Steve Schlafman (@schlaf) / X

Steve Schlafman

21.2K posts

Steve Schlafman

@schlaf

I guide ambitious professionals in midlife though transition and burnout.

New York

steveschlafman.com/annual-reflect…

Joined October 2007

Pinned
Steve Schlafman
@schlaf
Dec 8, 2025
Haven't posted here since March. Almost 10 months. I'm slowly returning and assessing how I want to show up in these feeds. But here's my fuller update. I'm currently in a season of radical simplification. Editing. Refining. Slowing way down in some ways and speeding up in
Steve Schlafman
@schlaf
Nov 28, 2017
What all high schools should teach: -Opportunity cost -Diminishing returns -Compounding -Self sufficiency -Sales 101 (aka dealing w rejection) -Mindfulness -Conflict resolution -Resume building -Interviewing -Serving others -Entrepreneurship -Finding any answer on Google
Steve Schlafman
@schlaf
Jan 24, 2023
16 years ago tonight, I went to a yoga class in NYC. The instructor randomly placed my mat next to a young woman. She said hi. Afterwards, we had dinner and fell in love. We're now married with 2 kids. Sometimes the most pivotal moments in life happen when you least expect it.
Steve Schlafman
@schlaf
Feb 5, 2023
Airbnb checkout has somehow devolved into this: Pay me $300-500 for a cleaning fee but then clean the place spotless before you hit the road.
Steve Schlafman
@schlaf
Sep 28, 2019
One day Picasso was sitting at a cafe. He drew a sketch on a napkin. A lady recognized him and asked how much she could pay for the napkin. Picasso said $20,000. The lady was shocked, “But it only took you two minutes to draw.” Picasso replied, “No, it took me my whole life.”
Steve Schlafman
@schlaf
Sep 30, 2021
To all the founders out there believing you need to build everything on day 1.
Steve Schlafman
@schlaf
Jul 23, 2021
I’m sorry but paper straws are the worst product of all time.
Steve Schlafman
@schlaf
Nov 12, 2019
Being sick is always a cruel reminder that good physical health is the single most important thing in the world.
Steve Schlafman
@schlaf
Mar 11, 2018
When you feel like your product isn't good enough, just remember this is what Amazon looked like in the early days.
Steve Schlafman
@schlaf
May 8, 2021
I’ve been in NYC for less than 24 hours. My ambition and adrenaline has already increased 10x. It really is the greatest city. Anything is possible here.
Steve Schlafman
@schlaf
Dec 30, 2022
I’ve been reflecting on my previous career as a VC, and with the benefit of hindsight, I'm realizing that I was a decent investor but could have been a great one. Here’s the advice I'd give myself if I could go back to 2010 when I was just starting out as a VC 🧵
Steve Schlafman
@schlaf
May 17, 2022
Device addiction is the most socially acceptable addiction in history.
Steve Schlafman
@schlaf
Feb 6, 2019
Twitter exponentially shrinks the world on so many levels. No other product has fed my brain and elevated my career more than the little blue bird. Anyone with a real voice can rise up. It's so imperfectly perfect.
Steve Schlafman
@schlaf
Jul 26, 2020
If you're young, single and without kids don't take it for granted. The time and freedom you have is a real superpower. Learn a new skill. Launch a side hustle. Start a blog. Create art. Build a community. Write code. Get fit. Your potentials and possibilities are endless.