30 days ago, I signed up for Dickie Bush & Nicolas Cole's cohort-based course, Ship 30 for 30.

In that time, I wrote & published 30 Atomic Essays, learned the fundamentals of Digital Writing, made friends, and continued gaining clarity around my niche. It's been a very rewarding (and challenging) journey, and I am more excited than ever to keep writing online.

Here are the 3 biggest things writing & publishing consistently every day for 30 days taught me:

1. Take Imperfect Action

As you might imagine, coming up with a topic every day is no easy feat. And while the templates provided some helpful starting points, it did require focused effort. I had to be comfortable knowing that not every one was going to be a mind-blowing revelation, but the important thing was (and is) forward momentum.

2. Build a Support Group

The program gave us many opportunities to connect with our fellow shippers, many of whom I've remained connected with. When tackling a challenge such as this one, it's extremely helpful to have a sounding board of peers going through the same ups and downs.

3. Push Out of Your Comfort Zone

While I could have kept the topics superficial and safe, I would always look for an opportunity to share a personal story. Not surprisingly, those are the ones that received the best feedback.

At the end of the day, our stories and experiences are valuable and should be shared. But I guarantee you that your voice will be heard at the right time by the right person.

It's not up to us to decide their value.

Learn more about the Ship30for30 Program: https://fullcast.co/ship30for30/

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I used to be bad with goal setting. It's a challenge I've had for years and, if I'm being totally honest, probably decades. Whenever I would be asked what my 10-year plan was, or vision, or goals or BHAG (big hairy audacious goal), I would inevitably make up something that 'sounded' lofty and ambitious.

But without an actionable plan on how to get there, I would inevitably fall short and get discouraged. So what changed?

What Gets Measured Gets Managed

Everything changed as soon as I began to put my focus on my why. I became more consistent with my meditation and journaling, which always help to clear my mind. Additionally, this recent uptick in my writing has provided additional clarity.

My intention is now on continuous daily improvement with an eye towards my long-term goals. I'm really fascinated by this idea of tiny, daily, 1% improvements. Am I perfectly diligent and track every metric down on a daily level? No, not by any means. But that is the intention.

Wherever you are in your life journey, it's never too late to sit down and take a close look at your life now and where you want it to be. Ask yourself those tough questions and take charge of your life today!

Learn more about the Ship30for30 Program: https://fullcast.co/ship30for30/

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Interviews with fascinating CEOs & Founders of the leading vertical farming companies from around the world.

In December 2004 I took a trip to Thailand to visit a friend whose parents owned a house on Koh Samui.

It ended up being the longest trip I had ever taken at that point in my life.

Little did I know what was going to happen within 24 hours of arriving.

On Saturday morning I share that story with 1,593 subscribers of my newsletter, A Life Worth Living.

I'm thinking you should join us: harryduran.com

Learn more about the Ship30for30 Program: https://fullcast.co/ship30for30/

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Podcast Junkies

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Vertical Farming Podcast

Interviews with fascinating CEOs & Founders of the leading vertical farming companies from around the world.

As I make into the home stretch of this 30-day writing challenge you've all been experiencing first-hand, I've been spending a lot of my time thinking about the importance of consistency.

Lately, one question I've been asking myself is this:

How Important Is Consistency Without Quality?

Imagine you go to your favorite Italian restaurant and order a pasta dish that you love. Every time you come back, you expect it to taste the same. But one day, you get your Noodles Alfredo Supreme and it just doesn't taste right. The ingredients are still there, but it's just not as delicious as it used to be.

That's what it's like when you focus on consistency without quality - it's predictable, but it's missing something. It doesn't have the flavor and impact that you were expecting.

For these 30 days, in order to stick to the challenge, I've made sure that one piece of writing makes it out the door. But I'm always wondering, are the noodles up to par?

There's something to be said for taking consistent imperfect action, but I don't want that to be an excuse for shipping crap. Especially with this new wave of AI-driven content.

Will I be looking for a breather on Day 31? That's still up in the air. If you've been struggling with similar thoughts, I'd love to hear your feedback!

Learn more about the Ship30for30 Program: https://fullcast.co/ship30for30/

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Podcast Junkies

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Vertical Farming Podcast

Interviews with fascinating CEOs & Founders of the leading vertical farming companies from around the world.

In an earlier essay I mentioned the importance of planning your show prior to thinking about any of your gear needs. Once you've put the time into the preparation and have your Name, Description, Cover Art, and draft of your first 12 episodes, you can then start focusing on your tech needs. Lucky for you, I just happen to have that list handy!

Start with Professional Microphone

Beginner: Samson Q2U ($80)

Pro: Shure SM7B ($400)

Boom Arm: Samson MBA38 ($70)

Headphones: Sony ZX - light & affordable ($19)

High Quality Input

Remote Recording: SquadCast.fm (starts at $20/mo)

Edit Your Media

Audio: Hindenburg Pro - Noise reduction plugin included ($10/mo)

Video: Descript ($12/mo)

Promotion

Cover Art / Episode Graphics: Canva (Free to start)

Audiograms: Headliner Pro (Free to start)

This is a starting list but it will definitely set you off on the right path. As your needs grow you can look into signing up for a social media scheduling tool for help scheduling your episode promotion.

When considering an additional expense, take the time to determine whether the investment will truly help in the growth of your show.

Learn more about the Ship30for30 Program: https://fullcast.co/ship30for30/

Follow my journey on your preferred social platform!

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Listen to my other shows:

Podcast Junkies

Conversations with my fellow podcasting community since 2014

Vertical Farming Podcast

Interviews with fascinating CEOs & Founders of the leading vertical farming companies from around the world.

I don't know where you were in your late 20's, but if I told you (at that age) that the only opportunity to better your life was to leave the country you were born in and travel to another country where you didn't speak the language, I'm wondering how many of you would honestly (in this day and age) make that trip.

You see, it's exactly what my father did. He traveled from El Salvador in the late 70's in search of a better life for his family. Not to put too fine a point on it, but had he not taken that leap, I wouldn't be here writing this to you.

Not only that, at some point during the 2nd or 3rd work shift of his day, he somehow managed to find an advertisement in the back of a magazine, promoting a program in computer repair.

I can't for the life of me put myself in his shoes, but something clicked. He recognized, as many did then, that computers were the future. And so he found a way to get the money to attend, and my family's life was changed forever.

It was he that brought home the first electric typewriter I had ever seen. Granted, the thing weighed a ton, but it was cool as shit. That piqued my curiosity and eventually led to my first Texas Instruments PC with a cassette recorder as the 'hard drive'. It's been a love for tech ever since.

Learn more about the Ship30for30 Program: https://fullcast.co/ship30for30/

Follow my journey on your preferred social platform!

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Listen to my other shows:

Podcast Junkies

Conversations with my fellow podcasting community since 2014

Vertical Farming Podcast

Interviews with fascinating CEOs & Founders of the leading vertical farming companies from around the world.

If I could go back in time, these are the 5 things I wish I understood better about podcast interviews. Over the years I’ve put in the reps and learned how to be a better host.

1. Prepare the Stage

From the moment they book time on your calendar, every interaction they have with you should be world-class.

2. It's Not About You

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen hosts that speak more than their guests, not cool.

3. Be Naturally Curious

Throughout the conversation focus intently on what they’re sharing with you and pull the strings of interesting topics

4. Enjoy The Silence

One of the main reasons I love video, is being able to ask a question that requires some thought and giving them the space to give the real answer.

5. Sharing is Caring

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been a guest on a show and when the episode is live, all I get is an email asking me to share. No links, no graphics. Don’t be that host.

Learn more about the Ship30for30 Program: https://fullcast.co/ship30for30/

Follow my journey on your preferred social platform!

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Listen to my other shows:

Podcast Junkies

Conversations with my fellow podcasting community since 2014

Vertical Farming Podcast

Interviews with fascinating CEOs & Founders of the leading vertical farming companies from around the world.

Since starting 2023 I've been pretty ambitious about the things I want to improve in my business and personal life. It's this weird feeling of making up for lost time, that I have trouble articulating.

A few things that I am proud of include, maintaining my streak of publishing my weekly newsletter, A Life Worth Living. I invite you to check out the past letters and sign up at harryduran.com.

If you're reading this, you're also likely aware of the Ship30for30 writing challenge I signed up for this month, where I committed to posting one Atomic Essay per day.

I missed yesterday's post, which was a bummer. But it's been helpful to reflect on it this morning. Yesterday (Sunday) was a day of doing my best to disconnect from screens. I read a physical book and even got a solid workout in. As the day progressed, I kept thinking about my daily essay, but by the time evening had rolled around, it was clear that was not going to happen. And I had to be OK with that.

If you've been pushing hard to keep your 2023 goals humming along, please give yourself some grace when you miss a day. It will happen, and it's OK. Don't let be an excuse to relax too much, LOL. Get back on that horse and use the time off as a reset of your commitment. And yes, that's means you can expect another essay later today :)

Learn more about the Ship30for30 Program: https://fullcast.co/ship30for30/

Follow my journey on your preferred social platform!

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Listen to my other shows:

Podcast Junkies

Conversations with my fellow podcasting community since 2014

Vertical Farming Podcast

Interviews with fascinating CEOs & Founders of the leading vertical farming companies from around the world.

It's not easy staying motivated or inspired, especially if you don't take the time to learn from wisdom of those you have traveled the path ahead of you.

But anytime you feel like giving up, just turn back to these 5 simple quotes (to remind you why you're doing what you're doing):

“You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” -Jim Rohn

Your network is your net worth.

“Every problem in the world derives from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” -Blaise Pascal

Calm the mind. Often. Build a meditation practice

“If you think it’s expensive to hire a professional, try hiring an amateur.” -Red Adair

Understand what your time is worth. Find and reward the right people.

“Systemize the predictable, so you can humanize the exceptional.” -Four Seasons Hotel

Automate the repeatable. Focus your energy on your unique gifts.

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” -T.S. Eliot

Take brave chances.

Learn more about the Ship30for30 Program: https://fullcast.co/ship30for30/

Follow my journey on your preferred social platform!

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

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Listen to my other shows:

Podcast Junkies

Conversations with my fellow podcasting community since 2014

Vertical Farming Podcast

Interviews with fascinating CEOs & Founders of the leading vertical farming companies from around the world.

Since launching my podcast agency FullCast in 2015, I've heard just about every excuse there is for why people are afraid to start a podcast. They also have wildly varying definitions of what 'success' looks like (Hint: that's up to you to decide).

What's more important when starting is being realistic about where you are and how much time you have to invest into improving. Consistency is just as important as content.

For any business owner considering a show, these are 5 small (but easily fixable) mistakes most people make—and why, if you can avoid these, your show will do better than most.

Mistake #1: Thinking “It's All Been Said Before"

Doesn't matter. You could take 5 people and give them all identically titled shows. At the end of 1 year, you'll have 5 wildly different shows for different audiences.

Mistake #2: Assuming You're Voice Sounds Bad

Almost every person I meet that has considered starting a show hates the sound of their voice when they hear it recorded for the first time. You'll get over it.

Mistake #3: Not Planning Your Content

Don't just turn on the mic and expect inspiration to magically appear. Plan out your next 12 episodes by coming up with engaging titles, that will help you prepare for how to deliver that content.

Mistake #4: Using Crappy Gear

Yeah, I said it. Nothing makes me bail faster on a new show than sub-par audio. The Samson Q2U is a great starter mic.

Mistake #5: Not Sticking With It

Podcasting is not easy and it's not for everyone. If you're the type of person who gives up at the slightest challenge, this is definitely not for you. But if you are consistent & committed to constant improvement, you will see progress.

Learn more about the Ship30for30 Program: https://fullcast.co/ship30for30/

Follow my journey on your preferred social platform!

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Medium

Typeshare

Listen to my other shows:

Podcast Junkies

Conversations with my fellow podcasting community since 2014

Vertical Farming Podcast

Interviews with fascinating CEOs & Founders of the leading vertical farming companies from around the world.