The Tarantino Method
Time to reflect and make actionable changes when things are just going
The last 2 years have been an emotional roller coaster of ups and downs as I go through cycles of trying new things, failing, learning, and trying again. It’s genuinely fun, but it’s also emotionally draining, especially when you don’t quite get the results you were hoping for.
Early on in my startup journey, I realized that constantly fixating on the end goal was leading me astray. Instead, I shifted my mindset to enjoying the process itself: the repetitive, sometimes mundane tasks that slowly stack up and eventually lead to mastery. It’s like shooting free throws over and over again until one day you look up and realize you’ve gotten pretty good.
This approach helped create a stable baseline, no matter if I was emotionally high or low, the default became simply getting stuff done and learning, which has worked wonders for me.
But recently, I’ve noticed a creeping frustration steadily building due to a combination of factors. Even more concerning, lately, it feels like this frustration has started to morph into anger. Anger can definitely fuel motivation, but it sucks the joy right out of whatever you’re working on.
Working from anger makes you jaded.
Anger is no bueno.
Coincidentally, around this same time, I stumbled onto a clip of Quentin Tarantino talking about a period in his life when he felt stuck, anxious, and unsure about the next step. From this came what I now call the Tarantino Method:
“I would have a Quentin detest fest. I’d stay up all night, zero excuses allowed, and lay out everything I had messed up in my life — every mistake, every missed opportunity. After facing these uncomfortable truths, I’d spend the final couple of hours figuring out exactly how I could change. Instead of just going to sleep and falling back into my usual routine, I actually decided to change my life.”
The Tarantino Method isn’t groundbreaking or new, but it’s incredibly powerful because it forces brutally honest self-reflection paired directly with clear, actionable steps.
What did this yield for me? My conclusions felt higher-level, but here are some personal insights and actions:
1. I’ve always had this habit of constantly looking for the next exciting opportunity or “party”. But that means I’ve started a lot without ever diving deep enough, leading to frustration.
Action: Commit to fewer things and see each through to its logical conclusion. Actually finish what you start.
2. I feel anxiety from the isolation of the unconventional path I’ve chosen, yet at the same time, there’s a sense of ego-boosting pride in it. These constant emotional swings aren’t great for my well-being.
Action: Either fully commit to this unknown path or make a decisive change if I truly want off the ride. There’s zero point lingering halfway, always wondering what could’ve been.
3. I frequently attach my sense of fulfillment to whether other people seize opportunities or follow my advice. This approach often leaves me disappointed.
Action: Offer opportunities and advice freely, but don’t let your own happiness hinge on someone else’s decisions. Some people will run with opportunities, some won’t. Both outcomes are fine. Just keep it moving.
4. Not every day needs to be eventful or exciting. Boring days aren’t a waste, they’re essential.
Action: Stop forcing every day to feel special. Embrace boring days; they make the genuinely exciting ones feel even sweeter.
5. My joy comes from building experiences I genuinely believe should exist and that others might enjoy. But my frustration arises from expectations around how these experiences will actually pan out.
Action: Reclaim your joy. Do things simply because you believe in them, independent of the outcomes. Accept failures as part of giving it your all, even if it feels like some cosmic judgment. At least you’ll know you genuinely tried.
Writing these reflections every couple of weeks has unintentionally become my own little Tarantino Method, a chance to pause, deeply reflect, and recalibrate.
It’s become an essential way to manage the creeping frustration and anger, helping me refocus on why I started this journey in the first place.
These thoughtful pauses remind me that self-awareness combined with deliberate action is crucial, guiding me toward whatever goals or outcomes I truly want to achieve.
Check out this Podcast Episode!
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In this episode of Building Blocks, we dive deep with Kris Rudeegraap, Co-founder and CEO of Sendoso, an AI-enhanced gifting platform that's revolutionizing how companies build authentic connections with customers and prospects.
From selling mistletoe as a kid to building a company that's raised $152M in venture funding, Kris shares his entrepreneurial journey and insights on scaling both software and physical operations globally.
Thanks for reading,
Daivik Goel