My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
Research as Coping Mechanism
When facing uncertainty or major life changes, some people cope by conducting systematic research to gain control and understanding, turning uncertainty into data-driven insights.
Decision Rule
When feeling overwhelmed by a situation, ask: 'What data could I collect to better understand this?' then design a research study to explore the question systematically.
How It Works
Research provides psychological comfort through the illusion of control and transforms anxiety into curiosity. The process of learning often matters more than the specific findings.
Failure Modes
Procrastination through endless research without action
Spending money on studies that don't inform decisions
Using research to avoid confronting emotional issues
Believing data can solve inherently subjective problems
Example Decision
“After selling company and feeling uncertain about happiness and wealth, spend $50K on systematic study of wealthy individuals rather than just networking or reading books.”