Curiosity In Motion: Clear Thinking for Busy Founders

The Newsletter for Innovators and Entrepreneurs

Author

Malay Matalia
July 17, 2025

Welcome to this edition of Curiosity in Motion — where we step back from the noise and look at what actually drives progress. 

This month, we’re clearing the mental clutter. Too many founders confuse urgency with importance, or motion with momentum. But the most effective ones know how to create space for real work — not just react to what’s loudest. 
Let’s get into it. 

➡️ Activity ≠ Achievement 

Most founders are busy — few are productive. 

Overwork often wears the mask of ambition. But the difference between motion and momentum is discernment. This month, we’re unpacking a few hidden habits that stall progress: 

1. Always Being "On" 
If your calendar has no protected blocks, you're working in response mode. That means others set your priorities — not you. Deep work doesn’t happen between notifications. 

2. Perfectionism as a Productivity Killer 
High standards are good. But chasing flawless execution slows feedback loops and delays progress. In high-growth environments, shipping and iterating beats stalling every time. 

3. Overcommitment in Disguise 
Saying yes to everything isn't helpful — it’s unsustainable. A bloated to-do list doesn’t impress your future self. Choose three high-impact priorities daily and stick to them. 

💡 Key Takeaway: Focus is a leadership skill. Protect it like you would any asset on your balance sheet. 

➡️ Mindset Is Your Operating System 

Your mindset isn’t a soft skill — it’s the foundation of how you lead, decide, and recover. 

Here are three mindset shifts we see in founders who scale effectively: 

1. “I’ll act when I have clarity” → “Clarity comes through action” 
Waiting for perfect conditions creates inertia. Forward momentum creates insight, not the other way around. 

2. “I’m too busy” → “I prioritize what matters” 
Time is finite — but focus is a choice. Energy goes where intention flows. Founders who own their time own their outcomes. 

3. “What if I fail?” → “What will I learn?” 
The most resilient leaders aren’t risk-tolerant — they’re growth-oriented. They reframe failure as feedback and use it to build better systems. 

💡 Key Takeaway: Execution follows belief. Shift the lens, and your next move becomes clearer. 

➡️ The Eisenhower Matrix — Rethinking Urgency 

A practical framework that helps founders re-evaluate how they spend time: 

Quadrant 

Focus Area 

Example 

What to Do 

Urgent + Important 

Firefighting 

Client deadline, payroll run 

Do it now 

Important, Not Urgent 

Strategic growth 

Hiring plan, product roadmap 

Schedule and protect 

Urgent, Not Important 

Distractions 

Slack pings, last-minute requests 

Delegate or defer 

Neither Urgent nor Important 

Noise 

Inbox clutter, admin loops 

Eliminate 

💡 Key Takeaway: Most leaders spend time in the first and third quadrants. The best leaders operate from quadrant two — where long-term value lives. 

This month, a reminder: deep work beats busy work — every time. Founders who lead well don’t just work harder. They build systems that protect their focus, habits that support their goals, and mindsets that make space for real growth. 

Until next time,
The Curiosity in Motion Team