What Reid Hoffman’s LinkedIn Philosophy Can Teach You About Starting Before You’re Ready

Reid Hoffman and LinkedIn: Why Launching Early Matters

Reid Hoffman, the founder of LinkedIn, is famous for saying, “If you’re not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late.” It’s a bold statement, but one that speaks to a core truth about growth: waiting for perfection often means you never start.

When LinkedIn first launched, it wasn’t polished. The interface was basic, the features were minimal, and there wasn’t even a clear revenue model. But Hoffman and his team knew that if they waited to perfect the product, they’d miss their window to learn what users actually wanted. So, they launched—imperfectly—and used the feedback to iterate quickly. That decision, to start before it was “ready,” ultimately built one of the most successful professional networks in the world.

This lesson extends far beyond tech startups. How often do we delay starting something—a fitness program, a personal project, or a new habit—because it doesn’t feel “perfect” yet? The truth is, perfection is a mirage. Progress doesn’t happen by waiting for the ideal conditions. It happens by taking action, learning along the way, and making adjustments as needed.

Learning in Public: My Writing Journey

When I started posting daily on LinkedIn, my writing wasn’t polished, and I didn’t have everything figured out. But I committed to showing up consistently. Each post was an experiment—sometimes the message landed, and sometimes it didn’t. Over time, I developed my writing skills, refined my ideas, and created the foundation for this newsletter.

This process—what I call learning in public—wasn’t always comfortable. It required vulnerability and a willingness to try, fail, and adjust. But that’s exactly what made it effective. By taking consistent action and listening to feedback, I was able to improve faster than if I’d waited until my ideas felt “ready.”

The same principle applies to any goal. Whether you’re starting a new fitness routine, building a habit, or tackling a personal challenge, the key is to take action—even if it’s messy or imperfect. Consistency builds momentum, and momentum leads to results.

If you’d like to follow more of my journey, join me on LinkedIn, where I continue to learn in public every day.

Lean Execution: A Core Value of Argent Alpha

At Argent Alpha, one of our core values is lean execution. This means conducting just enough research to make informed decisions, then swiftly moving to action to drive results and learning.

It’s easy to get stuck in analysis, endlessly planning and refining. But lean execution prioritizes momentum over hesitation, recognizing that real-world feedback is the fastest path to improvement.

Here’s how we put this into practice:

• Research Efficiently: We gather only the information we need to act.

• Act Swiftly: We move quickly from planning to execution.

• Embrace Feedback: We use real-world input to refine and adjust.

• Optimize Resources: We make the most of our time and energy, minimizing waste.

• Adapt Rapidly: We’re always ready to course-correct based on what we learn.

A recent example comes to mind. Earlier this week, a member reached out with constructive feedback on our onboarding process. In just two days, we went from that conversation to execution. Was it perfect? No. But it was effective—and it’s already adding value.

This same approach applies to your goals. Whether you’re starting a new habit or refining a long-term plan, the key is to take action, adjust as needed, and keep moving forward.

Axiom and Apex: Tools That Keep You Moving Forward

At Argent Alpha, we’ve developed tools to support our members in taking consistent action, staying accountable, and achieving results. Two of those tools—Axiom and Apex—represent how we bridge the gap between setting goals and staying on track to achieve them.

Axiom tracks daily, weekly, and monthly data, offering a clear view of progress. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about providing clarity and focus. In the near future, integrations with tools like InBody, Oura, and Apple Health will make this even more robust.

Apex is designed to help members stay engaged, prevent drift, and build momentum. Here’s how it works:

• It Keeps You Focused: Drift—the slow slide back into old habits—is inevitable without a system to counter it. Apex helps our members re-center and stay aligned with their goals.

• It Motivates Action: By assigning points to consistent effort, Apex encourages small wins that add up to significant progress.

• It Builds Momentum: Tangible progress fuels motivation. When you can track what you’ve accomplished, it’s easier to keep climbing.

These tools aren’t perfect yet—we’re still improving them based on feedback—but they embody a simple principle: progress happens through action, not waiting for perfection.

While these tools are specific to Argent Alpha, the idea behind them can apply to anyone. Whether it’s tracking habits, scheduling regular check-ins with a mentor, or using a journal to review progress, the key is having a system to keep you accountable and moving forward.

Drift: Why It Happens and How to Prevent It

Drift is what happens when you lose focus on your goals and slip back into old habits. It’s skipping a workout, neglecting nutrition, or letting small excuses snowball into inaction. Drift doesn’t happen all at once—it’s a slow slide, and before you know it, you’re far from where you intended to be.

The truth is, everyone drifts. It’s not about avoiding it entirely; it’s about recognizing when it’s happening and minimizing its impact. At Argent Alpha, we help our members recover from drift faster through tools like Axiom and Apex, combined with regular testing, standards reviews, and community accountability.

Here’s what we’ve learned about preventing and managing drift:

• Awareness is the First Step: Drift often goes unnoticed until it’s significant. Regular check-ins with yourself—whether through tracking, journaling, or reflection—help you catch it early.

• Accountability is a Game Changer: When you’re part of a community or have systems in place to hold you accountable, it’s harder to drift for long. Having others who challenge and support you makes a difference.

• Small Steps Lead to Big Results: Drift doesn’t need a complete restart. Taking one small action—a workout, a healthy meal, or recommitting to a habit—can break the cycle and get you back on track.

The key is not perfection but consistency. Drift is part of the process, but with the right tools and mindset, it doesn’t have to derail your progress. Whether you’re part of a system like Argent Alpha or creating your own version, the goal is to recover quickly, realign with your vision, and keep moving forward.

Lessons for Personal Growth: Decide, Launch, and Learn

When it comes to achieving your goals, the biggest obstacle is often waiting for the “perfect moment” to begin. Whether it’s starting a fitness program, tackling a new challenge, or building a better habit, there’s always a reason to wait—until you’re more prepared, more confident, or less busy.

But progress doesn’t start until you make a decision. To decide means to cut off other alternatives and commit fully to the path ahead. That moment of commitment is powerful—it signals to yourself that you’re no longer entertaining excuses or waiting for the perfect plan. You’re choosing action.

Here’s how you can put this into practice:

• Start Small: You don’t need to have all the answers. Take one small, decisive step today. Action creates momentum.

• Track Progress: Whether it’s through a tool like Axiom or a simple notebook, tracking your actions reinforces your commitment and builds proof of your growth.

• Learn from Feedback: Every result—good or bad—is feedback. Use it to refine your approach and keep moving forward.

• Rely on Community: Surround yourself with people who help you stay committed. Whether it’s a formal group like Argent Alpha or your own network, accountability accelerates progress.

Making the decision to act is the turning point. It’s where hesitation ends, and momentum begins. You don’t need the perfect plan or ideal conditions—what matters is the choice to start, embrace the lessons along the way, and commit fully to your growth.

Call to Action: Start Before You’re Ready

What goal have you been putting off because it didn’t feel like the right time? Maybe you’ve been waiting for the perfect conditions to start a fitness program, tackle a project, or commit to a new habit.

The truth is, waiting won’t bring you closer to success. Taking action will. Whether it’s making a decision to commit, tracking your progress, or surrounding yourself with accountability, the key is starting—even if it feels imperfect.

At Argent Alpha, we’ve built tools like Axiom and Apex to help our members stay focused, accountable, and engaged. These tools, combined with our community, are designed to help men over 50 take consistent action and achieve results.

If you’re ready to launch and want a proven system to help you stay on track, visit argentalpha.com. There, you’ll find more about how Argent Alpha can support your journey to becoming Harder to Kill.

Your next step doesn’t need to be big—it just needs to happen. Decide, take action, and commit to learning as you go.

Closing Thought

The fastest path to growth is through action, feedback, and iteration. Whether it’s launching a new tool, starting a fitness journey, or building better habits, the principle is the same: start before you’re ready.

Progress isn’t about perfection—it’s about consistency. When you make the decision to act, you’re cutting off hesitation and opening the door to results. Start small, stay consistent, and if you’re looking for a program to help you achieve your goals, consider joining Argent Alpha.

Visit argentalpha.com to learn how our tools, systems, and community can help you take the next step.