Daily

The way I think about creating content is simple:

What did I need to know three years ago? Create that.

Whether it’s through tweets, podcasts, or newsletters… The goal is always the same: create something that would have helped me back then.

What’s great about this strategy is that it will never get old. 

In 10 years, I’ll need different advice. I’ll be a completely different person. 

And I’ll still be creating to help myself 1,000 days ago.

[Day 16/30]

An incredible thing happens when you begin to put other people first: other people put you first.

Two examples:

1. Rob Lawless began his mission on November 11, 2015 to make 10,000 friends. He wanted to get to know new people for no reason. He’s currently made 4,000+ friends and has been featured on The Today Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, and CBS.

2. Gerard Dawson sent over 1,000 cold emails trying to sell his services. Lots of rejection followed. But when he started serving their interests – by asking if they wanted to be on his podcast – they accepted the request (and many became clients).

The principle of business, relationships, and life is simple:

Serve first, then be served.

(For more on this topic: How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.)

[Day 15/30]

When someone has the guts to put a camera on their face and talk about their experience, it leaves an impact.

Two instances, in particular, left an impression on me:

1. Nick Huber on how he moved to Athens, Georgia knowing nobody. What he did about it. How making friends is work. How you can get better at the skill.

2. Hunter Weiss on how he has spent the last year of his life without alcohol. How weird that can be for someone who’s 24. Why he’s better off because of it.

So here’s a guarantee: sometime in the next week – whenever I feel like I have something to say – I’ll record a video of me just talking straight up to the camera.

Thanks to Nick and Hunter for the inspiration.

See you on YouTube soon.

[Day 14/30]

Some people tell me they only meditate when they’re stressed.

And while I believe it’s incredible they’re taking the time for themselves… I can’t help but think it’s a dangerous approach.

It would be like if every time you felt fat, you exercised.

What’s the issue?

You’re associating a negative stimuli (feeling poorly) to a positive habit (meditation, exercise).

What’s the solution?

Change the stimuli to something neutral or positive. Examples: sitting on a specific chair reserved for meditation, putting on workout clothes for exercise, repeating an affirmation before a specific habit.

Set yourself up for success by doing what needs to be done whether you’re feeling good or feeling bad.

[Day 13/30]

There is a massive opportunity right now.

And that’s to start an interview-based podcast.

Why?

Because you can get direct one-on-one access to some of the most high-level people in the world.

I’m amazed how many individuals will reply to my DMs, respond to my messages, and allow me to interview them. 

All because I simply asked.

“Oh, it’s because you’ve got an audience.”

Nope.

Go check out Pod of Jake. He’s interviewed Vitalik Buterin, Anthony Pompliano, Keith Rabois, 3LAU, Balaji Srinivasan, Jerzy Gregorek, and Mayor Francis Suarez. 

He started in July 2020… with no following… while anonymous.

Of course, it’s not all sunshines and roses. 

It’s work to prep for shows, come up with interesting questions, be able to maintain a dialogue (all things I’m working on every day), all while keeping a consistent posting schedule. You’ll reach out and hear far more no’s or no responses than you will yes’s. But that’s okay. Chalk it up to the game.

Is it worth it?

Absolutely.

So far, I’ve connected with my childhood hero (Gary Vaynerchuk) as well as some of my favorite authors (Gay Hendricks, Kamal Ravikant), entrepreneurs (Jack Butcher, Jordan Syatt), and athletes (Hellah Sidibe, John Crawley).

Would it have happened without the podcast?

Highly unlikely.

So if you’ve been thinking about starting a podcast…

Let this be a sign that it might be time to jump in.

[Day 12/30]

When you feel the need to put someone else down, ask yourself…

“Why does this trigger me?”

The answer may not come to you at that moment. But asking the question may lead to what’s beneath the surface. 

It may be a root issue. It may be that someone made fun of you for something similar. It may be that you see yourself in that person. It may be that you’re trying to look cool in front of someone else. It may be something else.

These moments, when we are putting others down, are incredible moments to reflect.

They can help us identify our deepest insecurities and fears.

And once we identify them, we can go about changing them.

We just have to be willing to ask the question.

[Day 11/30]