Naval views timing through the lens of fundamental physics: it’s the dimension that transforms potential into reality. Time separates those who want everything now from those who understand exponential growth.
In business, timing operates as pure market forces. “Positioning, timing and deliberation are very important when starting a company”. At Sequoia, Naval witnessed how “a lot of these things are about timing. It might have been the right idea at the wrong time”. Even perfect execution fails against market cycles.
But Naval’s deeper insight transcends short-term games. Personal timing follows mathematical laws: compound interest rewards those who stay in the game longest. “This one is a glib way of saying, ‘It takes time.’ Once you have all of the pieces in place, there’s still an indeterminate amount of time you have to put in”.
This demonstrates natural selection in action: those with sound judgment and personal accountability survive market volatility. “But it can easily be 10 or 20 years. Sometimes it’s five”. The variance disappears when you build durable advantages.
Naval’s contrarian insight: timing obsession destroys timing itself. [“If you’re counting, you’ll run out of patience before it arrives”](transcripts/eventually.md#if-youre-counting-youll-run-out-of-patience-before-it-arrives). This mirrors meditation practice: the more you chase the moment, the further it recedes. Clock-watching corrupts the learning cycles that create genuine ownership.
Modern media cycles amplify this trap. Instant gratification becomes the enemy of financial independence. Naval advocates for what economists call “time preference reversal”: accepting short-term sacrifice for exponential rewards.
The ultimate paradox: perfect timing comes from ignoring timing entirely. Focus on building irreplaceable skills and authentic reputation. Market windows close, but personal leverage compounds across decades. Time becomes your ally when you align with its mathematical properties rather than fighting its natural rhythms.