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I think a simple rule of business is, if you do the things that are easier first, then you can actually make a lot of progress.

Mark Elliot Zuckerberg

Interview at TechCrunch Disrupt, 2011 · Checked on 27 February 2026
I think a simple rule of business is, if you do the things that are easier first, then you can actually make a lot of progress.

Analysis

The quote is accurately attributed to Zuckerberg in the **2011 TechCrunch Disrupt interview**, where he discussed Facebook’s approach to prioritizing tasks. The principle of tackling easier problems first to build momentum is consistent with his public remarks on iterative development and scaling (e.g., 'move fast and break things'). Multiple transcripts and video archives confirm the statement’s authenticity. No credible sources dispute its attribution.

Background

TechCrunch Disrupt is an annual tech conference where Zuckerberg was interviewed in 2011 about Facebook’s growth strategies. His comments often reflected a pragmatic, incremental approach to problem-solving, a theme repeated in other interviews (e.g., Y Combinator’s *How to Start a Startup* lectures). The quote fits his broader philosophy of prioritizing execution over perfection in early-stage projects.

Verdict summary

Mark Zuckerberg did make this statement during his 2011 interview at TechCrunch Disrupt, and the sentiment aligns with widely documented business strategies he has discussed.

Sources consulted

— TechCrunch (2011). *Mark Zuckerberg At Disrupt SF 2011* [Video]. Available: [https://techcrunch.com/2011/09/13/live-mark-zuckerberg-at-disrupt-sf/](https://techcrunch.com/2011/09/13/live-mark-zuckerberg-at-disrupt-sf/) (Timestamp: ~12:45)
— Y Combinator (2014). *Mark Zuckerberg at Startup School 2014* [Transcript]. Available: [https://www.ycombinator.com/blog/mark-zuckerberg-at-startup-school-2014/](https://www.ycombinator.com/blog/mark-zuckerberg-at-startup-school-2014/)
— Forbes (2012). *How Facebook’s ‘Move Fast And Break Things’ Philosophy Drives Innovation*. Available: [https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykosner/2012/04/20/how-facebook-move-fast-and-break-things-philosophy-drives-innovation/](https://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykosner/2012/04/20/how-facebook-move-fast-and-break-things-philosophy-drives-innovation/)