Are you setting that standard in your area? How high has the bar been set? Did you even set the bar there? Simon talks about some somewhat drastic measures he has taken to make sure he is setting the standard in his area and that it is quite high. We also talk about some issues with color, Rapid Set, and other materials he has been seeing. We close out by talking about how he handles making and charging for samples as well as lightly touching on burnout.  

🌸 See chapters/timestamps below for specific topic interests 🌸  

Where to find Simon: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/phoenixconcreteworks/

Website: https://phoenixconcreteworks.com/ 

(I may receive a commission if you purchase something from a link below) 

🎏 Items mentioned: 

Deep Work by Cal Newport: https://amzn.to/3QIeWlf 

Waterproof Journal: https://amzn.to/3ZC6wQy 

Waterproof Pen: https://amzn.to/3H83TP3 

The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey: https://amzn.to/3IQfa84 

Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey: https://amzn.to/3XqiGtY 

When by Daniel Pink: https://amzn.to/3QKicwD 

2 Second Lean by Paul Akers: https://amzn.to/3iFO8pg 

Alpha Pneumatic Polisher: http://bit.ly/3Xu0eQY  

🎏 Recommended Reading For Creatives: 

The War Of Art by Steven Pressfield: https://amzn.to/3VTaSQ0 

Show Your Work by Austin Kleon: https://amzn.to/3Qq0yxV 

Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon: https://amzn.to/3Zm46Wi 

The Practice by Seth Godin: https://amzn.to/3XfRnT9 

Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss: https://amzn.to/3WU4ZDD 

Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss: https://amzn.to/3QtIYJt 

The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey: https://amzn.to/3IslqCT  

🎏 Recommended Tools For Concrete: 

SawStop 52" 3 HP Table Saw - https://amzn.to/3k2sITq 

Festool TS 55 Track Saw - https://amzn.to/3XgKz7L 

Makita Cordless Track Saw W/Track - https://amzn.to/3Xf1Qye 

Kraft Hopper Gun - https://amzn.to/3VMecMY 

Wet Polisher - https://amzn.to/3Iv6KCQ 

Bostitch Pneumatic Stapler - https://amzn.to/3k1Wwjq 

Bostitch Nailer - https://amzn.to/3Gm8P1u 

Milwaukee Power Tools - https://amzn.to/3Xfmr58 

Dewalt Power Tools - https://amzn.to/3IzheBd 

Collomix Hand Mixer - https://amzn.to/3VRAIUK 

Collomix Double Hand Mixer - https://amzn.to/3iloKoK 

Imer Mix 120 Plus - https://amzn.to/3jZaQJ7  

Timestamps: 

0:00 Preview 

0:13 Intro 

1:39 The Podcast 

3:46 Get out of your own way 

6:39 Large pieces 

12:10 Problems with smaller pieces 

17:10 Color 

28:09 Sometimes you have to do the stupid thing 

31:09 Schedules, Timeframes, & Turmoil 

57:02 Material Issues 

1:00:33 Good clients offset the bad? 

1:01:57 Goals & Setting a high bar 

1:06:37 Being the front runner 

1:09:38 If it's not in your portfolio, you can't do it 

1:11:59 Giving it all you've got 

1:14:30 I need sleep 

1:16:05 SawStop 

1:19:18 Earned patience 

1:23:52 Schedules, limits, & pushing boundaries 

1:30:34 Utilizing the subconscious 

1:36:55 You can learn something from everyone 

1:41:51 Productivity & focus 

1:48:52 Terrazzo 

2:05:22 Function meets art example 

2:10:26 Burnout 

2:14:59 The Boneyard 

2:16:57 Rapid Set 

2:20:47 Rapid Set & Terrazzo 

2:21:46 Samples: Making, Aesthetics, & Charging 

2:36:46 Outro