Jeff Bezos has had a bigger effect on business than most other leaders. The “Day 1” mindset is a strong philosophy that lies at the heart of Amazon’s amazing rise. What does this way of thinking mean, why is it important, and how can you use it to change the things you do? Let’s look at the heart of Bezos’ method and some useful tips you can use right away.

Getting to Know the Day 1 Mindset

In his first letter to shareholders in 1997, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, talked about the idea of “Day 1” and has done so ever since. Bezos says that Day 1 is about keeping the excitement, energy, and sense of urgency that comes with being a startup, no matter how big or well-known your company gets. Day 2 for him means being lazy and letting things go downhill, which is something he wants to avoid at all costs.

The Four Pillars That Make Up the Day 1 Mindset

1. Obsessed with Customers: Bezos thinks that the customer should always be the first thing to think about when making a decision. This means really understanding what people need, guessing what they will want in the future, and trying to go above and beyond what they expect.
2. Taking in trends from outside: You can adapt quickly if you keep up with changes in technology and society. If you don’t pay attention to these changes, you could get stuck.
3. Making Decisions Quickly: Being fast gives you an edge over your competitors. Bezos says that instead of waiting for all the facts and missing out on chances, people should act quickly with 70% of the information.
4. Constantly coming up with new ideas: A Day 1 culture encourages people to try new things and understands that failure is a normal part of making progress.

How to Use the Day 1 Mindset in Real Life

These tips can help you adopt the Day 1 approach, whether you’re starting a new business, leading a team, or looking to grow as a person:

1. Start with the Customer: Make your projects fit the needs of your customers. Get feedback often and use real data to make things better.
2. Stay Interested and Open to Learning: Stay committed to learning for the rest of your life by keeping up with what’s new in your field, reading a lot, and making new connections.
3. Do Something Before You’re 100% Ready: Use the information you have to make quick decisions, and then change your mind as new information comes to light.
4. Encourage a culture of trying new things: Urge yourself or your team to come up with new ideas. Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, see them as chances to learn.
5. Always Question the Way Things Are: Look over your plans often and ask yourself, “What would I do differently if I were starting today?” This point of view keeps growth and change going.

Why Day 1 Mindset Will Last

One of the main reasons Amazon is still at the top of the game in terms of customer service and new ideas is Jeff Bezos’ commitment to the Day 1 mindset. The best thing about this way of thinking is that anyone can use it. You can stay ahead of the curve in business and in life by putting your customers first, being open to change, making decisions quickly, and encouraging new ideas.

Every day is a chance to act and think like it’s Day 1. Be curious, humble, and urgent when facing problems, and you’ll be amazed by what happens.