Talk less and listen more. The 3 Rules to Stop Getting Lied To 1. Stop Pitching, Start Investigating
The second you mention your idea, people start trying to be helpful by being nice. Instead of saying, "I'm building an app for X, what do you think?", try asking, "How do you currently handle X?". If they don't already have a solution—even a clunky one like a spreadsheet—they probably don't have a real problem. 2. Specifics Over Hypotheses
At its core, is a set of rules for talking to customers so that even your mom can't lie to you about whether your idea is good. It’s about shifting the conversation away from your "ego" and toward the customer's actual life. The Mom Test
"How often do you go to the gym?" (They will likely exaggerate).
As a founder, you are looking for "the truth, not a gold star". If a potential customer tells you they don't care about the problem you're solving, that is a . It saves you months of wasted effort. Look for "zombie leads"—people who give lukewarm compliments but never commit. How to Know If It’s Working: The Commitment Test Talk less and listen more
Why Your Business Idea Might Fail (And How to Fix It with "The Mom Test")
Humans are terrible at predicting their own future behavior. Never ask, "Would you use this?" or "How much would you pay?" These are hypothetical questions that lead to "fluff". Instead of saying, "I'm building an app for
"How many times did you go to the gym last week?". 3. Love the "Bad" News