Keep your time save

In 2023, I focused all my actions on keeping my most relevant resource safe: my time. I started building systems that work for me. Like Canvas Supply, a Framer templates marketplace, that earns me money while I sleep. Literally. Before I started all this, I never thought it was possible. But now, making $55K+ with it, I know that it works.

Your time is valuable and limited. Don’t sell it to someone else. Build systems.

Perfectionism is Bullsh*t

I was always a huge advocate of the 80/20 rule. However, this year I got the feeling that it more is a 90/10.

The Pareto principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, is a theory maintaining that 80 percent of the output from a given situation or system is determined by 20 percent of the input. – Source

I wanted to maximize it even more and started to focus and dedicate 10% of my time to finishing 90% of the result, and my efficiency blew up.

With the launch of higher-priced products, I also saw that 10% of the customers created 90% of my revenue.

So, before you start a task, think about what is the 10% input you act on, that generates 90% of the result and the highest amount of ROI. To start you can also go with the 80/20. But once you start working with this method, you will be a lot more productive.

Launch, test & iterate

Earlier in my career while my master’s degree in human-computer interaction design, I was told endless times to always validate my ideas and projects first, and then launch them. This might be all correct for very big projects, but not for 90% of other mid-sized and small projects. Not even for ALL of my businesses.

I started to launch way too early (with a feeling of incompletion) and listened for the echo. This way, dark.design was born. I started with a small directory of dark-themed websites. I scaled it to 90 websites in the directory before I even thought about adding more features or content. Until I’ve reached just those 90 websites, I already had 12,000 visitors.

Validate your idea directly on the market. Go out with it. Launch it. And see how it goes!

Audience = Leverage

In my 12 years in the design industry, I started 20-30 side projects to create business out of it. Each one failed. Why? I think a huge reason was a non-existent audience. I didn’t have a following. I just created products, websites, and platforms and launched them into the empty void and nothing happened.

I changed this in 2023 and grew from 200 followers on Twitter/X to 9K. And this is going amazing.

This is my most important tip to you: Build an audience. Which niche? You are the niche. Share what you can do best and what you love. People will resonate with it and things get some traction.

I also want to use this moment to thank you for being with me on this journey. It was an awesome 2023 and I can’t wait to show you what’s coming in the next year! 🖤🚀