Now Is the Time to Build: Why High Standards, AI, and Speed Matter More Than Ever

Marc Andreessen recently unpacked what made Steve Jobs truly different, and it’s a lesson that feels more relevant than ever in the AI era.

https://www.inc.com/chris-morris/steve-jobs-genius-came-down-to-1-key-ingredient-marc-andreessen/91212789

Jobs’s genius, Andreessen says, came down to one simple, but bold assumption:

Everyone on the team was capable of doing great work.

And when you start from that belief, it changes everything. It becomes a talent magnet. High expectations create high performance, and high performance attracts the kind of people who raise the bar just by showing up. That environment creates momentum, culture, and pride.

Now, combine that with what Andreessen predicts:

“We’re entering a golden age for startups… blue skies for the next four years… Now is the time to build.”

That’s not just startup speak. It’s a wake-up call for everyone working in or around tech.

What This Means for All of Us

Let’s bring it back to the core ideas we’ve been building on:

• 168 hours a week: What you do with them matters. Working fast and intentionally has never been more critical.
• Calendar control: Block your time, protect your priorities. Great work doesn’t happen in 5-minute scraps between Slack pings.
• Inbox clarity: You can’t operate at high velocity if you’re buried in noise. Tools like Outlook rules, Copilot, and the 2-minute rule keep you moving.
• AI as your sidekick: I’ve shared how Microsoft Copilot and intelligent automation help me draft faster, follow up more effectively, and reduce context switching. That’s not just about convenience—it’s about staying in the zone.
• Music as rhythm: Even music plays a role, helping structure our day and signaling mental shifts. (Remember: music isn’t background noise, it’s background energy.)

These aren’t just hacks. They’re performance systems. They’re how we keep up in an age where the pace of innovation is no longer linear—it’s exponential.

Greatness Isn’t Optional Anymore. It’s the New Normal.

Jobs expected greatness. Andreessen says now is the best time in decades to build. And thanks to AI, automation, and modern work habits, anyone can move at that level—if they’re intentional about it.

We’re not all founding the next Apple. But we are building something:

• Our ideas
• Our careers
• Our teams
• Our own edge in a market that rewards speed and clarity

Now is the time to move fast, with excellence, not just urgency.

If you’re operating with high standards, structured systems, and the right tools…

You’re not just keeping up.

You’re already building what’s next.