00:00

Alright. Today, I'm gonna answer the question that I get the most often, which is that if I was starting over again from scratch, and I had no money in my bank account I didn't have any special skills or network or people that are audience to to use. How would I do it? How would I make myself successful? How would I make my first million If I was starting over from scratch again, I'm twenty five years old,

Alright. Today, I'm gonna answer the question that I get the most often, which is that if I was starting over again from scratch, and I had no money in my bank account I didn't have any special skills or network or people that are audience to to use. How would I do it? How would I make myself successful? How would I make my first million If I was starting over from scratch again, I'm twenty five years old,

00:20

and it's twenty twenty four. What would I do today?

and it's twenty twenty four. What would I do today?

00:23

And,

And,

00:24

I'm gonna answer this question. I will give you an answer to this question. I'm worked up as you could see because I got an answer to this question.

I'm gonna answer this question. I will give you an answer to this question. I'm worked up as you could see because I got an answer to this question.

00:38

I wanna give you an observation about question. Because the question is actually I think we would all agree. It's a money question. It's a success question. How would you make it? That's really what people wanna know. But they always add this If you were twenty one years old again, if you were twenty five years old again, they add this age component to it, which is sort of funny because, I don't care if you're twenty one, you're thirty one, you're forty one, If you're broke, you're broke. If you're if you're not successful, you're not successful. Doesn't matter what age you are. It is your day one. You can't go back in time. So, really, it doesn't matter what what how old you are. You know, the the reason I think people say if you're twenty one again or twenty five again is because they're, like, if if all the possibilities were on the table, if the if you had all the hope in the world again at that age. And the reality is, one thing you should take away from this is should always have that twenty one year old mindset. It should always have the belief that

I wanna give you an observation about question. Because the question is actually I think we would all agree. It's a money question. It's a success question. How would you make it? That's really what people wanna know. But they always add this If you were twenty one years old again, if you were twenty five years old again, they add this age component to it, which is sort of funny because, I don't care if you're twenty one, you're thirty one, you're forty one, If you're broke, you're broke. If you're if you're not successful, you're not successful. Doesn't matter what age you are. It is your day one. You can't go back in time. So, really, it doesn't matter what what how old you are. You know, the the reason I think people say if you're twenty one again or twenty five again is because they're, like, if if all the possibilities were on the table, if the if you had all the hope in the world again at that age. And the reality is, one thing you should take away from this is should always have that twenty one year old mindset. It should always have the belief that

01:27

the my whole world is in front of me, that my best days are ahead of me, that anything is possible, and that I can reinvent myself right now.

the my whole world is in front of me, that my best days are ahead of me, that anything is possible, and that I can reinvent myself right now.

01:35

Yeah, I could today on the reinvent myself and to decide, I'm a different guy now. I do a different thing. I do things a different way. That old guy, he's gone. He's the old me. And so I think the first thing to do is to free yourself of the time constraint.

Yeah, I could today on the reinvent myself and to decide, I'm a different guy now. I do a different thing. I do things a different way. That old guy, he's gone. He's the old me. And so I think the first thing to do is to free yourself of the time constraint.

01:48

The age constraint, which only adds pressure and doubt

The age constraint, which only adds pressure and doubt

01:52

and anxiety to the equation, which none none of that helps you be successful. I remember when I was twenty nine years old, and I had this, like, accident existential crisis because I was like, oh, I thought I was gonna be four thirty up to thirty. And I thought I'd be, you know, I have a million dollars in my bank account by now, and I didn't have any of those things. And then I was like,

and anxiety to the equation, which none none of that helps you be successful. I remember when I was twenty nine years old, and I had this, like, accident existential crisis because I was like, oh, I thought I was gonna be four thirty up to thirty. And I thought I'd be, you know, I have a million dollars in my bank account by now, and I didn't have any of those things. And then I was like,

02:08

Alright. Well,

Alright. Well,

02:09

guess that didn't happen. Moving on, and I just continued on. And by thirty, all of a sudden, I sold my company and had a whole bunch of breakthroughs. Every part of that was just getting the weight off my shoulders of feeling like I'm behind or playing catch up. Instead, I wanted to be feeling offense. And so my question my answer to this question is comes from a place of offense. So let's take the age out. Let's think of it like it's karate. We're white belts again. If we started as a white belt and we wanna make our way up to a black belt in the game of success, what would we do?

guess that didn't happen. Moving on, and I just continued on. And by thirty, all of a sudden, I sold my company and had a whole bunch of breakthroughs. Every part of that was just getting the weight off my shoulders of feeling like I'm behind or playing catch up. Instead, I wanted to be feeling offense. And so my question my answer to this question is comes from a place of offense. So let's take the age out. Let's think of it like it's karate. We're white belts again. If we started as a white belt and we wanna make our way up to a black belt in the game of success, what would we do?

02:36

So

So

02:38

let's break this down into smaller chunks. I the best metaphor I have or a best

let's break this down into smaller chunks. I the best metaphor I have or a best

02:43

framework I've heard from my career was that everybody goes through three phases in their career. And the three phases are number one, learn.

framework I've heard from my career was that everybody goes through three phases in their career. And the three phases are number one, learn.

02:52

Earn,

Earn,

02:53

and legacy.

and legacy.

02:54

So this learn, earn legacy framework, that your career will go into those chapters. The beginning of your career is generally the learn period. Is when you got internships or you're just starting your first business, you're making a bunch of mistakes,

So this learn, earn legacy framework, that your career will go into those chapters. The beginning of your career is generally the learn period. Is when you got internships or you're just starting your first business, you're making a bunch of mistakes,

03:07

or you go work at a bigger company just to see what it's like, and you're getting you know, you're getting your experience. That's the learn phase of your career. What's most important in the learn phase of your career is what you optimize for. So One job offers you an extra fifteen thousand dollars. The other job offers you fifteen thousand dollars less. Which job should you take? Most people take the one that pays them an extra fifteen k a year, which is like nine k after taxes or something like that. And even though the other job would have been a far better learning experience for them, that they were gonna get way more hands on experience working with way smarter people on more interesting projects, which in the long run would have paid off in a much bigger way. So

or you go work at a bigger company just to see what it's like, and you're getting you know, you're getting your experience. That's the learn phase of your career. What's most important in the learn phase of your career is what you optimize for. So One job offers you an extra fifteen thousand dollars. The other job offers you fifteen thousand dollars less. Which job should you take? Most people take the one that pays them an extra fifteen k a year, which is like nine k after taxes or something like that. And even though the other job would have been a far better learning experience for them, that they were gonna get way more hands on experience working with way smarter people on more interesting projects, which in the long run would have paid off in a much bigger way. So

03:43

Why is it important to know you're in the learn phase? Because you know what to prioritize. Your key KPI is

Why is it important to know you're in the learn phase? Because you know what to prioritize. Your key KPI is

03:49

how much learning per month am I doing? How much am I growing per month as a person? I'm building me as a product. Right? That's the learn phase. Earn phase is now I've built myself as a product. I have the skills. I know what to do. I understand the market, and I can actually go and I can reap what I've sowed. So I can actually extract some value. Now I have cash in the bank, which lets me get to the ultimate point of financial freedom, where your money works for money, and you work for you. That's where your investments generate enough income. You don't need to be doing any jobs. So that way, you can just work on whatever you're most interested in, whatever you're passionate about, whatever you love. And so

how much learning per month am I doing? How much am I growing per month as a person? I'm building me as a product. Right? That's the learn phase. Earn phase is now I've built myself as a product. I have the skills. I know what to do. I understand the market, and I can actually go and I can reap what I've sowed. So I can actually extract some value. Now I have cash in the bank, which lets me get to the ultimate point of financial freedom, where your money works for money, and you work for you. That's where your investments generate enough income. You don't need to be doing any jobs. So that way, you can just work on whatever you're most interested in, whatever you're passionate about, whatever you love. And so

04:25

the earned phase comes next. And then there's a legacy phase, which is where you see a lot of people get to when they, you know, they wanna go to Mars, and then they wanna you know, buy this newspaper company to keep, you know, or start a foundation or go back and teach at their college or whatever it is. Legacy is how you give back, it's how you remember for doing something that's beyond yourself contributing. I think this framework is a good framework for a career. I think I think it is the natural evolution of a successful career. That's the first first thing I would keep in mind. So those first ten years,

the earned phase comes next. And then there's a legacy phase, which is where you see a lot of people get to when they, you know, they wanna go to Mars, and then they wanna you know, buy this newspaper company to keep, you know, or start a foundation or go back and teach at their college or whatever it is. Legacy is how you give back, it's how you remember for doing something that's beyond yourself contributing. I think this framework is a good framework for a career. I think I think it is the natural evolution of a successful career. That's the first first thing I would keep in mind. So those first ten years,

04:55

I say ten years, because ten years sounds like a long time, but,

I say ten years, because ten years sounds like a long time, but,

04:58

you know, what's the phrase? Like, we overestimate what we can do in a year, and we underestimate what we can do in ten. So true.

you know, what's the phrase? Like, we overestimate what we can do in a year, and we underestimate what we can do in ten. So true.

05:05

The first ten years,

The first ten years,

05:07

you are in the learn phase. You are

you are in the learn phase. You are

05:09

actually just, dabbling.

actually just, dabbling.

05:11

So, you we are told that we should, stick to it, be determined. Do blah, blah, blah.

So, you we are told that we should, stick to it, be determined. Do blah, blah, blah.

05:17

That's the wrong advice.

That's the wrong advice.

05:19

It's the same bad advice that gets you when you're eighteen, nineteen years old to declare your major.

It's the same bad advice that gets you when you're eighteen, nineteen years old to declare your major.

05:24

I even love that they call it declare. Like, I'm gonna be like, yeah, you know, chemistry. Right? Like, you know, what what are we do based on what based on what experience? I'm a bio and chemistry major. I knew nothing about any of those. I don't even know what jobs they create, but at eighteen years old, I'm supposed to declare my major or fall behind, silly. And so we don't wanna fall into the silly traps and pressures that people pigeonhole you into what are you gonna do for your for your major? What are you gonna do for your career?

I even love that they call it declare. Like, I'm gonna be like, yeah, you know, chemistry. Right? Like, you know, what what are we do based on what based on what experience? I'm a bio and chemistry major. I knew nothing about any of those. I don't even know what jobs they create, but at eighteen years old, I'm supposed to declare my major or fall behind, silly. And so we don't wanna fall into the silly traps and pressures that people pigeonhole you into what are you gonna do for your for your major? What are you gonna do for your career?

05:48

What, you know, what what field are you in? The answer is I'm dating around. Right? Just like we date before we get married, you wanna do the same thing with your career. So you're gonna be dabbling. So you should be expecting to, I don't know, every eighteen months.

What, you know, what what field are you in? The answer is I'm dating around. Right? Just like we date before we get married, you wanna do the same thing with your career. So you're gonna be dabbling. So you should be expecting to, I don't know, every eighteen months.

06:00

Turn over and reinvent yourself and hop into a new situation to keep challenging yourself. And what you're trying to do is not, you're not trying to change. You're using change to find the thing that you are uniquely capable of, and that's the next key lesson. I can't find this

Turn over and reinvent yourself and hop into a new situation to keep challenging yourself. And what you're trying to do is not, you're not trying to change. You're using change to find the thing that you are uniquely capable of, and that's the next key lesson. I can't find this

06:16

client in full. Have you heard of HubSpot?

client in full. Have you heard of HubSpot?

06:18

HubSpot is a CRM platform, so it shares its data across every application. Every team can stay aligned. No out of sync spreadsheets or dueling databases.

HubSpot is a CRM platform, so it shares its data across every application. Every team can stay aligned. No out of sync spreadsheets or dueling databases.

06:27

HubSpot, grow better.

HubSpot, grow better.

06:31

So the second thing I would do if I was starting over again is I would

So the second thing I would do if I was starting over again is I would

06:35

Realize that I'm in the learn phase. I would start dabbling, and I would be trying to identify my edge. This really breaks up into two categories. The first edge is one that everybody who's not successful yet has, which is you're small and you're helpless. And what that means is that people will help you. Like, I can't tell you How many meetings I got with amazing people? How many opportunities I got? How many times I got to shadow somebody right along with somebody? Because

Realize that I'm in the learn phase. I would start dabbling, and I would be trying to identify my edge. This really breaks up into two categories. The first edge is one that everybody who's not successful yet has, which is you're small and you're helpless. And what that means is that people will help you. Like, I can't tell you How many meetings I got with amazing people? How many opportunities I got? How many times I got to shadow somebody right along with somebody? Because

06:59

I just told him, like, hey. I think what you do is amazing, and I don't know the first thing about it.

I just told him, like, hey. I think what you do is amazing, and I don't know the first thing about it.

07:04

I I don't know how I can help you. I wanna help you someday, but at least can help you because, hey, you know, it always feels good to give back, right, to help somebody out? I'm giving you that opportunity. Can I just can I just figure learn this with you? Will you will you show me how this works? And,

I I don't know how I can help you. I wanna help you someday, but at least can help you because, hey, you know, it always feels good to give back, right, to help somebody out? I'm giving you that opportunity. Can I just can I just figure learn this with you? Will you will you show me how this works? And,

07:17

being small and helpless is a absolute edge that most people who are unsuccessful try to hide. They're embarrassed that they're not success They're embarrassed that they're starting at the beginning. And because of that, they throw away one of their best edges, which is that people wanna help people who are at the poor beginners. And so, embrace that you're a beginner that is part of your edge. The next thing is you got time. You're not busy. So for me, there are so many opportunities I don't do because I have a five thousand dollar an hour time budget. So if if something's gonna cost me an hour, it needs to be worth at least five thousand dollars. But when I was younger, I would've done I did psych studies. I would go take a pill or go, you know, try to read from this card for seven dollars an hour. Right? My hourly rate was much lower back then. And so I was willing to do a whole bunch of things that other people wouldn't do because I'm not busy. My calendar is clear. That's a huge advantage you have. That's another part of your edge.

being small and helpless is a absolute edge that most people who are unsuccessful try to hide. They're embarrassed that they're not success They're embarrassed that they're starting at the beginning. And because of that, they throw away one of their best edges, which is that people wanna help people who are at the poor beginners. And so, embrace that you're a beginner that is part of your edge. The next thing is you got time. You're not busy. So for me, there are so many opportunities I don't do because I have a five thousand dollar an hour time budget. So if if something's gonna cost me an hour, it needs to be worth at least five thousand dollars. But when I was younger, I would've done I did psych studies. I would go take a pill or go, you know, try to read from this card for seven dollars an hour. Right? My hourly rate was much lower back then. And so I was willing to do a whole bunch of things that other people wouldn't do because I'm not busy. My calendar is clear. That's a huge advantage you have. That's another part of your edge.

08:08

Another part of your edge. You have nothing to lose.

Another part of your edge. You have nothing to lose.

08:11

And, well, by the way, a lot of this is mindset. Because

And, well, by the way, a lot of this is mindset. Because

08:14

the actions you take are downstream

the actions you take are downstream

08:16

of your mindset. Right? Like, the actions you take, which is what people want. They want the answer. What I'm giving you is a way for you to always get the answer. So you don't need to watch a video like this. You can be the guy who makes videos like this. And how do you do that? You figure out the mindset first so that then the actions come quite naturally. So let me finish the mindset section, then I'll tell you the actions. So the mindset the next part of the mindset that matters is you have nothing to lose. So just like you're small and you're helpless, just like you've got a clear calendar and nothing to do, you also got nothing to lose. You're already lost. You got nothing. You're starting in rock bottom, but that's a pretty solid foundation. What you wanna do with that foundation is take more risks than somebody who has something to lose. For me, now if I go do something, I have my reputation, people could see me fail. I have to do some things of a certain caliber, and that means I might be overlooking some hidden gem type of opportunities.

of your mindset. Right? Like, the actions you take, which is what people want. They want the answer. What I'm giving you is a way for you to always get the answer. So you don't need to watch a video like this. You can be the guy who makes videos like this. And how do you do that? You figure out the mindset first so that then the actions come quite naturally. So let me finish the mindset section, then I'll tell you the actions. So the mindset the next part of the mindset that matters is you have nothing to lose. So just like you're small and you're helpless, just like you've got a clear calendar and nothing to do, you also got nothing to lose. You're already lost. You got nothing. You're starting in rock bottom, but that's a pretty solid foundation. What you wanna do with that foundation is take more risks than somebody who has something to lose. For me, now if I go do something, I have my reputation, people could see me fail. I have to do some things of a certain caliber, and that means I might be overlooking some hidden gem type of opportunities.

09:02

You know, I don't go to conferences. I don't go to certain meetings. But you should if you're in that boat boat, we have nothing to lose because you got everything to gain.

You know, I don't go to conferences. I don't go to certain meetings. But you should if you're in that boat boat, we have nothing to lose because you got everything to gain.

09:10

The last thing is you now need to find your personal edge. So those first ones are the the common edges of losers. Right? The losers edge. And losers have those edges. And you should embrace the losers edge because the losers edge is what may helps you become a winner. Now you need to find your personal edge. Your personal edge is gonna be the thing that comes naturally to you. It comes easy to you. Maybe you're funny. Maybe you don't mind grinding things out when everybody else gets fatigued.

The last thing is you now need to find your personal edge. So those first ones are the the common edges of losers. Right? The losers edge. And losers have those edges. And you should embrace the losers edge because the losers edge is what may helps you become a winner. Now you need to find your personal edge. Your personal edge is gonna be the thing that comes naturally to you. It comes easy to you. Maybe you're funny. Maybe you don't mind grinding things out when everybody else gets fatigued.

09:35

Maybe you're maybe you have an eye. You have really good taste. And may and, you know, even though you're not a great designer or product builder today, you can identify great design and product building and understand it. And taste is a it could be part of your personal edge. My friend Chris Williamson told me this today on a call. He goes,

Maybe you're maybe you have an eye. You have really good taste. And may and, you know, even though you're not a great designer or product builder today, you can identify great design and product building and understand it. And taste is a it could be part of your personal edge. My friend Chris Williamson told me this today on a call. He goes,

09:51

Yeah. You're like a bear riding a unicycle.

Yeah. You're like a bear riding a unicycle.

09:53

I go, what? He goes,

I go, what? He goes,

09:56

you know, a bear. That's cool, but not altogether that special. A unicycle. That's cool, but not not not that special. A bear riding a unicycle. That that's fucking amazing.

you know, a bear. That's cool, but not altogether that special. A unicycle. That's cool, but not not not that special. A bear riding a unicycle. That that's fucking amazing.

10:06

And so a bear riding a unicycle is a way to think about finding that unique combination of things that makes you you. So for some people, it might be that they are a really talented programmer, but they also love to study anatomy of biology, and they should actually go into that field, the crossover of computer science and biology. For some people, it's that they're just really good with they're really good people person, and that's cool. But now how do you pair that with,

And so a bear riding a unicycle is a way to think about finding that unique combination of things that makes you you. So for some people, it might be that they are a really talented programmer, but they also love to study anatomy of biology, and they should actually go into that field, the crossover of computer science and biology. For some people, it's that they're just really good with they're really good people person, and that's cool. But now how do you pair that with,

10:30

you know, you're you're willing to work twice as hard as the average person, or you love sports or whatever it is. You try to find an overlap of two or three things that are true about you

you know, you're you're willing to work twice as hard as the average person, or you love sports or whatever it is. You try to find an overlap of two or three things that are true about you

10:39

that create a unique combination.

that create a unique combination.

10:42

For me, for example,

For me, for example,

10:44

I'm a successful business guy, but I'm not the most successful business guy. Right? There's people who are worth hundreds of million dollars. I'm not

I'm a successful business guy, but I'm not the most successful business guy. Right? There's people who are worth hundreds of million dollars. I'm not

10:51

but I'm more successful than ninety eight percent of people on the business side.

but I'm more successful than ninety eight percent of people on the business side.

10:56

But then I'm also kind of entertaining and funny I'm good at talking. And there's a lot of better talkers than me, but they're not that successful business side. There's a lot of better business people than me, but they're kinda boring when they talk. And so my overlap

But then I'm also kind of entertaining and funny I'm good at talking. And there's a lot of better talkers than me, but they're not that successful business side. There's a lot of better business people than me, but they're kinda boring when they talk. And so my overlap

11:06

is some combination of, I love,

is some combination of, I love,

11:09

you know, creating content. I love being curious about things and turning it to content. I'm good at talking, and I'm successful. That became My first million, a podcast that really nobody else could host. It was unique to me. It was my bear on my unicycle.

you know, creating content. I love being curious about things and turning it to content. I'm good at talking, and I'm successful. That became My first million, a podcast that really nobody else could host. It was unique to me. It was my bear on my unicycle.

11:22

And, I only found that when I started following my personal edge. And so you wanna find your personal edge. And if you don't have one today, don't worry. That's okay. You're again. You're a blank sleep. Ask your friends. What are some things about me that are true? Where am I more above normal people or more than normal people when it comes to some area of my life. Maybe other people can see it for you, or maybe you say, look, It's my opportunity to develop that. I'm gonna become a great writer by practicing. I'm gonna become a great salesperson by practicing, and that'll be one of my things. So you wanna create your personal edge.

And, I only found that when I started following my personal edge. And so you wanna find your personal edge. And if you don't have one today, don't worry. That's okay. You're again. You're a blank sleep. Ask your friends. What are some things about me that are true? Where am I more above normal people or more than normal people when it comes to some area of my life. Maybe other people can see it for you, or maybe you say, look, It's my opportunity to develop that. I'm gonna become a great writer by practicing. I'm gonna become a great salesperson by practicing, and that'll be one of my things. So you wanna create your personal edge.

11:54

Alright.

Alright.

11:56

So you've decided you're in the learn phase. You're dabbling. You're you're discovering your personal edge. Alright. That all comes together. And what happens?

So you've decided you're in the learn phase. You're dabbling. You're you're discovering your personal edge. Alright. That all comes together. And what happens?

12:04

The scoreboard still says zero

The scoreboard still says zero

12:07

because the scoreboard is this lagging indicator of

because the scoreboard is this lagging indicator of

12:10

How many companies you've sold, how many millions of dollars you have in the bank.

How many companies you've sold, how many millions of dollars you have in the bank.

12:14

But you are building up. You are not actually at zero. You have made a ton of progress, but There's still one more unlock that you have to do, and that's picking the right project. So what projects would I pick if I were in this category?

But you are building up. You are not actually at zero. You have made a ton of progress, but There's still one more unlock that you have to do, and that's picking the right project. So what projects would I pick if I were in this category?

12:26

There's a a general question. I'll I'll I'll give you some, like, common questions, fork in the roads that people come to. So a fork in the road I often get is should I start my own company or should I,

There's a a general question. I'll I'll I'll give you some, like, common questions, fork in the roads that people come to. So a fork in the road I often get is should I start my own company or should I,

12:37

should I join an existing company and get experience that way? And smart people will tell you both things. Right? Generally, people just say the thing that they did, and they say that's the best way to do things.

should I join an existing company and get experience that way? And smart people will tell you both things. Right? Generally, people just say the thing that they did, and they say that's the best way to do things.

12:47

So, you know, I think the the real takeaway is that either way works, which one should you choose? Well, again, when you're optimizing for learning, there's a really specific thing you're actually trying to do.

So, you know, I think the the real takeaway is that either way works, which one should you choose? Well, again, when you're optimizing for learning, there's a really specific thing you're actually trying to do.

12:58

You are trying to get around the smartest and most ambitious people you can doing the th that also wanna do the thing that you wanna do. It doesn't matter if that's your musician and you wanna, then you should be hanging out with other musicians that are trying to make it. I have friends that are big TikTokers or Viners or YouTubers. They all moved to LA. They all moved into houses together or on the same street as each other. And they hung out with other people who were super driven at the same thing that they wanted to do. That's why I moved to Silicon Valley. And that's one thing I would do again. I would pick up and move to a place where I could find other people that are just like me chasing the same dream as me because that is contagious, and you'll be sharing information. So you won't just be learning your lessons. You'll be learning from the other people around you, and that it will become normal

You are trying to get around the smartest and most ambitious people you can doing the th that also wanna do the thing that you wanna do. It doesn't matter if that's your musician and you wanna, then you should be hanging out with other musicians that are trying to make it. I have friends that are big TikTokers or Viners or YouTubers. They all moved to LA. They all moved into houses together or on the same street as each other. And they hung out with other people who were super driven at the same thing that they wanted to do. That's why I moved to Silicon Valley. And that's one thing I would do again. I would pick up and move to a place where I could find other people that are just like me chasing the same dream as me because that is contagious, and you'll be sharing information. So you won't just be learning your lessons. You'll be learning from the other people around you, and that it will become normal

13:42

to see people succeed at doing this. It's very, underrated how important that is to see other people just like you that you know are not so much more special than you. Succeeding at the thing you wanna do. It's what will keep you going even when times get tough. And so that's the first thing you're trying to do. You're actually trying to pick either the company or the job that it's gonna get you around the smartest ambitious people that wanna do the same thing as you wanna do. For me, that was starting a startup and moving to Silicon Valley. For you, that might be joining

to see people succeed at doing this. It's very, underrated how important that is to see other people just like you that you know are not so much more special than you. Succeeding at the thing you wanna do. It's what will keep you going even when times get tough. And so that's the first thing you're trying to do. You're actually trying to pick either the company or the job that it's gonna get you around the smartest ambitious people that wanna do the same thing as you wanna do. For me, that was starting a startup and moving to Silicon Valley. For you, that might be joining

14:10

Whatever this generation's Google is, you know, and and getting around really smart people that are all flocked to this thing, right, like open AI or one of the one of these companies where

Whatever this generation's Google is, you know, and and getting around really smart people that are all flocked to this thing, right, like open AI or one of the one of these companies where

14:18

a talent magnet for young, ambitious,

a talent magnet for young, ambitious,

14:22

motivated people.

motivated people.

14:23

The next thing you need to do.

The next thing you need to do.

14:25

You gotta pick the opportunity whether it's a job or your company or starting a company that will let you do actual work versus being an observer on the fringe. So

You gotta pick the opportunity whether it's a job or your company or starting a company that will let you do actual work versus being an observer on the fringe. So

14:34

Unfortunately, for most people, they go take a job at some prestigious company, and they think, ah, I'm getting the experience because, of course, working at Facebook in twenty twenty four is like, you know, that's I'm getting experience,

Unfortunately, for most people, they go take a job at some prestigious company, and they think, ah, I'm getting the experience because, of course, working at Facebook in twenty twenty four is like, you know, that's I'm getting experience,

14:45

but their employee number forty two thousand sitting on the fringe, not even knowing what's actually going on inside Facebook, not getting any access to the real problems. And so whichever path you choose, for me, I chose the path of starting a company, and that's the one I would do again. But if you choose even if you choose joining a company, here's your criteria.

but their employee number forty two thousand sitting on the fringe, not even knowing what's actually going on inside Facebook, not getting any access to the real problems. And so whichever path you choose, for me, I chose the path of starting a company, and that's the one I would do again. But if you choose even if you choose joining a company, here's your criteria.

15:04

You have to

You have to

15:05

be working on the a plus problem.

be working on the a plus problem.

15:07

Every company has the a plus problem at any given time. Sometimes the a plus problem is we're getting sued, and we need to deal with this. Sometimes the a plus problem is Our growth stopped, and we have no idea why. And we gotta get this thing back growing again. Sometimes it's we're growing so fast. We can't even keep up with operations. Hey. Could somebody go move to Atlanta and spin up our Atlanta office? Because we need a we need more people in Atlanta. Right? Like, I know people that were early at Uber. This was what was going on. Uber working. They couldn't even keep up with demand. And people who made millions of dollars and became really smart at Uber were people who were like, yeah, I'll go move to Kansas City. I'll I'll boot up Kansas City as a market. And they're like, do you have any experience with Kansas City? They're like, hell no. Didn't even find it on a map. Didn't matter. They were willing to go work on the a plus problem.

Every company has the a plus problem at any given time. Sometimes the a plus problem is we're getting sued, and we need to deal with this. Sometimes the a plus problem is Our growth stopped, and we have no idea why. And we gotta get this thing back growing again. Sometimes it's we're growing so fast. We can't even keep up with operations. Hey. Could somebody go move to Atlanta and spin up our Atlanta office? Because we need a we need more people in Atlanta. Right? Like, I know people that were early at Uber. This was what was going on. Uber working. They couldn't even keep up with demand. And people who made millions of dollars and became really smart at Uber were people who were like, yeah, I'll go move to Kansas City. I'll I'll boot up Kansas City as a market. And they're like, do you have any experience with Kansas City? They're like, hell no. Didn't even find it on a map. Didn't matter. They were willing to go work on the a plus problem.

15:49

I'll give you a personal example. What I got when we got acquired by Twitch,

I'll give you a personal example. What I got when we got acquired by Twitch,

15:53

they were like, your job is they bought our e sports platform, and they were like, you're now the director of e sports. Okay. Cool. I'm supposed to work on this e sports thing.

they were like, your job is they bought our e sports platform, and they were like, you're now the director of e sports. Okay. Cool. I'm supposed to work on this e sports thing.

16:03

And my friend said something to me that my cofounder, furcon, he said something to me that stuck with me. He goes, He was he was looking at the overall company dashboard, and he's like, they're making some I can't say the number. That's not that I'm not allowed to, but some huge number. Starts with a b and ends with a lien,

And my friend said something to me that my cofounder, furcon, he said something to me that stuck with me. He goes, He was he was looking at the overall company dashboard, and he's like, they're making some I can't say the number. That's not that I'm not allowed to, but some huge number. Starts with a b and ends with a lien,

16:18

in revenue. And so they were like,

in revenue. And so they were like,

16:20

he was like, don't you think that when we're here, You know, I don't know how long we're gonna be here. Our vesting date is is a year from now. Like, don't you think we should work on something that at least moves the needle five percent?

he was like, don't you think that when we're here, You know, I don't know how long we're gonna be here. Our vesting date is is a year from now. Like, don't you think we should work on something that at least moves the needle five percent?

16:31

Like, what he's the way he said it was. What did you feel like a bitch if we worked here for a year? And we didn't even make a five percent swing in the company?

Like, what he's the way he said it was. What did you feel like a bitch if we worked here for a year? And we didn't even make a five percent swing in the company?

16:38

And I was like, I would feel like a bitch if that happened. You know, I don't now that you say that, I can't go back to just work. He's like, do you think the thing we're doing right now? Can swing it by five percent. I was like, hell, no. You know, like, this that that's not what this is gonna do. This is gonna do these other things, but it's not gonna do that. And so we basically went on strike from day one. And we were like, we're just not gonna do work until we figure out what is the a plus problem. What is the thing that actually matters in this company? We're just not gonna busy ourselves until we find that. And luckily, I had a big company knows what nobody knows what the hell you're doing anyway. So the first two weeks, I was just walking around asking people questions, trying to figure out what actually matters here.

And I was like, I would feel like a bitch if that happened. You know, I don't now that you say that, I can't go back to just work. He's like, do you think the thing we're doing right now? Can swing it by five percent. I was like, hell, no. You know, like, this that that's not what this is gonna do. This is gonna do these other things, but it's not gonna do that. And so we basically went on strike from day one. And we were like, we're just not gonna do work until we figure out what is the a plus problem. What is the thing that actually matters in this company? We're just not gonna busy ourselves until we find that. And luckily, I had a big company knows what nobody knows what the hell you're doing anyway. So the first two weeks, I was just walking around asking people questions, trying to figure out what actually matters here.

17:14

And I found a project that was like, actually a big project. And we pitched it to the CEO, and we're like, hey, this is a big problem. Have anyone who's solving this? And he's like, no. It's like, cool. I'm free. He's like, you're free? I thought you're supposed to be working on the thing. I'm like, no, but this is bigger. Right? And he's like, yeah, it is bigger. And so we he created a special team and we ran it to do that thing, and we actually made a big impact.

And I found a project that was like, actually a big project. And we pitched it to the CEO, and we're like, hey, this is a big problem. Have anyone who's solving this? And he's like, no. It's like, cool. I'm free. He's like, you're free? I thought you're supposed to be working on the thing. I'm like, no, but this is bigger. Right? And he's like, yeah, it is bigger. And so we he created a special team and we ran it to do that thing, and we actually made a big impact.

17:35

This happened again. I remember when I was at Twitch and The top streamer on twitch was this guy named ninja. He got sponsored by Red Bull, and he was like, the star. He was on TV all the time, and it Fortnite was in its heyday. And ninja was the guy.

This happened again. I remember when I was at Twitch and The top streamer on twitch was this guy named ninja. He got sponsored by Red Bull, and he was like, the star. He was on TV all the time, and it Fortnite was in its heyday. And ninja was the guy.

17:46

And then Microsoft came and paid ninja, like, twenty million dollars to leave Twitch and go over there. And we lost our our biggest streamer overnight, it's like if, you know,

And then Microsoft came and paid ninja, like, twenty million dollars to leave Twitch and go over there. And we lost our our biggest streamer overnight, it's like if, you know,

17:55

the warriors, you know, if somebody came and took Steph Curry off the warriors, just pay them any left. It's like, oh, shit.

the warriors, you know, if somebody came and took Steph Curry off the warriors, just pay them any left. It's like, oh, shit.

18:00

And it was an oh, shit moment.

And it was an oh, shit moment.

18:02

I said, well, that's probably the a plus problem right now. So what did I do? I dropped everything I was doing, and I started working on that. Nobody had told me even what to work on, but I wrote a memo. I said, hey, it looks like he left. Here's some data analysis on how big of a problem that is or how little of a problem that is. Here's my strategy recommendation on what we should do, and I just sent it to the CEO. Right? When a doubt, put a letter in the CEO's mailbox.

I said, well, that's probably the a plus problem right now. So what did I do? I dropped everything I was doing, and I started working on that. Nobody had told me even what to work on, but I wrote a memo. I said, hey, it looks like he left. Here's some data analysis on how big of a problem that is or how little of a problem that is. Here's my strategy recommendation on what we should do, and I just sent it to the CEO. Right? When a doubt, put a letter in the CEO's mailbox.

18:23

And he's like, this is great. Here, joining a Poppy and three group chats right away, which were like the tee the exact teams that were working that, and he's like, hey, you know, Sean's in on this. And they're like, why? He doesn't he's supposed to be doing this other thing. And it's like, he has good he has good thoughts on this. And so there is a way to work on the a plus problem, even if you're in a big company, or if you're an entrepreneur,

And he's like, this is great. Here, joining a Poppy and three group chats right away, which were like the tee the exact teams that were working that, and he's like, hey, you know, Sean's in on this. And they're like, why? He doesn't he's supposed to be doing this other thing. And it's like, he has good he has good thoughts on this. And so there is a way to work on the a plus problem, even if you're in a big company, or if you're an entrepreneur,

18:43

by definition, you should always be working on the a plus problem. It's forced. And so I learned that skill because I first started my own companies, and I knew you just gotta always be working on the one big thing. What's the one a plus problem right now? So that's the second principle you have to do during this early phase. So what would I actually do? I would be whether I start my own company or join when I would be finding a way to work on the a plus problem at all times. Last one is I'm creating luck. I'm creating a landing area for luck. And I want lady luck to come when she's flying by to see the surface area on my back and say that looks like a good spot to set up camp for the night. And how do you do that?

by definition, you should always be working on the a plus problem. It's forced. And so I learned that skill because I first started my own companies, and I knew you just gotta always be working on the one big thing. What's the one a plus problem right now? So that's the second principle you have to do during this early phase. So what would I actually do? I would be whether I start my own company or join when I would be finding a way to work on the a plus problem at all times. Last one is I'm creating luck. I'm creating a landing area for luck. And I want lady luck to come when she's flying by to see the surface area on my back and say that looks like a good spot to set up camp for the night. And how do you do that?

19:19

Well, I heard this great thing. I've said it a couple times in the podcast, but you know what? Great things are worth repeating. There are four levels of luck. You gotta be aware of them and then actually manufacture them. So luck is not something that happens to you. It is something that you can create and increase the odds of happening in your life. The first level of luck is just blind luck. That's the one where you didn't do shit. You just got struck by lightning. Alright. Fair enough. Nothing really really you could do for that first level of luck. Except for, appreciate it when it does happen. Sometimes things truly do fall in your lap.

Well, I heard this great thing. I've said it a couple times in the podcast, but you know what? Great things are worth repeating. There are four levels of luck. You gotta be aware of them and then actually manufacture them. So luck is not something that happens to you. It is something that you can create and increase the odds of happening in your life. The first level of luck is just blind luck. That's the one where you didn't do shit. You just got struck by lightning. Alright. Fair enough. Nothing really really you could do for that first level of luck. Except for, appreciate it when it does happen. Sometimes things truly do fall in your lap.

19:47

But that's rare. Second level of luck is you're taking a bunch of action. You're just doing a bunch of shit and then good things happen to you. And this is fortune favors the bold. And so you should be looking at how do I just do more things? Show up to more events?

But that's rare. Second level of luck is you're taking a bunch of action. You're just doing a bunch of shit and then good things happen to you. And this is fortune favors the bold. And so you should be looking at how do I just do more things? Show up to more events?

20:01

Make some introductions for people,

Make some introductions for people,

20:03

you know, just publish an analysis of something on the internet. And maybe somebody smart will read it and think, hey, this guy's awesome. I would love to meet him. You know, these are the things you do to create luck. Content is an amazing way to create luck. So if I was twenty five again, I would be creating content in not because I think I could create a big audience.

you know, just publish an analysis of something on the internet. And maybe somebody smart will read it and think, hey, this guy's awesome. I would love to meet him. You know, these are the things you do to create luck. Content is an amazing way to create luck. So if I was twenty five again, I would be creating content in not because I think I could create a big audience.

20:20

In fact, I almost think that would be a disservice if everybody's now listening to some twenty three year old, twenty five year old, got no experience or no track record of success. I'm not trying to present myself as a thought leader. What I would be trying to do is publishing my thoughts and which puts pressure on me to have good thoughts and go learn some shit.

In fact, I almost think that would be a disservice if everybody's now listening to some twenty three year old, twenty five year old, got no experience or no track record of success. I'm not trying to present myself as a thought leader. What I would be trying to do is publishing my thoughts and which puts pressure on me to have good thoughts and go learn some shit.

20:40

In order to hopefully have a small group of people who are interesting,

In order to hopefully have a small group of people who are interesting,

20:43

think that I'm interesting. And that increases my surface area for luck. So I'd be creating content on a regular basis, publishing my thoughts. I think, when my intern came on here, the episode called, you know, my intern,

think that I'm interesting. And that increases my surface area for luck. So I'd be creating content on a regular basis, publishing my thoughts. I think, when my intern came on here, the episode called, you know, my intern,

20:55

my eighteen year old intern became a millionaire,

my eighteen year old intern became a millionaire,

20:57

one of the reasons why is because

one of the reasons why is because

20:59

He said that he either he wrote it or his friend wrote an analysis about a stock.

He said that he either he wrote it or his friend wrote an analysis about a stock.

21:05

Why the stock was good? And, like, of course, you're eighteen years old. What do you really know about stocks? But it forced him to think why this could be a goodbye, and he published it, and then someone interesting followed him because of that. And then that became a lunch, and then that guy became his investor. And, like, all this series of events played out because he was putting his thoughts out there on on the internet. And I think that's just like a core thing I would be doing on a regular basis, but not to become popular

Why the stock was good? And, like, of course, you're eighteen years old. What do you really know about stocks? But it forced him to think why this could be a goodbye, and he published it, and then someone interesting followed him because of that. And then that became a lunch, and then that guy became his investor. And, like, all this series of events played out because he was putting his thoughts out there on on the internet. And I think that's just like a core thing I would be doing on a regular basis, but not to become popular

21:29

and not I always say you don't wanna be well known. You wanna be known well. So I would not be trying to be popular and get the biggest audience possible, I would be trying to put my original thoughts and most unique analysis

and not I always say you don't wanna be well known. You wanna be known well. So I would not be trying to be popular and get the biggest audience possible, I would be trying to put my original thoughts and most unique analysis

21:42

out there so that the right people find me, the people that I wanna be known well by. Because that's how new opportunities are gonna happen.

out there so that the right people find me, the people that I wanna be known well by. Because that's how new opportunities are gonna happen.

21:49

Okay.

Okay.

21:50

So let's say I've gone down this path. For me, that would be, I would start a company. Well, what company? It'd be any company where I feel like there's a, you know, a problem and a solution fit. For me now, that would be a service company. I didn't do this at the time. But with the benefit of hindsight,

So let's say I've gone down this path. For me, that would be, I would start a company. Well, what company? It'd be any company where I feel like there's a, you know, a problem and a solution fit. For me now, that would be a service company. I didn't do this at the time. But with the benefit of hindsight,

22:05

I would say cool. I would do some basic envelope math. I would say, well,

I would say cool. I would do some basic envelope math. I would say, well,

22:10

I wanna have

I wanna have

22:12

Can I have ten customers paying me ten thousand dollars a month?

Can I have ten customers paying me ten thousand dollars a month?

22:17

Ten customers.

Ten customers.

22:18

Now ten thousand dollars might sound crazy, but, like, for a business business to spend ten thousand dollars on things. But I would say, but that would be my benchmark. Ten customers paying me ten thousand dollars a month.

Now ten thousand dollars might sound crazy, but, like, for a business business to spend ten thousand dollars on things. But I would say, but that would be my benchmark. Ten customers paying me ten thousand dollars a month.

22:27

That's a hundred thousand dollars a month of income, which is

That's a hundred thousand dollars a month of income, which is

22:31

Fucking baller if you missed that part. So if you're doing a hundred k a month, you're doing one point two a year. You're doing the work mostly. So it's, you know, ninety percent profit margin. You hire one or two Shleps to work with you. And now, you know, your eighty five percent profit margin, you're making a million dollars to your profit. That would be my goal of what trying to get to. Now what type of service would I would I do? Well, I would work backwards

Fucking baller if you missed that part. So if you're doing a hundred k a month, you're doing one point two a year. You're doing the work mostly. So it's, you know, ninety percent profit margin. You hire one or two Shleps to work with you. And now, you know, your eighty five percent profit margin, you're making a million dollars to your profit. That would be my goal of what trying to get to. Now what type of service would I would I do? Well, I would work backwards

22:52

from what's a service that I think I could pull off that, doesn't I would not limit myself to my skills. So what I would do is I would go on Upwork or I would go on fiverr or I would go I would look at other agencies that are already existing. I'll try to figure out what is a agency or consulting service that

from what's a service that I think I could pull off that, doesn't I would not limit myself to my skills. So what I would do is I would go on Upwork or I would go on fiverr or I would go I would look at other agencies that are already existing. I'll try to figure out what is a agency or consulting service that

23:11

people are willing to pay ten k m one for on a retainer, like on a recurring basis,

people are willing to pay ten k m one for on a retainer, like on a recurring basis,

23:15

that

that

23:16

either I could do myself or I could hire people overseas,

either I could do myself or I could hire people overseas,

23:21

tort to do them. Right? Like, I I'm an investor in Shepard. You can go on Shepard. You can say, hey, I want web developers in LATAM that I pay a thousand, you know, I pay a thousand to two thousand dollars a month. And then you could create a web development agency, then you could go and, you know, what I would do is I would go and I would email everybody every real estate agent.

tort to do them. Right? Like, I I'm an investor in Shepard. You can go on Shepard. You can say, hey, I want web developers in LATAM that I pay a thousand, you know, I pay a thousand to two thousand dollars a month. And then you could create a web development agency, then you could go and, you know, what I would do is I would go and I would email everybody every real estate agent.

23:39

In my city, very easy contact information is fine. I would say, hey,

In my city, very easy contact information is fine. I would say, hey,

23:43

I was on your website. It doesn't look great, but,

I was on your website. It doesn't look great, but,

23:47

yo, hey, look at this example website, this other his website's awesome.

yo, hey, look at this example website, this other his website's awesome.

23:51

I make awesome websites like that. If you ever wanna want a website, like, I'm happy to to do it for you. Or, hey,

I make awesome websites like that. If you ever wanna want a website, like, I'm happy to to do it for you. Or, hey,

23:58

you know, that's probably a lower ticket item. That's probably, like, you know, five hundred dollars a month, and I'll do that for you. And you get way more people to do it. Or you go to a senior living facility. And you say, hey, guy who runs a senior living, a nursing home.

you know, that's probably a lower ticket item. That's probably, like, you know, five hundred dollars a month, and I'll do that for you. And you get way more people to do it. Or you go to a senior living facility. And you say, hey, guy who runs a senior living, a nursing home.

24:10

You know, if you ever met people who run nursing homes, they're not the best at marketing. They're usually, like, older people who are in the hospitality business, maybe the real estate business, and you'd say, hey,

You know, if you ever met people who run nursing homes, they're not the best at marketing. They're usually, like, older people who are in the hospitality business, maybe the real estate business, and you'd say, hey,

24:21

I'd love to sit down with you because I think I can help you fill your agency in your senior living facility, because I know that filling occupancy is directly translates to Chitching in their ears. And so occupancy rate goes up means more beds booked means more money for them. And I would say,

I'd love to sit down with you because I think I can help you fill your agency in your senior living facility, because I know that filling occupancy is directly translates to Chitching in their ears. And so occupancy rate goes up means more beds booked means more money for them. And I would say,

24:38

if I could bring you one new occupant per month, What would you be willing to pay me? They say, well, well, we make six thousand dollars a month off each person. So I would pay you the first month's rent. I pay six grand for every person you could bring in. He's fantastic. So I just gotta get you two people a month, and I'm making ten over ten grand a month off this one facility.

if I could bring you one new occupant per month, What would you be willing to pay me? They say, well, well, we make six thousand dollars a month off each person. So I would pay you the first month's rent. I pay six grand for every person you could bring in. He's fantastic. So I just gotta get you two people a month, and I'm making ten over ten grand a month off this one facility.

24:56

And then I would figure out how to great content or do cold calling or do lead gen or throw events or go to the hospitals and partner with people and figure out, hey, hospital

And then I would figure out how to great content or do cold calling or do lead gen or throw events or go to the hospitals and partner with people and figure out, hey, hospital

25:05

When you kick people out when they're still old and sick, but you don't keep them anymore, where do they go? And they're like, oh, we just all send them to this one facility. And I'm and I would say, Hey. How can I get you to send me those leads? Because,

When you kick people out when they're still old and sick, but you don't keep them anymore, where do they go? And they're like, oh, we just all send them to this one facility. And I'm and I would say, Hey. How can I get you to send me those leads? Because,

25:18

we have a great facility to take care of those people. And so I would I would go find an industry that needs help getting customers, and I would help them get customers, either through their website, through their Facebook ads, their marketing, whatever. And I don't need to be an expert because you know, what's it to to a blind man? The one eyed man is king. That's what I would go look for. I would go look for the blind man. I would go look for someone who's running a senior living facility is probably terrible at marketing. Probably doesn't know how to run a Google ad. And so if I just sit here for eight hours on YouTube, I'm pretty sure I can become

we have a great facility to take care of those people. And so I would I would go find an industry that needs help getting customers, and I would help them get customers, either through their website, through their Facebook ads, their marketing, whatever. And I don't need to be an expert because you know, what's it to to a blind man? The one eyed man is king. That's what I would go look for. I would go look for the blind man. I would go look for someone who's running a senior living facility is probably terrible at marketing. Probably doesn't know how to run a Google ad. And so if I just sit here for eight hours on YouTube, I'm pretty sure I can become

25:47

the smartest Google ad person in their life. That's what I would do. And so I would try to figure out a way to do this product a productized agency and try to get to that hundred k a month bar. And I'd be okay at the first month getting to one thousand a month, four thousand a month, ten thousand a month. But slowly but surely be be trying to build up to that to that level.

the smartest Google ad person in their life. That's what I would do. And so I would try to figure out a way to do this product a productized agency and try to get to that hundred k a month bar. And I'd be okay at the first month getting to one thousand a month, four thousand a month, ten thousand a month. But slowly but surely be be trying to build up to that to that level.

26:06

And the math I said earlier about ten customers paying ten k doesn't matter whether it's ten paying ten or it's twenty paying five or it's thirty paying three. I could do this all day, by the way. You are just trying to do math to get figure out how you get to a hundred thousand, dollars a month. Oh, okay. I need to be able to service, let's say, twenty five customers. Do I think I can find twenty five humans on earth that are willing to pay me four grand a month to help them get more customers? Yes.

And the math I said earlier about ten customers paying ten k doesn't matter whether it's ten paying ten or it's twenty paying five or it's thirty paying three. I could do this all day, by the way. You are just trying to do math to get figure out how you get to a hundred thousand, dollars a month. Oh, okay. I need to be able to service, let's say, twenty five customers. Do I think I can find twenty five humans on earth that are willing to pay me four grand a month to help them get more customers? Yes.

26:30

Alright? Like, that's what I would do.

Alright? Like, that's what I would do.

26:33

And then, by the way, I would take that agency. And as soon as I get it to a hundred k a month, I would go try to sell it because I'm doing, let's say, eight hundred to nine hundred k a year of profit.

And then, by the way, I would take that agency. And as soon as I get it to a hundred k a month, I would go try to sell it because I'm doing, let's say, eight hundred to nine hundred k a year of profit.

26:43

And I would go try to sell that for four times profit, and I'd have four million dollars. That's what I would try to do.

And I would go try to sell that for four times profit, and I'd have four million dollars. That's what I would try to do.

26:48

Alright. So now let's

Alright. So now let's

26:50

pretend I'm somewhere in the middle of that process.

pretend I'm somewhere in the middle of that process.

26:53

And I did a little bit of money. Here's a common mistake people make.

And I did a little bit of money. Here's a common mistake people make.

26:57

Get a little bit of money. You get ten twenty grand. You've been listening to podcasts from Shmucks like me, and you're like, oh, I think I should be investing,

Get a little bit of money. You get ten twenty grand. You've been listening to podcasts from Shmucks like me, and you're like, oh, I think I should be investing,

27:05

Angel investing, S and P five hundred bond. What's a bond? And you start trying to come up with some, like, financial strategy.

Angel investing, S and P five hundred bond. What's a bond? And you start trying to come up with some, like, financial strategy.

27:12

Complete waste of time.

Complete waste of time.

27:14

You don't wanna be making eight percent on eighty thousand dollars a year. It honestly doesn't matter if your goals are to be

You don't wanna be making eight percent on eighty thousand dollars a year. It honestly doesn't matter if your goals are to be

27:22

multi millionaire, a successful person who's gonna do big things in their life. Of course, if to you, eight thousand dollars is like the jackpot, then do that. But Most people listen to this podcast that is titled my first million are not gonna be happy at that level. They're trying to be in, you know, the seven figure eight, figure nine figure club. And so

multi millionaire, a successful person who's gonna do big things in their life. Of course, if to you, eight thousand dollars is like the jackpot, then do that. But Most people listen to this podcast that is titled my first million are not gonna be happy at that level. They're trying to be in, you know, the seven figure eight, figure nine figure club. And so

27:40

how do you get there? You'd get there by not wasting time and energy on the wrong things. The wrong thing would be you have a very small principal amount of money, and you're going trying to earn a you're going to try to beat the market and earn a twelve percent or a fifteen percent annual return on forty two thousand dollars. It just simply doesn't matter. So the advice the good advice you'll hear about this is,

how do you get there? You'd get there by not wasting time and energy on the wrong things. The wrong thing would be you have a very small principal amount of money, and you're going trying to earn a you're going to try to beat the market and earn a twelve percent or a fifteen percent annual return on forty two thousand dollars. It just simply doesn't matter. So the advice the good advice you'll hear about this is,

27:59

well,

well,

28:01

you should invest in yourself.

you should invest in yourself.

28:03

I suppose people hear that, like, yeah, you're right. I should invest in myself.

I suppose people hear that, like, yeah, you're right. I should invest in myself.

28:07

I know they're like, where do I put the money? Where the fuck does the money go? How do you invest in yourself? What do you do?

I know they're like, where do I put the money? Where the fuck does the money go? How do you invest in yourself? What do you do?

28:12

And most of them have no idea what you actually do. And so here's what to me, investing in yourself means. Let's break it into three categories. Category one, buying back your time. So the first investment you wanna make in yourself is to get your creative energy back. So

And most of them have no idea what you actually do. And so here's what to me, investing in yourself means. Let's break it into three categories. Category one, buying back your time. So the first investment you wanna make in yourself is to get your creative energy back. So

28:27

When you're doing life, you're unfortunately forced to do a bunch of life bullshit, and life bullshit sucks away your creative forces.

When you're doing life, you're unfortunately forced to do a bunch of life bullshit, and life bullshit sucks away your creative forces.

28:35

Life bullshit is running an errand doing a return, having to go,

Life bullshit is running an errand doing a return, having to go,

28:40

you know, take the bus to the airport because you can't afford a Uber ride, whatever. The very first thing you could do is you're gonna identify any area of your life where you are leaking creative energy, spending time on something that you, a, don't enjoy, and b doesn't make you money.

you know, take the bus to the airport because you can't afford a Uber ride, whatever. The very first thing you could do is you're gonna identify any area of your life where you are leaking creative energy, spending time on something that you, a, don't enjoy, and b doesn't make you money.

28:53

You're gonna buy that back. So you're gonna be a twenty four year old with a housekeeper, and people are gonna think you're spoiled. You're gonna be the twenty seven year old who doesn't return the blender that doesn't work. Because it's not worth your time to go to the store and drop it off. You are going to buy back your time. You're gonna hire an assistant overseas for eight hundred dollars a month using Shepard promo code Sean in order to, buy back your time and not have to deal with tedious back and forth of scheduling or whatever it is. If you're doing a productized service, you're gonna hire a designer so that you don't have to do the design work anymore. So you're gonna buy back your time. That's category one. Of how you actually

You're gonna buy that back. So you're gonna be a twenty four year old with a housekeeper, and people are gonna think you're spoiled. You're gonna be the twenty seven year old who doesn't return the blender that doesn't work. Because it's not worth your time to go to the store and drop it off. You are going to buy back your time. You're gonna hire an assistant overseas for eight hundred dollars a month using Shepard promo code Sean in order to, buy back your time and not have to deal with tedious back and forth of scheduling or whatever it is. If you're doing a productized service, you're gonna hire a designer so that you don't have to do the design work anymore. So you're gonna buy back your time. That's category one. Of how you actually

29:30

literally invest in yourself.

literally invest in yourself.

29:32

Category two, how do you invest in yourself? You invest in

Category two, how do you invest in yourself? You invest in

29:36

The knowledge, as Titleup has likes to say. And the knowledge is, of course, books. You give yourself an unlimited book budget, but you go beyond that. You're gonna buy your way into a, you know, any conference or group or member members club where you know that people who are where you wanna be hang out. And you're gonna get around them more often because proximity is power. And the more time you spend around people who are the way you wanna be, the more you will automatically

The knowledge, as Titleup has likes to say. And the knowledge is, of course, books. You give yourself an unlimited book budget, but you go beyond that. You're gonna buy your way into a, you know, any conference or group or member members club where you know that people who are where you wanna be hang out. And you're gonna get around them more often because proximity is power. And the more time you spend around people who are the way you wanna be, the more you will automatically

30:01

through osmosis

through osmosis

30:02

become like them.

become like them.

30:04

The third one

The third one

30:05

is, so you you've bought back your time, You've bought your way in to being around proximity around other people that you want. Sometimes that's moving to a better location, just conferences, it's membership clubs, it's masterminds, whatever.

is, so you you've bought back your time, You've bought your way in to being around proximity around other people that you want. Sometimes that's moving to a better location, just conferences, it's membership clubs, it's masterminds, whatever.

30:18

Three is invest in yourself,

Three is invest in yourself,

30:21

by leaving money on the table.

by leaving money on the table.

30:24

Oh, shit. What is he talking about? That sounds smart. That's some That's some

Oh, shit. What is he talking about? That sounds smart. That's some That's some

30:29

uno reverse card bullshit. Right? What how do you invest in yourself by leaving money on the table? You invest in yourself by saying no to clients that are gonna waste your time. You invest in yourself by taking a lower paying job with a bad ass person.

uno reverse card bullshit. Right? What how do you invest in yourself by leaving money on the table? You invest in yourself by saying no to clients that are gonna waste your time. You invest in yourself by taking a lower paying job with a bad ass person.

30:42

Right? Let's say I take twenty five k less to go work for a bad ass person, which, by the way, I did.

Right? Let's say I take twenty five k less to go work for a bad ass person, which, by the way, I did.

30:48

I took a multi million dollar pay cut in our acquisition.

I took a multi million dollar pay cut in our acquisition.

30:52

Because in one, I was gonna get to work with the CEO. And in the other, I was gonna be three layers below the CEO.

Because in one, I was gonna get to work with the CEO. And in the other, I was gonna be three layers below the CEO.

30:59

And so I just decided I'd rather be around smarter people

And so I just decided I'd rather be around smarter people

31:02

and, you know, optimize for that. And so I

and, you know, optimize for that. And so I

31:07

believe that what you should do is you should take pay cuts to put yourself in great opportunities

believe that what you should do is you should take pay cuts to put yourself in great opportunities

31:11

are around amazing people or working with amazing people.

are around amazing people or working with amazing people.

31:14

You maybe you take a little less equity. Maybe you take a little bit less salary,

You maybe you take a little less equity. Maybe you take a little bit less salary,

31:19

in order to be with the right people. And so that's the that's the last way you invest in yourself because you say, Yeah. I left that twenty five k on the table, but I also invested that in being in a better opportunity for myself, which is gonna lead to good things down the road. Alright.

in order to be with the right people. And so that's the that's the last way you invest in yourself because you say, Yeah. I left that twenty five k on the table, but I also invested that in being in a better opportunity for myself, which is gonna lead to good things down the road. Alright.

31:33

Let's move to the next next questions. We got a couple left here. So

Let's move to the next next questions. We got a couple left here. So

31:38

this idea of do I try to make a bunch of money first or do I do something mission oriented?

this idea of do I try to make a bunch of money first or do I do something mission oriented?

31:43

Which is the Justin Mayor's quote.

Which is the Justin Mayor's quote.

31:46

First get your nut, then do something noble.

First get your nut, then do something noble.

31:50

I believe this is true. This is the life version of put your oxygen mask on you before you put it on your kids. Right? Like, you see it here on an airplane. So I think there was a certain threshold

I believe this is true. This is the life version of put your oxygen mask on you before you put it on your kids. Right? Like, you see it here on an airplane. So I think there was a certain threshold

32:01

of success,

of success,

32:02

which is you've built skills. You know how to build shit. You know how to sell it. Right? You know how to figure out a product and you know how to market it. So you gotta build that core skill set. It doesn't really matter whether you're selling, you know,

which is you've built skills. You know how to build shit. You know how to sell it. Right? You know how to figure out a product and you know how to market it. So you gotta build that core skill set. It doesn't really matter whether you're selling, you know,

32:14

you know, these cans or you're selling

you know, these cans or you're selling

32:17

life changing, you know, pharmaceuticals.

life changing, you know, pharmaceuticals.

32:20

It's kinda the same thing. You need to build a core skill set first. Don't don't worry about the product in that meantime.

It's kinda the same thing. You need to build a core skill set first. Don't don't worry about the product in that meantime.

32:25

The second thing is gonna be,

The second thing is gonna be,

32:28

you need enough money, enough runway

you need enough money, enough runway

32:30

to chase a noble mission. So, like, if you go ahead and chase a noble mission, you don't know where the rent comes from every month.

to chase a noble mission. So, like, if you go ahead and chase a noble mission, you don't know where the rent comes from every month.

32:37

You were gonna lower your odds of success pretty dramatically

You were gonna lower your odds of success pretty dramatically

32:40

just because you didn't give yourself runway to go do something bold and audacious and ambitious.

just because you didn't give yourself runway to go do something bold and audacious and ambitious.

32:45

Of course, don't fall into the trap of

Of course, don't fall into the trap of

32:48

perpetually waiting the next year. Maybe next year, I'll have enough time, money, experience, to go do the thing I really wanna do. I believe you should always go do the thing you really wanna do. I don't think the thing you really wanna do has to be a noble

perpetually waiting the next year. Maybe next year, I'll have enough time, money, experience, to go do the thing I really wanna do. I believe you should always go do the thing you really wanna do. I don't think the thing you really wanna do has to be a noble

33:01

world changing mission,

world changing mission,

33:03

especially at the beginning. And so I wouldn't put that pressure on myself.

especially at the beginning. And so I wouldn't put that pressure on myself.

33:06

So to summarize,

So to summarize,

33:08

my answer,

my answer,

33:09

on what I would do. If I was young,

on what I would do. If I was young,

33:12

broke, starting from scratch again in twenty twenty four,

broke, starting from scratch again in twenty twenty four,

33:16

I would break my career up into three phases,

I would break my career up into three phases,

33:18

the learn earned legacy.

the learn earned legacy.

33:20

I would,

I would,

33:22

spend my learn phase dabbling, trying to find the thing that I really love to do that I'm uniquely good at. So it's that zone of genius, the thing the market wants, that you're good at, that you enjoy doing.

spend my learn phase dabbling, trying to find the thing that I really love to do that I'm uniquely good at. So it's that zone of genius, the thing the market wants, that you're good at, that you enjoy doing.

33:34

The bear on the unicycle, and you you try to find that thing I would take advantages of my edges. I would identify my edge, and I would take advantage of the edges of losers,

The bear on the unicycle, and you you try to find that thing I would take advantages of my edges. I would identify my edge, and I would take advantage of the edges of losers,

33:43

during that time.

during that time.

33:45

I would optimize around getting around the smartest and most ambitious people I can find. I would do the actual work the a plus problem. I would create luck I would not worry about investing. I would only invest in myself along the way, and that is

I would optimize around getting around the smartest and most ambitious people I can find. I would do the actual work the a plus problem. I would create luck I would not worry about investing. I would only invest in myself along the way, and that is

33:58

as I get a phone call, that is my answer. Of what I would do if I was starting over from scratch.

as I get a phone call, that is my answer. Of what I would do if I was starting over from scratch.

34:10

Yeah. So I guess I just start a marketing agency.

Yeah. So I guess I just start a marketing agency.

Sync with video