jerred

Elevating Daily Life: The Power of a Two-Question Daily Report

As someone passionate about life optimization and personal growth, I’ve explored various strategies to enhance my daily life. Today, I’m excited to share a simple yet powerful tool that has significantly impacted my approach to personal and professional development: a two-question daily report. This method isn’t just about making incremental improvements; it’s about profoundly understanding and steering your life’s course daily.

The Genesis of My Daily Report

Life optimization isn’t a destination; it’s a continuous journey that unfolds each day. Like many, I’ve experimented with different productivity and wellness techniques, from tracking macros in my diet to journaling. However, the simplicity and direct impact of rating my day have made the most significant difference.

Every evening at 8:00 PM, I receive a text message linking to a Google Form—a routine that has become a cornerstone of my daily reflection. This form prompts me to rate my day on a scale of 1 to 5, both personally and professionally, and offers an optional space for a brief journal entry to contextualize the rating.

How It Works

1. Rating the Day: Each evening, I assess my day:
   • Professionally, did I achieve my goals? Was I productive and effective?
   • Personally, was I present and engaged with those around me?
2. Journal Entries: This optional component allows me to jot down key events or feelings that influenced my rating. It’s not about detailed recounting but capturing essence—what made today a success or a challenge?

The Impact of Regular Self-Assessment

This practice facilitates immediate feedback loops, enabling me to adjust behaviors and strategies swiftly, rather than allowing less effective patterns to settle into habits. By rating each day, I gain insights into what works and what doesn’t, making it easier to replicate successful days and learn from less successful ones.

Technical Setup: Making It Effortless

For those curious about the technical side, setting up this system is straightforward:

• Google Forms for creating the survey.
• Zapier to automate the daily text message reminder.

This setup ensures I never miss a reflection, maintaining consistency in my life optimization efforts.

Standards of Rating: Maintaining Stringency

In rating my days, I am stringent:

A ‘5’ is reserved for nearly perfect days—rare, but insightful, helping me understand what constitutes an exceptional day.

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

A ‘1’ indicates a day with significant shortcomings, prompting immediate reflection and adjustment.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• [00:00:30] Introduction to life optimization
• [00:01:30] The significance of daily self-assessment
• [00:02:30] Implementing the two-question daily report
• [00:03:30] Explanation of the rating system
• [00:04:30] Journal entries and their importance
• [00:05:30] Daily reflection and its impact on life optimization
• [00:06:30] Technical setup using Google Forms and Zapier
• [00:07:30] Standards of rating: what each score represents
• [00:08:30] Invitation to adopt the two-question daily report

When I first dipped my toes into entrepreneurship, I was skeptical of the claims I heard online about making more money online. Stories of people pulling in $60,000 or $100,000 in a month seemed like pure fantasy. Coming from a mindset constrained by traditional salaries, these figures didn’t just seem unlikely—they seemed impossible. However, my journey has taught me just how achievable these numbers can be if you approach them with the right strategies.

The Concept of Wealth Inversions

One transformative approach I’ve developed is what I call “wealth inversions.” This strategy is particularly resonant for those who have transitioned from a salaried position to entrepreneurship but holds value for lifelong entrepreneurs as well.

1. The First Inversion: Achieving your former annual salary as your new monthly income.
   • Strategy: Hard work and persistence are your tools here. It’s about matching and then surpassing your old income through consistent effort.
2. The Monthly Inversion: Earning in one month what you used to in a year.
   • Strategy: This requires innovation—developing a product or service that isn’t wholly dependent on your time. Think scalability and potentially leveraging other talent.
3. The Weekly Inversion: Where things get really exciting—earning your old annual salary in just one week.
   • Strategy: Master the art of the launch. Create anticipation and hype for a product, leading to significant sales in a very short period.

Why Hard Work Isn’t Enough

While hard work is the bedrock of any successful venture, the tactical application of your efforts dictates the magnitude of your success, especially when aiming to make more money online. Transitioning from hard work to strategic planning involves developing a deep understanding of market needs, crafting scalable business models, and becoming adept at launching new initiatives effectively.

The Infinite Game of Business Growth

Remember, entrepreneurship is an infinite game where the rules are continually evolving. The strategies that worked yesterday might not hold tomorrow, and as such, staying adaptive, learning continuously, and applying new knowledge is crucial.

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

• [00:00:30] Introduction to the concept of dramatically increasing income.
• [00:01:00] Personal skepticism turned belief in high income potential.
• [00:02:00] Exploring the first wealth inversion: equating old annual salary with new monthly earnings.
• [00:03:00] Delving into the monthly inversion: earning yearly salary on a monthly basis.
• [00:04:00] The pinnacle of wealth inversions—achieving yearly earnings in just one week.
• [00:05:00] Strategic insights on scaling business beyond personal effort.
• [00:06:00] Mastering the launch: key to explosive weekly earnings.
• [00:07:00] Conclusion and encouragement to embrace strategic wealth building.

Understanding the Spectrum of Employee Types in Hiring Employees

When we talk about hiring employees and building a team, there’s a common notion that we should be chasing after ‘A players’ exclusively. But let’s be honest, finding and retaining such high-caliber talent is not only challenging but can also be exceedingly expensive. It’s crucial to recognize that a successful team is not made by ‘A players’ alone.

1. D Players: The Clear Outs Starting from the bottom, D players are those who lack drive, follow-through, and a trainable attitude. They’re the ones who don’t seem to learn from their mistakes and exhibit minimal commitment. If you’ve ended up with a D player, chances are, there was a misstep in your hiring process. My advice? They need to be let go immediately to make room for more motivated individuals.

2. C Players: The Time Savers Moving up, C players can be seen as time savers. They might not bring innovative ideas to the table, but they do what’s asked of them efficiently, freeing up your time to focus on growth-driving activities. While they might not push your business forward on their own, their role in handling operational tasks is undeniable.

3. B Players: The Reliable Backbone B players, however, are the backbone of most companies. They are reliable, look ahead to avoid foreseeable issues, and contribute positively without needing constant oversight. They balance their work and life effectively, bringing a level of stability to your team that fosters steady growth.

4. A Players: The Game Changers At the top are the A players, who are not only highly skilled but also immensely driven. They constantly seek new challenges and opportunities to excel. Managing A players means continuously providing them with opportunities to grow, or you risk them seeking greener pastures.

The Realistic Composition of a Team

In reality, a balanced team with a mix of A, B, and C players can be far more sustainable and effective than a team solely composed of A players. Each member plays a critical role, from executing day-to-day tasks to driving strategic initiatives. It’s about aligning their strengths with your business needs and understanding the dynamics of hiring employees to achieve this balance.

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

• [00:00:30] Introduction to the importance of team composition.
• [00:01:30] Breaking down the categories of employees from D to A players.
• [00:02:00] Discussing the implications of having D players on the team and the necessary actions.
• [00:03:00] The role of C players in saving time and supporting business operations.
• [00:04:00] The value B players bring with their reliability and foresight.
• [00:05:00] Characteristics of A players and the challenges of keeping them motivated.
• [00:06:00] Conclusion on the necessity of a diverse team for sustainable business growth.

The Never-Ending Game of Business Motivation

Motivation in business isn’t just about financial success or reaching a comfortable lifestyle. For many entrepreneurs, including myself, it’s about the continual challenge—the game itself. Business is an infinite game where the goal is not to win but to keep playing and improving. Simon Sinek’s concept of the infinite game resonates deeply with me; it’s about sustaining your ability to operate and thrive in business indefinitely.

The Quest for Personal Mastery

Beyond the mechanics of business, my drive is deeply personal. A favorite quote of mine posits that hell on earth is meeting the person you could have been. This notion haunts me; it’s about constantly striving to close the gap between who I am and the best version of myself I can imagine. Entrepreneurship, with all its challenges and opportunities for growth, provides a fertile ground for this personal evolution.

Why Keep Going?

If you’ve ever wondered why some entrepreneurs keep pushing despite having enough wealth to retire comfortably, it’s often about more than just money or success. For me, it’s about the game and the growth. Even if I could rearrange my life to never work another day, the truth is, I enjoy the process too much to stop.

I’m driven by the desire to see how far I can go and how much I can grow. Each day presents a new challenge, and each obstacle is an opportunity to learn and improve. This mindset keeps me motivated to pursue more ambitious goals and continue playing the game.

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

• [00:00:30] Introduction to the podcast and today’s theme about ongoing motivation.
• [00:01:30] Exploration of why success isn’t the end of the road and why we continue striving for more.
• [00:02:30] Discussion on the infinite game of business and why it’s about continuous play, not winning.
• [00:04:00] Reflection on personal motivation and the fear of not reaching potential.
• [00:06:30] Rethinking motivation beyond financial goals—what really drives us?
• [00:07:30] Conclusion: Understanding your ‘why’ is crucial for sustained motivation and engagement in business.

Why Deep Learning Matters in Entrepreneurship

In the entrepreneurial world, knowledge isn’t just power—it’s a survival toolkit. When I ventured into online business, a mentor challenged me to go deep, not wide, in my entrepreneurial education. This meant picking a book, like Chris Guillebeau’s “The $100 Startup” back in the day, and literally using it as a field manual. I marked it up, created action plans, and implemented the strategies step-by-step. This wasn’t casual reading; it was an intense study session aimed at real-world application.

This approach turned the daunting task of launching a business into a manageable series of actions. It wasn’t about skimming through volumes of content but mastering the essential ones that directly impacted my goals.

The Darker Side of Shallow Learning

Today’s fast-paced, digital world often rewards breadth over depth. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram encourage us to consume content at a breakneck pace, but only at a surface level. This approach might keep us informed, but it rarely makes us knowledgeable. To truly excel and outperform our competition, we must resist this trend and commit to mastering the skills that matter most to our entrepreneurial journey.

Adopting a Student Mentality in Business

Imagine approaching your professional education as rigorously as academic exams. Select one or two key books or courses each year and study them as if there was a test at the end—because, in reality, the test is the execution of these ideas in the real world. This method of learning not only enhances retention but ensures you can apply these insights effectively in real-life scenarios, thereby significantly improving your business operations and strategies.

Practical Steps to Deep Learning

1. Choose Your Resources Wisely: Pick books or courses that are highly relevant to your current business challenges or growth opportunities.
2. Engage Actively: Don’t just read or listen. Take extensive notes, make flashcards, highlight key points, and even teach the material to someone else to solidify your understanding.
3. Implement Relentlessly: Apply what you learn immediately. Theoretical knowledge gains value only when it’s put into practice.

Embrace the Depth: The journey of entrepreneurship is relentless, and so must be our approach to learning. By going deep, not wide, we set ourselves up not just to compete but to lead and innovate.

For those looking to delve deeper and transform their entrepreneurial journey through education, remember: it’s about quality, not quantity. Choose your educational battles wisely and commit fully to mastering them.

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

[00:00:30] Introduction to the importance of deep learning in entrepreneurship.

[00:01:30] Discussion on the impact of intensive learning from real examples.

[00:02:30] Analysis of the pitfalls of shallow learning through modern media.

[00:04:00] Strategies for adopting a rigorous study approach in business.

[00:06:00] Conclusion and encouragement for entrepreneurs to engage deeply with educational materials.