by TheThinkingGuy | Apr 23, 2025 | Uncategorized
Ever feel like you know what you need to do, you want to do it, but somehow… it just doesn’t happen? We’ve all been there. Maybe you start the week super motivated, listing all the amazing things you’ll accomplish, only to find yourself scrambling (or giving up) by Friday.
Sometimes life throws us curveballs – maybe a late night leaves you feeling sluggish, or distractions pile up. On those days, willpower alone often isn’t enough. That’s when having a system becomes your secret weapon. Recently, I was reminded just how much seemingly small choices (like having a few drinks the night before) can impact effectiveness. It highlighted the need for something more robust than just hoping for peak performance every day.
I shared a simple-yet-powerful system a buddy and I devised – we call it the Level Up System. He loved it, and it got me thinking: this is too good not to share! It’s basically a to-do list with real stakes.
Ready to Play? Here’s How the Level Up System Works:
This system turns your weekly goals into a game with built-in accountability and consequences. It’s designed to be simple, adaptable, and incredibly effective.
- The Weekly Cycle: The game runs in weekly sprints, starting fresh every Monday morning (e.g., 8:00 AM) and ending the following Monday just before it restarts (e.g., 7:59 AM).
- Declare Your Quests (Tasks): At the start of the week (or whenever you decide), add the specific tasks you commit to completing to your list. Be ambitious, be realistic – it’s your game.
- Skin in the Game (Cost per Task): For every task you add to the list, you immediately put a small amount of money (e.g., $10, $5, whatever feels real but not prohibitive) into a pot. This money goes to your Accountability Partner at the end of the week as a thank-you for their time checking on you. It makes you think twice about adding frivolous tasks!
- The Penalty Box (Incomplete Tasks): Here’s the kicker. For any task on your list that you don’t complete by the weekly deadline, you face a more significant penalty (e.g., $50, $100 – choose an amount that stings enough to motivate you). This penalty amount also goes into a separate pot or is paid out as agreed.
- The Deposit (Commitment): To join the game, you put down a deposit (e.g., $200, $500). This stays yours unless you decide to quit the game entirely. Quitting has a cost – you forfeit your deposit. This mirrors life; giving up on commitments often has consequences, we’re just making it explicit.
- Minimum Engagement: You must commit to at least one task per week to stay active. If you have a week where you genuinely need a break and add zero tasks, a smaller penalty (e.g., $50) might be deducted from your deposit. Life happens, breaks are needed, but consistency is encouraged. (Or hey, just add “Do 20 push-ups” – anything is better than nothing!)
- The Accountability Partner: You NEED a trusted partner. This person’s job is simply to verify if you completed your tasks. They don’t have to play the game themselves (though it’s more fun if they do!). They get the “cost per task” fees as compensation for their effort.
- Proof of Completion: You must provide clear evidence that you completed each task to your partner’s satisfaction. No cheating!
- The Core Idea: It’s your to-do list, supercharged with real stakes.
Why This Crazy System Actually Works
It sounds intense, but it tackles procrastination head-on by leveraging powerful psychological triggers:
- Loss Aversion: We hate losing money more than we enjoy gaining it. The penalties make inaction painful.
- Commitment & Consistency: Putting money down makes your commitment tangible.
- Accountability: Knowing someone else is checking up on you is a powerful motivator.
- Partner Incentive: Your partner has a reason to stay engaged and hold you accountable.
- Perceived Value: You only put tasks on the list that you genuinely believe are worth more to you than the potential costs involved.
Imagine the Impact…
Think about it. Even if you only used this system to complete one important thing you’ve been putting off each week – reading that book chapter, making that difficult call, finishing that report, doing that workout – that’s 52 significant accomplishments in a year! 52 times you followed through on your intentions. Can you imagine the momentum? The transformation?
This isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about building integrity with yourself, proving you can do what you say you’ll do, and systematically achieving your goals.
So, who’s ready to level up? Find a partner, set your stakes, and let the games begin!
Download the Level-up system PDF
by TheThinkingGuy | Apr 21, 2025 | Uncategorized
Let’s be real: some days you wake up feeling like a superhero, ready to conquer the world at lightning speed. Other days… not so much. Maybe it was the late-night beers, maybe just not enough sleep, but you feel slow. Your brain feels fuzzy, focus is hard to find, and the idea of being “fast” feels laughable.
I had one of those days today. Definitely not operating at peak performance. But here’s the interesting part: despite feeling slow, I stuck to my action checklist. I used that “start for 1 minute, keep going for 5 minutes” trick. And you know what? Things still got done. And I actually started feeling better.
Your System Works (Even When You Don’t Feel Like It)
This was a lightbulb moment. It proved that relying on a system, like an action checklist, is way more reliable than waiting for peak state or motivation to strike. Even when my energy was low and my mind wasn’t sharp, just following the steps created progress. The system carried me when my internal engine felt stalled.
The Tortoise Was Right All Along! 🤯
And then it hit me – I finally got the Tortoise and the Hare story on a gut level. It’s not just about a cocky rabbit napping! It’s about the sheer, undeniable power of consistent action.
I might feel like the tortoise today, moving slowly but deliberately from one task to the next. But by simply not stopping, by consistently putting one foot (or one task) in front of the other, I’m actually outperforming the “hare” version of myself who might work in frantic bursts but then crash or get distracted. Slow and steady doesn’t just win the race in fables; it wins the productivity game in real life. It felt amazing to connect with that simple truth.
Ditch the Clock, Find Your Flow 🧘
Part of embracing the “slow and steady” approach is letting go of the obsession with speed and time. When you’re constantly glancing at the clock, worrying about deadlines, or thinking about how fast you’re going (or not going), you’re splitting your focus. A chunk of your precious mental energy is wasted on time-anxiety instead of being poured into the task itself.
That’s why hiding the phone, maybe even minimizing the clock on your screen, can be so powerful. It helps you immerse yourself fully in the task, find that flow state where time seems to melt away, and just do the work without the pressure of the ticking clock. Trust that by focusing deeply, you’ll make the best use of the time you have.
Embrace Your Pace, Just Keep Going
So, the big takeaway? Don’t beat yourself up if you’re having a “tortoise” day. It’s okay to be slow. It’s okay not to feel lightning fast. The real magic isn’t in speed; it’s in consistency.
Focus on starting. Use the 1-minute rule. Use the 5-minute follow-through. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Trust the process. Trust your system. Slow, steady, consistent action will always get you further than frantic bursts followed by burnout.
Just keep going. That’s it.
by TheThinkingGuy | Apr 21, 2025 | Uncategorized
You know how sometimes a single thought can just zap you into a different mood? Like flipping a switch? Maybe it’s remembering a huge win, visualizing a perfect outcome, or repeating a powerful mantra. Some thoughts just hit differently – they’re like mental superpowers.
The challenge is, our brains are noisy places, buzzing with a million ideas, worries, and random thoughts. How do you grab that one superpower thought you need, right when you need it most, to shift into your best state for whatever situation you’re facing?
Not All Thoughts Are Created Equal
First, let’s acknowledge the obvious: some thoughts pack way more punch than others. Thinking “I should probably get started” doesn’t have the same juice as vividly imagining yourself crushing that presentation or feeling the buzz of connecting deeply with someone new. Certain thoughts or visualizations resonate deeply and can instantly alter your confidence, focus, or energy levels.
The key is identifying your personal power thoughts – the ones that reliably work for you.
The Stack Rank Solution: Your Mental Playbook 🏆
Okay, so you know you have these power thoughts. Now what? Instead of letting them float randomly in your mental soup, let’s get organized. Introducing the “Stack Rank” method:
- Identify Key Situations: Think about the common scenarios where you want to consciously manage your state (e.g., networking, important meetings, creative work, focusing, even just starting your day).
- Brainstorm Power Thoughts: For each situation, list the thoughts, mantras, or visualizations that help you get into the desired state (confident, calm, focused, energetic, etc.).
- Rank ‘Em!: This is crucial. Order the thoughts in each list from most impactful to least impactful for you. What’s your absolute #1 go-to thought for shifting your state in that specific situation? What’s #2? #3?
- Keep it Simple: You can’t mentally juggle a list of 20 thoughts in the heat of the moment. Aim for your Top 3 power thoughts for each situation.
This creates a personalized mental playbook you can access instantly.
Building Your Playbook: Examples
Let’s make this concrete. Your lists might look something like this:
Situation: Networking Event
- Goal State: Confident, Open, Curious
- Ranked Thoughts:
- “They genuinely want to connect, maybe even more than I do!” (Shifts pressure off me)
- “One conversation could spark a butterfly effect, changing everything.” (Adds excitement/purpose)
- “It’s all predetermined anyway; my job is just to show up authentically and see what happens.” (Reduces outcome anxiety)
Situation: Important Presentation
- Goal State: Confident, Engaging, Authentic
- Ranked Thoughts:
- “The more I relax and be myself (less script!), the better this will flow.” (Permission to be authentic)
- “These people are here because they want to hear what I have to say.” (Builds confidence)
- “I know this material inside and out.” (Reinforces competence)
Situation: Focusing on a Task
- Goal State: Focused, Motivated, Calm
- Ranked Thoughts:
- “Just follow the action checklist; it guides me right into the zone.” (Trust the system)
- “Start with just 1 minute. That’s all. Just begin.” (Lowers activation energy)
- “I can get a lot done in 5 focused minutes; 5 minutes is longer than I think.” (Builds momentum belief)
Situation: High-Pressure Meeting
- Goal State: Calm, Prepared, Collaborative
- Ranked Thoughts:
- “Be the calm eye of the storm – absorb everything first, react second.” (Promotes calm listening)
- “My preparation is my armor; I know my stuff and belong at this table.” (Builds grounded confidence)
- “Build bridges, don’t build walls. Seek common ground, not battleground.” (Encourages collaboration)
(Add your own situations: Creative work? Difficult conversations? Exercise motivation?)
Pro Tip: Visualize & Simplify! ✨
Remember, turning these thoughts into vivid mental images or feelings often makes them exponentially more powerful. Don’t just think the thought; feel the confidence, see the successful outcome.
And again, keep your lists short! Your Top 3 power thoughts per situation are plenty. Easy to remember, quick to deploy.
Take Control of Your Switchboard
You don’t have to be a victim of your fleeting moods or anxieties. By identifying your most powerful thoughts and organizing them into situational “stack ranks,” you create a mental switchboard. You gain the ability to consciously choose and activate the state you need, when you need it.
So, what are your power thoughts? Start building your playbook today!
by TheThinkingGuy | Apr 17, 2025 | Uncategorized
You know what feels amazing? More than just discipline, it’s the high of consistency! I’ve got this habit now: 100 jumping jacks every morning. Today marks streak day 47, and honestly, just seeing that number feels incredibly good. It makes me want to keep going, never break the chain.
It’s the same with writing these daily thoughts – I think I’m around 20 pieces now? It’s wild how quickly it adds up. Imagine hitting 100! I feel like I’d be a completely different person. The excitement builds just thinking about it!
The Undeniable Pull of the Streak
There’s something magical about a streak. It’s visual proof of your commitment. Whether you track it on your Apple Watch, a habit app, or just a tally mark on a calendar, seeing that number grow provides powerful motivation. You build momentum, and the last thing you want to do is reset that counter back to zero. Technology makes tracking easier than ever now – that little number becomes your personal coach, cheering you on.
Shrinking the Start: Beyond “Take 5” to “Take 1”
We talked recently about the “Take 5” method to beat procrastination, and it’s powerful. But sometimes, even 5 minutes can feel like a hurdle. What if we made it even easier? So easy it’s almost impossible not to do it?
Enter the 1-Minute Rule.
Seriously. Can you commit to doing something for just one minute? Or even 30 seconds? Of course, you can! That’s the beauty of it. It lowers the barrier to entry so much that resistance just melts away. One minute of jumping jacks. One minute of tidying up. One minute of reading. One minute of push-ups. Anyone can do one minute.
How 1 Minute Becomes 5 (and More) 📈
Here’s the sneaky part: starting is always the hardest part. Once you’ve done that first minute, momentum kicks in.
My Apple Watch actually helps here – exercises under a minute don’t even get logged! So I have to do at least one minute. But once I’ve done that minute, pushing it to 5 minutes, or even longer, feels natural. I’m already moving, I’m already engaged. That first minute is the key that unlocks the engine.
The 100-Day Second Nature Challenge 🎯
So, here’s the plan I’m getting hyped about: Combine the ease of the 1-Minute Rule with the power of the streak, aiming for 100 days.
Imagine sticking with any habit you want to build – just starting with 1 minute each day – for 100 days straight. That habit wouldn’t just be a habit; it would become second nature. Automatic. Part of who you are.
Your Action Plan: Find Your First Minute
Ready to try it?
- Pick a habit you want to build.
- Break down the absolute easiest first step you can take. What can you do in literally 60 seconds or less?
- Commit to doing just that 1 minute every single day.
- Track your streak. Don’t break the chain!
- See where that first minute takes you.
Let’s build those 100-day streaks and transform ourselves, one tiny minute at a time. I’m ready!
Now, excuse me while I go do 1 minute of push-ups! 💪
by TheThinkingGuy | Apr 16, 2025 | Uncategorized
Wow. Just wow. After a solid 8 hours of sleep last night, my mind feels like it’s been freshly scrubbed – crystal clear, sharp, and ready to go. I totally get now why people like Brian Johnson prioritize sleep above almost everything else. Nothing beats a clear mind for getting things done!
And speaking of getting things done, I had a bit of an epiphany after some networking yesterday. It hit me: most days aren’t packed with impossible tasks. They’re filled with things we want to do, or need to do, and the biggest hurdle isn’t the task itself… it’s just starting.
The Ridiculous Power of Just Starting
It sounds almost too simple, right? But think about it. This morning, before I even did my usual exercise routine, I managed to whip up an AI presentation outline in less than 30 minutes. Just because I had the idea and started. Imagine handling all your important tasks like that! It feels incredibly liberating and effective.
The key wasn’t some magic productivity spell; it was simply beginning the task.
The Procrastination Loop (and the Escape Hatch)
We all know the feeling. That big task looms, seeming overwhelming. Or maybe it’s just a medium task, but we feel lazy, unmotivated, stuck in procrastination mode. We know we should start, but we don’t.
Here’s the escape hatch I’ve realized is incredibly powerful: Break it down into the smallest possible step, something you can do in just 5 minutes.
Meet the “Take 5” Activation Method
Seriously, that’s it. No matter how huge or daunting the task feels, ask yourself: “What tiny piece of this can I do in the next 5 minutes?”
Take my networking goal from yesterday. The main event wasn’t until later, but the first step wasn’t “go network.” It was stuff I could do right then: spend 30 minutes reading my old networking notes, maybe chat with an AI to brainstorm some prep questions. Those are small, manageable actions. Those are the 5-minute (or maybe 30-minute, but still small) steps that get the ball rolling.
Everything starts small. You just need to find that first tiny domino and commit to pushing it over for 5 minutes.
Igniting Your Flow State 🔥
Here’s the magic: those first 5 minutes are like striking a match. They provide the activation energy. Once you overcome that initial inertia and just do something for 5 minutes, momentum starts building. Your focus sharpens. You get pulled into the task.
Suddenly, you’re not fighting to work; you’re in it. You’ve tricked yourself into a flow state. And once you’re there, you often don’t want to stop. You just keep going, and before you know it, that task you were dreading is well underway, or maybe even finished!
So, next time you feel stuck, don’t think about the whole mountain. Just find the first tiny pebble you can move in 5 minutes.
Breathe in. Take 5. And go!
