Reddit co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman attributes much of his success to a habit he developed in his twenties: acting rapidly and frequently on his goals. Huffman, now 40, co-founded Reddit with his undergraduate roommate Alexis Ohanian when he was only 21 years old at the University of Virginia.
This early entrepreneurial success story has become an inspiration for many aspiring tech founders. Huffman's journey from a college dorm room to the helm of one of the world's most popular social media platforms is a testament to the power of determination and vision. His ability to identify a gap in the online community space and create a platform that would eventually become the "front page of the internet" showcases the importance of seizing opportunities and acting on innovative ideas.
In the nearly two decades since, he's followed the same motto "every day," he told LinkedIn co-founder and entrepreneur Reid Hoffman in an August 29 episode of Hoffman's "Masters of Scale" podcast.
"The thought is, 'You aren't who you are, you are what you do,'" according to him. "So, if you want to be somebody who works really hard, you have to actually work really hard."
Similar to that, "If you want to be somebody who goes to the gym, you actually have to go to the gym," according to him. "If you want to be a good friend, good spouse, good colleague, you have to actually do those things."
Huffman's philosophy aligns closely with the concept of "habit stacking," a technique popularized by James Clear in his book "Atomic Habits." This approach involves linking new habits to existing ones, making them easier to implement and maintain. For instance, if you want to become more knowledgeable about your industry, you might commit to reading industry news for 15 minutes every morning while drinking your coffee. By tying the new habit to an established routine, you increase the likelihood of consistent action and, ultimately, success.
If following Huffman's motto seemed onerous, Chelsea Jay, a career and leadership consultant, suggests breaking down huge career goals into little, repetitive activities that become ingrained habits.
For example, if you want to advance to a leadership role in your organization, practice raising your hand and sharing your thoughts in meetings, or offer to take the lead on a project.
The power of little actions stems from their ability to generate momentum.
It helps to avoid the sensation of overload that typically comes with taking on a difficult assignment, applying for a new job, or reaching a professional milestone, according to Jay. These minor triumphs may even drive you to keep working toward your goals.
"Acting like the person you want to become can help you feel more confident," she says. "When you see yourself behaving in a way that is consistent with your goals, you will start to believe that you are capable of achieving them."
This concept of "acting as if" or "fake it till you make it" has been supported by research in psychology and neuroscience. Studies have shown that adopting the postures, behaviors, and mindsets associated with success can actually lead to increased confidence and improved performance. For instance, social psychologist Amy Cuddy's research on "power posing" suggests that adopting expansive, confident postures can lead to hormonal changes that boost feelings of power and a greater tolerance for risk.
Huffman revealed another technique that has helped him advance in his career: reframing stress with thankfulness.
It's a tactic he learnt while reading "Man's Search for Meaning," a memoir by psychiatrist Victor Frankl about his time as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps during WWII.
"What that book kind of flipped around for me is the sort of stress that I have in my life is a result of the work that I do and the job that I have, which is truly a privilege," the author explained. "I have my dream job, and it's challenging. So, if I didn't have that stress, what would be the alternative? I would be bored."
Embracing that perspective has helped Huffman feel "a lot less stressed" and recover faster from the inevitable problems of leading a huge social media platform.
This approach to stress management is particularly relevant in today's fast-paced business environment, where burnout and mental health concerns are increasingly prevalent. By reframing stress as a byproduct of meaningful work and personal growth, leaders like Huffman can maintain their motivation and resilience in the face of challenges. This mindset shift not only benefits individual well-being but can also positively impact organizational culture, fostering a more engaged and productive workforce.
