Chasing PMF and Mensa: Two Puzzles Without a Key

In the world of startups, Product-Market Fit (PMF) is often spoken about like some magical milestone that, once achieved, means you’ve “made it.” But let’s be real—it’s a bit of a myth, isn’t it? While I know what PMF means in theory, the idea of actually achieving it feels absurd. There’s no set framework, no secret formula, and honestly, no guarantee that you’ll know you’ve hit it when you actually do.

Most of us go by signals—traction, a spike in usage, or feedback that feels more like validation. But here’s the kicker: At what point do we actually say we’ve achieved PMF? Is achieving constant MoM growth considered PMF? Is having more logos or clients proof that you’ve made it? Maybe it's about positive NPS or a solid NRR? Honestly, one can only wonder. The funny thing about PMF is that people seem to understand it, but at the same time, nobody really knows for sure.

That ambiguity is what keeps me hooked, though. It’s a bit like my obsession with joining Mensa. For years, my IQ has been stuck at 122, tantalizingly close to the magic number of 130 required for membership. I’ve eaten my way through crosswords, word searches, sudoku, even calcudoku—thinking maybe, just maybe, I’ll unlock that final gear in my brain and shoot up eight points. But here I am, still staring at 122. So close, yet so far.

The thing is, much like PMF, who decided that 130 is the magic number for genius? Who made that rule? And just like IQ, PMF seems arbitrary too. What works for one market might not work in another, depending on access to technology, education, or even cultural factors. Maybe your product is a hit in one region but falls flat elsewhere—does that mean you’ve failed at PMF, or that the metrics themselves are flawed?

Here’s where I’m reminded of a quote from Forrest Gump:

“Life is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re gonna get.”

That’s exactly how PMF and Mensa feel to me. You work hard, you try different things, and sometimes you hit on something great. But other times, you’re just pulling out random chocolates, hoping for the best. You might crack the code one day, or you might keep trying for years, just like Forrest’s long run across the country—running, not knowing exactly where you're going, but trusting in the process.

The constant feeling of being “almost there” is what keeps me going. Yes, it’s frustrating at times, but it also fuels my drive. I’ve come to see the pursuit of both PMF and Mensa as continuous learning journeys, rather than fixed milestones. Just when I think Lunash is getting close to PMF, there’s another piece of the puzzle that needs solving, another iteration to be made. And while I still want to crack that elusive 130 on the IQ scale, I’m realizing that it’s the process of chasing these goals that teaches you the most.

So, do we ever really hit PMF? Look at companies like Tokopedia, Shopee, Gojek, and Grab. They all started with a clear product-market fit for their core offerings, but now? They all look the same. You can order food, pay your bills, and buy goods on any of them. Did they outgrow PMF, or are they just throwing everything at the market to see what sticks? It’s hard to say.

The truth is, whether it’s PMF or Mensa, the goalpost keeps moving. And maybe that’s okay. Maybe it’s not about reaching some final destination but about staying sharp, staying curious, and being willing to learn from every step of the journey.

So here I am, still chasing those numbers, still obsessed with solving these puzzles. Because whether I ever crack Mensa or hit PMF with Lunash, the chase itself has been worth every step.