48 Comments

Tim, regarding the distribution of my ideas: I'm part of a small group on Medium where we collaborate to grow together. One writer noted how you and Ayo "strategically" mentioned each other in your stories. We do the same now.

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Ayo and share each other's stuff but it's not forced. We just share similar views and it happened naturally.

How do you share stories with other writers on medium? In a group chat?

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I understand it's natural - it's hard to imagine you'd do that against your will :)

Yes, we have a group chat and do Zoom calls once a month to share our observations and growth strategies.

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So cool. Do you just comment on each other's stuff on Medium? Or do you tweet each other's posts or share them with your email list?

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We tweet, mention each other in our stories, share powerful words, try to re-write each other's headlines and turn them into new stories. Lots of ideas for new stories are born in regular conversations, like "How do you manage to write a story a day?" So the guy composed and published a story that explained his writing process.

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Are there any criteria to be in the group? What app do you run the group in?

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No, there're no criteria. We used to read each other's stories on Medium (we all want to grow as writers + we all write about personal finance) and then started the group. It's on WhatsApp, nothing fancy.

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This was an excellent read. Thank you.

I definitely think the extreme focus and belief is an important factor. People think I'm delusional when I'm talking about my passions. So I guess that's a win right!

Thanks again!

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Sounds like you're on to something Heather.

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It’s the delusion that keeps me going when everything else seems to be going against it. Never plain sailing but you MUST believe that what you’re doing has legs. Or else what’s the point? Just my outlook and I’m sure others have a different opinion on it but it’s served me well so far. Hopefully helps someone else here!

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Heather, what are you doing in life that you think has legs?

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Currently building an online health programme that looks to help people move from pain to performance. I’m a Physiotherapist and just felt the in person clinic model had a big gap that hopefully this helps to bridge a bit. See how it goes!

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Love the idea Heather. Testing it can't hurt.

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Thanks Tim! That's the attitude I'm going with. I'm sure there will be mistakes along the way but might as well give it a go. Hope your week is going well!

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Great insights, Tim! I'm intrigued by the idea of 'extreme focus.' In a world full of distractions, how do you maintain this level of focus consistently? What in particular have you found that works for you? I get the apple notes list, but more on a day to day basis it would be cool to hear what you do

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Cheers Zan. I have notifications turned off. My phone is out of sight most of the time. I have no social media on my phone. I play white noise to block distractions from other rooms. I read a lot. I have a decked out office with armchair that's relaxing and helps me think deeply. I walk and spend a lot of time in nature.

Does that help? Anything I missed?

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I like the new voiceover feature. I don't usually listen to articles when the AI reads them.

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Me too Toby. It's my voice so I hope people like the feature. Trying to make this Substack more personal. Did you get that vibe when you listened to my audio?

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I think it makes it more personal. It's a good feature.

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Excellent post. Resonated with the incentives insight!

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Cheers Niall. Anything else stand out?

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The idea of growing your social leverage. This is an area I need to master given my goals. Any further insight you could share?

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Don’t get me started on what politicians do 😂 They are not going to save us , only we can. The world would change immediately if we all took responsibility and lived consciously 💗

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The politicians won't save us but they do try. Have to give them some credit lol

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"Some people think I’m a serial killer. The level of intensity and seriousness I operate at is so wild that you might believe I was planning a murder instead of building a life." This made me laugh so much but you make a brilliant point!

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Cheers Anna. I wish. could be more funny but I'm quite dry.

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Thank you, what a great read to start my day!

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Cheers Corey. What part did you like the best?

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#1 - focus

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Great advice for life , my favourite was “love discomfort “ its all about growth. We are being conditioned to feel entitled to an easy life, but life is hard and always has been. Thank You

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Life will never be easy. Politicians push this message so they can get elected.

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I freaking love this. Restacked and saving for regular reading. You continue to rock awesome truth Tim.

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Jeanette that means a lot to me. Which part resonated the most with you?

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Obsess. It gave me a different outlook. Powerful description of what I need to do in order to succeed. I have limited time so if I obsess I’m sure I will make time. Flipped a switch for me.

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Love it Jeanette. It flipped a switch for me too about a year ago.

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I always love the reminder of "Choose your hard".

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This is a great one.

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Me too Ryan.

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I choose challenging activities because growing and learning lights me up. I don’t have any frogs to eat because I love everything I do. I don’t niche down. Yet I have gained some paid subscribers this week. I am obsessed with creating energy saving habits and achieving more than one goal. Tim’s way suits him. My way suits me. You have to find what suits you.

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Congrats on the paid subscribers! And even more importantly, finding what you love and doing it.

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Interesting post. I'm on my 2nd read. You mention Medium, LinkedIn, and Twitter incentives that drives behavior. What are Substack's incentives? Do you mind sharing your thoughts? I'm just starting a newsletter for a nonprofit I support. I find it hard to believe Substack would totally be ok with focusing on Donations (Donate button through PayPal) only when they get paid by subscriptions. That's just one reason I'd love to know your thoughts on Substack incentives.

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I’m different from you. I love goals. I love habits. I don’t want to make other people happy to get my financial freedom. I do what lights me up and I have growing financial freedom.

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"Wanting life to be easy is the hardest way to live." Le sigh. Thank you for the reminder.

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Another great read with tons of food for thought. 💭

Hard and uncomfortable are a fact of life and avoiding hard or uncomfortable things leads to avoiding life. It’s a waste. Yet so many people do just that! I used to be one of them, no more though.

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"Where focus goes, energy flows." So true

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