40 year old tech-entrepreneur here. In my 30s, I became the tech lead who I needed as a co-founder. I learned by doing, with periods of great intensity, over

40 year old tech-entrepreneur here. In my 30s, I became the tech lead who I needed as a co-founder. I learned by doing, with periods of great intensity, over many years. There's so much I haven't accomplished yet and so much more to learn. Setting the right goals has been just as challenging as learning how to accomplish them. I take a first-principles approach to understanding fundamentals rather than simply hacking together a solution. This is a very time and energy-consuming approach, but it lends itself to stronger long-term results. Expertise compounds itself over time, block by block. The first year working with any new domain of material is always the hardest, but enduring the process ultimately yields great returns. Endurance is essential to growth. Anyone out there who is reading this and experiencing hardship, do not give up! These hard times will pass, your fears will subside, and a stronger version you will remain. You can achieve your goals!