Why You Should Work in Secret

The power of getting sh*t done when no one’s watching

I once told a coworker about a great business idea I had and asked him if he wanted to partner up with me.

He asked for more details but ultimately decided he wasn’t interested.

A few months later I was shocked to find out he had a new business… in fact, it was a business selling the very idea I had told him about.

The current trend supports sharing everything these days. People post what they are doing, where they are traveling, even what they’re eating on social media. Friends, family, and complete strangers seem to know the intimate details of our lives.

With this share-everything culture, it might seem counterintuitive, but it’s important to keep what you’re working on a secret.

Telling people about your work and achievements can lead to validation. But is it worth the trade-offs?

We’re taught to share our hopes and dreams with everyone to get support and encouragement, but no one talks about why maybe we shouldn’t be so forthcoming with our ideas.

Let’s take a look at the psychology and some of the advantages of keeping our ambitions under wraps.

Preserve Energy

When you keep your goals to yourself, you shield them from the draining effects of external opinions and judgments. The energy you might spend defending or explaining your ambitions can instead be directed toward getting the actual work done.

Avoid Unwanted Criticism

Speaking of external opinions and judgments, not everyone will get or support your vision. If you’re not careful, their doubts can seep into your psyche, planting seeds of doubt. Working in secret protects your goals and provides you with enough time and space to build a strong foundation. When you present a successful product or business that’s already been proven, it makes it much harder for people to throw shade on your idea.

Foster Genuine Passion

Secrecy lets you cultivate intrinsic motivation for your goals. When you work quietly and diligently, free from external validation, you create a space where your passion can grow without external dopamine hits diluting its purity.

Avoid Unnecessary Competition

I hope you can learn from my mistake and not invite unnecessary competition. A great idea is a great idea, and people might start to wonder why they shouldn’t be acting on this idea as well. By keeping your vision to yourself (at least until it’s ready) you’ll prevent unwanted competition.

Maintain the Element of Surprise

Strategic timing can catch competitors off guard and give you an advantage. Timing is often crucial and the element of surprise can give you the upper hand.

As Sun Tzu says in the Art of War,

“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”

By telling everyone about your plans not only do you give up control over timing. But you also miss out on the joy of the big reveal. And hey, what’s life without a little drama ;)

Flexibility and Independence

Plans rarely go exactly the way you plan. There are usually unforeseen obstacles and challenges that come up as you start building. The best laid plans of mice and men and all that. But when you keep your strategy a secret, you have the freedom to pivot and adjust without the pressure of external expectations. You don’t need to explain to your family and friends why something didn’t work, why you need to change vendors, why your marketing strategy isn’t working. You can move quickly and adjust on the fly in response to challenges.

Final Thoughts

I hope the next time you think about sharing a great idea, you remember my story and think twice. Broadcasting your ambitions to the world isn’t worth the trade-offs.

There is a unique power that comes from working in silence, away from the spotlight. And when you succeed, your accomplishments will speak louder than words ever could.

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