Most products fail from weak motivational foundations, not missing features. The strongest products identify 2-3 core motivations—their spine—and build everything around them.
The strongest products don't try to maximize everything. They identify 2-3 motivations that define their core identity—their motivational spine—and build everything around those.
Same approach. Different spines. That's strategy.
These forces separate products people try once from products they can't imagine living without.
Mattering beyond yourself
Moving forward
Shaping and expressing
Accumulating value
Belonging and being seen
Being special
Discovery and surprise
Trust and control
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Three steps to use the framework.
Rate your product on all 8 motivations. Which 2-3 are you genuinely world-class at? That's your spine—your unfair advantage competitors can't copy.
Some gaps will kill you. Banking without Security fails. Social products without Connection don't grow. Know which gaps are acceptable and which are fatal.
Every feature should strengthen your spine or close a fatal gap. Everything else is distraction. Focus creates differentiation competitors can't copy.
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