Design and Live an Extraordinary Life

Hey Real Estate Pros, ready to crush your goals? I'm gathering a powerhouse group to strategize and hold each other accountable. Let's shift your gears from idle to full throttle. This is for AGENTS and INVESTORS. Bonus: I've got limited free spots for some game-changing brainstorming. Ready to elevate your journey? If you’re interested email me directly at matt@secondmix.net. Don't wait—this is your next big move.

A lot has happened since our last update:

Mastermind: I've joined Vincent Pugliese's Membership Freedom group. My aim? To learn audience engagement for my growth and to help others succeed online.

Podcast Shift: My podcast has a new focus: goal setting and mindset for entrepreneurs, and owners of small to medium businesses.

Outdoor Activities: I've kayaked 100 miles and hiked almost the same. A tip? Don’t skimp on sunscreen.

Mom’s 80th Birthday: We celebrated my mom's 80th in Ellicottville, NY. It was a time well spent with family.

AI Journaling: I've been working on an AI journaling system. More details on this soon!

Thanks for tuning in. I look forward to sharing more.

It’s been an educational month for the Second Mix Podcast.

On July 3rd I interviewed blogger and affiliate marketer Chris Myles for a great show about investing in websites.

The July 10th episode I uncover the power of 'Relax and Struggle,' a concept prevalent in sports, arts, and trades. Learn how to keep moving forward without going crazy.

In my July 17th interview with Microsoft technology consultant Constantin Morun and we dove deep into personal growth, self-discovery, and the power of mindset.

July 24th, I had a great conversation with business coach/consultant Pete Mohr. We talked through some great ideas about how to move from being an operator to an owner of your business.

Finally, on July 31st, I broke down an important concept about becoming what you need in order to attract what you want to attract. I used the example about finding a private lender in a real estate deal, but the lessons can be applied everywhere.

One of my favorite books ever, Future Babble is a thought-provoking and timely book that provides a much-needed dose of skepticism about the world of expert predictions. Dan Gardner's insights are sure to challenge your thinking about the future and the role of experts in our society.

Gardner explores our obsession with the future and the dismal record of expert predictions. He draws on research in cognitive psychology, political science, and behavioral economics to show why we are so easily misled by confident pundits and why we should be more skeptical of their predictions.

Gardner begins by examining the work of Philip Tetlock, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania who conducted a 20-year study of expert predictions. Tetlock found that experts are no more accurate than dart-throwing monkeys, and that the more famous an expert is, the more likely he or she is to be wrong.

Gardner discusses the different types of thinkers that we encounter in the world of forecasting. Hedgehogs are those who believe that the world can be understood in terms of a single, unifying theory. They are often very confident in their predictions, but they are also often wrong. Foxes, on the other hand, are more open-minded and less dogmatic. They recognize that the world is complex and that there are many different factors that can influence events. As a result, foxes are more likely to be accurate in their predictions.

Gardner offers advice on how to be more skeptical of expert predictions. He suggests that we should be wary of anyone too confident in their predictions. We should look for experts who are willing to admit that they don't know everything. He also suggests that we should be more critical of the media, which often gives undue weight to the predictions of experts.

Will It Fly? is a step-by-step guide to validating your business idea before you launch it.

I listened on Audible, and immediately bought the hard copy. It can be used as an instruction guide to anyone who is starting any business.

Author Pat Flynn, who has built multiple successful businesses, shares his insights on how to avoid wasting time and money on a business that won't succeed.

The book is divided into five parts:

• Mission Design: This part helps you clarify your goals and make sure your business idea aligns with them.

• Development Lab: This part helps you uncover important details about your idea that you may not have even thought about.

• Flight Planning: This part helps you assess the current market conditions and identify your target audience.

• Flight Simulator: This part helps you validate and test your idea with a small segment of your target market.

• Launch Checklist: This part provides a step-by-step checklist to help you launch your business successfully.

Will It Fly? is full of practical advice and real-world examples. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to start a business and avoid the common pitfalls.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the book:

• Don't rush into anything. Take the time to validate your idea before you launch your business.

• Talk to your target audience. Find out what they need and want, and make sure your business idea solves their problems.

• Start small. Don't try to build a big business overnight. Start with a small, manageable project and build from there.

• Be patient. It takes time to build a successful business. Don't give up if you don't see results immediately.

Thanks for reading this newsletter. My goal is to add value to the world expecting nothing in return. I do get joy from sharing all the things that have changed my life. For right now, I don’t make any money doing this. Buying me a coffee is a great way to offset the expenses of running a podcast, website, and all the paid tools I use. Plus, I really do love coffee.