going gaga over your product and it’s readily deployable, you’ll only benefit.
I’m going to ignore number 2 for now
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:11 am
Sean –
F Ya on this write up man. I could not agree with you any more. Many things you brought up on this post if verbatim from what comes out of my mouth. Starting with A Listers… Such Crap, if you are an entrepreneur and you believe in your product, then there is NO room for failure. When someone is so passionate about what they are working on, it WILL succeed, regardless what others say.
Also, I see the same people going to mixers, industry events, and being big time self promoters. In a way, thats great, build your personal brand, however like you said. Go out less and work more… Now is the time. Like you said, do it before your 30. Leverage that high energy, and those little obligations you have now to allocate to a successful product —> exit.
Sean, this was a great writeup, and I fully support your points.
Now is the time, the generation is here. I’m with you, I sleep next to my laptop, Never watch tv, always research, always doing competitive analysis, and always always knowing what’s next.
Kick some ass Sean..
Josh Stomel
“Doing it before 30″
NeoHire.com & ResumeBucket.com
Josh@neohire.com
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:28 am
Gonna second Josh on that feeling – I’ve I’ve been around other industries (radio, TV, DM) to know that the people that are extremely successful don’t generally go out and toot their horn.
Also, I’ve always believed in creating a product that has mass demand. But it’s nice to hear it come from you… Hehe, if I can’t explain to my non-techie friends how my ‘product’ is of value, i don’t believe it’ll succeed.
I’ll have to check out socialtoo. I’m using twitpress instead of twitterfeed, but it may be worth switching over (if I can get the time to start posting again).
Great points… Luckily, I’ve got a couple of years till 30, so if I can give it more this year, maybe I can make it by then!
David
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:52 am
Agree on all points. I experienced this first hand building my company:
#1 – If the dudes that run your industry agree with you, you’re fucked and out of tune. When everyone was pushing firepower and conventional force I focused on information warfare and asymmetric strategies
#2 – Work your ass off when you’re young and retire in your early 30’s – life will fucking rock, you can step back and relax, and then help others with no concern for money or self-interest
#3 – Lawsuits validate an aggressive business trajectory and they’ll make you tough (and you’ll learn to pay attention to contracts!). I went thru a few my first two years and learned what they never teach you during your MBA
#4 – Yes, yes, yes… your shitter is your second office. I never went to the bathroom without having something to work on (emails, organizational issue, operational decisions, etc.) – don’t wipe until you’ve made a decision
#5 – I worked 3 years, no vacations, every day, 12 to 16 hour days. If I partied I did it after 10pm and didn’t sleep in the next day. You got to give it everything – you can rest later
July 31st, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Nr. 6, You have to listen to The Percivals – http://www.myspace.com/thepercivalsswe