Most people think personality traits—like confidence, patience, or staying calm under pressure—are things you’re either born with or not.

But the truth is, you don’t have to stay the way you are if you don’t want to.

First, you think about the kind of person you want to be.

Then you start doing the things that person would do.

And eventually, you become them.

It doesn’t happen by accident.

You train it.

And the repetition is what turns it from effort… into identity.

You can change into the person you want to be.

And it might be simpler than you think.

Being able to build and keep momentum has been huge for me. We all go through phases—on track, off track, fired up, burnt out. That’s life.

The hard part is getting back on track when you’re off. That’s where building momentum comes in. Forget waiting for motivation or inspiration. Just start, even if it’s small, and don’t sweat the outcome. Consistency beats perfection.

The flywheel effect is real. When you keep pushing, momentum starts working for you. And if you fall off? No problem. Just repeat the process. It’s all about building momentum over and over.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about energy management—specifically, what feeds our energy and what drains it.

How many times have you had a bad interaction with someone, only to stew over it for hours, days, or even longer? Social media makes this even worse. One negative post can trigger a response, leading to a back-and-forth spiral that eats up time and energy.

But here’s the question: How much energy is being wasted in those moments?

And more importantly—how could that energy be used to build something better?

If this resonates, take a hard look at the people, habits, and environments in your life. What’s fueling you? What’s draining you? Then ask yourself: What could I create if I redirected that energy?

This podcast is available on all your favorite audio platforms and on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@busmsk

I read the quote ‘What’s it going to take?’ in the book Market Outrageously. It was talking about actually looking deep at a goal and trying to get to the bottom of what it would take to accomplish. Even seemingly impossible goals are worth trying to break down.

In my life and business, I have goals that are overwhelming to think about. When I read this part of the book, I was inspired to actually dig into it much further. Things start seeming much more achievable once you start breaking it down into smaller chunks.

Ask yourself this question about a goal you have, then sit down and try to figure out what steps you need to take to make it happen. There is a lot of clarity that can be achieved with this.

I heard Alex Hormozi say this, and it stuck with me. When things get hard, most people give up. The idea of consistently getting better in all areas of life is not the norm in society. And in some ways, that’s fine—if you’re happy with where you’re at. But the way I see it, most people aren’t happy with staying the same. We want something more for our lives, but pushing ourselves into discomfort is hard. The truth is, doing the hard things is what’s required to make our lives better. Where in your life do you feel like quitting—but know you need to keep pushing?

We all have those small tasks we avoid—paperwork piling up, a cluttered office, or something simple that feels like a hassle. For me, those things build up in my mind and start to weigh on me. But when I finally take care of them, there’s always a sense of relief.

Research shows that unfinished tasks, or "open loops," take up mental space and increase stress. The more we avoid them, the more they quietly drain our energy. Tackling them right away frees up that mental clutter and makes life feel lighter.

Stop waiting. Do it now. It’s worth it.

In this episode, we explore the Craftsman Mindset from Cal Newport's So Good They Can't Ignore You. This idea flips the script on "following your passion" and emphasizes mastering skills as the key to meaningful work.

I share a powerful dream that confirmed my dedication to my path, reflect on the challenges of entrepreneurship, and discuss how honing skills—like marketing and leadership—has brought meaning to my work. We also touch on examples like Steve Jobs and finding fulfillment in any job through mastery.

If you’re questioning your path or looking for more purpose in your work, this episode is for you.

January of 2025 marks 10 years of the current version of Machine—I say current only because I started Machine in 2002 as a motion graphics business then transitioned into what we have now in 2015. It’s been quite a ride so far, but it still feels like we haven’t even started yet.

In 2015, it was mainly a one man show. I lived in the back of the shop with my four dogs. No heat, air, hot water, kitchen, shower, or any of the creature comforts we’re used to. I cooked on a hot plate and showered at the YMCA. I was all in on the vision, but it wasn’t a clear vision at all.

I just wanted to do something positive for the graff culture by opening a place for writers to gather, blackbook, attend art shows, etc. Over time, it developed into what you see now. Lots of ups and downs and a huge amount of great memories.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this. Team members, customers, supporters, collaborators, everyone. We have a long way to go.

— Bus

P.S. Rest in peace Kub, Herbie, Hooper, and Shortie. I think about you all the time.

With the new year and new goals, I thought about the habits that changed my life for the better and put them together as a program. It’s 8 weeks of the following daily habits:

• 10 Minutes of Meditation • 10 Pages of Reading • 30 Minutes of Exercise • Stick to a Diet • Do the Power List

This episode goes into some detail as to why these habits, but most should be pretty obvious. If you want to read more about it, you can visit the website below. If you do the program, please let me know how it went!

https://rebuild.graffitimachine.com/

When I'm having trouble creating, I use this technique and it works every time.

Just start. Sometimes you’ll have to force yourself to do it—make anything without worry, just to get moving forward. The longer you go, the more momentum you build.

Every now and then, you’ll discover something that feeds the fire. Keep exploring, keep making. Eventually, it’ll feel like it’s flowing on its own. From there, all you have to do is maintain it.