Why the 10x Mindset is Essential
The 10x mindset brings freedom in many areas of life:
freedom of time, money, relationships, purpose, and even across borders.
What Inspired Me to Pursue 10x Growth
I’ve encountered countless cases of people achieving 10x results in a larger world.
At first, I thought, “That’s possible because they’re exceptionally talented,” or “It’s only achievable because of who they are.”
But gradually, cracks began to form in that belief.
I started to think, “If they can do it, so can I.”
Eventually, I set an audacious and seemingly impossible goal for myself.
But when I faced it, I felt completely overwhelmed and at a loss.
Initially, I thought I could achieve it by simply working twice as hard,
but I soon realized that the methods I used during my PhD wouldn’t be enough for such a goal.
Old Methods vs. New Approach
- Old Methods: I managed my time quantitatively using tools like binders, focusing on making the most out of the same 24 hours everyone has.
- New Approach: I now focus on qualitative time management,
finding ways to make every hour more meaningful through deeper focus and innovative workflows.
During my PhD, I already experienced what it means to achieve 10x growth.
When I faced that fact, I naturally started to dream about achieving the next 10x,
leading to the question: “How do I get there?”
Looking ahead, I know my role as a professor will shift from doing work myself to managing and leading others,
which requires an entirely different approach.
That’s why I see this postdoc period as the perfect time to experiment and prepare for this transition.
The Core of 10x Growth: How Is It Possible?
The 10x mindset involves innovative and non-linear thinking that goes beyond established standards and norms in a given field.
The key principles are:
- Eliminate Noise and Simplify
To achieve 10x growth, you must let go of everything that isn’t aligned with your goal.
This means filtering out the unimportant 80% and focusing on the essential few.
Paradoxically, this makes achieving seemingly impossible goals much easier. - Change the Questions You Ask
- There are countless ways to achieve 10% or 2x growth.
- But the path to 10x growth is rare and narrow.
Identifying it requires a clear distinction between effective and ineffective methods,
allowing you to focus on the few most impactful paths.
- Define Specific Goals
To move forward, you must let go of the 80% of factors that brought you your past success.
Applying the Pareto Principle, you narrow your focus on what truly matters.
Examples of the 10x Mindset
- Doubling Speaking Fees
If you raise your speaking fees from $25,000 to $50,000, the number of speaking engagements will decrease,
but the efficiency and quality of your time will significantly increase. - Shifting Perspectives
People who wanted to move faster initially built cars instead of riding horses.
Then they built trains but still couldn’t overcome the limits of the ground.
Ultimately, they had to remove friction to create maglev trains or explore skyways free from obstacles.
This demonstrates the need to think differently and find entirely new methods to achieve breakthroughs. - Who, Not How
Instead of figuring out every method and refining your skills alone,
delegate to experts already working in the field.
The key question is: “Who can help me achieve this?”
Identifying the right person is the fastest way to achieve 10x growth.
What It Takes to Achieve 10x Growth
- Skills
- Creativity
- Commitment
- Belief
- Identity
The ability to quickly embrace a new identity and shift your questions and approach is critical.
The 10x mindset isn’t just about quantitative growth—it’s about
qualitative transformation and a complete shift in perspective.
jongwonlim.com 