"当我们开始时，我们思考了互联网的规模——如果每个人同时使用这项服务，那会是什么样子？"

When we first ventured into this project, we had to think big. We imagined the entire world using our service simultaneously. What would that look like? How would it work? The core idea here is about envisioning scale from the get-go, planning for massive, widespread use right from the beginning. Instead of designing something small and then struggling to expand, we planned for a future where everyone might be using our service.

To put this into some historical context, think back to the early days of the internet. Companies like Google and Facebook didn't start with the idea of just serving a few friends or colleagues. They thought globally. They envisioned a time when millions, even billions, of people would be using their platforms. This mindset helped them build systems that could handle that scale, even though the user numbers were much smaller at the start.

Imagine you're running a small startup creating a new app. In the early days, you might only have a handful of users. It's tempting to build something quick and simple that just works for those few. But what if your app really takes off? Will it crash under the pressure of thousands, or millions, of users all trying to access it at once? That’s why thinking about scale from day one is so crucial.

Take Netflix, for example. When they shifted from DVD rentals to streaming, they had to think about scale. What would happen if millions of people decided to watch the latest episode of a popular show all at once? By planning for this potential surge in usage, they were able to create a robust and reliable streaming service. They didn't wait for the problem to occur—they anticipated it and built for it.

So, how can you apply this wisdom to your own projects? Start by imagining your wildest success. Picture your service or product being used by millions of people. What would need to change? What systems would need to be in place? Think about the infrastructure, the customer support, the potential bottlenecks. Planning for success means you're not caught off guard when it happens. It’s about being proactive rather than reactive.

Now, let’s bring this to life with a relatable story. Picture a small coffee shop opening in a busy town. They start with a modest setup, expecting to serve a handful of regulars each day. But what if, by some stroke of luck, they become the talk of the town? Suddenly, there are lines out the door and around the block. If they haven’t planned for this kind of popularity, they’ll run out of supplies, the staff will be overwhelmed, and customers will leave dissatisfied. But if they had thought about this scenario from the start—maybe by having extra staff on call, a bigger inventory, and a streamlined process—they’d be ready to handle the rush and turn potential chaos into a fantastic opportunity.

In essence, by envisioning a future where your creation is wildly popular, you can build something that’s not just good for today, but ready for tomorrow’s challenges. So, next time you start a project, dream big. Think about the scale of the Internet—and plan accordingly.