510. 7 Recession-Proof Strategies for Building Wealth in a Down Market
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Jun 16, 2025
Recessions can unlock unique opportunities for growth. With a resilient mindset, you can navigate tough economic times and even build wealth. Discover practical expense management techniques to identify what's truly necessary. Focus on your core business strategies to avoid distractions. Staying adaptable and connected with your network can set you apart during challenges. Learn how to become irreplaceable to your clients and lead confidently, because when change comes, it’s your chance to shine!
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insights INSIGHT
Opportunity in Recessions
Recessions often create more millionaires and opportunities than good times do.
They allow companies to leap ahead and take market share from competitors.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Farmer's Luck Tale
The ancient farmer's story illustrates that luck is neither good nor bad, just uncertain.
Good and bad times often mix, teaching us lessons and building strengths.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Build Resilience Mindset
Cultivate resilience by remembering past challenges you overcame and using that grit again.
Resilience means bending without breaking and bouncing back stronger from difficulties.
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Shift is the second book in the Silo series by Hugh Howey. It enriches the story of Juliette by telling the backstory of Donald Keene, the architect of the silos, and reveals the truth about the men who created World Order Operation Fifty (WOOL). The book consists of three novellas: First Shift, Second Shift, and Third Shift, each providing a different perspective on the catastrophic events that led to the creation of the silos. It connects Juliette to Donald and sets up the premise for the next novel in the series, Dust. The story spans a significant amount of time, exploring themes of philosophy, human nature, and the consequences of technological advancements[1][3][4].
Antifragile
Things That Gain from Disorder
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Albino Santos Mosquera
Genís Sánchez Barberán
In 'Antifragile', Nassim Nicholas Taleb delves into the concept of antifragility, arguing that some systems not only withstand stress and disorder but actually benefit from them. The book builds on ideas from his previous works, such as 'Fooled by Randomness' and 'The Black Swan', and is part of his five-volume philosophical treatise on uncertainty, 'Incerto'. Taleb provides examples from various fields, including science, economics, and history, to illustrate how antifragility can be achieved and how it contrasts with fragility and robustness. He also discusses strategies like the barbell strategy and optionality, and critiques modern society's attempts to eliminate volatility, which he believes are harmful. The book is praised for its revolutionary ideas and multidisciplinary approach, though it has also received criticism for its style and some of the author's views on mental health and other topics.
Grit
The Power of Passion and Perseverance
Angela Duckworth
In this book, Angela Duckworth presents a compelling argument that success is driven more by grit, a fusion of relentless passion and perseverance, than by talent. She explains what grit is, how to identify and develop it, and how it can be grown through stages such as developing interests, consistent practice, finding a pro-social purpose, and cultivating optimism. The book is structured in three parts: explaining what grit is and why it matters, how to grow grit from the inside out, and how to grow grit from the outside in, targeting parents, coaches, teachers, and organizational leaders. Duckworth supports her arguments with personal stories, historical insights, and interviews with high achievers from various fields.
We spend a lot of time worrying about uncertainty—tariffs, market volatility, the looming threat of a recession. But what if these aren’t just obstacles, but some of the greatest opportunities for your business or career? History shows that recessions often create more millionaires than any other time and open the door for companies to leap ahead.
In this episode, I break down the seven strategies you can use to become recession-proof. These are the same ideas that helped Keller Williams not just survive the Great Recession, but emerge as the #1 company in our industry. We talk about how to develop a resilient mindset, get lean and cut unnecessary expenses, and focus ruthlessly on what actually moves the needle. I walk you through practical exercises—like the ABCs of expenses—and challenge you to find your margin so you can weather any market.
We’ll cover how to stay agile and adapt your business model for the market ahead, not the one you’re leaving behind. You’ll hear why being connected—to your team, your network, your vendors, and even your competitors—is more important than ever. And we dig into the importance of becoming irreplaceable to your clients, plus how to become a beacon of leadership when everyone else is running for cover. The truth is, change is coming whether we like it or not. The only question is: will you be ready to seize the opportunity?
Challenge of the Week:
Set aside an hour to do the ABCs of expenses. Grab three months of statements and label every expense as an A (absolutely essential), B (optional), or C (stuff you can cut right now). Take action to reduce or eliminate your Bs and Cs—your business and your bank account will thank you.
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To learn more, and for the complete show notes, visit: the1thing.com/pods.
We talk about:
Why uncertainty and recessions can be your biggest opportunity
Seven strategies to thrive and gain market share in tough times
How to cut costs, get focused, and become irreplaceable
The ONE Thing 
