Jeff Bezos possessed a key mindset called the "regret minimization framework" that motivated him to leave a stable, lucrative job and start Amazon. This framework involved projecting himself forward to age 80 and looking back on his life to minimize the number of regrets he would have. He realized that he would regret not trying to capitalize on the rapidly growing internet opportunity, but he would not regret failing if he tried. This big-picture perspective made the decision to leave his job and start Amazon clear and easy
. Additionally, Bezos recognized the extraordinary growth rate of the internet (2300% per year) and saw it as a new platform for commerce with huge potential. He believed that an online bookstore could serve as a strategic entry point into e-commerce and eventually expand into a vast online retail platform. This vision, combined with his willingness to take risks and act decisively ("bias for action"), drove him to leave a secure career and build Amazon from scratch
. In summary, the key to Bezos's career growth and motivation was:
- Using the regret minimization framework to make a bold life decision.
- Recognizing and seizing the unprecedented opportunity presented by the internet's explosive growth.
- Having a clear vision for a scalable online business.
- Embracing risk, iteration, and a bias for action in building the startup.
These factors together enabled him to leave a stable job and create what became Amazon, fundamentally changing commerce
