March 18, 2024 • 22min
Get LASER FOCUSED for 2024 (in 18 minutes)
My First Million
In this episode, Shaan Puri shares his framework for ruthless focus to help you achieve your goals in 2024. The key is to acknowledge that while you can do anything, you can't do everything. Shaan breaks down specific tactics to gain laser-like focus.
Get LASER FOCUSED for 2024 (in 18 minutes)
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Key Takeaways
- Raise your "yes threshold" to a "h**l yes" - only say yes to things you are extremely excited about
- Switch from a "manager schedule" to a "maker schedule" with large uninterrupted blocks of time for creative, productive work
- Use the "Pyramid of Clarity" to define your mission, break it down to a 1-year goal, and identify the people, product and financial inputs needed
- Set an emotionally compelling goal for yourself (e.g. "build a creatively fulfilling cash machine")
- Clarify what you need to say "yes" and "no" to in order to achieve your goal
Introduction
In this episode, Shaan Puri shares his framework for ruthless focus to help you achieve your goals in 2024. The key is to acknowledge that while you can do anything, you can't do everything. Shaan breaks down specific tactics to gain laser-like focus.
Topics Discussed
Define your "Yes Threshold" (2:00)
- Bring awareness to how low your "yes threshold" currently is
- Raise your standard for saying yes - reserve "yes" only for things you are extremely excited about, the "h**l yes" opportunities
Manager Schedule vs Maker Schedule (4:00)
- Most default to a "manager schedule" with days broken into many small chunks
- Switch to a "maker schedule" with a few large uninterrupted blocks of time (2.5-3 hours) for creative, productive work
- Getting into a flow state during these focused blocks allows you to accomplish much more in the same number of hours
The Pyramid of Clarity (6:30)
A framework created by Asana to provide clarity and focus:
- Mission - Your big "why", the reason your organization exists
- Be honest about your true mission, even if it's not "change the world" level
- 1-Year Goal - Where you need to be in 1 year for it to be a big success
- Set a "floor goal" (minimum to be satisfied) and a "f**k yeah goal" (ambitious target)
- Inputs - What you need in terms of people, product, and finances to achieve the 1-year goal
- Break the goal down month-by-month into digestible targets
Floor Goals and F*ck Yeah Goals (8:30)
- Set a range rather than a single goal to avoid feeling either underambitious or disappointed
- Floor goal - you'd be disappointed to not reach this, it's a solid win
- F*ck yeah goal - you're high-fiving and toasting an incredible achievement
Write it Out, Be Specific (10:00)
- Write out your goals in a way that is emotionally compelling and specific to you
- E.g. "Make $6k/month so I can quit my job and be independent"
- Break big goals down to the specific people, product and financial inputs needed
Input vs Output (12:00)
- Say "yes" to the critical inputs needed, even if difficult or uncomfortable
- "I say yes to doing my absolute best to create the most compelling content, week after week, even if the numbers don't change for a long time"
- Say "no" to things that will prevent you from executing on your key inputs
- "I have to say no to starting a company, even if it's a compelling idea that could make millions"
Putting it All Together (16:00)
The "you can do anything but you can't do everything" framework for focus:
- Define your emotionally compelling mission
- Set a 1-year goal with a "floor" and "f**k yeah" target
- Identify the key people, product and financial inputs to reach the goal
- Clarify what you must say "yes" and "no" to (especially things that are difficult for you)
- Execute ruthlessly month-after-month, tracking progress against the goal
Conclusion
While we are all theoretically capable of doing anything, we can't do everything. Achieving big goals requires ruthless focus and a framework to constantly direct your effort to the things that matter most. By defining a compelling mission, setting specific targets, and getting honest about what you need to do (and avoid), you can make your biggest goals a reality.
