Have you ever felt unsure?

Me too. I was stuck in the general, so I asked myself a simple question.

What specifically do I want to learn for the next two months?

I decided to focus on two underrated skills from July 1st-September 5th.

In the last 8 weeks I've learned a lot. (it's 6:34 AM, and I have a yoga class at 8:30)

What are those two skills (you're asking?)

I'll get to them, but first, here are some of the results of this focus:

What I've Achieved By Focusing:

I've won presentation of the week at BNI 2x's in the last 8 weeks. (and had one 30 second presentation that would have won but I was ineligible because I'd won the previous week)

I've had 1 tweet and 1 thread go viral on X. (one with 11,200 views another with 6,500 when I have around 100 followers) https://x.com/DanielBaarns

I've used the doorway to my home as a reset point, so I bring (Honey, I'm HOMEEEE) energy and greet my aunt and uncle with energy. (it brings so much love and warmth to our home)

I've had many people over the last 8 weeks make comments about how good my energy is. I had a woman yesterday who booked a detail for the same day, and afterwards she said, "I could just tell there was something different about your energy and your willingness to fit us in despite needing to cancel a workout."

I applied for a job as a podcast cohost for moneywise. (because I realized I'd love doing that)

That application lead to me being a guest on a podcast. (That's a first)

I've learned not to take myself (or my business) to seriously. (People would rather have a little fun and laugh then have their tie so tight they can barely breath)

I’ve had multiple people say I don’t know how you show up like that every day. I had In-n-out with a friend, and he said the rest of his day was positively effected because of the energy that I brought to our interaction.

Underrated Skills: (what are they?)

1. Enthusiasm

2. Storytelling

These two things have been the skills I've focused on developing over the last 8 weeks.

These are multiplying skills: (what’s a multiplying skill you’re asking?)

Anything x Enthusiasm = better outcome

Anything x Storytelling = better outcome

If I become better at these two skills for the 9 weeks it positively effects the rest of my life. And I underestimated how much better I could become.

Btw, I'm not an expert on either of these.

This is the path I've taken and I hope it inspires you to choose something and learn. It's such a fun way to live life, and I hope you experience this same level of growth.

1. Enthusiasm:

I did the lamest thing ever:

I listened to the same podcast 21 times in the last 8 weeks.

Why would I be so stupid you ask?

Because I know that I don't get everything the first time.

I know it takes time for head knowledge to become a part of my being.

I'm not consuming for information, I'm consuming for transformation. (big difference)

Enthusiasm is a learnable skill?

Yep, I didn’t know that either until I listened to this podcast. (how to master storytelling (starts at 49:12)

Then I heard it again on the this podcast which I've listened to at least 5 times. Shaan Puri on modern wisdom (start at 11:15 this section was the most shaping of my view of enthusiasm)

I had also heard it in Frank Bettger's book: How I raised Myself from Failure to Success selling. He said: "If you double your enthusiasm, you'll probably double your income, and your happiness." He also had a challenge which was to double your enthusiasm for 30 days and see what happens. It very well might be the defining 30 days of your life.

Here are some of the common responses when I explain this to friends and family:

I don’t want to be fake…

What about if I don’t feel like being enthusiastic? (do I just fake it? that isn’t sustainable)

I hear you.

You have room to be human. You can have bad days. I just want you to bring 100% of what you can give in each environment.

because It isn’t about being someone that you aren’t.

It’s taking who you are, and turning it up 1 notch.

Or another way to say it:

If you did what you did in the beginning, there would never be an end. (Daniel, what does that mean?)

Remember how you acted in the beginning of the job? (how you were so excited)

Remember how you acted in the beginning of the relationship? (How you were so thoughtful)

Remember that you can ACT enthusiastic first, and often the feeling of enthusiasm will actually follow! (Actions lead to emotions)

My sister shared an example when she was at a dinner party.

She said she was feeling tired. but decided to show up fully, and she and her friend were having a blast talking. so much so that another girl came over and said “I’m not sure what you guys are talking about, but you look like you’re having so much fun I had to come over and join.”

That’s the power of enthusiasm.

It’s so rare that people are attracted to it.

Here's what I've done in addition to the mindset:

I had bought Charisma University and I went through it 2x's. It was incredibly helpful.

I listened to How I raised myself from failure to success selling. (chapter 1 is all about enthusiasm)

I started recognizing what the ambient enthusiasm level was in a room and consciously chose to bring more energy than was already there.

I also started priming my brain before most interactions by listening to a comedian or a day from charisma university.

I found by listening to Michael junior, or Hasan Minhaj before even detailing or having any other social interaction my brain was looking for the funny in every moment. (and I found a lot more of them)

I choose to consume content that is higher energy. (this includes music, social media, movies, Youtube videos)

I used to say I had a 1 of 3 hit rate with my jokes (2 of 3 are bad, and 1 of were good)

I've noticed that since I've started priming with comedians, and I've written out some of their stories I've started to become a bit like them.

One example of this: (careful: it might stick with you)

Have you ever eaten cereal before?

yes?

Well you might be considered a cereal killer. (bud-dum ch)

Anyway, lets get to the next point before you all leave. ;)

2. Storytelling:

Why become a better storyteller?

Do you want to influence people?

Have you every heard someone drone on and on without a point?

That's me. (sometimes)

I realized I tend to tell the same handful of stories, yet somehow I'd never practiced them. I simply wasn't aware that I could. so I could not tell them in a compelling and fun way that left the listener wanting to know more.

Most people love hearing great stories:

Movies

Songs

Shows

social media

Comedians

it's all storytelling. And attention is valuable. Stories sell.

Stories and music are the only two things that people remember. Most People can't write great music, but they can get better at telling stories.

I started noticing a pattern in my conversations:

So often I'd end up talking about a few main things:

(This is the fun way to say what I do)

I clean up after aspiring artists during the day.

In mornings nights and weekends I quote the penguins of Madagascar.

How I grew up in the traffic capitol of the world.

Now I could say:

I operate a mobile detailing business

I write a weekly Newsletter on social skills, creativity, and storytelling

I grew up in LA.

All these are true. But the first way has people going what? what does that mean, and I smile and laugh as I say them, and it brings so much more fun into the interaction.

after the fun part I can also say:

"Would it be alright if I give you an example of the type of work that I do?" or the type of things I write about. (also now it's 7:15, gotta eat some food before I throw up during my workout)

How I've Practiced Enthusiasm and Storytelling: (3 steps)

1. Exposure - Be around people (in person and online) who are enthusiastic.

   1. Charisma university ($597)

   2. Outsider To Insider ($97)

   3. How to master storytelling (Free)

   4. 7 semi controversial takes on success (Free)

   5. Who in your life is the most enthusiastic person you know? Call or text them to have coffee or lunch or dinner in the next two weeks.

2. Storytelling: what are the stories & questions you get asked most often?

   1. Identify the 3-5 things people ask you about most frequently

   2. What do you do for work (or major if in school), where are you from, what do you do for fun. (3 great places to start)

   3. Write out all three of these stories, and practice reading it out loud . (at first it will feel weird, then with enough repetitions it will feel normal.)

3. This is a process. Most people don't even realize that enthusiasm and storytelling are skill(s) which can be developed. If you practice even for 8 weeks (like I have) You will set yourself apart because most people don't know that this is a learnable skill. (good news It’s 2:05PM, and I didn’t throw up during the class)

P.S. If you want a 6 week process that's a 6th of the price of charisma university and has 49 years of knowledge condensed into 6 weeks Buy outsider to insider in 6 weeks. https://baarns.gumroad.com/l/qmygte

P.P.S Here is what I hope you got out of this newsletter:

1 idea: 2 underrated skills that can change your life

1 emotion: Inspired to become more enthusiastic

1 Action Act more enthusiastic or write 1 story