Design Test Improve Design Test Improve

In today's episode, we discuss taking action can bring clarity to your daily life in order to help you make progress towards your goals and prevent you from falling into the hamster wheel of thinking and planning.


Call To Action
Think of that one idea, project, or goal you’ve been wanting to accomplish and ask yourself, “What is one simple next step I can do today to start progressing towards this goal?” – Now GO DO THAT STEP!

As you continue to go down that path, things will become clearer and you’ll start to realize one of three things: 

You’ll confirm to yourself that your idea was right and you’ll continue on the pathYou’ll potentially run into roadblocks you didn’t expect and adjust your plan (most likely)You’ll scrap the idea because you realize it won’t work, but at least now you’ve cleared your head of that idea and have more mental room for the next idea to execute on The learnings you get from this initiative will be lessons that will help you make better decisions on your future ideas.

Tools & Content Mentioned
Podcast Episode: Motivation Starts After You Take ActionVideo: Finding Clarity Through Action | Marie ForleoPlanner: Full Focus Planner

In this episode, we discuss why you should consider spending more time alone in order to help improve your well-being. We talk about the importance of periods of self-isolation, what to do during it, the benefits we have experienced, and our recommendations on how to get started.

Call To Action
Block out time this week to spend time alone to reflect. Minimum 1 hour.During your time block, reflect on your current life situations. Some questions you may want to ask yourself.How am I feeling? Why am I feeling this way?What vision do I have for my future?What do I want to learn?What do I want to get better at?What is important to me?Who are the people that I find myself surrounded with? Are they bringing joy and positive value to my life?What is my favorite forms of exercise?Give your mind space to just think about whatever comes up.Create consistent time blocks (if possible) to spend alone each week to:thinkwork on personal projectslearningother activities you find fulfillingTools & Content Mentioned
Podcast: Chris Williams hinge podcastBook: The Codling of the American MindBook: The Almanack of Naval RavikantService: FocusmateCourse: Learning How To LearnTool: kSafeBook: Daily StoicBook: MeditationsBook: Letters from a stoic

In this episode, we discuss how to craft an identity that you aspire to be and leverage that identity as a reference point to help you make your better day-to-day decisions.

Call To Action

In a document, write out the identity of the person you truly want to be.
Not just the things he or she has like money, success, etc. –– but instead…
How do they carry themselves in the world? Confidence, Assertiveness, etc.How do they present themselves physically?What habits have they adopted?What are their priorities in life?What are their principles and value that they will never compromise over?Those questions are more important because they are the inputs of life that will help you achieve outcomes of success.
Once you have that document, now you’ll have a written identity script for yourself. And when tough decisions are made, you can look back to this document and ask yourself, “What would this person do?”
This document will take you a long time to create, but once you’ve dug deep into who you truly want to become, save the document and read it every morning to remind yourself of the identity you have to adopt in order to achieve your goals in life.

Tools / Content Mentioned
Morning Formula DocumentIdentity-Based Decision MakingBook: Psycho CyberneticsBook: Maybe It’s You

In this episode we discuss how to optimize your environment by creating systems that are designed to foster self-discipline, instead of relying solely on your own willpower.

Call-To-Action
Assess what you have control over in your current environmentWhat are bad habits that are causing a negative impact in your life that you know you can change, but requires discipline?How can you create systems to help foster positive habits, without having to rely on willpower?Tools & Content Mentioned
App: FreedomApp:AlarmyTool: kSafeTool: Sunrise Simulation Alarm (There are other options)Service: FocusmatePrevious Episode: Ep 6 – Structuring Weeks For Progress & GoalsPrevious Episode: Ep 42: Motivation Starts After You Start Working

In this episode, we discuss how you can utilize self-reflection exercises as a way to help coach yourself to overcome obstacles, accomplish your goals, and become a better overall version of yourself.

Call To Action
Set aside 15mins to an hour to truly reflect on your lifeTo make the session more productive, come up with a list of questions that help you during this self-reflection session: What are some great things that happened to me this past week?What was the main struggle you faced this week, and how would you advise someone dealing with the same struggle?What are two things you learned about yourself this past week?One decision you could have made this last week to make your life better or move ahead faster?What worked really well this past week and why?The goal is to make this a consistent habit, so try to start off by scheduling at least one day of the week where you have a self-reflection session, and then increase from there if you feel the need.Content & Tools Mentioned
App: Day OneProduct: kSafeService: FocusmateService: BetterhelpApp: Freedom AppPodcast Episode: Living an easy life may make you feel unhappySearch: Emotional Wheel

In this episode, we discuss the S-Curve of Growth framework and how it can be used as a compass on your career journey. We share personal experiences on how the S-Curve has helped us reflect on our careers in order to determine when it is time to apply to jobs, ask for promotions, and new opportunities for career growth.

Website: http://designtestimprove.com/

Call To Action
First, you have to evaluate where you’re at today in regards to the S-Curve The base is the starting point – starting a position with a lot of potential to learnThe slope up is the growth section – in a current position where you’re being challenged and gaining tons of experienceThe top is mastery/stagnation – mastered your position and no longer feel challengedIf you’re at the base or slope, keep going and try to learn as much as you can… milk that as much as possible!If you’re at the top and feel like you’re stagnating, how can you be proactive and create a new challenge for yourself? Ask for a promotion – ex: IC —> ManagerChange departments or projects – ex: Client Marketing —> Brand MarketingChange jobs – Sometimes you outgrow a company and need a new one with bigger challenges
Tools & Content Mentioned
Article: Why your high-performing employees may be slowly disengaging from workArticle: Shaping individual development along the S-curvePodcast: Ep 34: Build An Edge in Your Career Through Talent StackingPodcast: Ep 39: How to Leverage Stress to Boost PerformanceBooks Mentioned on Management Good to GreatBuilt To LastHigh Output Management