Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1684:

Steve Chou unpacks the tension between traditional academic success and entrepreneurial risk-taking, revealing how the habits that make straight-A students thrive in school, like rule-following and risk aversion, can stifle creativity and resilience in business. His story offers valuable insight for anyone struggling to break free from the “safe path” and embrace the messy, uncertain road of entrepreneurship.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://mywifequitherjob.com/when-getting-good-grades-and-entrepreneurship-dont-mix/

Quotes to ponder:

"Being a good student is all about following the rules. But being a good entrepreneur is about breaking them."

"I was taught that making mistakes was bad. But in the world of business, failure is a requirement for success."

"Straight A students are often rewarded for doing what they’re told, but entrepreneurs thrive by thinking differently."

Episode references:

The E-Myth Revisited: https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1683:

Steve Chou explores the tension between academic achievement and entrepreneurial success, revealing how school systems often reward rule-following over risk-taking. He shares personal stories and insights to show why traits that lead to top grades can conflict with the mindset needed to thrive in business.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://mywifequitherjob.com/when-getting-good-grades-and-entrepreneurship-dont-mix/

Quotes to ponder:

"School rewards you for following directions and doing exactly what the teacher tells you to do. But in entrepreneurship, you’re rewarded for doing the exact opposite."

"I was the stereotypical Asian kid who got straight A’s, was obedient, and followed the rules. But when I started my business, these habits held me back."

"In the real world, there’s rarely one right answer, and success often depends on how you handle ambiguity."

Episode references:

Rich Dad Poor Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-Poor-Teach-Middle/dp/1612681131

Deep Work: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Work-Focused-Success-Distracted/dp/1455586692

The Millionaire Fastlane: https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Fastlane-Crack-Wealth-Lifetime/dp/0984358102

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1682:

Leo Babauta shares simple yet transformative strategies for cultivating a workspace that nurtures calm, clarity, and productivity. By intentionally designing your physical and digital environments, you can reduce stress, eliminate distractions, and create a setting that supports deep, focused work.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://zenhabits.net/17-unbeatable-ways-to-create-a-peaceful-relaxed-wo/

Quotes to ponder:

"A peaceful, relaxed workspace will help you to be less tense, more focused, and more productive."

"Clear out everything you don’t use, don’t need, don’t like. You don’t have to be extreme - just make it noticeably more minimal."

"A messy environment equals a messy mind. A calm environment equals a calm mind."

Episode references:

The Power of Less: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Less-Fine-Essentials-Simplify/dp/1401309704

Getting Things Done: https://gettingthingsdone.com/

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1681:

Paula Pant sheds light on a common entrepreneurial pitfall: mistaking personal compensation for business profit. She urges small business owners to distinguish between their role as an investor and as a worker, emphasizing that true profit is what remains after paying yourself a fair wage, not the leftover after expenses minus unpaid labor.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://affordanything.com/make-a-profit-after-paying-yourself/

Quotes to ponder:

"Profit after paying yourself!"

"I can’t value my time at $0, value someone else’s time at a rate that’s greater than $0, and make an apples-to-apples comparison between the two."

"Don’t take business lessons from the IRS."

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1680:

James Altucher recounts the story of “Pat,” an unshakably gracious billionaire whose quiet superpower is simple but rare: saying thank you. By consistently checking in, expressing gratitude, and maintaining relationships, even after major losses, Pat illustrates how emotional intelligence and goodwill can compound into lasting success.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://jaltucher.medium.com/i-m-going-to-tell-you-about-the-most-successful-person-i-know-4e4df4fb4fa6

Quotes to ponder:

"Even if my best friends write me sometimes, I don’t return the emails. I don’t know why. I’ve actually lost friends over this and still do."

"A tiny thank you is like putting a little bit of money in a savings account and watching it grow through compound interest."

"Pat says 'thank you' probably ten to twenty times a day to people as he builds his goodwill account."

Episode references:

1-800-Flowers (Jim McCann): https://www.1800flowers.com

Department of Defense contracts: https://www.defense.gov/Resources/Contract-Resources

Trade Like Warren Buffett: https://www.amazon.com/Trade-Like-Warren-Buffett-Altucher/dp/0471655848

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at:⁠ ⁠⁠OLDPodcast⁠⁠.⁠⁠com⁠.

Episode 1679:

Christine Comaford breaks down the essentials of crafting a business plan that truly drives growth, emphasizing clarity, purpose, and alignment across teams. Learn how to communicate your vision, set achievable objectives, and engage both logic and emotion to create buy-in from investors and stakeholders.

Read along with the original article(s) here: ⁠https⁠⁠://⁠⁠smarttribesinstitute⁠⁠.⁠⁠com⁠⁠/⁠⁠how⁠⁠-⁠⁠to⁠⁠-⁠⁠create⁠⁠-⁠⁠a⁠⁠-⁠⁠killer⁠⁠-⁠⁠business⁠⁠-⁠⁠plan⁠⁠/⁠

Quotes to ponder:

"People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it."

"A business plan is a tool that communicates your vision, inspires others to join you, and keeps everyone on track."

"Facts tell. Stories sell."

Episode references:

Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder: ⁠https⁠⁠://⁠⁠www⁠⁠.⁠⁠strategyzer⁠⁠.⁠⁠com⁠⁠/⁠⁠books⁠⁠/⁠⁠business⁠⁠-⁠⁠model⁠⁠-⁠⁠generation⁠

Start With Why by Simon Sinek: ⁠https⁠⁠://⁠⁠www⁠⁠.⁠⁠amazon⁠⁠.⁠⁠com⁠⁠/⁠⁠Start⁠⁠-⁠⁠Why⁠⁠-⁠⁠Leaders⁠⁠-⁠⁠Inspire⁠⁠-⁠⁠Everyone⁠⁠/⁠⁠dp⁠⁠/1591846447⁠

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1678:

Colin Wright shares a candid look at how he became a consultant and why the role offers more freedom than fame. By walking through his early experiments, client missteps, and mindset shifts, he offers valuable insights into creating a career defined by autonomy, not just income or recognition.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://exilelifestyle.com/consultant/

Quotes to ponder:

"I’ve never been interested in being famous, but I am very interested in being free."

"I realized I could pay my bills doing something that wasn’t what I most wanted to do, or I could take a risk and do what I loved, and maybe still pay the bills."

"Consulting became my go-to method of paying the bills while maintaining maximum autonomy."

Episode references:

Startups for the Rest of Us Podcast: https://www.startupsfortherestofus.com/

Getting Real by Basecamp: https://basecamp.com/books/getting-real

The 4-Hour Workweek: https://www.amazon.com/4-Hour-Workweek-Escape-Live-Anywhere/dp/0307465357

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1677:

Marc Chernoff reveals seven daily habits practiced by highly creative individuals to fuel inspiration, sharpen focus, and sustain long-term innovation. By adopting even a few of these mindful rituals, like scheduled solitude, idea journaling, and conscious media consumption, you can reignite your own creative energy and push past mental roadblocks.

Read along with the original article(s) here: http://www.marcandangel.com/2014/12/14/7-rituals-you-should-steal-from-extremely-creative-people/

Quotes to ponder:

"Most creative types schedule their days around a specific creative ritual, something that consistently triggers their creativity."

"Creative people pay close attention to what they let into their minds."

Episode references:

Steal Like an Artist: https://www.amazon.com/Steal-Like-Artist-Things-Creative/dp/0761169253

Brain Pickings: https://www.themarginalian.org/

TED Talks: Your Elusive Creative Genius by Elizabeth Gilbert: https://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_your_elusive_creative_genius

The War of Art: https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/1936891026

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1676:

Marc Chernoff reveals seven powerful habits practiced by highly creative individuals, offering practical rituals that boost inspiration, clarity, and productivity. Learn how small daily routines, like intentional solitude and reflective journaling, can unlock your own creative genius and keep it flowing.

Read along with the original article(s) here: http://www.marcandangel.com/2014/12/14/7-rituals-you-should-steal-from-extremely-creative-people/

Quotes to ponder:

"Solitude is required for the unconscious to process and unravel problems."

"Creative people journal to get clarity about what they think, feel, and want."

"Creative people don’t wait for inspiration; they act in anticipation of it."

Episode references:

The Artist's Way: https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252

Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience: https://www.amazon.com/Flow-Psychology-Experience-Perennial-Classics/dp/0061339202

Daily Rituals: How Artists Work: https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Rituals-How-Artists-Work/dp/0307273601

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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1675:

Brian Tracy breaks down the often overlooked psychological and strategic missteps that cause even seasoned salespeople to lose deals. This eye-opening guide offers simple mindset shifts and actionable techniques to close more sales by focusing on trust, self-belief, and client-centered communication.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.briantracy.com/blog/sales-success/top-3-shocking-reasons-you-keep-losing-sales/

Quotes to ponder:

"People only buy from people they trust."

"You must absolutely believe in your product or service."

"The biggest reason for failure in selling is that the salesperson talks too much."

Episode references:

The Psychology of Selling: https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Selling-Increase-Sales-Faster/dp/0785288066

Eat That Frog!: https://www.amazon.com/Eat-That-Frog-Great-Procrastinating/dp/162656941X

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