Yesterday, we posted a video from the VentureBeat Downturn Table talks with a group of entrepreneurs that included hit-makers like Jason Calacanis who operates Mahalo and Max Levchin of Slide. While the video is long (about an hour), it has a few good nuggets of wisdom. In case you haven't watched yet, or won't (it's okay, we have a short attention span too), here's one piece of advice from the panel that struck as particularly relevant. Entrepreneur Max Levchin told the group:

"Don't listen to anybody. Nobody really knows what's going to happen next. It's better to be contrarian in times like this than not. Just hunker down and build a company."

While, yes, Levchin's statement is slightly ironic—he's telling you to listen to no one while advising you what to do—we think the sentiment behind his statement is a good one. That is, you should focus on your start-up (or business plan) instead of the rabble around you. We made the point yesterday that VCs aren't soothsayers, and the same goes for everyone else who's making their best guesses (because that's what they are) about what's going to happen. Getting wrapped up in speculation is not only a waste of time, but could actually hurt your start-up if you acted on it and it turned out to be wrong.

Our one point of contention with Levchin's statement is that we don't think you should shut everyone out. Keep your ear to the ground, but take what information and advice you get with a heaping spoonful of salt. Don't make any rash decisions or tweaks to your business plan based on speculation that you hear. And most important, keep your eye on the ball: your start-up.