From Mediocrity to Mastery: 7 Lessons Learned

In the past decade, I have:

• Went from lazy, momma's boy to strong, high-achieving father

• Overcame my addictions to media and social anxiety.

• Added over $70k to my income.

This transformation has taught me lessons about what's important in life.

I've learned that some of the things I used to stress over just aren't worth it.

The things I used to take for granted are now my top priorities.

It's like the universe hit me with a huge wake-up call, and I'm grateful for it.

Today, you get to learn from 20+ years of experience in less than 5 minutes.

These are my new 7 rules for life:

1. Negativity is the Biggest Motivator

We don't get in shape because we somehow realized the benefits of exercise and good nutrition.

This is common sense but this doesn't get us to stick to a plan, does it?

We do it when we discover a health problem, go through a breakup, or prepare for an event that we'd hate to lose.

As a teenager, my idols were the jacked sayians from Dragon Ball Z.

Sure it was a cool idea to work out to try to get my body chiseled and ripped like them but did I do it because of that?

No.

It wasn't until I experienced a break up my freshman year of college that led me to pack on 35 lbs of muscle in a few years.

Use pain as a driver for your goals.

It's not the end of the world, it's an opportunity to multiply your drive for that goal you've been putting off forever.

2. You Can't Out-Think Bad Habits

Willpower is a short, weak fuse.

Why do you think you have such a hard time quitting?

Everyone has some form of addiction:

• Junk Food

• Social Media

• Video games

• Gambling

• Porn

Our minds are wired for novelty and pleasure.

Why not use that to your advantage?

Human psychology is built on systems.

We act (long-term) with the least amount of effort to get what we want.

Design your life in a way that requires less energy but more impact.

Your desired outcome.

If you want to:

• Quit junk food → remove it from your house.

• Reduce scrolling → turn your screen grayscale.

• Get away from video games → put them in the attic.

• Increase income → invest money in the stock market or real estate.

• Destroy the porn addiction → go out, network, start a business, and train your body.

3. Don't Follow Your Passions...Yet

Newport makes a great point in his book.

Passion won't pay the bills.

Nothing is worse than chasing passion only to burn out. Most people lack resources and act on inspired emotion.

In 2017, I went to university for an exercise science degree and a career as a fitness entrepreneur because of my passion for bodybuilding.

Who doesn't want to be a YouTube Influencer?!

2 years later, I ended up burnt out because I pursued "passion."

I should've focused on the skills associated with running a business:

• sales

• marketing

• public speaking

• and copywriting.

Newport says, "If you want to love what you do, abandon the passion mindset (what can the world offer me?) and instead adopt the craftsman mindset (what can I offer the world?).

Gain skills first to earn a high income

Get a grip on your lifestyle

Then pursue passions

Let it develop as you become far above average at the necessary skills.

4. Everyone is Self-Interested

The only unconditional love you will ever receive is from your mother

If you're lucky.

People treat you differently when you have something clear to offer.

It's human nature.

Use it to your advantage.

Don't ask for something upfront.

Lead with value and you will get more than you imagined.

5. Luck Rewards Action and Patience

Success depends on your ability to delay pleasure and embrace difficulty.

There are 2 types of people.

• Pleasure seekers

• Purpose seekers

Okay, I know. We all do a bit of both.

But notice the qualities of multi-millionaires, high-status social media influencers, and even humble minimalists living off grid.

They are able to:

• Make deliberate decisions

• Limit distractions

• Delay pleasure

Control your attention, control your life.

6. Your Beliefs Shape Reality

This is the most powerful rule.

Belief is everything.

Your subconscious mind is always eavesdropping on your self-talk.

The environment you spend the most time in has an influence on you.

Attitude is the driver.

Notice how some people are either completely miserable or endlessly cheerful?

Now, look at the top 5 people you spend the most time with.

Are they Smiling Sallys?

Or Debbie Downers?

Be conscious of who and where you spend your time.

It could be the factor that makes or breaks your potential success.

7. Forgive, Forget, and Forge

Forgive your parents

Then forget everything you've learned from them.

I mean if you care about personal development, spend your life unlearning bad habits.

Then rebuild productive ones.

Some people never escape their childhood though.

The sad reality is that some grow in age but not in mindset.

Keep your sense of curiosity

But don't be the 40-year-old that still relies on mom.

I think you get the point.

Hope this gave you some perspective!

Let me know what rules I missed.

Which one was your favorite? Feel free to reply!

TL;DR

My 7 Rules for Life

1. Negativity is Biggest Motivator

2. You Can't Out-Think Bad Habits

3. Don't Follow Your Passions...Yet

4. Everyone is Self-Interested

5. Luck Rewards Action & Patience

6. Your Beliefs Shape Reality

7. Forgive, Forget, & Forge

As always if you got value out of this, let me know with a reply or DM on Twitter!

How else can I help you?

Want clarity on your personal or professional systems? Book a free strategy call with me!

Or check out any of the valuable resources I use below!

See you next time!

Resources:

Communities:

• Modern Mastery: Join a like-minded group of individuals committed to self-mastery, building an online business, and gaining financial freedom.

• Dad’s Online Business Toolbox: Join a community of men who are building families, online businesses, and legacies. Free modules are added every month!

Content Mastery:

• Speechify: Emails, articles, ebooks, and more are read to you at up to 4.5x speed. ($60 off link).

• 2-Hour Writer: Learn a marketable skill writing 1-2 hours per day that translates to a promotion, a business, or bringing clarity to your overactive mind.

• Content OS: Set up a content creation machine to systemize your weekly workflow.

• Hypefury: Schedule unlimited tweets and save your ideas in a clean dashboard while saving 4 hours per week.