The Art of Small Work: Why Tiny Actions Can Yield Huge Results

I have a confession to make: I’m obsessed with the concept of “small work.” It’s a philosophy that’s driven my life and businesses for years, and it’s something I’m passionate about sharing with others.

So, here’s the deal: Everyone should do at least 50 pushups every single day. I know it might sound a little crazy at first, but hear me out. It’s not about the pushups themselves – it’s about what they represent, which is the power of consistent, tiny actions that compound to become something huge.

The Domino Effect and Small Work

You see, I’m a big believer in something called the Domino Effect. If you’re not familiar, essentially, it’s the idea that one tiny action can set off a massive chain reaction.

Scientists have proven that a tiny domino can topple a domino 50% larger. Now let’s scale that up a bit. Starting with a two-inch domino, by the 57th domino, the momentum would be enough to knock over something taller than the distance between Earth and the moon.

That’s how momentum works. Health and fitness are deeper than just the physical gains we see. That’s why I believe in doing small work – building mini-habits – because those small wins build exponentially into huge momentum.

How to Implement Small Work

So, how do we put this concept into action? Here are my recommendations:

• Start with pushups: Do some every single day. It doesn’t matter if you only do 10 or if you nail 100. Doing pushups consistently sets a positive tone for your day. It’s a small but powerful way to develop a mindset focused on achievement.
• Break big goals into small tasks: Want to write a book? Start by writing just 100 words a day. That’s the beauty of small work – you’re always making progress even if you don’t see the immediate end result.

The art of small work is all about rewiring your brain to focus on progress, not perfection. If you implement small work consistently, you will achieve extraordinary things.

Remember: there will only not be a tomorrow one time in your entire life. Until then. Try harder.

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Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• 00:30: Intro
• 01:00: Why Jerred recommends 50 daily pushups
• 02:00: The art of small work
• 02:30: The Domino Effect explained
• 03:30: How to implement small work
• 04:00: Using pushups to build a strong mindset
• 05:00: Breaking big goals into tiny steps
• 06:30: Closing thoughts and call to action

How to Build a Personal Brand: A Transparent Journey

I’m Jerred Moon, host of the Better Human Business podcast, and I’m on a mission to build my personal brand. After years of success in digital business, I’m realizing the value of having a strong personal brand, and I’m going to document the entire process. Think of this as a behind-the-scenes look at building a brand – the successes, the failures, and everything in between.

Why I’m Building a Personal Brand

I see a personal brand as a “fire” in the business world. It helps with:

• Launching new ventures: You already have a warm audience
• Building trust: People do business with those they know and like
• Expanding your influence: Turn your expertise into opportunities

While I’m not looking for mega-celebrity status, I want some level of brand recognition to support future projects and expand my impact.

Where I’m Starting: Lessons Learned (and Assets Ignored)

I’m mostly starting from scratch, even though I have many valuable assets:

• A decade and a half in digital business
• Over 100,000 collected email addresses (which I WON’T initially use)
• Experience in advertising

I want this to be fully transparent, allowing anyone interested to learn alongside me. It’s about applying proven knowledge to a new challenge.

How to Build a Personal Band Step One: Building an Email List

I think email is still king for building lasting relationships, more so than social media. Here’s what I’m doing:

1. Go to the simple landing page at https://jerred.com and subscribe to the newsletter.
2. Join the referral program: Get a custom referral link after subscribing. One confirmed referral earns you a super cool “Try Harder” sticker.

My Strategy on How to Build a Personal Brand

• Focus on Value: My Try Harder Thursday newsletter is going to be packed with insights on business growth and personal development. I’m aiming to make it highly valuable.
• Incentives: Referrals grow audiences. Who doesn’t love awesome stickers?
• My Tools: I’m using ConvertKit for email service and Spark Loop for the referral system. Let me know if you want to follow this exact path, as I’ll share specifics.

My Goal: 1,000 Subscribers (and Beyond)

The focus is squarely on hitting that 1,000 subscriber mark before expanding to social media. I know turning listeners into subscribers is hard, but I believe strong content can bridge that gap.

Want to follow along?

• Subscribe at https://jerred.com
• Keep an eye on this blog for updates
• Listen to the “Better Human Business” podcast – links below

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• 00:00:00 Introduction, why this journey matters
• 00:01:11 My past hesitation about building a personal brand
• 00:02:00 What I see as the power of a personal brand
• 00:03:46 My plan to share the ENTIRE process
• 00:04:54 My “start from scratch” approach
• 00:06:15 How I’ll begin building my brand & what you can expect
• 00:07:12 Why you’ll want to read the Try Harder newsletter
• 00:09:16 Referral program explained & “Try Harder” stickers!
• 00:10:40 My strategy for step one
• 00:11:47 Subscribe, refer, and let’s build together!

What is optimal performance?

We’re all seeking ways to do more, be more, and live our best lives. To get those results, we need consistent energy, focus, and drive. But optimal performance, the ability to consistently function at 80-85% of our full capacity, is a tricky goal. It’s more about sustained effort than unsustainable bursts of peak performance. So how do we make it happen?

In this podcast episode, I explore exactly that. I discuss the struggles with inconsistent performance that many entrepreneurs experience, and I share the hard-won strategies I’ve found to maintain peak focus and energy all day long.

Key Strategies for Optimal Performance:

• Prioritize Sleep: Getting at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night is essential for both mental and physical performance. It’s non-negotiable. Read books like Why We Sleep to fully understand the value of rest.
• Hydration Matters: Drink half your body weight in ounces of water daily to support cognitive function. Adding electrolytes can help, especially during times of increased physical activity.
• Know Your Body: Blood Sugar Management Pay attention to your energy levels during the two hours following meals. Notice any major swings that could be caused by a carbohydrate heavy meal. Aim for 20-40 grams of protein in each meal to balance your blood sugar.
• Fitness That Supports Your Life: Aim for consistent daily workouts without overdoing it. The aim is to use fitness to enhance your energy levels, not deplete them.
• The Power of Deep Work: Block out distraction-free time for laser-focused work. Even an hour or two a day can significantly increase focus, productivity, and overall mental energy.

Making It Sustainable

It takes time and effort to transform these strategies into lasting habits. Start slowly. If you don’t have any of these practices in place yet, don’t try to tackle them all at once. Choose one, make it a habit, then move on to the next. Your consistency will pay off big time!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

(00:00) Introduction – Jerred discusses the importance of improving oneself to grow a business that makes a positive impact on humanity.

(00:21) Achieving Optimal Performance (OP) – Jerred sets the stage for the discussion on achieving OP in work and life.

(00:54) Defining Optimal Performance – The distinction between optimal and peak performance is explained, emphasizing sustainability in performance levels.

(01:55) Maintaining OP – Strategies for consistently operating at 80-85% capacity, avoiding the fluctuation of performance levels.

(02:38) Personal Struggles and Solutions – Jerred shares his experiences with energy and motivation fluctuations, and how he addressed them.

(03:54) Keys to OP – Sleep, hydration, and nutrition strategies that Jerred has found effective in maintaining his performance.

(06:51) Fitness and Deep Work – How fitness routines and deep work sessions contribute to sustaining optimal performance.

(11:23) Building Habits for Performance – Encouragement to focus on building habits that support optimal performance, with a call to action for listeners to try harder in developing these habits.

In the relentless pursuit of personal and professional growth, understanding How to Deal with Stress & Anxiety becomes crucial. Through the lens of a compelling personal story, I’ve come to recognize the profound impact of preparedness and perspective on our ability to handle life’s challenges.

Story Time: How to Deal with Stress & Anxiety

Flashback to my freshman year in college, my aspirations were clear: I was destined for the military. This wasn’t just a casual decision; it was embedded in my identity. My brother and I, having grown up in what I’d call a “military family,” were no strangers to discipline and dedication. This background laid the groundwork for a pivotal experience during my time in ROTC—a test of calm under pressure that would shape my approach to future challenges.

During a gathering that took an unexpected turn, I found myself facing a potentially dangerous situation. Tasked with disassembling and reassembling a 9mm pistol under the watchful eye of two inebriated special operators, one of whom pointed a Desert Eagle at my head, the stakes were unimaginably high. Yet, the pressure I felt was not from the looming threat but from the task at hand—a task I was unexpectedly prepared for. My countless hours of practice had equipped me with the confidence to perform under pressure, turning a high-stress situation into a manageable challenge.

This incident contrasts sharply with my early days as an entrepreneur, where the pressure of generating sufficient income for my family without a clear action plan led to overwhelming stress and anxiety. The difference? Preparation and perspective. Knowing exactly what to do in one situation and groping in the dark in another taught me a valuable lesson: the significance of understanding our challenges and having a clear plan of action.

How to Deal with Stress & Anxiety

To navigate the pressures of life and business, we must first recognize the nature of our stress. Is it born from a lack of knowledge or a lack of preparation? Identifying this gap is the first step toward overcoming it. Whether it’s seeking mentorship, reflecting on past challenges to gain perspective, or simply taking one step at a time, the key lies in our ability to prepare and adapt.

As we face the pressures of building a better business and becoming better humans, let’s remind ourselves: it’s not about eliminating stress but learning to manage it through preparation, perspective, and perseverance. Let’s commit to trying harder, not just in anticipation of the challenges ahead but in our continuous journey of growth and improvement.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

• [00:00:00] Introduction to the concept of better human business and the importance of continual self-improvement in business scaling and personal growth.
• [00:00:21] Encouragement to subscribe and share if enjoying the content; introduction to the episode’s focus on handling stress, pressure, and anxiety.
• [00:01:00] Jerred shares a personal story from his freshman year of college related to his military aspirations and an intense experience during ROTC.
• [00:02:21] Explanation of military fraternities within ROTC and Jerred’s experience pledging, leading to a high-pressure situation involving firearms.
• [00:03:18] Details of a potentially dangerous situation involving alcohol, firearms, and the pressure to disassemble and reassemble a 9mm pistol under duress.
• [00:05:00] Reflection on the lack of stress felt during the situation due to preparedness and practice.
• [00:07:00] Contrast with the stress of early entrepreneurship and the realization of financial pressures, highlighting the difference between knowing what to do and feeling lost.
• [00:08:21] Discussion on the importance of perspective in handling stress and the role of experience in managing challenges.
• [00:10:00] Three strategies for dealing with pressure and stress: seeking help through coaching or mentorship, gaining perspective through reflection, and recognizing the nature of stress to identify missing knowledge or actions.
• [00:13:15] Encouragement to actively address stress and pressure by identifying and filling knowledge gaps, taking one step at a time, and the importance of trying harder to overcome challenges.
• [00:14:00] Closing thoughts on acknowledging and addressing stress and anxiety through action and effort.