I think life feels more real when you’re the vehicle, not the driver. And I say this as someone who’s spent so much time trying to control everything, scheduling every hour, chasing productivity like it’s the only thing that matters. But I’m starting to realize that boredom isn’t something to run from. It’s where curiosity and creativity actually have room to breathe.

When every moment is planned, you get a lot done, sure but at what cost? Lately, I’ve been wondering if all the greats understood something I didn’t. They didn’t just stay busy; they made space for stillness. Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” I think I’m finally starting to get what he meant.

“Once you learn to trust your curiosity, you are no longer the driver but the vehicle.”

Tradition is just peer pressure from the dead

1. The Psycho-Logical Filter

Toothpaste’s logical purpose is dental hygiene. Yet its psycho-logical purpose? Fresh breath. That’s why most toothpaste is mint-flavored.

Similarly, the logical goal of a restaurant is to feed you, but its psycho-logical goal is to offer an experience, connection, or status.

The takeaway? Logic alone limits how we think. If you focus only on what’s logical, you’ll frustrate your mind’s ability to see the deeper, emotional truths that drive human behavior.

2. Survivorship Bias

Fools face a cruel double curse: they lack the skill of critical thinking and the ability to recognize their own ignorance.

Metacognition, thinking about thinking requires awareness that fools simply do not have. Worse, Mother Nature designed it this way. Many of us are not just ignorant but blind to that ignorance, granting us infinite potential… to remain fools.

3. The Paradox of Abundance

Our brains evolved to handle scarcity, not abundance.

• Too much food? Health declines.

• Too much information? Wisdom fades.

Abundance creates more opportunities, but few succeed without damage,divorce, depression, or burnout. Just look at how many millionaires and celebrities struggle.

Thriving in abundance is rare and requires conscious effort. For most, the overflow of choices becomes a trap, not freedom.

4. The Charisma Razor

Imagine you’re hiring a lawyer for a critical case. You’ve narrowed it down to two:

• One looks the part, well-dressed, charming, with striking blue eyes and a polished demeanor.

• The other is bald, speaks with a heavy accent, and looks more like a truck driver than a lawyer.

Who do you pick?

I’d choose the one who doesn’t look the part. Why? Because someone who succeeded despite society’s biases likely had to work harder and be far more competent.

This mental model reminds us: charisma and appearances can deceive. True expertise often hides where we least expect it.

5. Concept Creep

In some societies, issues like abuse and trauma are becoming rarer. But their definitions are expanding, creating the illusion that these problems are worsening.

Examples:

• A student suspended for “cyberbullying” after complaining about a teacher online.

• A college petition to remove a statue for causing “emotional trauma.”

When we overextend definitions, it distorts reality. The result? We misallocate resources, inflate fears, and fail to focus on the most critical problems.

These mental models challenge us to think deeper. They reveal how our brains often misinterpret reality, limiting our understanding and decision-making.

Credit: viziandrei

Ecclesiastes 5:10

Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth-except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!

Have you ever looked at someone else’s windshield wiper speed while you’re driving and think you are over reacting?

The 5 Levels of Marketing

1. Selling a Product:

   – Basic level and the lowest level of marketing, just describing what the product is.

   – Example: “We are a Healthcare CRM using AI.”

   – Not compelling because people care more about their needs, not just the product itself.

2. Selling a Solution:

   – Addressing a specific problem the product solves.

   – Example: “Head & Shoulders eliminates dandruff.”

   – Effective but highly competitive.

3. Selling a Lifestyle:

   – Connecting the product to an aspirational lifestyle.

   – Example: Lululemon promotes the joy and benefits of yoga, making people want to be part of the yoga lifestyle.

   – People buy into the lifestyle and then the product.

4. Selling a Feeling:

   – Creating emotional experiences and memorable moments.

   – Example: Disney promotes magical family experiences and UFC delivers intense, unforgettable moments.

   – It’s about the emotions and experiences the brand provides.

5. Selling an Identity:

   – The highest level, where the brand becomes part of the customer’s identity.

   – Example: Political parties, religions, or even franchises like Subway.

   – Provides a sense of belonging, purpose, and community.

Each level builds on the previous one, making the brand more impactful and deeply connected to the customer.

“Marketing and advertising is a tax companies pay when they don’t build a remarkable product.”

Building a business Sucks! Initially, my aim was to encourage as many individuals as possible to embrace entrepreneurship. However, my perspective has shifted drastically. Now, I’m taking on this challenge to persuade you otherwise. If, after witnessing all the hardships, you’re still eager to dive into entrepreneurship, then you truly have the passion for it. Anyone can become a successful entrepreneur, not everyone should.

Now back to the update…..

We’ve taken significant steps forward, engaging with distributors and securing deals. However, we stumbled upon a setback by not paying close attention to detail—a core rule in our business analysis. This oversight led us to purchase unsuitable inventory. We have since generated $10,000 in revenue but a loss of about $1,000. Tracking revenue is not a significant metric for us as we are building the foundation. Other KPIs mean more to us the revenue at the moment.

This experience led us to reassess our business model. We realized it wasn’t the best fit for us after comparing our skills with what was needed and analyzing the market, especially the Amazon FBA space. We observed that competition on Amazon is fierce, with constant rule changes and new fees, making it challenging to stay profitable. Notably, a major third-party seller on Amazon recently filed for bankruptcy, signaling potential difficulties in this market.

Given these challenges, we’ve decided to pivot. Our team previously ran an agency, which gives us a unique perspective. We’ve identified an opportunity to support smaller brands on Amazon that have potential but lack effective marketing and optimization. Our new model focuses on providing value to these brands, shifting from being simple resellers to becoming strategic partners. This approach may involve exclusive brand deals where our compensation is tied to their success, a shift that aligns better with our capabilities and vision.

Importantly, I recognized the value of having a co-founder in this journey. Sharing the workload and decision-making process can significantly impact the business’s success, though it’s crucial to choose the right partner, as this relationship is almost like marriage.

Despite these challenges and changes, our goal remains to generate significant revenue. We’re not deterred by the setbacks and are using them to refine our strategy. This involves continuous business analysis and ensuring our actions align with our long-term vision. We’re also focusing on creating a solid foundation with clear objectives and plans for the future.

In summary, while we’ve faced challenges and had to pivot, our journey is progressing. We’re more aligned and structured than when we started, and we’re excited about the potential of our new direction. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to navigate this challenging but rewarding venture.

Reading the Bible as self development book instead of a religious book was one of the best things I’ve done.

$AVAX to $100+ is such a no brainer