We all chase more money, skills, and opportunities, believing they will make us happier. But do they? In this week's episode, host Antonio Banda confesses his obsession with earning more, clouding his path to joy. After recent introspection, he discovers fiction writing and voice acting—not a fatter paycheck—will bring him fulfillment. Still needing income, Antonio plans to build a freelance business while pursuing his creative passions. He shares an actionable goal-setting method to determine your "ONE Thing" and break it down into doable steps. Antonio remains unsure if achieving his aims will satisfy his desire for more. But he's optimistic the journey could change him for the better as he finds direction, not merely desire. Join Antonio as he charts a new course and redefines success beyond money and status.

In this episode titled "Expedition Daily Rituals," Antonio begins by sharing his newfound inspiration from Stephen King's advice on daily writing. Motivated by King's recommendation to write one thousand words a day, Antonio embarks on this new goal with enthusiasm. He acknowledges his initial difficulty in meeting the 1000-word target, choosing instead to view it as a learning curve rather than a failure.

Drawing inspiration from the routines of creative masters, Antonio revisits Mason Currey's book "Daily Rituals: How Artists Work." He shares fascinating insights into the daily lives of luminaries like Mozart, Karl Marx, and Toni Morrison. From Mozart's meticulously planned composition sessions to Marx's relentless dedication to work, each master's routine provides a unique perspective on productivity. Antonio highlights Toni Morrison's exceptional ability to balance a day job, teaching, and single parenthood while still producing impactful literature.

Antonio also seeks advice from colleagues on establishing a routine, receiving valuable recommendations such as time blocking and the Pomodoro technique. He emphasizes the importance of aligning tasks with personal energy levels and maximizing productivity during periods of high focus and creativity.

James Clear's "Atomic Habits" becomes a focal point in Antonio's pursuit of a sustainable routine. While he admits to not having read the book, Antonio gains insights from Clear's MasterClass series, learning the power of small, consistent changes over radical shifts.

In this episode, Antonio shares:

The story of when he joined the Army at 17 and how it was his first big life change

Why it took eight weeks to publish this first episode - he originally planned a newsletter on pivoting but got derailed by a pivot at work.

Details of executing the "to the rear, march" maneuver and how it relates to pivoting in life

An update that he and his company have parted ways as part of their pivot

His plans to potentially pivot to freelancing full-time, which feels scary but necessary

How real-life pivots, like the Army drill, take practice but get easier with time

Parallels between a company pivot and personal life pivots

His invitation to join him on the journey of Growth Expeditions Unknown

Key Quotes:

"That day, I joined the U.S. Army. I was only 17. I won't say how long ago that was, but I was still a high school senior."

"This is one of those things that's actually easier done than said. Because once you get it, it takes very little thought. And when you reach this point of proficiency, you only need to listen for the command, and you'll execute it without a problem."

"Did it suck to leave the company? Yes. Is it scary to consider this big change? Absolutely. But that's the thing about a real-life pivot: it's rarely the perfect time for one."