Why Success Isn’t About Being First | Hindsight with Stijn Vanorbeek

Success isn’t always about being the first mover—sometimes, it’s about timing, adaptation, and learning from the past. In this conversation, we explore the power of hindsight in business, why the best opportunities often come later, and how avoiding shiny object syndrome can lead to sustainable success.

Looking back at major industry players like Google and Facebook, we break down why they weren’t first—but still won. If you're an entrepreneur, innovator, or strategist, this episode offers critical insights into long-term success.

Key Topics:

• Why being the first mover isn’t always an advantage
• How Google and Facebook succeeded despite not being first
• The importance of patience in business opportunities
• Understanding market timing vs. innovation
• The danger of chasing shiny objects instead of focusing on strategy
• Why hindsight can be a powerful tool for future success

Quotes:

• "You don’t have to be first—you just have to be the best at the right time."
• "Success often comes from the second wave, not the first movers."
• "Google wasn’t the first search engine. Facebook wasn’t the first social network. They just did it better."
• "The best opportunities are the ones you see after you’ve learned from experience."
• "Chasing shiny objects is a distraction from real, sustainable success."