Scaling the Experience Curve

My life is better because I have a job working for someone else. There, I said it. Contrary to the popular narrative that entrepreneurship is the only path to fulfillment, I've found an unexpected accelerator for my growth: a 9-5 at a billion-dollar startup.

Don't get me wrong—I don't want to stay an employee forever. I'd be disappointed if I didn't pursue my own vision in the future. But for now? I'm riding a rocket ship.

The “More More” Moment

Time at Paradox feels like living in dog years—and I'm only half-joking. Each month brings a wave of new clients launching on our platform, often at scales that would have seemed daunting just a year ago. Our product releases include more functionality, expanding our capabilities faster. And with this growth comes an avalanche of new challenges, each more complex than the last.

It's exhilarating and exhausting at the same time, as we race to solve problems for our clients at a pace that makes my head spin. There's more of everything now.

Elad Gil dubs this the "more more" moment—a phase that captures the sudden shift from steady growth to exponential growth, from addition to multiplication. The "more more" moment doesn't just affect a business. Everyone working in it experiences that shift towards exponential growth.

Learn From Others Before Going Solo

Many people are itching to start their own ventures, believing it's the fastest path to success and fulfillment. I get it. The allure of being your own boss, building something from scratch, and potentially changing the world is intoxicating. Working for someone else feels like a waste of time when that’s your goal.

But here's the thing: what if that rush to entrepreneurship is actually slowing them down?

You might be thinking, "I'll learn faster by making my own mistakes." But this is a false positive idea. It overlooks a crucial factor: the power of the experience curve in high-volume environments.

Scale Breeds Mastery

Charlie Munger observed: "The very nature of things is that if you get a whole lot of volume through your operation, you get better at processing that volume." This isn't just a minor edge; it's an enormous advantage that can determine a company's, or an individual's, fate.

In 1966, BCG found a semiconductor manufacturer’s unit production costs would fall by a predictable amount, typically 20-30%, for each doubling of “experience,” or production volume. Their competitive edge came from the accumulation of experience through sheer value and scale.

This idea applies to all disciplines.

I'm currently working on a product that generates nine-figure revenues annually. The sheer scale of operations, the complexity of challenges, and the pace of decision-making are light-years ahead of what I'd face building a five or six-figure business on my own. It's like comparing a Formula 1 race to a go-kart track.

When I eventually launch my own product, I won't be starting from scratch. I'll be armed with undeniable proof in my skills and insights, forged through high-stake, high-volume operations.

My friend has been managing ad campaigns for various businesses over the last five years. When we left university, he began working almost exclusively with a large influencer. His explanation? They were spending over a million dollars a year on ads. The experience he could build from that was vastly different from working with SMEs spending only a hundred thousand dollars total.

The Carpenter's Apprentice: A Tale of Two Paths

Think of it like this: imagine two carpenters, both passionate about their craft. One starts their own small workshop immediately, while the other apprentices at a large furniture factory. Who do you think will develop their skills faster?

A position receiving high volume will build expertise faster. Skill doesn't come from 10,000 hours; it comes from 10,000 reps. High volume isn’t just about the repetition—it's about the variety and scale of problems you encounter and solve.

Each experience, each problem solved, each system optimized adds momentum. The flywheel spins faster, making it easier to tackle more complex problems and accelerate progress.

You’re not just learning—you’re building a flywheel of experience that will power future endeavors.

Climb Your Own Experience Curve

So, how can you leverage this insight, whether you're currently in a job or contemplating your next move?

Identify High-Volume Opportunities

Actively seeking out environments that will expose you to a high volume of work and diverse challenges. Start by researching fast-growing startups or rapidly expanding departments within larger companies. These are hotbeds of activity where you can gain extensive experience quickly.

Maximize Learning In Your Current Role

Don't wait for a new job to start climbing the experience curve – begin right where you are. Create a "learning wishlist" of skills you want to develop that are relevant to your current role and future aspirations. 

Then, be proactive: schedule a meeting with your manager to discuss taking on one or two additional projects that align with your goals. This shows initiative and creates concrete opportunities for skill development. Identify a colleague in a different department whose work interests you and ask to shadow them for a day. This cross-functional exposure will broaden your perspective and skillset. 

Finally, start a "skills journal" to track new things you learn each week. This practice helps you recognize your progress, and reinforces your learning through reflection.

Apply The Flywheel Effect to Your Growth

To truly accelerate your progress, break down complex skills into smaller, manageable sub-skills that you can practice daily. 

Identify five to seven of these sub-skills and use a habit-tracking app to maintain a 30-day streak of deliberate practice. This consistent effort will build momentum, making it easier to tackle increasingly challenging tasks. Set an ambitious 90-day goal to become the "go-to person" for a specific process or tool in your team. This focused effort will deepen your expertise as volume starts to flow through you.

Prepare For Your "More More" Moment

As you accumulate experience, start preparing for the acceleration that comes with increased competence. Audit your workflows to identify processes you can automate or streamline. Creating templates for common tasks will significantly increase your efficiency, allowing you to handle a higher volume of work. 

Build a "personal board of advisors" who can provide guidance and perspective as you grow. 

Importantly, practice saying "no" to low-impact tasks. This creates space for high-value opportunities that will accelerate your growth and prepare you for the "more more" moments in your career.

Quantify Your Progress

To fully leverage your growing experience, it's crucial to measure and communicate your progress. Create a "success metrics" spreadsheet where you track improvements in your speed, quality of work, or output.

The goal is to use your current position as a launchpad, accumulating the skills, insights, and experiences that will set you apart. High-volume work environments accelerate your journey along the experience curve, preparing for a future where you can execute your vision with unparalleled efficiency and insight.