Someday Is Today

Productivity isn't pretty. (And why waiting for the "perfect time" is killing your dreams). I was 22 years old, completely broke, living in my car, and working at McDonald’s. Then, I was held at gunpoint. This was one of three near-death experiences Matthew Dicks survived before he turned his life around to become a bestselling author and world-champion storyteller. He said something about that moment that changed how I view work forever: "I will tell you that I did not feel fear or sadness or anger. The only feeling I was consumed with was regret." He realized he had failed to do anything he actually wanted to do with his life. So, how did he go from homeless to world champion? He stopped waiting for the "perfect conditions." In the attached video, I break down the 7 strategies Matthew used to rebuild his life. Here are two that hit me the hardest: 1. The Parking Lot Practice We often think creative work requires a perfect environment—a coffee shop, noise-canceling headphones, and a latte. Matthew argues that "productivity is not pretty". If soldiers in WWI trenches could write in journals while artillery exploded overhead, we don't need "smooth jazz" to send an email or write a chapter. If you are waiting for the right time, you will be waiting forever. 2. The Minutes Mindset Most of us plan our days in hours. Matthew plans in minutes. He once met a woman for breakfast who was 7 minutes late. When she arrived, she apologized. He wasn't mad—he had used those 7 minutes to write several new sentences of his book. If you have 10 minutes, you have time to create. In the video below, I dive into the full framework, including: • The Lily Pad Method: Why linear goals (A to B to C) are a mistake. • The Piano Precedent: Why 5-year plans are dangerous. • The 100-Year-Old Plan: The decision-making razor you need to use today. Stop waiting for the "perfect time." It doesn't exist. The time is now, or the time is never. Check out the full breakdown in the video. 👇 #Productivity #Storytelling #CareerAdvice #TimeManagement #Motivation