After starting my second company in late spring I came across a time-management problem I couldn’t solve: How to fit the hiring, developing and growth of a new venture with an already insanely busy schedule?

After reading a few articles, I came accross Jack Dorsey’s (CEO of Twitter and Square) AMA on Product Hunt where he was asked a handful of great questions we can all take lessons from.

Here are some personal notes I wrote down:

Morning Routine (5-step Process)

Q: “What does your morning routine look like?”

Dorsey: “Up at 5, meditate for 30, 7 minute workout times 3, make coffee, check in.”

Sleep Schedule and Productivity

Q: “What’s your sleep schedule like? What are some hacks you do to get more out of your day?”

Dorsey: “I sleep from 11–5a usually. Blackout shades help. Meditation and exercise!” “coffee in morning, tea for afternoon.”

Balancing Time

Q: “You’re a busy man. How do you effectively balance your time between running both Twitter & Square?”

Dorsey: “I look to build a lot of consistent routine. Same thing every day. Allows a steady state that enables me to be more effective when I do have to react to something out of band.”

What He Believes In

Q: “What insight about life have you acquired, that seems obvious to you but might not be obvious to everyone else?”

Dorsey: “The importance of building a great team dynamic. Not just looking for individual superstars but focusing on how someone adds to the team.”

Hiring Philosophy

Q: “What is the most important quality you look, when you hire?”

Dorsey: “I look for passion. Only thing that can’t be taught. Why Square? Why Twitter? If I hear passion for the purpose in the answer, then I look for leadership and skill. Passion and purpose and principles first though!”

Worst Distraction

Q: “Worst distractions for you as an entrepreneur?”

Dorsey: “Being reactive to external noise.”

On Growing Twitter and Square

Q: “What lessons learned from Twitter did you apply to grow Square so quickly?”

Dorsey: “The importance of metrics and being able to see them, culture and team, and a strict prioritization (with ability to take some bets that may or may not work out).”

Go-to Books

Q: “What are the books that had a major influence on you? Or simply the ones you like the most.:

Dorsey: “Tao te Ching, score takes care of itself, between the world and me, the four agreements, the old man and the sea…I love reading!”

Mentors

Q: “Who are 3 of your top mentors? Any techniques you use for dealing with stress?”

Dorsey: “Ray Chambers, Bob Iger, Lauryn Hill (who I haven’t met but learn a lot from!)”

Advice For Young Entrepreneur

Q: “What is your advice for young entrepreneurs to be successful in the tech world?”

Dorsey: “Build what you want to see and use.”

On Finding Your Path

Q: “What kind of advice would you give a scared 24 year old whose future seems like a big question mark?”

Dorsey: “Reflect on what drives you and what you’re naturally passionate about. And find good people to support you.”

The Future of Tech

Q:“What is one thing that you believe to be true of the future that others doubt or question?”

Dorsey: “Technology is a lever. A tool. And great tools should make us more efficient, empowered, and creative. And I think if we build with that intent, we will continue to reduce barriers between us and keep everyone on the same level. I’m very positive and optimistic about the future, and I believe there’s a pretty negative narrative right now.”

His entire AMA can be found here.