Better Human - Jan 23, 2020
Focus is everything, Understanding Power, Bitcoin for dummies, and the value of coaching
Fellow Human,
I spent more time on the sections below than normal because the topics deserved them.
I have nothing more to say here.
I hope you find one or more ideas below you can use to become a Better Human!
-Colin (I’m now on Twitter. Join me)
“Two Core Abilities for Thriving in the New Economy 1. The ability to quickly master hard things. 2. The ability to produce at an elite level, in terms of both quality and speed.”
― Cal Newport, Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
Something I Improved This Week
Focus and Deep Work
Focus is a skill that requires never-ending dedication.
Your focus constantly slips in our modern information-overloaded world.
Deep Work is a habit, ideally a daily habit. (Read Deep Work.)
I’ve been juggling a few projects lately.
The only way to make progress on each is to compartmentalize my focus on them.
When I’m in my deep work state—which I am now as I write this—I’m making a simple deep work agenda list of what I will work on for the 2-3 hours. Then I set a timer for each item. Then I close all tabs, windows, phone, etc., so I can give each item on that list my 100% focused attention
The thing about deep work and the flow state is it takes a while to get into the frame of mind where your creativity muscle and focus muscles are totally engaged. This could take 20-30 minutes or more depending on your skill getting to this place.
The more focused work you do, the faster you can get to this state.
If you rarely spend time in this state, it could take you hours to completely channel your focus into one task at a time. (The constantly distracted focus-switching state that many modern humans are in is a big block to doing great work and being successful and happy in general.)
Something I Enjoyed This Week
Writing articles and turning them into a short course
I’ve been creating skillshare courses for a few months now. I’m now making around ~$300 a month from views.
I record these classes in one studio session. This is how I do it:
Create an outline on a specific title/topic/keyword
Get in the studio and record 1 long video where I cover each point
Export footage edit down to 8-12 clips - title each clip
Upload each to Skillshare and fill out the course details
Export this footage as a full video for YouTube and as individual clips to add to an article on my site: Colin.coach
Here are two articles/courses I made this week:
Each article follows a SEO-and-scroll-friendly list format. But instead of a straight article, I upgrade the content by adding short clips to most of the bullets.
This will increase the value to readers and the perceived seo-value to Google.
A few things to keep in mind here:
I’ve been recording and editing videos for 2 years now. I have my process down pat.
I’ve been reading, studying, learning, and leveling up for 15+ years now as an adult, which has given me the ability to go into the studio and intelligently riff on most subjects.
That being said, I highly recommend you start creating content if you are at all interested in doing so. It is a rewarding and personally developing effort of time. You can also help people become better. That’s amazing.
What I recommend you start with is a daily short 3-5 min video using your phone. Turn it sideways (landscape mode) and then look at the camera and talk about something that’s interesting to you. Do this every day.
Then upload these to YouTube and social media, or don’t. Whatever. Do it for the leveling up.
Something I've Been Thinking About
Coaching humans
I’ve had a limiting mindset of coaching for years.
I now realize how limiting that was.
I always figured I could figure things out myself and that I didn’t need a coach to tell me things I either already knew or could quickly figure out.
But that’s the fallacy—a coach is not there to give you information.
A good coach is there to help you see through your blind spots, help you think differently, and challenge you when you’re being stubborn and myopic.
So I’m looking into coaching for myself while also taking on a few coaching clients because it will be fun to help others get to that next level.
Reply to this email if you have any interest in working together to get to that next level in your habits, business, health, mindset, etc.
Something Worth Listening to
I recommend every human buy Bitcoin and hold it.
It doesn’t matter if you only have $100 to spend, a little is better than none.
Then watch as you are apart of the revolution that is taking place.
Bitcoin is one of humankind’s greatest inventions. Those that currently understand this are taking advantage and will benefit tremendously in the years to come.
Finally, even if you consider it a purely speculative gamble, there is no greater risk-to-reward ratio in the world today. To not own some is mathematically negligent.
The key is to buy and not sell. So ignore the daily price swings or the news or whatever. Buy and hold for a minimum of 5 years. Thank me then.
*This is not investment or financial advice. This is what I tell my friends and family. I currently have 25% of my net worth in BTC.
Something Worth Knowing
Understand power
Power's primary goal is more power.
After that, it’s all about protecting power.
Remember this the next time you listen to anyone in a position of power.
If you're actually interested, watch what they do and ignore everything they say. (That’s actually a good policy with people in general.)
A Big Idea
Replace useless habits with useful ones
If you want to know your future, look at how you spend your days.
How often are you focused on what you are doing and consciously taking actions to improve?
How often are you distracted, anxious, and bouncing from this to that?
Do you know? Have you tracked this?
Or are you like most and you are constantly bouncing around in response to your environment with little awareness of where your time is going?
Take your TV watching and cut it in half. Then add in a walking routine, a reading routine, an exercise routine, a spending time with loved ones routine.
Do the same for your social media use.
Are you commuting and listening to useless content on the way? Download some audiobooks and podcasts.
The more distracted useless habits you can reduce and replace with better activities, the faster you will level up and achieve your goals.
Podcasts
The Dangers of Grocery Store Foods with Eugene Trufkin
You might think those foods at your local grocery store are ok since they have an “organic” label on them. Think again…
Belief Bias: The Dangers of Believing Your Own Beliefs
If you can avoid your own tendency to bias, you have a huge advantage for living a successful life.
YouTube
The Success Formula For Accomplishing Anything
There is one foundational formula for success. This is it. Why is no one talking about this?
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Resouces
100 free access slots to my new course on Skillshare: How To Live a Simple Life and Why You Should
Who am I again? I’m a CEO, Investor, Entrepreneur, Father, Podcaster, Thinker, Obsessed with Building Better Humans. Bio page
Thank you for reading… it means a lot to me…
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