Lottery Mindset

Why are we so attracted to the idea of a shortcut, a hack, or a hot tip?

The human brain defaults to preserving bandwidth, so anytime it can avoid pain or seek pleasure...it will. Doing hard things requires us to disagree with our hardwiring and burn mental calories to solve, create, and connect.

Going the extra mile and having a good work ethic isn’t natural. Money generally follows smart effort.

5.6 Billion was spent on Lotto tickets last year and the state pocketed 1.4 Billion. It seems like a tax for people who want a quick fix to their financial situation.

Ever notice what happens to the short cutters who win big?

Pro Tip: Don’t search for the “hack”...it’s mostly fools gold.

Y2K

The nation was on edge. The popularized web was less than a decade old. Most computers weren't programmed with 1/1/2000 as a date.

What did it mean?

Would Wall Street glitch? Would we lose power for an hour? A week? What was going to meltdown?

How do we prepare?

Do you ever think about survival? Imagine all things electronic frying at once. No cars, phones, or lights. What do you stock up on?

Maybe that’s the wrong question.

The world would instantly become a barter system. What assets do you have? What would be valuable that you can specialize in?

Maybe you don’t really need to “stock up.” Instead of hoarding spam, you might think about what value you can add to the masses. The resources between your ears can help you stay alive.

Survival of the fittest is helpful only when a bear is chasing you and you’re slightly faster than your friend.

News Flash

Don’t spend time listening to the major news sources.

Your time is far too valuable. You likely have trusted friends who will condense it into bite-sized data points so you don’t have to wade through what “they” deem newsworthy.

Ask yourself...what is the currency of news?

The answer: Outrage

They sell the ads to the highest bidder. Outrage can hold your attention and your attention is being sold. Sports commentators work the same way.

Say inflammatory things and watch the fans take the bait. Don’t let “them” distract you from making your mark.

No Problem

No Problem

When someone sends good vibes your way, don’t bounce.

Pause, and allow the vibe to transact. Deflecting a thank you with a “no problem” flattens the vibe.

“You’re welcome” opens the gate, it says “I heard you” and “I needed that.”

Look Outside

Look Outside.

Gratitude disrupts sadness.

Tricking yourself by acting happy when you’re sad is just a trick.

Asking yourself “Who can I be thankful for?” lights the fuse to consider the answer. Over time it will re-frame the internal narrative.

Gratitude tends to dissolve depression. Circumstances are worth noting but noticing “awesome” in people is more useful.

Pro Tip: Let them know…

1k/Year

Get 1000 hours of "deep work" done every year.  

Deep work is new, durable, and perhaps eliminates a pocket of toil.

It’s truly creative work that improves the world around you.

No deep creative work includes maintenance or reaction. The deep work is where your rare abilities are living.

Go make your mark!

No

Say “no” to almost everything unless you are just getting started.

Create the margin to say yes so resentment doesn’t build against the things you should’ve said “no” to.

If it’s not Hell YES...then it’s “no”

This way...when a cool thing comes up, there is no pause.

Solve In Your Sleep

Make the first hour of the day about output only.

The previous day, your conscious mind was filled with endless problems to solve. If you slept well the night before, your unconscious mind was solving.

Journal these solutions first thing...before you respond to anything.

Responding is a THIEF.

Your creative value to the world is too important to get lost in the shadows of response.Give yourself 60 minutes.

Pro Tip: Try writing yourself a question on a post-it before you get in bed.

Let the solving begin!