2024, the year I launch projects of my own that break-free from just client-service business models

ezsmith397 on February 8, 2024

I’m in a phase where I’m really enjoying my agency/consulting businesses.

It’s great cash flow, and I get to work with some awesome partners.

But with that said, I’m really eager and excited to launch some new projects this year that break free of the standard client-service model that I’ve always leaned on throughout my career. I’ve been dreaming for years of making money from a THING that I own vs. always just delivering more and more services.

I’ll be very transparent and say that you can earn a GREAT living with agency-type work, but it also takes a lot to make a lot. It’s very hard to ever get leverage or multiples of your efforts.

Even with hiring, building a team, or outsourcing… In my experience it’s hard to truly multiply things in a profitable and somewhat predictable way.

Since joining Twitter in 2022 I’ve learned a ton from some awesome people who have built amazing businesses using many of the same skills that I possess — WITHOUT just selling services.

These ideas keep me up at night, and constantly race through my mind.

2024 is the year I finally get a taste of these other business models.

You have to do things before you’re ever really “ready”

ezsmith397 on September 11, 2023

You have to do things before you’re ever really “ready”.

Tonight I coached my first soccer practice.

I have absolutely ZERO experience, knowledge, or background with soccer personally.

My daughter played last season and enjoyed it, and this season the recreational director was pressed for coaches…

So I signed up to be an assistant coach.

I figured I could learn the game a bit, help out, and be able to help in whatever ways I could.

Well, it came down to the wire the other week with no one stepping up to be the main coach, and the season would have to be delayed.

So I threw my hat in the ring and signed up to be THE coach.

(With no assistant coach officially… although my wife has been AWESOME so far at helping with the communications and planning with the parents and director)

I felt pushed to do it, even though I’m beyond busy right now, and have no idea what I’m really doing.

Tonight’s practice was fun, but it was rough.

I was nervous, trying to corral and coach a group of 6 year old girls to teach them how to play a game I have no idea how to play.

I had to ask my wife on the sidelines for quite a bit of help (she played when she was young).

I had to ask some of the parent’s who seemed to know the game what to do in various situations.

All in all though, we got through it.

We had fun.

I was not at all ready, but I did it anyway.

That’s how life works MOST of the time.

You have a call to do something, and you likely just flat out will NOT be ready.

But you answer it anyway.

You take the plunge, and you figure it out.

Now I know I’ll probably be the worst coach this year when it comes to truly teaching the game and the finer points of the sport.

I’ve let the parents know this.

But I’m going to do my damn best and enjoy the process.

Tons of moments in life are just like this, especially in business.

Opportunities are going to come up that you aren’t “ready” for…

But you’re gonna need to take them (while being honest about your readiness), and figure it out.

The more reps you put in, the luckier you’ll get

ezsmith397 on September 6, 2023

The more reps you put in, the luckier you’ll get.
It’s funny how that works.
When I was 18 I didn’t want to accept this.
When I was 25 I understood it more, but was still stubborn to the full reality of it.
At 34 I fully accept it.

Understanding the type of “doer” you are

ezsmith397 on September 1, 2023

Understanding the type of “doer” you are is important to how you build your career.
 
For me? I’m the sorta guy who just gets stuff done.
 
Not a big fan of insane meetings, and crazy planning that drags out endlessly.
 
I’ve always been more scrappy, more resourceful.
 
This meant that the traditional Corporate route was not a good fit for me.
 
I realized this early on, and built my career and life based on this.
 
This meant building my own businesses, working as a consultant with small teams, and doing things that allowed me to lean into my natural self.
 
I think having this self-awareness is key.

Can only focus and accomplish so much in any given day or week

ezsmith397 on August 27, 2023

Reminded today (on a Sunday evening) that I can only focus and accomplish so much in any given day or week.

Especially in this season of life.

Drawback to being highly driven and having big vision is that it’s near impossible to feel like I’m getting enough done in any one moment.

Grateful that I’m wired this way, but also feeling the burden from it today.

I often get stir-crazy on the weekends when I’m trying to be with my family and not work.

Even just in regular life stuff, I feel like I need to be “go, go, go!” All the time.

This sense of urgency and effort is why I’m successful and have a growing business.

But it always makes it hard to slow down and be present as well.