10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy
10x Is Easier Than 2x flips the traditional success formula on its head. Instead of working twice as hard for marginal results, Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy invite you to think bigger—and work smarter. Their bold claim? Aiming for tenfold growth can be simpler, more focused, and even more enjoyable than merely doubling your efforts.
Who May Benefit from the Book
- Entrepreneurs looking to scale their business with less complexity
- Leaders stuck in the grind of 2x effort with little payoff
- High performers seeking purpose, simplicity, and clarity
- Creatives, freelancers, or solopreneurs ready for focused growth
- Anyone wanting to redefine success by leveraging unique strengths
Top 3 Key Insights
- Aiming for 10x growth forces you to let go of 80% of what’s holding you back.
- Simpler paths emerge when you pursue bold goals with clarity and focus.
- Your identity and standards must grow with your goals—or you remain stuck.
4 More Lessons and Takeaways
- You must narrow your focus to your “unique ability”—the few things only you can do exceptionally well.
- Letting go of what’s familiar is painful but necessary. The 80% you shed creates space for exponential results.
- Rest is part of growth. Schedule “Free Days” to recover, reflect, and come back sharper.
- Build support systems. Delegate the 80% that isn’t your highest contribution—even if it’s just hiring a part-time assistant.
The Book in 1 Sentence
Letting go of the 80% that slows you down is the key to achieving 10x growth with less effort and more joy.
The Book Summary in 1 Minute
10x Is Easier Than 2x urges you to stop grinding harder and start thinking smarter. Instead of adding more to your to-do list, eliminate 80% of what’s unnecessary. Focus only on what you do best—your “unique ability.” This mindset shift simplifies decision-making, reduces overwhelm, and leads to greater fulfillment. True growth isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing less of what doesn’t matter and more of what only you can do. A 10x goal pushes you to rethink your identity, raise your standards, and find purpose-driven paths forward. Let go, aim higher, and discover how the most ambitious path is often the most freeing.
The Book Summary in 7 Minutes
The idea that 10x growth is easier than 2x sounds absurd at first. It is not just about doing more. It’s about doing different. It changes the entire structure of your goals, actions, and mindset. Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy show that aiming for 10x growth leads to better results with less stress because it removes what no longer serves you.
Rethink Growth: Why 10x Feels Lighter Than 2x
2x thinking multiplies your current work. It adds more hours, more tasks, and often more stress. In contrast, 10x thinking forces you to narrow your focus. You can’t grow tenfold by doing everything. You must identify and double down on what matters most—and drop everything else.
This shift is not just tactical. It’s emotional. You stop being busy and start being intentional. Suddenly, growth doesn’t feel like a grind.
Shedding the 80%: A Necessary Discomfort
The path to 10x starts by letting go. You have to leave behind 80% of the activities, habits, and relationships that hold you back.
| 80% to Eliminate | 20% to Focus On |
|---|---|
| Low-return tasks | High-impact work |
| Draining obligations | Energizing priorities |
| Busywork and multitasking | Deep, focused work |
| Negative self-narratives | Empowered identity |
What feels like loss at first becomes freedom. You simplify your life, boost your energy, and create space for what truly matters.
Clarity Over Complexity
Oddly enough, 2x goals create more confusion than 10x ones. Aiming to double results often leads to a bloated list of strategies. But when you aim for 10x, the list shrinks.
With bold goals, only a few paths make sense. The rest naturally fall away. You think clearer, act faster, and feel lighter.
Identity Must Evolve
The person who achieves 10x results is not just a better version of your current self—it’s a transformed one.
Sullivan emphasizes that to grow exponentially, your identity and standards must shift. Your self-concept—the story you tell yourself—either supports or blocks your growth.
Ask yourself:
- Who do I believe I am?
- Are my current standards helping or hindering my goals?
Only when you choose a new identity can your behavior and results follow.
A 4-Step Process for Going 10x
Sullivan lays out a clear four-step roadmap:
- Commit – Truly decide that you want a 10x life.
- Courage – Let go of the comfort zone and old identities.
- Capability – Build new skills aligned with your bigger goal.
- Confidence – Results reinforce belief, allowing you to take bigger leaps.
This loop repeats as you keep growing.
Unique Ability: Your Growth Engine
Your Unique Ability is the area where your passion, skill, and value to others overlap. You enjoy doing it. You’re great at it. And people benefit from it.
Focusing on this one zone makes your work feel lighter, more fulfilling, and more productive.
Steps to identify it:
- Notice what energizes you
- Track where you create the most impact
- Ask others where they see your strengths
- Spend more time doing only those activities
Measure in Gains, Not Gaps
The authors introduce the Gap and the Gain concept. In the Gap, you measure yourself against an ideal. You never feel good enough.
Most people live in “the gap”—constantly comparing themselves to an ideal. But ideals are like horizons: you never reach them. This mindset creates frustration.
Living in “the gain” means you measure progress by how far you’ve come. It builds gratitude, confidence, motivation, peace, and momentum. By seeing your wins clearly, you create energy to keep going.
Ask yourself:
- What progress have I made?
- What am I doing better now than last month?
- What am I proud of?
Use Time Like a Performer
Forget clocking more hours. Use time like a world-class athlete.
Split your calendar into:
| Time Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Learn, plan, and strategize |
| Performance | Execute on high-leverage work |
| Recovery | Rest, recharge, gain perspective |
Scheduling “Free Days” (fully disconnected rest) is not a luxury—it’s essential. It renews your energy and creativity, fueling long-term growth.
Delegate the 80% to Focus on the 20%
To achieve 10x growth, you must stop doing what others can do. Whether it’s household chores, admin work, or operations, hand it off.
Free yourself to focus on your unique ability—the work that brings you joy and impact.
Even if you’re a solo operator, Sullivan suggests starting with a part-time assistant. It’s not a luxury. It’s a growth move.
Wanting vs. Needing: Shift to Abundance
Most people operate from a place of need. They do things because they feel obligated. But 10x achievers act from want.
Pursuing what you want—not what others expect—creates abundance. It fuels energy, creativity, and joy. And it increases your contribution to the world.
The Power of Wanting and Freedom
The book describes four key freedoms that 10x growth brings:
- Time: Freedom to use your time for what matters
- Money: Enough money to choose how to live
- Relationship: Work only with people who inspire and support you
- Purpose: Align your work with what you deeply care about
The more you stay in the “want” zone, the closer you move to these freedoms.
About the Author
Dan Sullivan
Dan Sullivan is a renowned strategic coach and founder of Strategic Coach®, a program designed for ambitious entrepreneurs. With over 40 years of experience, Sullivan has mentored more than 20,000 high-achievers. He is known for his clear frameworks, deep insights on growth, and focus on helping leaders simplify their lives while maximizing their impact.
Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Dr. Benjamin Hardy is an organizational psychologist and bestselling author of Willpower Doesn’t Work and Personality Isn’t Permanent. His work focuses on identity, personal transformation, and self-mastery. Hardy blends science-backed research with practical tools, making his collaboration with Sullivan a powerful duo in this book.
How to Get the Best of the Book
Read it with a journal in hand. Reflect on what your 80% is, and begin listing what to let go. Apply one 10x concept per week and track your mindset and identity shifts.
Conclusion
10x Is Easier Than 2x is more than a productivity book—it’s a mindset shift. If you’re ready to ditch hustle culture and embrace focused, purpose-driven growth, this book is your blueprint. Let go, think bigger, and experience the freedom of achieving more by doing less.