Why Staying Small is the Smartest Move You Can Make
The Challenge Book Club #03 - Company of One by Paul Jarvis
Building something on your own — whether a small side hustle or a long-term project — comes with its fair share of challenges.
You’ll second-guess your path. You’ll be tempted to chase trends instead of staying true to your vision. Impostor syndrome will creep in, making you wonder if you’re good enough. And more than once, you’ll feel like giving up, only to pick yourself back up, refine your approach, and try again.
When I started my first side hustle, I had no clue what I was doing. I knew I loved writing — I had since I was a kid. More than that, I wanted to connect with people and share what I was learning about personal growth. But along the way, I struggled. I questioned my abilities. I nearly deleted my Medium account, convinced I wasn’t good enough. I jumped from one topic to another, distracted by whatever seemed trending, thinking that was the key to success.
But every pivot, setback, and doubt ultimately led to growth. I didn’t need to chase scale or follow every new idea — I needed to refine, simplify, and focus on what truly mattered.
And that’s what Company of One is about. Paul Jarvis challenges the idea that success is about getting bigger. Instead, he argues that success comes from staying lean, intentional, and focused on meaningful work — without unnecessary complexity.
You don’t need to grow for the sake of it. You need to build something that works for you. This is the main lesson of this book. But let’s dive deeper!
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