Watch less YouTube. Read more.

You don’t need large blocks of time to make progress. You need consistency. 30 to 45 minutes. Daily. The consistent drip of effort moves the needle. Momentum starts today.

I took a risk. I recorded a loom video analyzing a newsletter for a potential client. I sent that video via email. Waited. And received a response: “That was a good move. You showed value.” They implemented my suggestions. Now we’re working together. Lesson here: Don’t wait for permission. Show what you know.

Let me tell you about a scenario I experienced yesterday. I walked past a bookstore. And there, outside: • a table with a cloth (no message on it) • a stack of books • a small display • the author behind the table The author said hello when I greeted them. No pitch, no invitation. The hard truth is: Your work doesn't speak for itself. When you're putting yourself out there, the following things matter: • Give me a clear message: Why should I care? • Draw me in visually: You want my attention? Make me stop and look. • An engaged presence: You want me to consider your perspective? Invite me in. Gaining the attention of others takes work. You're going to need to earn it. If you don't tell your story, no one else will.

It’s tempting to start with your email and triage messages and potential tasks. You’re using mental energy to decide which bucket to place it in. Don’t start there; it clutters your mind. Instead, start with the priority that moves you closer to your vision.

It’s appealing to track all the different details in your journal or notion space. This approach, unfortunately, will require more processing power. It’s draining. And time consuming. Do yourself a favor and choose to simplify what you place in front of you.

Is it me or is AI generated video wild!? And then it seems like everyone and their mom are making software to make these types of footage. Feels like one giant marketing campaign.

It costs you too much time, energy, and peace to fully understand everything that is happening within. It has cost me. It’s still costing me. There’s an answer though, and it’s a simple one: take one small action today. You’ll understand more once you commit.

There is money to be made out there. Keep telling people what you offer. Show them the value you can provide. No matter how good you are, make the connections. Talk to people. Follow up. Help them without them asking you.

I went to a farmers market Saturday morning. I enjoy seeing the vendors and supporting local businesses. What’s hard to see are two things: 1. Owners or people representing the product or service stand behind the table and don’t sell. They wait. 2. Their marketing needs work

It’s been a while. What’s happening? How are we all doing?

Does it ever feel like after the grind of the day job, there's more of busy work waiting for you? Something has to change.

Yesterday, I noticed my behavior of complaining. I realized my complaining started to get me upset. Yes, I was complaining, but not much about my own things and circumstances, but more about what other people were doing or not doing. It's a red flag that needs to be addressed. So I wrote about it this morning. I came to the realization that I had stopped creating. I was not moving the needle with a personal and creative project. Since I'm not building anything, what I come across are the creations of others. I'm consuming them and I'm reacting toward their creations. Sometimes I like it, and sometimes I don't. Due to not building anything of my own, my critiques (and judgements) have been released from my mind, and directed toward others. Another realization: these critiques and judgements must also be present when I see my own work. Ah! Here's where we can change. Here's what we have some control over. Let's bring more compassion toward my own things into every step of the process. From the beginning and all the way toward the end. If that's implemented, I can see myself making more progress, and because I'm taking the time to use my talents, challenge myself, and behave with self-compassion, I won't have much to complain about. Hopefully, that will lead to more building and the experience of creating more meaning in my life. I'll start to consume less and, hopefully, complain less.

It’s a new day. It’s another opportunity to stack up evidence for the practices you want to turn into habits. These are the habits that will be bring incremental change. These changes are desires we want for our lives. So, you and I can sit around and push it off for another day, or we can lean into uncertainty and act with courage.

Me: Interested in learning the lost art of strategy. You: Enjoy learning strategy and sharing that knowledge with others. You have any book recommendations? Right now, I’m looking into Roger Martin’s books.

Lately, my observation has produced this thought: there's a need for more systems to get from point A to point B. Whether it's looking for a new job, writing, content creation, learning a new skill, and simply trying new experiments. However, there are challenges (at least that's how I see them) at the moment, which are influencing my behaviors a bit (feel rushed, the need for some sort of result). Like I'm swinging, but there's not much intention behind the swing. I noticed this yesterday as I was looking for a job. I was accepting the companies that were showing up on a list. Then I thought, "Why accept only what's being presented? Why not take the time to think about an organization that would be great to work for? Write those down and seek them." So there's a layer of intention, and that feels better. Like I'm in the boat with a paddle rather than just sitting in the boat waiting for something to appear. So if you feel rushed or feel the pressure of time or needing results, you may need to take a step back and question the current process you're in.

Recently, I had a call with a coach. It took me a while to schedule the call, because I had things going on, I got sick... and there was a part of me that had reservations. I thought my call with @successlabinc would only scratch the surface of what was happening within my thoughts. But as Alec continued our call to better understand me, his questions started to get at deeper thoughts and limiting beliefs. I came away with more awareness, but most of all, I came away with an intention of creating more peace in areas of my life that had frustrated me for so long. His guidance and questions allowed me to pivot toward a direction I’d been trying to get to on my own. I’m thankful for his ability to listen to me, ask me hard questions, and guide me toward a deep realization. It's been a total game-changer for me. So, yes, I'm glad I followed through with our call!