LinkedIn | David Asarnow | Post

Entrepreneurs! Ever heard the saying, 'Modeling is your ticket to success'? Well, let me tell you, real growth goes beyond just copying others. It's about crafting your own blueprint. Here are three key steps to building your own audience:

Mastery over modeling: While modeling is a good starting point, true success comes from mastering your craft. Focus on honing your skills and becoming the best in your field.

Define your unique value: What sets you apart from the rest? Identify your unique strengths and offerings that others can't replicate. This is what will attract your audience to you.

Forge your own path: Instead of competing in a crowded market, carve out your own niche. Find your unique angle and create a space where you can thrive.

Follow me for more business growth strategies and tips to help you succeed!

🚫 How Fake News Is KILLING Your Business

In the next 2 minutes it takes for you to read this newsletter, I can PROMISE that you’ll never look at the news, social media, or advertisements the same way again.

Ready? Take a look at this image. 👇

If you’re like me, it appears that the man on the upper right is taller than the other two behind him, right?

WRONG! ❌

In fact, all three people you see in that image are the exact same size. (Don’t believe me? Don’t worry—I didn’t believe it either at first).

This simple trick shows how easily our eyes can be fooled. And it happens all the time, especially on the internet.

Now, think about this happening online, where things can get real confusing, real fast. Today, we get news and updates from platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok…And now, more than ever, many posts we see or read are NOT true.

Misleading headlines, fake stories, and wrong numbers are EVERYWHERE. People are trying to sway people via propaganda to their viewpoint. We are even seeing AI being used in the form of deep fakes, and it’s happening to everyone…Including us Entrepreneurs.

Daniel Kahneman, a renowned psychologist, coined a term for our tendency to take things at face value: WYSIATI (What You See Is All There Is).

Kahneman states that when we are “presented with evidence, especially those that confirm our mental model, we do not question what evidence might be missing.”

It’s human nature to form conclusions based on the information readily available to us, that support our belief system without digging deeper. Today in a digital world, where misinformation spreads faster than the truth, this habit can cause unnecessary challenges.

Here are a couple of other real-world business examples:

EXAMPLE #1: Fake Testimonials or Hate

Imagine waking up one morning to find your company's name trending on social media…But for the wrong reasons. A viral post accuses your brand of some unethical practices, complete with images and customer testimonials.

Panic sets in as you see customers vowing NEVER to buy from you again. But after doing some digging, you realize that the images were photoshopped and the testimonials are fake. You search online and cannot find the source of the FAKE NEWS.

The damage to your brand's reputation, however, is real and significant. In the rush to share sensational news, people often overlook verifying the authenticity of the claims made, and the consequences can be dire for businesses caught in the crossfire.

EXAMPLE #2: False Advertising

Now, let’s talk about influencer endorsements, a common way to advertise in today’s social media-driven world.

Let’s say you come across a popular influencer praising a new software tool that promises to DOUBLE your social media engagement. The influencer's post is filled with impressive screenshots and metrics.

Tempted, you invest in the software, only to find out later that the influencer was paid for the endorsement and the software doesn't deliver as promised.

The metrics shown were cherry-picked and the influencer may have never actually used the software on their own profiles. At the end of the day, this misinformation led to a bad investment and wasted time trying to integrate a tool that doesn’t deliver.

This is why the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) is cracking down on testimonials and has LOTS of new rules around publishing them (especially if it's a paid endorsement—It must be reported!)

Moral of the story?

The truth is not always what meets the eye, or in this case, what fills the screen.

Misinformation is not just misleading; it can be dangerous. It can create unnecessary panic, lead to wrong decisions, and even harm your business's reputation.

And the worst part? We may not even realize we're falling for it.

So now the question becomes…How can we, as Entrepreneurs, avoid being fooled and ensure we’re only consuming reputable content? 👇

1. Double-Check: Don’t just believe something because it sounds right or because many people are talking about it. Get more information and double-check (heck, even triple-check) the facts.
2. Ask Questions: If something doesn’t make sense or feels off, ask questions. Look for answers from different places. Remember—A curious mind is less likely to be fooled.
3. Talk to Others: Share what you find with your team, friends, or other business folks. They might have helpful thoughts or more information. Different viewpoints can help see the full picture.

1. Be Skeptical: Maintain a healthy level of skepticism, especially when the information seems too good (or too bad) to be true.

1. Don’t Overreact: It's easy to jump to conclusions, especially when something you see online triggers an emotional response. Take a moment to assess the information without letting emotions drive your actions.

And remember, — the “What You See Is All There Is” mindset doesn’t just stop at business, it goes into how we see people and the world around us too. We saw this in October with riots and protests when news sources around the world said that Israel bombed both a hospital and a Greek Orthodox Church, which was later found to be false.

This way of “WYSIATI” thinking can lead to a lot of unfairness like bias and stereotyping. It happens when we don’t take the time to really understand someone (or something) and just judge quickly based on what we see or what is presented to us at face value.

Take stereotypes, for instance.

This happens when we lump everyone from a certain group together. For example, thinking that all teenagers are troublemakers or all elderly people are out of touch.

People make snap judgments without taking the time to know individuals for who they truly are.

Similarly, social media often becomes an echo chamber where we keep hearing the same opinions that match our own. In fact, the AI algorithms are designed to share MORE of what you view and interact with versus contrarian ideas.

Because of this, if we don't venture outside our comfort zones to listen to differing viewpoints, we risk staying stuck in our own little bubbles, missing out on understanding and appreciating the diverse world around us, and not seeing the truth.

So, this year, I encourage you to challenge the “What You See Is All There Is” mindset.

Next time you see an ad, news piece, or viral social media post, I encourage you to go beyond the surface, question what you see, and seek to understand the full picture.

In doing so, you’ll not only make smarter decisions in business, but also help to create a more understanding and less judgmental society.

To your success,

David

P.S. If you want to double your business in the next 6-12 months, let's chat. Click here and apply for a free 45 min strategy consultation ($497 Value!)

🤯 Less Work, More Results? Here’s How…

How often do you find yourself juggling multiple tasks and projects, only to realize at the end of the day that you’ve made no significant progress in any particular direction?

Frustrating? Absolutely. It happens to the best of us.

…So what if I told you there was a way to break free from this cycle?

Personally, focusing on the ONE thing that will move the needle toward achieving my goal was what changed things exponentially for me.

I learned this tactic in the book, "The ONE Thing" by Gary Keller. 👇

For example, when we onboard a new client here at Business Nitrogen, we often break the project down into a 45-day ramp-up period, and then into 90-day sprints moving forward. Each sprint revolves around ONE significant goal we aim to achieve by the quarter's end.

Sure, there are various moving pieces — From copywriting to branding to social media marketing and much more.

However, every team member, (regardless of their role), aligns their efforts toward achieving this one main objective. And guess what? When the 90 days come to an end and we hit that goal, the feeling of satisfaction is indescribable.

We're happy, our client is happy, and the sense of accomplishment resonates through every level of our team and theirs.

Now the question becomes…How can YOU incorporate “The ONE Thing” principle into your own business? 👇

1. ❌ Recognize That Multitasking is a LIE

Today, multitasking is almost worn as a badge of honor. It’s become so mainstream that MILLIONS of people still boast it as a valued skill on their resumés.

But here's the harsh truth: Multitasking is not only inefficient, it's a productivity killer.

Gary argues that when we think we're multitasking, we're actually “switch-tasking”: Constantly shifting our attention from one task to another, which in reality, decreases productivity.

The problem with that?

This can actually waste more than 28% of our day due to the mental switching costs. (You know, getting back into the “groove” of things every time you switch back and forth).

And sure — While it is possible to perform two actions simultaneously like walking and talking, our brains are not wired to FOCUS on two cognitive tasks at once.

The attempt to do so leads to errors, missed details, and ultimately, less work being done. Think of it this way:

• Surgeons cannot operate on two patients at once.
• Teachers cannot grade papers while simultaneously lecturing a class.
• Texting and driving (and that’s just a no-no regardless).

1. 📝 Ditch Your To-Do List for a Success List

Most people love their to-do lists, don't they? They give people a sense of organization and control.

However, according to Gary, a typical to-do list is nothing but a road to average results. It's a mix of what we 'want' to do, with what we ‘NEED’ to do.

Instead, he introduces the concept of a 'Success List' — A shorter, more focused list that is aligned with your long-term goals.

Success lists are not about doing more, but doing what matters most. It’s about identifying that ONE task that, once completed, will make everything else easier or completely unnecessary.

Here’s how to get started…

Start by jotting down all the tasks you want to accomplish. You might end up with a list of say, 25 items.

Now, prioritize them and strike off the ones you can live without completing right away. You'll probably be left with ~5 critical tasks.

From those, choose the ONE task that you absolutely need to tackle first, before anything else. That’s what you should immediately focus on.

And as I always say, schedule it in your calendar to work on. In my world, if something isn’t on my calendar, it doesn't exist.

So use this exercise to drill down and find that ONE major task that will move the needle closer to your goals, and then prioritize and schedule it in your calendar.

1. 🧠 Your Willpower is Not on Will-Call

Contrary to the popular belief that willpower is always at our disposal, ready to jump into action whenever we need it, Gary suggests otherwise.

Instead, think of willpower like the battery percentage on your phone. You start the day with it fully charged at 100%.

But as the day goes on, with each task you complete and decision you make, it's like using up a bit of battery.

71%... 44%... 19%...

By evening, (just like your phone), your willpower is likely to be running low, almost out of juice.

The solution?

Complete the most important task in your calendar (your ONE thing on your Success List) early in the day, when your willpower is at its peak. This ensures that your prime task gets the best of your energy and focus.

So, as you prepare to tackle the challenges of today, let's remember to shift our focus.

It's not about how many balls we can keep in the air, but about hitting the one crucial ball that'll score the game-winning home run.

With that, I’ll leave you with a quote that perfectly encapsulates Gary’s overall message to the world:

“IF YOU CHASE TWO RABBITS, YOU WILL NOT CATCH EITHER ONE.”

— Russian Proverb

To your success,

David

⌛ Debunking the 10,000 Hour Rule

Have you ever come across a new business or marketing training program, felt the rush of excitement, and clicked the ‘BUY NOW’ button…Only to find it collecting digital dust in your inbox?

Trust me, you're not alone…I’ve done it one too many times.

We see something that inspires us to watch a training, challenge or webinar. We get excited and get a spike of dopamine, thinking this course will be the solution.

We buy…and then, so many times we’re left with a vault of untouched knowledge.

The wisdom contained in resources like courses, inner circles, and other programs has the potential to change our business forever…Yet many Entrepreneurs don’t fully dive in (even after making the financial investment!)

Why? Let’s break it down…

You've probably heard about Malcolm Gladwell's 10,000-hour rule. It's a theory that suggests it takes roughly 10,000 hours of practice to achieve mastery in a particular field.

Now, while this rule might hold some truth when striving for top-notch expertise, it can feel like a massive mountain to climb for many of us who simply want to learn a new skill or gain knowledge that will help us in our business.

(Who has 10,000 hours to spare?)

Now, here's where it gets interesting…

In his famous book, best-selling author Josh Kaufman busted this myth wide open when he introduced the 20-hour rule. 👇

Josh suggests that you only need 20 hours of focused, deliberate study and practice to become proficient at a new skill.

(Yes…Just 20 hours!)

Imagine holding a guitar for the first time, the strings awkward under your fingers, or standing in a kitchen, surrounded by a ton of unfamiliar ingredients as you attempt to create a gourmet meal.

This initial 20-hour stretch is the magical time when your brain is a sponge, soaking up chords or recipes at a pace that’s nothing short of exhilarating.

It's during THESE hours that the basics are etched into your memory, forming a solid foundation upon which you can build mastery.

In other words, all you have to do is simply get started.

…But what does “getting started” actually look like?

Josh Kaufman breaks down the 20-hour rule into four crucial steps:

1. Deconstruct the Skill: Break down the skill you want to learn into smaller, manageable chunks. Identifying which parts of the skill will give you the most benefit and focus on learning those first.

1. Learn Enough to Self-Correct: Gather enough resources to understand the basics so you can self-correct as you practice. This could be through online tutorials, books, or even a mentor who can guide you.

1. Remove Practice Barriers: Eliminate distractions that might hinder your learning process. This includes your phone, social media, or a noisy environment.

1. Practice for at least 20 Hours: Here’s where the magic happens. Practice each chunk for a total of 20 hours. This doesn’t have to be all at once but can be spread out over a few days or weeks.

The problem many Entrepreneurs face, though?

They lack the motivation, discipline, and willpower to get started and complete these four simple steps.

Or sometimes we want something but have an unconscious trigger that holds us back from achieving it (e.g., imposters syndrome, which unconsciously tells us we don’t deserve it so we procrastinate).

Surely, we all have been there.

The thrill of starting something new is often met with the reality of other commitments, fear of failure, or sometimes, the voice in the back of our heads that whispers, “I’ve got all this other stuff to do, so I’ll start after I finish X, Y, Z.”

Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and before you know it, we forget about the purchase and buy the next shiny object.

The good news?

It’s all about harnessing the power of those initial 20 hours and blending it with a technique that keeps procrastination at bay.

Enter the Pomodoro Technique — A simple yet effective way to manage your time and maintain your focus. Here’s how it works:

1. Block out three hours for learning your new skill and set a timer for 25 minutes to work diligently on your task.

1. Once the timer rings, take a 5-minute break. Stretch, grab a coffee, or simply relax. Then dive back in for another 25-minute sprint. (Do not look at your phone or check emails as this is focused learning time).

1. After four sprints, take a longer break of 15-30 minutes. Rinse and repeat, or plan your next session.

Here’s a cool tool you can use to keep track of your sprints: Pomo Focus

This method not only keeps you rejuvenated but also instills a sense of urgency and focus. Each 25-minute sprint is a mini-deadline, pushing you to make significant strides in a short period of time.

Now, combine the Pomodoro Technique with the 20-hour rule, and what you have is a proven strategy for rapid skill acquisition and productivity.

You'll find yourself not just starting, but cruising through the learning process.

So, dust off that neglected course, or tune that forgotten guitar. Set your timer and dive into the world of focused learning.

The 20-hour rule paired with the disciplined approach of the Pomodoro Technique is your ticket to unlocking a new set of skills and bringing a fresh burst of energy and innovation to your business.

And who knows, the next time you come across a shiny new training program, you won’t just stop at the ‘BUY NOW’ button.

Instead, you’ll take immediate action, apply what you’ve learned, and actually reap the benefits of what you’ve purchased.

To your success,

David

P.S. If you want to double your business in the next 6-12 months, let's chat. Click here and apply for a free 45 min strategy consultation ($497 Value!)