Notes on Getting Unstuck: 8 Steps for the Ambitious but Lazy

Step 1: Realize You're Unclear, Not Stuck

  • Laziness is often a lack of clarity.
  • A confused mind cannot make progress.
  • To gain clarity:
    • Dump everything on your mind onto paper.
    • Batch similar tasks together (e.g., phone calls, copywriting, errands).
    • Sequence tasks by priority (1, 2, 3, 4).
    • Delete anything that isn't a "hell yes."

Step 2: Upgrade Your Identity

  • Habits become part of your identity when done consistently.
  • Reverse the common order: Be the person you want to be, then do the work, then you will have the desired outcome.
  • First be the desired identity (e.g., athlete, disciplined person).
  • Then do the work that aligns with that identity.
  • Then you'll have the things you want (fitness, money, relationships).
  • Speak your identity out loud.
  • Protect your identity.

Step 3: Change Your Environment

  • Your environment greatly influences your ability to change.
  • Change the environment instead of relying solely on positive thinking.
  • Three environments to master:
    • Physical Environment:
      • Your surroundings (kitchen, pantry, desk).
      • Remove temptations and add supportive elements (timer for work, gym clothes laid out).
      • It's easier to avoid the dragon than to slay it
    • Relationship Environment:
      • Friends, family, and virtual mentors (books, YouTube channels, podcasts).
      • Curate your social media feed and podcast subscriptions.
      • Other people can only meet you as deeply as they've met themselves.
      • Allow people to go on their own journey.
    • Internal Environment:
      • Thoughts, focus, and spiritual connection.
      • Practice gratitude, reframe thoughts positively, and have a spiritual practice to feel grounded.

Step 4: Protect Your Energy

  • Energy is directly proportionate to your success.
  • Belt buckles and bank accounts: keep the belt buckle down and the bank account up
  • Fitness and energy levels are directly tied to net worth.
  • Three energy boosters:
    • Prioritize the pump (exercise):
      • Exhaust the body, tame the mind.
      • Work out before important tasks.
    • Measure your macros (nutrition):
      • Know your protein, carbs, and fat intake for your goals.
    • Take recovery seriously (sleep):
      • Prioritize sleep to integrate the benefits of training.
      • Have an alarm for going to bed, not waking up.

Step 5: Build Momentum with Easy Wins

  • Starting is the hardest part.
  • Planes burn the most fuel on takeoff.
  • Winners don't have bad days; they have bad moments. Reset after a bad moment instead of letting it turn into a bad day or weekend.
  • Three hacks to build momentum:
    • Build a streak (at least seven days in a row).
    • Tell other people what you're after (share your dreams).
    • Get good at saying no (remove things to create space for growth).

Step 6: Raise the Stakes

  • People will do more to avoid pain than to gain something.
  • No stakes, no rewards, no results.
  • Amplify the concept with rewards and stakes:
    • Rewards:
      • Use mini-rewards along the way.
      • Involve family by making the reward something they want (vacation, time with them).
    • Stakes:
      • Put money on the line (donate to a charity you hate).
      • Put your pride on the line (make a public declaration).

Step 7: Monetize Your Procrastination

  • Create a scenario where you get paid for procrastinating.
  • When you're doing work you love, it's hard to feel stuck.
  • Four ways to create value and get paid to procrastinate:
    • Build a skill set (something other people value—selling, graphic design, AI automation).
    • Build a product (software, doghouses—something you want to create).
    • Build your knowledge (read and consume to teach other people).
    • Build an audience (share what you've learned, even your struggles).
    • The new oil is attention.

Step 8: Take Messy Action

  • Make a decision and then make it right.
  • When you don't know what to do next:
    • MINS: Most Important Next Step.
    • If you are not embarrassed by the first attempt then you've waited too long.
    • JFDI: Just Freaking Do It.
  • Every person is here to become the best version of themselves and share that with the world.
  • There's always someone two steps behind you who needs your help.