Don't divide the loot before there's a train to rob

Two people have a business idea.

By lunch, they’ve picked their titles, debated the profit split, and discussed who gets the corner office.

They haven’t asked anyone to buy anything.

Imagining future success is the easiest way not to do the work needed to find it.

The meeting may feel important.

The spreadsheet may forecast a potential future.

But neither forces you to make something another human can judge.

An aspiring writer needs to finish a draft more than they need to craft their personal brand.

A team without customers needs ten real sales conversations more than a leadership retreat.

If you spend three weeks designing a logo for a service you haven’t provided, that is just procrastination with a color wheel.

Agree on ownership and responsibilities early.

Write them down.

Then get to creating something worth owning.

Instead of “build a successful business,” try “sell and deliver the service to five humans.”

Instead of “become a writer,” try “finish and publish one useful essay every week for three months.”

Give yourself work you can do today.

Pay attention to what it teaches you.

Repetition won’t guarantee success, but it gives you evidence.

Imagining your acceptance speech just lowers the probability of giving one.

You don’t have to love every tedious task.

But if the only thing you enjoy is picturing the reward, you should pay attention.

Most of the experience will be the work.

Look at your calendar.

How much of this week went into making something useful?

How much went into discussing what you'll do instead when it takes off?

Eventually, there may be plenty of loot to divide.

First, make sure you give someone a reason to pay.