Make a difference

How To Launch Your Business in Just 48 Hours: Insights from Noah Kagan

Another video summary that I found very relevant. I find Matt Gray’s messaging very relevant and this was powerful.

These are some timeless tips of wisdom shared by Noah Kagan, a business mogul who’s been rocking the entrepreneurial world for over a decade. If you’re dreaming of starting your own venture, here’s what you need to know:

Keep grinding, no matter what. Ever heard of perseverance paying off? Noah’s a living example. He’s been pushing out content and connecting with his audience consistently for 15 years. Take it from him: success isn’t overnight. It’s about showing up, day after day.
From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Guess what? You don’t need to be a tech whiz or a Silicon Valley insider to make it big. Noah’s met all kinds of people, from ice cream sellers to customer support stars, who’ve turned their ordinary skills into extraordinary businesses. Start where you are with what you have.
Fear is Just a Four-Letter Word: Most of us are scared of starting because we think we need that ‘perfect idea.’ But here’s the kicker: There is no perfect idea. It’s more about solving everyday problems and just getting started. Turn your daily annoyances into your next business venture.
Leverage the Digital Goldmine: We’re living in the golden age of entrepreneurship. With tools like social media, email marketing services, and payment processors, you can kickstart your business with practically no cash upfront. The world is your oyster – all you need is an internet connection.
Embrace the Ups and Downs: Noah shares his personal lows, like getting fired and facing rejection. But here’s the thing: those setbacks can be the start of something new and exciting. It’s all about perspective. Remember, every successful entrepreneur has faced their share of challenges.
Turn ‘No’ Into Your Fuel: Rejection isn’t the end – it’s just the beginning. Use it as fuel to propel you forward. Noah’s journey teaches us that a string of no’s can eventually lead to a yes. Keep pushing, keep experimenting, and never lose sight of your dreams.

So, what’s stopping you? Take a leaf out of Noah Kagan’s book (literally and figuratively) and start your own business journey this weekend. Remember, the only real failure is not starting at all. Let’s turn those dreams into reality!

Mar.21

13 lessons from Alex Hormozi

Posted by Haja in Motivation, Personal Branding

I am reading Alex’s book $100M Offers, which has been a very different but exhilarating read. I should have read this 20 years ago (but he wasn’t around then) :).

Here are the 13 life lessons from the transcript:

Humility and Learning: The value of assuming you’re less knowledgeable than others to foster learning and better decision-making. The narrator emphasizes the importance of listening over speaking to gain insights and avoid embarrassment.
Earning Self-Respect: Understanding that the hardest respect to earn is one’s own and that changing personal behavior is key to altering public perception and gaining respect from others.
Controlling Narrative for Effective Communication: The lesson that if you want people to understand and convey what your business does, you need to provide them with clear and simple language to describe it effectively.
Quality over Quantity in Learning: The importance of deeply understanding a few significant texts rather than superficially reading many. The narrator suggests that re-reading valuable books can lead to a deeper understanding and implementation of their lessons.
The Importance of Goodwill: Realizing that goodwill compounds faster than money and that cultivating positive relationships and sentiments can have significant long-term benefits.
The Power of Persistence: Recognizing that committing to a single course of action over a long period can lead to mastery and success, and that this commitment is more crucial than the nature of the action itself.
Excellence over Speed: The insight that doing things well is more important than doing them quickly, and that great work requires significantly more effort than merely good work.
Negotiation and Long-Term Relationships: Learning the importance of negotiation and maintaining good relationships for long-term benefits, rather than focusing on short-term gains.
Humility and Contribution to the Community: Understanding that humility involves serving others and contributing to the community, which in turn, enhances one’s own status and fulfillment.
Personal Accountability and Progress: The realization that focusing on one’s own actions and progress, rather than external opinions and criticisms, leads to genuine self-improvement and satisfaction.
Cycle of Failure and Success: Acknowledging the inevitable cycle of failure, learning, and success, and striving to minimize complacency to continuously learn and succeed.
Shedding False Realities for Entrepreneurship: The process of discarding false beliefs and perceptions to see the world more clearly, which is crucial for entrepreneurial success and personal growth.
Value of Focused Investment: The lesson that investing time, effort, and resources into genuinely understanding and applying a few key concepts or skills is far more valuable than spreading oneself too thin across many areas

Feb.28

You did not come so far to play small. Living an Asymmetric Life!

Posted by Haja in Attitude, Personal Branding, Think Big

Graham Weaver is founder and managing partner of Alpine Investors, a people-driven private equity firm that invests in software and services businesses. With over 20 years of experience in private equity, Graham founded Alpine based on the belief that exceptional people create exceptional businesses, a PeopleFirst philosophy that guides the firm’s choices today. When he’s not inspiring growth at Alpine, Graham teaches a top-rated strategic management course at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business (GSB).

This message stood out for me.

You did not come so far to play small. You came this far to move the world. Now is the time; now is your time.

4 key elements of leading an Asymmetric life:

Do hard things
Do your thing
Do it for decades
Write your story

And overcome fear-

“The four things that we talked about are ways that you can tangibly and tactically throughout your lives look fear in the eye and say to fear, not today, today I’m going to play big, today I’m going to play this asymmetric life. Now is the time to do hard things. There’s something that you fear right now, that’s exactly where you should go. You should be doing that thing.”

Every single point will make a difference. Take the time to listen to this. And then start practicing this.

You did not come so far to play small! You came this far to move the world. Now is your time!

Jan.10

When was the last time you did something original?

Posted by Haja in Attitude, Innovation, Personal Branding

The way the world is operating now, it’s easy to fall into routines and habits that stifle our creativity and originality—just to maintain the status quo. The number of people who are worried about their jobs does the last thing they should at these times: stay safe and avoid anything original.

Really, think about it. When was the last time you did something truly original—something that made you stand out or brought a fresh perspective to your life? If it’s been a while, it might be time to reignite that spark of creativity within you, drawing inspiration from Adam Grant’s insightful book, “Originals.”

This book is a celebration of those who dare to do things differently. It highlights the importance of originality in driving progress and innovation. Originals are the individuals who break free from the constraints of convention, pushing boundaries and reshaping our world in the process. They show us that doing something original isn’t just about being different; it’s about making a meaningful impact.

Three Suggestions to Rediscover Your Originality, inspired by “Originals”:

Step Out of Your Comfort Zone: One of the recurring themes in “Originals” is the concept of stepping out of your comfort zone. To truly innovate and bring original ideas to life, we must be willing to take risks. We often stick to what we know because it feels safe and comfortable, but we should build the muscle to explore the unknown. Try something new, whether it’s a hobby, a cuisine, or a social event. Embrace the discomfort of the unfamiliar, as it can lead to incredible personal growth and originality.
Embrace failure as a learning opportunity. There is no shame in failure. No one really cares. We cannot underscore the importance of embracing failure as a stepping stone to success. The fear of failure can paralyze us and prevent us from trying new things. Failure is not the end, but a valuable learning experience. Every misstep is a chance to refine your approach and grow more resilient. Don’t let the fear of making mistakes hold you back from pursuing your original ideas.
Seek Inspiration from Unusual Sources: To reignite your originality, step outside your usual bubble. Read books outside your typical genre, engage in conversations with people from diverse backgrounds, or explore different cultures and their traditions. Exposure to new ideas and perspectives can ignite your creativity and inspire you to think in original ways. Talk to people you think are non-conformists!

Take a leap of faith. Step out of your comfort zone, embrace the possibility of failure, and seek inspiration from the world around you. You might be surprised at the incredible and unique contributions you can make to your own life and to the world.

Remember George Bernard Shaw’s words:

Here is to a great 2024—where you really step out and do something original! Tell me more.

Jan.08

Starting 2024 – The Man in the arena

Posted by Haja in Attitude, Leadership, Motivation

In 1910, Theodore Roosevelt delivered a powerful message in his speech “Citizenship in a Republic” at the Sorbonne in Paris. This speech contains the famous passage known as “The Man in the Arena.”

Roosevelt’s words echo through time, inspiring countless individuals to embrace the value of courage and effort over mere criticism.

Personally, I find this quote profoundly moving. It serves as a reminder that true achievement lies in the endeavor, not in the mere judgment of others. It champions the doer, the one who faces challenges head-on, acknowledging that it is better to strive and fail than never to have tried at all.

Roosevelt’s insight celebrates the human spirit’s resilience and the bravery of those who dare to make a difference, despite the odds. This quote resonates with me deeply, as it underscores the importance of action, perseverance, and the courage to face adversity – virtues that are as relevant today as they were over a century ago.

Jan.01