How to Do Great Work
, subject: Essay on choosing ambitious work and pursuing great work.
David set aside his planned reading to devote a full episode to its argument about choosing what to work on.
About the book
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
- Focus beyond critics
- Unfashionable problems
Evidence and original sources
This record is supported by 29 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.
- 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.
- Christian Dior — David says he covered the essay on Founders episode 314.
- Oprah — David says episode 314 was devoted to this Paul Graham essay.
- The Eternal Pursuit of Unhappiness: David Ogilvy — David says the essay was the subject of Founders episode 314.
Unofficial listener-built companion, not affiliated with or endorsed by David Senra or Founders Podcast.