How to Do Great Work
, subject: Essay on choosing ambitious work and pursuing great work., 2023
Paul Graham's essay argues that choosing what to work on is the key to the whole game, and that intense interest and irrational curiosity are where to start.
About this work
The essay argues that curiosity drives each step of the process and warns against excessive caution in picking problems, advising readers to start work and adjust course through experience rather than exhaustive upfront planning.
Why read it
Best if you are deciding what problem to pursue, trying to hold your focus against criticism, or thinking carefully about the colleagues you want beside you.
Key themes
- Choosing the work is the whole game
- Curiosity makes you a target for luck
- Consistency compounds
Evidence and original sources
Sources: official Founders episodes — #314, #315, #316, #317, #323, #331, #334, #343, #356, #357, #358, #374, #385
This record is supported by 42 public evidence rows linked to original Founders episodes.
- Paul Graham (How To Do Great Work) — David explains he decided to cover this essay as a full dedicated episode.
- Balenciaga — David returns to the essay covered in episode 314 while comparing the working habits and career opportunities of Balenciaga and Dior.
- Bugatti — David connects this essay to his prior coverage on episode 314.
- Ed Catmull (Founder of Pixar) — David ties Ed Catmull's story to a prior Founders episode on Paul Graham's essay.
- Jimmy Buffett — David explicitly returns to episode 314 and How to Do Great Work when comparing Graham’s advice with Jimmy Buffett’s persistence.
- Christian Dior — David says he covered the essay on Founders episode 314.