Get Smarter With People

Dear Andre,

Shortcuts (3 Min read)

• Back to 2023

• Here’s What Changed

• The Secret? The Extras.

• What My Weeks Looked Like

• The Question You’re Asking:

• The Process (Step-by-Step)

It’s Daniel. I know you joined this because you want to get smarter about people.

Let’s rewind to 2023—the year I went from zero close friends to building amazing friendships.

Today, I’m going to reverse-engineer that process for you.

Why?
Because people are a gift. And because the loneliness you’re feeling? I’ve been there too.

First, Want to get smarter about people in 2025?

Introducing 5 Days of Friendship:
A one-week course with a live Q&A to help you maximize your friendships.

Presale until January 13th at $99 After January 13th price increases to $149.
Limited to 15 slots.
If it doesn’t sell out, it won’t happen. (and you’ll get all your money back)

Back to 2023

I’d started a business. I’d graduated college.

Life was great, right?
Wrong.

I’d left my job at a church, lived my dream of going to Ecuador, and jumped headfirst into the business world. (Exciting, right?)

But here’s the thing:
No church felt like home. No place felt like home.

I used to have great friends, but now?
I didn’t even know who to call.

Some nights, I’d sit in my car, scrolling Instagram, wondering:

How does everyone else seem to have amazing friends, and I’m just… here?

That was me.

Here’s What Changed

I decided to do something about it.

Step 1: I went to where people like me hang out.

For me, it started with a young adults group at Bayside Church—a Thursday night group, like many others.

But here’s the catch:
Just showing up isn’t enough.

The Secret? The Extras.

You can’t just attend once a week and expect miracles.
I leaned into the extras.

Here’s what I did:

• Joined a Sunday volleyball group: Shoutout to Sunday Service at Harry Crab Park.

• Joined a small group: Weekly gatherings on Wednesday nights.

• Joined a men’s group: Saturday mornings with a different focus.

• Went to a retreat: A 2-day event that fast-tracked friendships I’d already started building.

Time together accelerates connection.
(That’s why so many people make lifelong friends in college.)

What My Weeks Looked Like

By leaning into these extras, my week started to look like this:

• Sunday: Church + Volleyball (and dinner afterward).

• Tuesday Night: Dinner with a friend.

• Wednesday Night: Small group.

• Thursday Night: Young adults group.

• Saturday Morning: Men’s group.

The Question You’re Asking:

“How do I make time for this?”

I get it. You’re running a business.
But think about this:

Now, two years later, every single one of my closest friendships came out of that year of investment.

Great friendships require time—and not just at the events. It’s the extras that matter.

Andre, DON’T MISS THIS:

It’s the extras—the things you don’t have to do—that set you apart.

Every big win in my life has come from knowing what’s required and doing extra.

This applies to relationships just like it does to business.
The outsized returns? They come from what most people won’t do.

The Process (Step-by-Step)

1. Find healthy environments:
   Join a young adults or professionals group at a local church. Look for one with at least 200 people—it’s a numbers game to find your core 3-5 friends.

2. Join a small group:
   Weekly gatherings outside of church (6-30 people) are essential for deeper connection.

3. Attend activity-based events:
   Hikes, volleyball, pickleball—say yes to these extras.

4. Join a men’s group:
   You’ll find a different type of focus and connection here.

5. Commit to retreats or conferences:
   The time investment accelerates friendships. Bonus: People who pay to be there tend to care more.

6. Serve at your church:
   Volunteering (e.g., kids’ ministry, youth groups) builds connections through shared purpose.

7. Identify recurring connections:
   The people you see multiple times a week will naturally become part of your circle.

8. Go 1:1:
   Invite these recurring connections to coffee or dinner. Focus on building a foundation with same-sex friends before dating.

9. Audit your friendships:
   After 3 months, evaluate your circle. (Reply “Audit” to this email, and I’ll send you my private video on this process.)

The Secret to Great Friendships

It’s not magic—it’s time invested in the right places.

Do this well, and you’ll only need to go through this process once. (And if you move, you can rebuild it anywhere.)

Now you know the process.
All that’s left is to start.

It’s a brand-new year, Andre. Let’s make it a great one.

-Daniel

P.S. Want to get smarter about people in 2025?
Introducing 5 Days of Friendship: A one-week course with live Q&A to maximize your friendships. (Don’t miss it)

Presale ends January 13th. Limited to 15 slots. (price increases from 99$ to $149)