We live in a world that’s become increasingly obsessed with quick fixes. The 7-day diet. Go viral instantly. Become a millionaire in a few months. We’re always looking for ways to get difficult things done faster, easier, and cheaper. Let's take a step back...
Omg the timing of this post! I’ve really enjoyed my work lately and was just reflecting today that it’s because I’ve been giving myself the breathing room to really sink into the craft of my work—not just the bigger deliverables but small tasks like emails too. I think a big challenge for small business owners being able to do this is because often so many people feel stretched too thin or have life stuff happening. Over the past year or two, I’ve made a concerted effort to manage my capacity better + hire support and that’s helped me really do work that I’m really enjoying and reflects my standards. I love how you’ve put the importance of this into words, Justin!! It’s really validating to read. Thank you :)
Beautiful response, Monisha! And you're spot on. I've found that all those "small things" add up -- and compound -- into something much bigger. Keep stacking those accomplishments, Monisha! Wishing you all the best!
Love this Justin. I have a post-it up on my window facing my desk it says "Be a pro." Which is basically this. There is something really wonderful about doing something properly.
Funny how “doing things properly” feels like a lost art. Turns out, doing things properly over long periods of time compounds faster than any hack ever could.
In martial arts, there's the concept of “closed door students.” These are the master's closest students. The students to whom he entrusts all the deepest secrets of his style. Interestingly, everyone always thinks that such an exchange involves passing on very advanced techniques.
But I had the opportunity to learn that this is not the case.
Fascinatingly, they are taught and drill (extremely important) basics without which advanced techniques cannot be performed at all. Because you can have all the advanced techniques in the world. But you won't be able to apply them if you don't do the small things properly.
How can you build a skyscraper if the foundation isn't solid?
How can you run a successful business in the long term if you fail already at the little things?
It's the art of doing something properly (especially the basics) that makes you successful.
Thanks! The more I dive into martial arts, the more I see how much it mirrors life and business. It makes me wonder how many deeper layers of philosophy we overlook in everyday practice.
I am building that small business and I know exactly what you mean. Love this. I think the important element is to pick up projects that you know you can handle well. Sometimes we pick up the wrong projects....or work with the wrong kind of people.....
This is the most essential truth of building something that lasts, Justin.
You've captured the profound difference between hustle culture (which prizes speed and shortcuts) and intentionality (which prizes the quality of the action).
For me, this concept is the nexus of our entire framework. The pleasure of doing something properly is the external manifestation of the BEING pillar—it means we are fully present in the small, unsexy tasks.
It’s the ultimate application of the EVOLVE principle: how you do one thing is how you do everything. When you establish that high standard in the small details, you build character, and character is the bedrock of trust.
This isn't just profitable; it's the only ethical way to build something of real value (REALIZE). Thank you for this necessary, countercultural reminder.
Once I started doing this, it changed everything. Simple shifts like this make the biggest difference and it's a big reason why people will choose to work with you
This may be a longer haul to freedom, given what happened in Chicago.
Today, a number of neighbors were thrown into unmarked cars by masked men and taken to an interrogation facility — without knowing why or what happened.
We did what we could. We stood together. But when the feds have more lawyers, guns, and money... it isn’t easy to win. They aren’t backing down.
That’s how this works. So we have to stand strong.
CALL TO ACTION
This is not a pause. This is not a pivot.
Consider this your call to action, your opportunity to beat them, and your pathway to reclaim control over our economy.
The United States was founded on one simple truth: Don’t Tread on Me.
Or, if you prefer: Get off my lawn.
OWN YOUR INCOME SOURCE
What can be done?
The platforms will silence anything that threatens their profit engines. Be aware. Be smart. Own your own income source.
The critical thing now is to:
Know your own vision.
Trust your expertise.
Bring that power into the market with courage.
Bond with others who share your purpose, passion, and cause.
Freedom doesn’t just happen. It’s built in community — through service, resilience, and the will to act past fear.
THE PATHWAY TO LIBERATION
The path begins inside. Shut down the chaos in the mind. Let the emotions in — fully. Then connect back to self.
They can’t be stopped. But they can be beaten.
Fighting fire with fire doesn’t work. Use water.
When they torture — we dodge. When they oppress — we flow. When it’s time — yes, we use fire.
Play big. Bond together. Because history has a pattern: The fearful rise, the courageous rebuild what’s next as Phoenix Rises from its Own Ashes.
THE LESSON OF THE SWARM
It’s like The Walking Dead — the swarm is stupid, but dangerous when unified by rage and confusion. Negan didn’t find freedom through power or punishment. He found it when he met a child who reminded him what being human meant. He did kill Maggie’s Son’s Father with a spiked baseball bat.
Those who oppress are not doomed. But when this ends, they will face themselves — their own karma, twisted by what they created.
YOUR TURN
Are you ready for:
A better Entrepreneur Experience?
A better Government Experience?
A better Community Experience?
Because this isn’t just a fight for survival. It’s the start of a renaissance.
Not only history judges those who stood on the sidelines.
My mother always told me that if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. I found myself being corrected even after I had edited my post three times. Thank you for reminding us that fast not the first thing we need to do.
This resonates immensely with me Justin. The sense of joy, pride and self respect that you feel when you do the small things you say you are going to do every day, and you do with them well, is priceless.
Omg the timing of this post! I’ve really enjoyed my work lately and was just reflecting today that it’s because I’ve been giving myself the breathing room to really sink into the craft of my work—not just the bigger deliverables but small tasks like emails too. I think a big challenge for small business owners being able to do this is because often so many people feel stretched too thin or have life stuff happening. Over the past year or two, I’ve made a concerted effort to manage my capacity better + hire support and that’s helped me really do work that I’m really enjoying and reflects my standards. I love how you’ve put the importance of this into words, Justin!! It’s really validating to read. Thank you :)
What an awesome comment, Monisha. Thanks for sharing it. Always good to know that something resonates or hits at the right time.
Beautiful response, Monisha! And you're spot on. I've found that all those "small things" add up -- and compound -- into something much bigger. Keep stacking those accomplishments, Monisha! Wishing you all the best!
Love this Justin. I have a post-it up on my window facing my desk it says "Be a pro." Which is basically this. There is something really wonderful about doing something properly.
I could have just written, “Be a pro.” 😂
lolololol. no. the post was perfect as is. just being, you know, an editor :)
I’m just teasing!
You nailed it, Justin.
Funny how “doing things properly” feels like a lost art. Turns out, doing things properly over long periods of time compounds faster than any hack ever could.
It really does, Ryan. That’s the big “hack.”
Yes, for real ... the ancient art of doing things properly 😅
In martial arts, there's the concept of “closed door students.” These are the master's closest students. The students to whom he entrusts all the deepest secrets of his style. Interestingly, everyone always thinks that such an exchange involves passing on very advanced techniques.
But I had the opportunity to learn that this is not the case.
Fascinatingly, they are taught and drill (extremely important) basics without which advanced techniques cannot be performed at all. Because you can have all the advanced techniques in the world. But you won't be able to apply them if you don't do the small things properly.
How can you build a skyscraper if the foundation isn't solid?
How can you run a successful business in the long term if you fail already at the little things?
It's the art of doing something properly (especially the basics) that makes you successful.
Love this comment. What a cool take on the subject matter. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! The more I dive into martial arts, the more I see how much it mirrors life and business. It makes me wonder how many deeper layers of philosophy we overlook in everyday practice.
Ironically, your lack of an editing tool failed you: “And opportunities start finding you instead of you instead of the other way around.”
You’re right. I corrected it a few minutes after sending.
😍😍
I am building that small business and I know exactly what you mean. Love this. I think the important element is to pick up projects that you know you can handle well. Sometimes we pick up the wrong projects....or work with the wrong kind of people.....
This is the most essential truth of building something that lasts, Justin.
You've captured the profound difference between hustle culture (which prizes speed and shortcuts) and intentionality (which prizes the quality of the action).
For me, this concept is the nexus of our entire framework. The pleasure of doing something properly is the external manifestation of the BEING pillar—it means we are fully present in the small, unsexy tasks.
It’s the ultimate application of the EVOLVE principle: how you do one thing is how you do everything. When you establish that high standard in the small details, you build character, and character is the bedrock of trust.
This isn't just profitable; it's the only ethical way to build something of real value (REALIZE). Thank you for this necessary, countercultural reminder.
Once I started doing this, it changed everything. Simple shifts like this make the biggest difference and it's a big reason why people will choose to work with you
If I could like this a million times, I would!
DO QUALITY.
TAKE ACTION.
TRANSFORM FEAR.
The free lunch leads nowhere.
TAKE ACTION. PICK YOUR LANE. KNOW YOUR VISION.
It’s getting worse.
This may be a longer haul to freedom, given what happened in Chicago.
Today, a number of neighbors were thrown into unmarked cars by masked men and taken to an interrogation facility — without knowing why or what happened.
We did what we could. We stood together. But when the feds have more lawyers, guns, and money... it isn’t easy to win. They aren’t backing down.
That’s how this works. So we have to stand strong.
CALL TO ACTION
This is not a pause. This is not a pivot.
Consider this your call to action, your opportunity to beat them, and your pathway to reclaim control over our economy.
The United States was founded on one simple truth: Don’t Tread on Me.
Or, if you prefer: Get off my lawn.
OWN YOUR INCOME SOURCE
What can be done?
The platforms will silence anything that threatens their profit engines. Be aware. Be smart. Own your own income source.
The critical thing now is to:
Know your own vision.
Trust your expertise.
Bring that power into the market with courage.
Bond with others who share your purpose, passion, and cause.
Freedom doesn’t just happen. It’s built in community — through service, resilience, and the will to act past fear.
THE PATHWAY TO LIBERATION
The path begins inside. Shut down the chaos in the mind. Let the emotions in — fully. Then connect back to self.
They can’t be stopped. But they can be beaten.
Fighting fire with fire doesn’t work. Use water.
When they torture — we dodge. When they oppress — we flow. When it’s time — yes, we use fire.
Play big. Bond together. Because history has a pattern: The fearful rise, the courageous rebuild what’s next as Phoenix Rises from its Own Ashes.
THE LESSON OF THE SWARM
It’s like The Walking Dead — the swarm is stupid, but dangerous when unified by rage and confusion. Negan didn’t find freedom through power or punishment. He found it when he met a child who reminded him what being human meant. He did kill Maggie’s Son’s Father with a spiked baseball bat.
Those who oppress are not doomed. But when this ends, they will face themselves — their own karma, twisted by what they created.
YOUR TURN
Are you ready for:
A better Entrepreneur Experience?
A better Government Experience?
A better Community Experience?
Because this isn’t just a fight for survival. It’s the start of a renaissance.
Not only history judges those who stood on the sidelines.
You already Know the Answer.
My mother always told me that if it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. I found myself being corrected even after I had edited my post three times. Thank you for reminding us that fast not the first thing we need to do.
This resonates immensely with me Justin. The sense of joy, pride and self respect that you feel when you do the small things you say you are going to do every day, and you do with them well, is priceless.
takumi - since you just got back from Japan, thought fitting. brilliant article as always.
I'm a production planner in addition to a writer.
I recently started using Grammarly at my 9-to-5 after I re-read a few emails I'd sent.
It's helped me to s-l-o-w down and pause before I hit send.
Excellence is who you are, not where you're working.
Great share.
Expertise is knowing how to find answers, not pretending to already have them.
Being dependable beats being a ‘know-it-all’ .