GraphedMinds
The Startup Ideas Podcast

The Startup Ideas Podcast

The best businesses are built at the intersection of emerging technology, community, and real human needs.

Back to Mental Models

Vipassana-Inspired Focus Model

Applying silent meditation retreat principles to startup building by eliminating all distractions and micro-decisions

Decision Rule

If an activity doesn't directly contribute to core company building, eliminate it completely during focus periods

How It Works

Like meditation retreats eliminate talking, reading, and eye contact to unlock mental capacity, startup residencies eliminate food decisions, social obligations, and administrative tasks

Failure Modes

Becoming too isolated and losing market perspective

Burning out from extreme intensity

Missing important external feedback and opportunities

Creating unsustainable work-life integration

Example Decision

Instead of spending mental energy deciding what to eat each meal, pre-planned meals are provided at set times so founders can dedicate all cognitive resources to product development