Louis' Learnings 2 - Repetition. Vulnerability. Inbound Validation
Principles You Should Pay Attention To
Happy Monday from Las Vegas, Nevada!
Welcome to the second edition of Louis’ Learnings, a weekly newsletter where I share the major updates and lessons learned from my previous week.
You can think of this email as my public journal: a place for me to document what I’m doing, learning, reading, and thinking about as I work towards my goals.
Last week, I shared the why behind this project, which you can read here.
This week, I share a few of the ideas on my mind using the idea of repetition as a positive constraint.
Vulnerability == The Key To Good Content Creation
This is an idea I’ve been repeating to myself over and over again. Every writing, dating, or marketing book I’ve read has emphasized the importance of vulnerability in becoming the type of writer that attracts readers, person that attracts dates, or company that attracts customers.
People can sniff a phony. We have a sixth sense when someone isn’t genuine.
The easiest (& maybe only) way to overcome this is to be vulnerable.
The more of yourself you share, the more your work will be shared.
Ups and downs. Successes and failures. Struggles and ‘dubs’ (wins for the uninitiated).
People want to relate to you.
It’s awkward. It goes against everything I would do instinctually. It works every time.
Unsolicited Inbound Positive Feedback == The Only Truth We Have?
This is an idea brought to my attention in my podcast with Pierre-Antoine de Preux (coming Tuesday).
The only reason I remembered it is because I re-listened to the episode during editing! It’s naive to assume we remember everything from a one-time conversation.
The best source of validation you can get as to whether or not something you are doing is working is inbound & unsolicited word-of-mouth feedback.
If you are working on a creative project, you can’t trust solicited commentary.
Watching a stranger purchase your product or getting a DM praising your work is an unbiased positive signal that you are on to something.
Treasure this signal when you receive it & let it fuel your confidence to keep going.
Back of the line!
Correcting unproductive beliefs and replacing them with better ones is one of the most critical elements of self improvement.
For deep, long-term changes, this endeavor requires repetition and immersion in the new idea or way of thinking. Podcasts, books, and even social media accounts that promote the desired worldview can be a great form of low-friction repetition and exposure.
Recently, I’ve been working on rewiring my thinking about relationships. I found this instagram post from Case Kenny, and it struck a chord.
In the past, I’d see something like being ‘friend-zoned’ as a negative. Now, I’ve learned to appreciate the polarization. I’ll take a clear ‘yes’ or ‘no’ over having to exhaust energy guessing feelings everyday of the week.
Remember and repeat this… whether it is a podcast invitation, dating, or a job application, rejection is almost always about something else and hardly ever is about you. Don’t take personally what is 99% of the time attributable to circumstance, busyness, and factors completely out of your control.
5 Quick Ideas
Positive Habit Of The Week: Try keeping a short 123 journal everyday this week
(1- three things to be grateful for, 2- three priorities for the day, 3- three interesting observations or ideas for improvement). It takes five-minutes tops.
Book Recommendation: Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Foundational beliefs about money. A classic if you haven't read it and an easy and important refresher if you have. Worth reading and rereading.
Podcast Recommendation: Marketing Secrets, Your One Funnel Away (Part 1 and 2)
A masterful speech, a remarkable display of vulnerability, practice, deliberate timing, and storytelling. I’ve watched this in its entirety at least three times.
Quote of the Week: “I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.” — Abe Lincoln.
Worth repeating whenever you find yourself making judgements about a person without knowing their personal history.
Music Recommendation: Hustle Beats by Trabbey
This playlist might set your headset on fire. It is the best studying/ working music I’ve found in a long time. Trust me on this one & listen on repeat.
Content Updates
Episode 42 of The Louis and Kyle Show with Doone Roisin from Female Startup Club.
We asked Doone about what she has learned from interviewing 80+ female founders over the past year. We also explored some of her most creative stories going above and beyond to make her own luck and land interesting job opportunities early in her career.
Photo of the Week
I tried my first Aura, the sports drink company I’m involved with!
A Bit More Repetition
Here are a few “mental mantras” I’ve been repeating to myself
Where your focus goes, your energy flows (are you hearing me?)!
What gets measured gets improved.
Writing is a superpower.
Shed the need to feel original. Value good ideas over new ideas.
Fewer goals, greater investment in each.
Closing Thoughts 🙏
Thanks so much for being here and for following the journey.
As an early reader, your support & feedback are deeply appreciated!
Please reply and let me know what you think of this week’s format and content… I’d love to hear from you.
Wishing you a joyful, focused, and balanced week,
Louis Shulman
HOW IS AURA