Ivy Lee Method The Ivy Lee method is over 100 years old. It’s simple. And it works. In 1918, a well-known productivity expert, Ivy Lee, was hired by a steel company CEO to increase their output. Lee was highly respected and got right to the point. He asked for just 15 minutes with each of […]
Writing π
Micro Challenge (7-Day Improvements)
After waking up at 6:30am for 30+ days I formed my favorite new habit. Early mornings are an amazing way to start the day. But then I wanted MORE. The 30-day challenge was great. But I thought, how can I do more of this AND in less time? (Sound crazy? Just wait.) I also thought, […]
How To Wake Up Early
Iβve tried TONS of hacks to consistently wake up early without hitting snooze. Multiple “Wake-Up Light” alarm clocks, phone apps, even keto chocolate ball rewards for getting out of bed… After optimizing for habit loops (cue, response, reward) β I thought I cracked the code: CUE: alarm goes off RESPONSE: get out of bed, walk […]
The Human Connection Muscle
For years I was waiting to “find” my passion. Twiddling my thumbs, just waiting for it to magically appear… It turns out, that’s not how it works. Not even close. We don’t FIND our passions, we must DEVELOP them (see Don’t Follow Your Passion). We go out in the real world and get our hands […]
Progress, Not Perfection
Each quarter end, I have a calendar event to remind me to recap the quarter. Nothing too crazy. Just a quick check-in to take inventory. How did the last quarter go? How does my current trajectory align with where I want to go? What are my top priorities for next quarter? If I’m really in […]
6 Travel Hacks For Better Trips
It’s the night before your trip and you just finished laundry. After stuffing your clothes into the suitcase, you set 4 alarms and collapse into bed for a few hours before the flight. “How did this happen… again!?” You think to yourself. Sound familiar? This was me countless times before trips. I desperately needed a […]
Curiosity Conversations β Featuring Brian Grazer
15 years before meeting Eminem… Brian Grazer met Wu-Tangβs Olβ Dirty Bastard (ODB). Brian heard ODB on the radio and just wanted to meet him. So he did. That connection eventually led Brian to create the movie American Gangster, the Made in American concert with Jay Z, and years later 8 Mile after a strange […]
A New City
I moved to Austin in July of 2018. I knew a few people, but not a ton. Probably around 10. But I quickly planted deep roots in a brand new city. In reality, anyone can do this in their current city without moving. Here are a few of my examples so you can get ideas […]
Rethinking “Default” Options
Americans now check their phones 96 times a day. That means once every 10 minutes we pick up our phones! π€― (Had to do the quick math on that because I didnβt believe it…But it checks out. Wow.) Check your iPhone settings to see your own daily averages. Letβs say we have 16 waking hours […]
“Marathon Mindset” β Optimizing Your Daily Focus
Planning and executing are two different things. T projects