1000 Day Challenge

Every developer—no matter how experienced—has faced moments of doubt.

Maybe it’s debugging an error that seems impossible to resolve, or grasping a concept that refuses to “click.”

These struggles are not signs of failure; they’re signs of growth.

When you see others effortlessly creating amazing web applications, remember that they, too, were once beginners.

They’ve struggled with the same roadblocks you’re encountering.

Their secret to success?

They kept going.

Why Diligence Matters

Diligence is about showing up consistently, even when progress feels slow.

It’s the habit of returning to the problem day after day, knowing that each small step forward is still progress.

When learning a web framework, diligence might look like:

• Breaking it into smaller goals: Focus on mastering one concept at a time, like routing, data fetching, or state management.
• Practicing regularly: Even 30 minutes a day can compound into significant improvement over weeks and months.
• Documenting your journey: Write down what you’ve learned and where you struggled. These notes can serve as both a reference and a reminder of how far you’ve come.

The Role of Perseverance

While diligence gets you started, perseverance keeps you going when the going gets tough.

Perseverance is what helps you push through when:

• The tutorial you’re following assumes knowledge you don’t have.
• Your code doesn’t work, and Stack Overflow feels like a maze of half-answers.
• You’re tempted to compare your progress to others, leading to imposter syndrome.

Perseverance is the voice that says, “I’m not giving up,” even when self-doubt screams the loudest.

It’s embracing the mindset that every challenge is an opportunity to learn.

Learn It Well

Instead of rushing to check off a framework or tool from your list, make it your mission to understand it truly.

Depth of knowledge matters far more than breadth. This core mission requires patience and curiosity:

• Focus on fundamentals: A solid grasp of JavaScript, HTML, and CSS will make learning any framework easier.
• Experiment fearlessly: Don’t just follow tutorials—build something of your own, even if it’s messy. The act of creating deepens understanding.
• Ask for help: Join communities, forums, or developer groups. Others’ perspectives can illuminate things you might miss.

The days you felt stuck?

They taught you resilience.

The bugs you couldn’t solve?

They sharpened your problem-solving skills.

The moments you doubted yourself?

They helped you recognize the power of persistence.

Every line of code you write, every error you debug, and every concept you master is proof that you’re becoming a better developer. Keep showing up, keep persevering, and trust that the breakthrough is just around the corner.

Clear communication is a superpower, and the Minto Pyramid Principle is the ultimate tool to harness it.

It simplifies complex ideas, making them accessible and easy to follow.

Today, I explored this method and realized how much it can improve how I explain technical concepts.

Here’s how it works and why it’s helpful:

1. Start with the Main Point

The Minto Pyramid emphasizes beginning with the core idea.

This approach ensures your audience knows the purpose of the conversation right away.

For example, instead of diving into details about a new project, you start with:

“This feature will improve user experience by simplifying navigation.”

This immediately sets the stage and captures attention.

Following this, group supporting ideas into clear categories:

• Problem: Users struggle to find what they need.
• Solution: Implement a search bar and filter options.
• Benefits: Faster navigation and better user satisfaction.

Grouping ideas avoids confusion and keeps your explanation organized.

2. Provide Supporting Details with Logical Flow

Each grouped idea should be backed up with relevant data or examples.

For instance:

• Problem: “We’ve received multiple complaints about poor navigation.”
• Solution: “A search bar using fuzzy matching will help users find results even with spelling errors.”
• Benefits: “Similar features in competitor apps increased engagement by 20%.”

The Minto Pyramid structure ensures your explanation flows logically: Main Point → Grouped Ideas → Supporting Details.

This makes it easier for others to follow your thought process without getting lost in unnecessary information.

3. Practice and Test Your Communication

Like any skill, effective communication improves with practice.

I’ve started using the Minto Pyramid in team discussions and documentation.

Each time I apply it, I notice how much smoother conversations become.

Feedback is crucial, too.

After presenting an idea, I asked for input to ensure the message landed.

This practice helps me refine my delivery over time.

Final Thoughts

The Minto Pyramid Principle is a practical tool that’s transforming how I communicate.

By structuring my thoughts clearly, I’m learning to convey ideas effectively without overwhelming others.

Whether it’s for a meeting or documentation, this method helps me connect better and make my point with confidence.

Most people wait for January 1st to start fresh, set big goals, and promise themselves a better year.

You don’t need a new year to create a new you.

Instead of waiting for that one special day, you can embrace the power of daily resolutions and develop what I call a “Day 1 mentality.”

What is a Day 1 Mentality?

A Day 1 mentality means treating every day as a new opportunity to start fresh.

It’s about waking up each morning with the mindset that today is your chance to improve, grow, and work toward your goals.

You don’t need to wait for a Monday, the first of the month, or January 1st—you can begin right now.

Why Daily Resolutions Work Better

1. Small Steps Lead to Big Wins
   • Instead of overwhelming yourself with huge annual goals, daily resolutions help you focus on one step at a time. Small progress adds up over time.
2. Less Pressure
   • If you slip up on a yearly goal, you might feel like you’ve failed. But with daily resolutions, every new day is a chance to try again.
3. Build Better Habits
   • Habits aren’t formed overnight. By setting daily intentions, you’re reinforcing good behaviors consistently.
4. Stay in the Present
   • Focusing on today keeps you grounded and mindful of your actions. Making good choices is easier when you’re not worrying about the future or regretting the past.

How to Build a Day 1 Mentality

Here are practical tips to help you make daily resolutions work:

1. Start Small
   • Don’t try to overhaul your entire life in one day. Pick one or two things to focus on. For example, drink more water, take a 10-minute walk, or spend 15 minutes reading.
2. Set Clear Intentions
   • Write down what you want to achieve each day. Keep it specific and simple. For example, instead of saying, “I’ll exercise,” say, “I’ll do 20 push-ups.”
3. Reflect Each Evening
   • Take five minutes at the end of the day to review what went well and what you can improve tomorrow. Celebrate small wins!
4. Plan for Obstacles
   • Life happens. Be ready for distractions or setbacks. If you miss your resolution today, don’t dwell on it. Wake up tomorrow and start again.
5. Create Visual Reminders
   • Use sticky notes, phone alarms, or a whiteboard to remind yourself of your daily resolution. Seeing your goal keeps it top of mind.
6. Be Kind to Yourself
   • Progress is more important than perfection. If you make a mistake, treat it as a learning experience, not a failure.
7. Celebrate Daily Wins
   • Reward yourself for sticking to your resolutions, no matter how small. A pat on the back, a favorite snack, or a relaxing activity can motivate you to keep going.

Examples of Daily Resolutions

• Drink 8 glasses of water.
• Write down 3 things you’re grateful for.
• Walk 5,000 steps.
• Spend 10 minutes meditating.
• Compliment one person.
• Avoid your phone for the first hour of the day.

Final Thoughts

Every day is a chance to start fresh. You don’t need a new year to make positive changes in your life.

By embracing a Day 1 mentality and focusing on daily resolutions, you’ll build momentum, develop stronger habits, and achieve your goals one step at a time.

So why wait?

Start today.

Make this your Day 1, and tomorrow can be Day 2 of something amazing.

Are you facing roadblocks in your projects or being stuck with outdated solutions?

First-principles thinking helps you break problems into basic truths, uncovering innovative and effective answers.

Apply first-principles thinking to tackle challenges clearly, discover fresh perspectives, and build systems designed for success.

What is First-Principles Thinking?

First-principles thinking means digging deep to find the most basic facts about a problem—facts that cannot be simplified further. From these basic truths, you can build solutions without relying on assumptions or existing methods. This makes it easier to solve problems clearly and creatively.

How to Use First-Principles Thinking

Here’s how you can apply this approach:

1. Break the Problem Down: Identify the basic facts or principles behind the problem.
2. Rebuild a Solution: Create a solution using those basic truths.

This process might sound simple, but it takes focus and effort to uncover the root principles. Here are two techniques that can help:

Techniques for First-Principles Thinking

1. The Five Whys: Keep asking “Why?” to find the root cause of a problem. This method is often used in research and can help you uncover first principles within a few iterations. You can keep going until you reach the core truth.
2. Socratic Questioning: Ask different types of questions to challenge assumptions and find the truth. Examples include:
   • Clarification: “What do you mean by this?”
   • Probing Assumptions: “What could we assume instead?”
   • Probing Evidence: “Why do you think this is true?”
   • Implications: “What effect would that have?”
   • Alternatives: “What else could we do?”
   • Questioning the Question: “Why are we asking this?”

First-Principles Thinking in Action

Elon Musk provides a great example of this. When working to lower the cost of batteries for Tesla, he didn’t accept the existing high prices as fixed. Instead, he broke the problem down to its core materials—lithium, nickel, and cobalt—and analyzed their market prices. By rethinking the manufacturing process from these basic truths, Tesla significantly reduced costs and revolutionized battery production.

Why It Matters

First-principles thinking helps you:

• Come up with fresh ideas.
• Solve problems more effectively.
• Build systems that work well in changing environments.

Conclusion

First-principles thinking is more than a way to solve problems—it’s a mindset.

By focusing on basic truths and building solutions from there, you can think, solve challenges better, and innovate in your field.

In my recent exploration of Ash Maurya’s insights, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of developing an unfair advantage.

This principle resonates with the idea that to truly stand out in any competitive space, one must cultivate a unique edge that others find difficult to replicate.

Maurya outlines three core types of unfair advantages:

1. Insider Information: Leveraging knowledge that others do not have, allows you to see opportunities or challenges others might miss.
2. Personal Authority: Establishing yourself as an expert in a particular space or earning endorsements from recognized figures, whether they are experts, celebrities, or influencers.
3. Network Effects or Economies of Scale: Building a stronger and more impenetrable structure as more people or resources are added effectively deterring competition.

Among these, the strategy of Counter-Positioning stood out to me as a critical focus for startups. It’s built on three foundational premises:

1. Startups always face competition, often in the form of existing alternatives already entrenched in the market.
2. The primary task of a startup is to cause customers to switch from these existing alternatives to their novel solution.
3. The most effective way to achieve this switch isn’t by being better than the status quo, but by being different.

Counter-positioning is about creating a new game, one where the incumbent’s strength in the old game becomes a liability.

It’s a powerful realization: instead of trying to outdo established players at their own game, change the rules entirely.

This approach not only highlights the startup’s uniqueness but also forces competitors to adapt—a challenge that can expose their weaknesses.

On a personal note, I’ve been reflecting on these ideas while navigating some health challenges. Last night, I struggled with a persistent cough that kept me from publishing my work—a personal emergency that derailed my plans. However, I’m focusing on moving forward. Reflecting on unfair advantages, I realize they apply not just in business but in life.

By identifying unique strategies to manage setbacks, we can turn obstacles into stepping stones and continue progressing despite challenges.

Reflecting on this, I’ve begun to see opportunities in my own endeavors to apply these principles. It’s not about competing harder; it’s about competing smarter.

By focusing on what makes a solution truly distinct, one can create a lasting impact and carve out a defensible position in any field.

Financial modeling is a crucial tool for e-commerce startups to plan, predict, and optimize business performance.

Financial modeling involves creating a detailed representation of a company’s financial future using spreadsheets or financial software.

For e-commerce startups, the model includes revenue projections, cost structures, cash flow analysis, and profitability estimations.

A robust financial model answers questions like:

• How much revenue will the business generate in the next year?
• What are the key cost drivers?
• When will the business break even?
• How much funding is required?

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2. Why Software Engineers and Developers Should Understand Financial Modeling

Financial modeling might not seem directly relevant to software engineering, but understanding it offers several benefits:

Alignment with Business Goals

• Engineers often build features that align with revenue goals or cost-saving measures. Understanding financial models helps them prioritize features that have the most business impact.

Better Communication with Stakeholders

• Developers frequently interact with product managers, marketers, and executives. Knowing the financial implications of technical decisions fosters clearer communication.

Informed Decision-Making

• Engineers working on e-commerce platforms or SaaS products can make more strategic decisions when they understand metrics like customer acquisition cost (CAC), lifetime value (LTV), and conversion rates.

Career Growth

• Understanding financial concepts enhances an engineer’s ability to transition into leadership roles or entrepreneurial ventures.

Optimizing Development Costs

• Developers can contribute to cost optimization by suggesting efficient solutions and understanding the financial impact of technical debt or infrastructure choices.

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3. Key Components of an E-Commerce Financial Model

Revenue Projections

Revenue in e-commerce is driven by:

• Traffic: The number of visitors to your website or app.
• Conversion Rate: The percentage of visitors who make a purchase.
• Average Order Value (AOV): The average amount spent per transaction.

Formula:
Revenue = Traffic × Conversion Rate × AOV

Cost Structure

Costs in an e-commerce business can be categorized as:

1. Cost of Goods Sold (COGS): Direct costs like product manufacturing, packaging, and shipping.
2. Operating Expenses: These include marketing, payroll, software subscriptions, and rent.
3. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC): The cost of acquiring one paying customer through marketing.

Cash Flow Analysis

Track all inflows and outflows to ensure liquidity. This includes:

• Sales revenue
• Operating expenses
• Investments in inventory
• Loan repayments or interest

Profitability Metrics

Key profitability indicators include:

• Gross Margin: Revenue minus COGS.
• Net Profit Margin: Net profit as a percentage of revenue.
• Break-Even Point: When revenue equals total costs.

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4. Steps to Build a Financial Model

Step 1: Define Business Assumptions

Start with realistic assumptions for:

• Traffic growth rates
• Conversion rates
• Marketing expenses and CAC
• Retention rates and repeat purchases

Step 2: Build a Revenue Model

Use the formula for revenue to project monthly or quarterly income. Factor in seasonality and potential market changes.

Step 3: Calculate Costs

Include fixed costs (e.g., salaries, rent) and variable costs (e.g., shipping, marketing). Consider economies of scale as the business grows.

Step 4: Forecast Cash Flow

Prepare a cash flow statement by:

• Adding revenue and funding inflows.
• Subtracting expenses, inventory investments, and loan repayments.

Step 5: Analyze Financial Ratios

Evaluate metrics such as:

• CAC vs. Customer Lifetime Value (LTV)
• Gross Margin and Net Profit Margin
• Operating Cash Flow Ratio

Step 6: Stress-Test the Model

Simulate different scenarios to test the business’s resilience under:

• Lower-than-expected sales
• Rising costs
• Delays in funding or loans

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5. Common Issues and How to Address Them

Issue 1: Overestimating Revenue

Solution: Use conservative assumptions. Base projections on historical data and industry benchmarks.

Issue 2: Underestimating Costs

Solution: Account for hidden costs like refunds, chargebacks, or platform fees. Regularly review and update the model.

Issue 3: Ignoring Cash Flow

Solution: Track the timing of receivables and payables. Ensure sufficient working capital to handle delays.

Issue 4: Poor Customer Retention Assumptions

Solution: Include churn rates and retention strategies in the model. Focus on improving customer lifetime value (LTV).

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6. Tools and Resources

• Spreadsheet Software: Excel or Google Sheets for building customizable models.
• Financial Modeling Templates: Pre-built templates available online.
• Analytics Tools: Google Analytics, Shopify Analytics, or similar platforms to track traffic and conversion rates.
• Accounting Software: QuickBooks, Xero, or Wave for real-time financial tracking.
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Tools like HubSpot or Salesforce to track customer behavior.

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7. Best Practices

1. Keep It Simple: Focus on key drivers without overcomplicating the model.
2. Update Regularly: Revise the model as new data becomes available.
3. Validate Assumptions: Cross-check with industry benchmarks or expert insights.
4. Communicate Clearly: Ensure stakeholders understand the model and its assumptions.
5. Plan for the Worst: Incorporate contingency plans for adverse scenarios.

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Key Insights

Understanding financial modeling is essential for e-commerce startups because it bridges the gap between technical execution and business strategy.

For software engineers, this knowledge enables you to align development work with business objectives, optimize costs, and make data-driven decisions that directly impact the company’s bottom line.

Financial modeling equips you to anticipate challenges, measure success, and contribute strategically to long-term growth.

It’s not just about numbers; it’s about empowering your work to create meaningful business value.

Web development is exciting and rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming.

Long hours, tight deadlines, and constant screen time take a toll on your health and motivation.

If you’ve ever felt drained or stuck, you’re not alone.

Self-care isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential for staying sharp, creative, and productive.

With a few small changes, you can protect your well-being and build a healthier, more sustainable career.

Here are three simple, effective habits to get you started.

1. Take Regular Breaks

Coding marathons can strain your body and mind.

Prolonged sitting increases health risks, and endless focus leads to burnout.

What You Can Do:

• Work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break using the Pomodoro technique.
• Do quick desk exercises like neck stretches and wrist rotations.
• Set reminders to stand, stretch, or walk every hour.

Why It Works: Regular breaks boost focus, energy, and overall health.

2. Protect Your Eyes with the 20-20-20 Rule

Too much screen time can cause dry eyes, headaches, and fatigue.

Nearly 60% of adults report digital eye strain from extended screen use.

What You Can Do:

• Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
• Adjust your screen brightness and enable blue light filters.
• Blink often or use artificial tears to avoid dryness.

Why It Works: This simple rule reduces discomfort and supports long-term eye health.

3. Set Work-Life Boundaries

Blurred lines between work and personal time can lead to stress and burnout.

Many remote workers struggle to unplug.

What You Can Do:

• Stick to set working hours and communicate them clearly.
• Create a dedicated workspace to separate work from home life.
• End your day with a calming ritual, like a short walk or shutting down your computer.

Why It Works: Boundaries help you recharge and stay focused during work hours.

Taking care of yourself isn’t just about feeling better—it’s about thriving in your career.

Start with these tips and see how small changes can lead to big improvements!

In life, we often try to solve problems by thinking about what we need to do to achieve success.

But have you ever considered thinking about what could go wrong instead?

This way of thinking is called inversion, and it can be a potent tool for solving problems and making better decisions.

Let’s break it down into simple steps so anyone can use it daily.

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What is Inversion?

Inversion is a way of thinking where you flip a problem upside down.

Instead of asking, “What should I do to succeed?” you ask, “What could I do to fail?”

Then, you work to avoid those things.

This approach helps you see problems from a new angle.

It’s like turning over a puzzle piece to look at the other side—you might notice something you missed before.

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Why is Inversion Important?

1. It helps you avoid mistakes. By identifying what could go wrong, you can plan and reduce the chances of failure.
2. It simplifies decision-making. Sometimes, avoiding bad outcomes is easier than figuring out every step to success.
3. It makes you think clearly. Inversion forces you to slow down and think about the problem in a different way, which often leads to smarter choices.

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Examples of Inversion in Everyday Life

1. Studying for an Exam Instead of only asking, “What should I study to pass?” ask, “What might cause me to fail this exam?”
   • Common reasons could be skipping practice questions, procrastinating, or not getting enough sleep.
   • Now, make a plan to avoid these mistakes.
2. Improving Your Health Instead of only focusing on what to do to get healthy, ask, “What unhealthy habits should I avoid?”
   • For example, avoid eating junk food, skipping workouts, or sleeping too little.
   • By cutting out these bad habits, you’ll naturally become healthier.
3. Building a Strong Relationship Instead of only thinking about how to make someone happy, ask, “What could ruin this relationship?”
   • Common issues could include neglecting communication, being unkind, or not showing appreciation.
   • Make an effort to avoid these behaviors.
4. Financial Planning Instead of asking, “How can I become rich?” ask, “What could make me go broke?”
   • Avoid overspending, skipping savings, or making risky investments.
   • By avoiding financial pitfalls, you’ll set yourself up for success.

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How to Use Inversion

1. Define the problem. Be clear about what you want to achieve.
2. Ask the opposite question. Think about what could go wrong or what would lead to failure.
3. List potential mistakes. Write down all the possible reasons you might fail.
4. Create an action plan. Focus on avoiding those mistakes. This will help you get closer to success.

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Final Thoughts

Inversion is a simple but powerful way to think about problems.

By focusing on what to avoid, you can make smarter decisions and reach your goals faster.

Remember, success is not just about doing the right things—it’s also about avoiding the wrong ones.

Try using inversion the next time you face a challenge.

You might be surprised by how much it helps!

I rarely talk about my struggles with speech disfluency in person.

Growing up, I experienced frequent stammering, sometimes having so much to say but unable to express it clearly.

This has been a part of my life since childhood, though I only understood it as a medical condition called speech disfluency much later.

Childhood Struggles

During my elementary years, I often felt embarrassed because my classmates and peers would tease me about my speech.

At the time, I thought I just spoke too fast, causing me to stammer. I didn’t realize there was more to it.

My family—even my cousins and aunts—would tease me too, making arguments particularly difficult since I couldn’t express myself well.

Feeling misunderstood and frustrated, I turned to writing as my outlet.

Writing allowed me to share my thoughts and ideas without the pressure of speaking fluently.

High School and Beyond

In high school, I still didn’t know much about speech disfluency because I had never visited a speech-language pathologist.

The teasing and stigma persisted, and during arguments or discussions, I often found myself at a loss for words.

One particularly embarrassing experience occurred after high school, during a scholarship interview.

I failed the interview because of my speech difficulties.

But I thought that time was only because of the stigma some people from Metro Manila had towards those from the provinces, like Visayas or Mindanao.

In college, I continued to struggle during discussions and report presentations.

Speaking fluently was a challenge, and my reports often came across as bad or boring.

Yet, I pushed myself to participate and open my mouth, even if it was difficult.

Post-Pandemic and Personal Growth

After the COVID-19 pandemic, I spent much of my time working on a farm, living in solitude and speaking to people rarely.

When I applied for a job, my initial interview was challenging.

I could barely get my words out, but thankfully, the company’s CEO saw my potential and technical skills, allowing me to prove myself.

Since then, I’ve been working to overcome my speech difficulties.

I practice speaking regularly, reminding myself that progress comes with persistence.

Practical Tips to Improve Communication Skills

Whether you have speech disfluency or not, improving communication skills is a journey that requires patience and consistent effort.

Here are some strategies that have helped me and might help you:

1. Practice Regularly: Repetition builds confidence. Start by speaking out loud to yourself, then gradually move to small conversations with trusted friends or family members.
2. Record Yourself: Hearing yourself speak can help you identify areas for improvement and track your progress over time.
3. Slow Down: Speaking slowly can reduce the pressure to rush through your thoughts. Pausing gives you time to organize your ideas.
4. Join a Support Group or Club: Groups like Toastmasters can provide a supportive environment to practice public speaking.
5. Use Writing as a Tool: If you struggle to say something out loud, try writing it down first. Writing can help you organize your thoughts before speaking.
6. Seek Professional Help: Consulting a speech-language pathologist can provide tailored techniques and exercises for your specific needs.
7. Be Kind to Yourself: Overcoming speech challenges is not easy. Celebrate small victories and remind yourself that progress takes time.

Final Thoughts

Living with speech disfluency has been a significant challenge, but it has also taught me resilience and creativity.

While I still have moments where I struggle, I’ve learned to keep pushing forward.

For anyone facing similar difficulties, know that you are not alone.

With practice, patience, and the right support, it is possible to improve your communication skills and share your voice with the world.

In his book Man Up, Bedros Keuilian talks about leadership, accountability, and high performance.

One idea that stands out is the concept of a “high-performance team.”

This type of team isn’t just skilled.

They share a mission, strive for excellence, and take responsibility for their success.

To build such a team, Keuilian says leaders need clarity.

The vision must be so clear that every member knows their role in making it happen.

High-performance teams rely on discipline, trust, and the ability to adapt.

They focus and work with intensity, which sets them apart.

This is something I’m working on—not just in building a team, but in becoming a high performer myself.

Keuilian uses a powerful analogy: be a fighter jet, not a crop duster.

A fighter jet is fast, agile, and built for impact.

It can handle tough missions with precision. A crop duster, on the other hand, is slow and limited.

While it serves a purpose, it can’t match the speed or capability of a fighter jet.

Right now, I’m more like a crop duster.

My days are often filled with distractions and tasks that don’t move me closer to my goals.

I’ve been playing it safe, staying in my comfort zone.

The focus and intensity of a fighter jet have been missing from my life.

But I’ve decided to change that.

The first step is defining my mission.

What do I really want to achieve?

Without a clear goal, I’ll keep drifting.

Next, I’ve started looking at how I spend my time. Am I focusing on the right things, or wasting energy on what doesn’t matter?

This self-check is tough but necessary.

I’m also paying attention to the people around me.

Keuilian says having the right team is key.

A fighter jet relies on its crew to succeed.

Similarly, I’m learning to distance myself from unhelpful influences and connect with those who challenge and inspire me.

Finally, becoming a fighter jet means embracing discomfort.

High performance requires sacrifice.

It means working through fear, fatigue, and self-doubt.

Discipline, not motivation, is what gets results.

Each time I choose discipline, I move closer to becoming a fighter jet.

One big decision I made to break out of my crop-duster mentality was to join the 1000-day content challenge.

I realized that to become the captain of my high-performance team, I needed to lead by example.

This challenge pushes me to show up daily, create consistently, and embrace the discomfort of growth.

It’s a commitment to excellence, accountability, and relentless improvement.

This journey isn’t easy. Some days, it’s tempting to stay in crop-duster mode.

But the rewards of becoming a high performer—for myself and those I lead—are worth it.

I’m committed to this transformation because it’s not just about success.

It’s about making an impact.

Here’s to leaving the crop duster behind and stepping into the fighter jet’s cockpit.

The climb is tough, but the view at the top will be worth it.