In this week’s newsletter: (4 minute 35 second read)

Dear Andre,

It's 1:15 PM,

Wednesday, November 13, 2024.

I'm waiting to have lunch with Jake at My Thai. In my last two newsletters, I talked about two crucial ideas. I'm sure you remember them well since you've been practicing them.

But, in case you forgot (as all humans do), here they are:

- Listen

- Capture

But there’s a third step. Without it, all the listening and capturing won’t matter. Can you guess what it is? (I’ll tell you at the end)

Every moment has stakes.

Not steaks—*stakes*. What do I mean?

There is a tremendous cost to inaction. Living without a plan. Without vision. Without a compelling picture of the future.

There was a time in my life when I suddenly found myself six thousand dollars in debt.

Now, remember—I hate debt. I already had a full-time job, but it wasn’t enough.

I thought I'd be able to make enough from a business and my job, but it still wasn’t cutting it.

And I had to admit, my business just wasn’t profitable. However, I did have another option: support raising.

I could take my story, refine it, and share it with everyone I could. If I could do this with 5–10 people per week and average $5–100 per person (per month) over the next 11 months, it could work.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "This was easy for Daniel. He loves people and is good at this." But that’s where you’d be wrong.

See, at the time, I didn’t have a plan. I shared my story with someone I thought would be able to help in a big way. When she said yes to meeting, I thought she might help make a real dent in my debt if she chose to support what I was doing.

And these were her exact words to me:

“You came up here with no plan?”

She didn’t choose to invest in what I was doing in Sacramento. This was a gut-wrenching moment. She was someone with means and connections, and her “no,” along with her how-could-you-be-so-stupid-as-to-not-have-a-plan attitude, hit me hard. You might think I handle rejection like it’s no problem—but I went home and cried.

However, I kept meeting with people. I got so used to sharing what I was doing that, in less than 10 minutes, I could tell my whole story. Over the next 3 months, I met with 60-100 people. I ended up with 39 people supporting me each month for the next 11 months.

That’s the power of massive action. It destroys limitations.

Lights. Camera. Action.

Listen. Capture. Action.

It’s so simple.

Simple isn’t easy.

You will not fail to act.

For months, I’ve kept a poem as my lock screen to remind me of this truth:

Let me be perfectly clear.

I’m angry.

Not at you.

At your inaction.

If you’re still reading, here’s a warning: this will feel different. Harsher. More on the nose. Why? Because sometimes it takes anger, channeled right, to spark change.

When the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change, you’ll change.

I hope this is that moment for you. Because the world needs you at your best.

Your lack of action will murder more dreams than failure ever could. And yes, I’m aiming this at myself too. There’s a quote from my sister-in-law that I’ll never forget. Because for so many years my fear of failure kept me from action.

Action is required. Growth is required. Failure is required. Getting up is required. Trying new things is required. Deciding is required. Listening, capturing, and acting are required.

Here’s the problem:

It’s easier to be mad at everything around you than it is to be mad at your own inaction. (or is it…? hmmmm)

One of those things you can’t control. The other, you absolutely can. And the only thing that will change your current reality is the action you’re putting off.

Applying ____ to Your Life

This is part three of the Listen, Capture, Action framework.

I’m channeling this anger with purpose. I’m angry at the ways we fail to really see people around us. People need the love you’re capable of giving. These moments matter. They aren’t throwaway seconds; they’re your life. If you removed distractions and were truly present with people around you, that’s the first step.

Now, here’s step two: Capture and create systematic thoughtfulness. And finally (step three)—**Act**. Stop waiting.

Action isn’t just a word. It’s how you show people they matter. I’m tired of seeing people feel insignificant. If I can push you to remind those in your life that they matter, then we’re getting somewhere. That’s why I’m using this tone. Because I need to cut through the noise of everything else and shake you in your seat.

People forget that they matter.

Remind them.

Lack of action murders more dreams than failure ever did.

Take action today. Show someone that they matter to you. Use the FBI framework: Feeling, Behavior, Impact. Send them a message; become a master of presence.

Take action toward your dreams. Be someone who others say, “If they can do it, so can I.” There are only 40 days left in the year. What’s one thing you’ve been meaning to do? Make a plan, and do it before the new year.

Last year, it was these final 40 days that I used to finally learn how to write.

There’s more to you than you know. Do the next right thing.

If no one else has said this to you. I believe in you.

Words matter.

-Daniel

Well, I wrote it. you read it. You ready to act?

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