Classpass Founder: Quitting My 9-5 Led To A $1 Billion Business: Payal Kadakia

1. Prioritize Purpose for Fulfillment

Focus on living a purpose-driven life, as it guarantees more fulfillment than chasing traditional markers of success like money or fame. When decisions align with purpose, even rebellion is a strong and justifiable force.

2. Uncover Your Inner Purpose

To find your “why,” reflect on what you loved when you were younger, what made you light up, who inspires you, and what topics or people you linger on. These internal pulls reveal your true purpose, which is already inside you.

3. Challenge Societal Expectations of Success

Do not let society’s definition of success (e.g., get this job, get married, get a house) make your life feel small or lead to emptiness. Instead, define your own expectations for a fulfilled life, even if it means rebelling against conventional paths.

4. Embrace Failure as a Data Point

View failures not as an end point or a sign of inadequacy, but as valuable data points that provide deeper insights and force you to think creatively to solve problems. This mindset is crucial for true entrepreneurship and innovation.

5. Build Confidence Through Small Steps

Recognize that confidence for big dreams is built incrementally through a series of small successes. Take tiny steps, like putting on a small show or trying a new class, to gather subjective evidence in yourself that you can do more.

6. Cultivate a Supportive Community

Actively seek out and embrace new communities that make you feel whole and shine, especially during transitional periods in your life. Do not let fear of losing an existing community keep you trapped in an unfulfilling situation.

7. Prepare for Your Leap of Faith

Before taking a significant leap towards your dreams, earn your “stripes” by consistently doing good work and building a strong foundation (e.g., saving money, acquiring skills). This preparation allows you to focus on your mission without peripheral constraints.

8. Be Mission-Obsessed, Not Product-Obsessed

When building a company or project, stay deeply focused on solving the core problem for your customers, rather than getting romantically attached to your initial product idea. Be willing to pivot, change names, or throw away past work if it doesn’t serve the mission.

9. Talk to Your Customers Directly

Avoid getting stuck behind technology or assumptions; actively engage with real people and customers to understand their needs, fears, and motivations. This direct feedback is essential for discovering true product-market fit.

10. Practice Intentional Goal Setting

Regularly set clear goals across all areas of your life (professional, personal, health, relationships) to ensure your priorities reflect the human you want to be. Writing down these dreams, even on a post-it note, can lead to their accomplishment.

11. Delegate to Focus on Your Magic

As a leader, learn to delegate tasks that others can do, reserving your time and energy for the “magical” things only you can accomplish. This allows you to focus on high-impact work and build big things effectively.

12. Bring Your Partner into Your Journey

Actively involve your romantic partner in your ambitions and career journey, allowing them to experience the process with you. This shared experience can strengthen the relationship and foster mutual support.

13. Prioritize Family Happiness Collectively

Regularly communicate with your partner to define what happiness looks like for each of you individually and as a family unit. Be flexible and adaptable, trying new approaches to resolve conflicts and ensure everyone’s well-being.

14. Consider Therapy for Mental Blocks

View therapy as a tool for mental fitness, similar to how a trainer works on physical strength. It can help identify and overcome mental roadblocks or feelings of being out of orientation, especially during challenging life transitions.