Startups, especially in deep tech, often get stuck trying to keep all options open. The most effective way to force focus and enable progress is to definitively answer 'Who is this for?'. This shifts the team from building generic technology to building a specific product.

To build an enduring company, ask this critical question: 'If we disappeared tomorrow, what problem would remain unsolved, and would anyone notice?' The goal is to become so essential in solving an urgent problem that your customers would revolt if your solution was no longer available.

If a team is constantly struggling with prioritization, the root cause isn't poor task management; it's the absence of a clear, unifying strategy. A strong, insight-based strategy makes prioritization implicit, naturally aligning the organization and reducing distractions.

People have a "subtractive neglect bias," overlooking solutions that involve removing tasks. By physically visualizing all commitments (like on Post-it notes), teams and individuals can immediately see they are overcommitted, forcing them to clarify priorities and remove or pause lower-impact projects.

Jacobs's team uses the acronym WOTWOM—Waste Of Time, Waste Of Money—as a rapid check on new ideas. Any suggestion can be challenged with this label if it doesn't clearly contribute to organic revenue growth or margin expansion. This simple tool creates a culture focused on high-leverage activities.

Teams naturally focus on what's achievable with current resources ('what we can do'). A leader's job is to define what is existentially necessary for success ('what we must do') and force the team to find a way, even if it seems impossible. Declaring a goal non-negotiable unlocks new solutions.

In a fast-changing environment, annual plans are obsolete. At least semi-annually, pause and ask, "If we were to create this plan from scratch today, what would we do differently?" This mindset prevents teams from blindly executing on outdated assumptions tied to performance plans.

To identify your business's core constraint, start by asking why you can't simply scale your current successful activities. The answer will immediately point to the true bottleneck, whether it's a lack of metrics, money, manpower, or a flawed model.

To prevent team burnout and maintain focus, leaders must adopt a strict rule: never add a new priority without agreeing to stop doing something else. The word 'priorities' is a misnomer, as a team can only have one true priority at a time. This discipline forces clarity and prevents overload.