Hey y’all!

After a brief hiatus, we’re back! And hopefully better than before.

With our revamped format, we have two goals:

1. Be more concise.

2. Provide more value.

Let us know how we do!

On Tap Today:

• Wisdom from the week:

  • Oversharing

  • Contrarians

  • Avoidance

• Something you should check out

Wisdom from the Week

1 // Don’t Overshare

For most entrepreneurial-minded people, business ideas come to us like kids to a candy bowl. Quickly, excitedly, and in hoards.

We look upon the world and cannot help but see opportunities for better products, better services, and ways to improve what already exists.

Like those kids and the candy bowl, we feast on each idea, enjoy the sugar rush of the potential opportunity, and then, almost as quickly as the idea came, it’s gone.

And, much like a Kit-Kat bar, most of our initial ideas lack any real substance.

That’s not a critique of the entrepreneurial spirit. But it is something to be aware of, especially in the company of those closest to you.

Nick and I know all too well the consequences of unloading every business idea that pops into our brains upon our wives. The onslaught of fleeting opportunities and pursuits is exhausting for each of them. And, after a while, they stop taking any ideas we present seriously.

In other words, we lose credibility because we’re talk-heavy but action-lite. Not a good combo.

As an entrepreneur, learn to ride out the sugar highs of your ideas alone. Be highly selective about when and how much you share of any given idea. Better yet, start building something and wait for people to ask what you’re working on.

2 // Welcome Contrarians Into Your Life

I have a friend I love regularly connecting with because his perspective is incredibly unique.

I bring some of my biggest problems — both in business and life — to him because, more often than not, while I’m trying to solve for ‘x,’ he shows me the merits of first solving for ‘y.’ Half the time, I confess, I didn’t even recognize that ‘y’ was part of the issue before he pointed it out to me.

That said, having a contrarian for a friend is not always comfortable or easy.

We live in a world where the goal is to make everything smooth, easy, and frictionless. Human nature is such that we surround ourselves with people who think like us and applaud all our plans and ideas.

Contrarians are like rumble strips on the side of the road. By their very nature, they create friction, slow us down, and shake us up. But, at their best, they don’t do so arbitrarily. Instead, they keep us from falling asleep at the wheel and driving off the road. Or, positively stated, they keep us focused on where we’re going and help ensure we continue making forward progress.

So, resist the urge to get frustrated by the contrarians — whether friends, mentors, business partners, or co-workers. Welcome their alternative perspectives as an essential part of what’s required to reach your goals.

3 // What Are You Avoiding?

This week, someone told me, “The results you seek come from the work you’re avoiding.”

Oof.

That hit me hard. And it did so because I instantly recognized the truth in the statement.

I want to be more fit, but I’m not making the time to hit the gym.

I want more sales, but I’m not picking up the phone to make more calls.

I want more investment properties, but I’m not analyzing deals and writing offers.

It’s the ‘buts’ that’ll crush your goals and dreams in the end.

Take some time, even right now, and ask yourself, “What work am I avoiding today, and what results am I preventing as a result?”

Then, do the work.

You won’t regret it.

Something You Should Check Out

Nick James’s daily show, The Entrepreneur’s Journey, is up and live, and can be found on all major platforms!

In contrast to The Abundant Journey Podcast, which is interview-based and long-form in nature, The Entrepreneur’s Journey episodes are quick-hitting with practical tips and advice on sales, finances, and best business practices.

With each episode being 10 minutes or less, they’re perfect for those brief trips between meetings, so be sure to subscribe to keep up the steady stream of business fundamentals flowing into your podcast feed.

That’s all for now, folks.

Thanks for coming along!

Let us know how we’re doing by simply replying to the email here.

More content is on the way!

In the meantime, you can keep up with all the latest by visiting AbundantJourney.net.

Onward & Upward, Friends,

Nick & Nick