Optimal Work Daily - Career, Productivity and Entrepreneurship

Optimal Living Daily | Dan W.
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Nov 24, 2025 • 6min

1881: Passive Income and Side Gigs: Make More Money in Less Time by Kalen Bruce on Financial Independence Planning

Kalen Bruce, creator of Money Mini Blog, shares his expertise on enhancing financial freedom through passive income and side gigs. He emphasizes using existing skills for freelancing and the importance of checking employment contracts before branching out. Kalen highlights local opportunities like childminding and mechanics that can return good profits. He also discusses balancing quick income with long-term investing strategies for sustainable growth, making wealth-building accessible for everyone.
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Nov 23, 2025 • 6min

1880: [Part 2] The 10 Keys to Selling Anything by James Altucher on Sales Strategy

James Altucher, a successful entrepreneur and author, shares his insights on effective selling strategies. He emphasizes the importance of understanding your client's history and going the extra mile to impress them. Trust-building is key, even recommending competitors to cement reliability. Creativity is vital; clients often value access to your ideas over the product itself. Altucher highlights that authentic passion for your work not only drives success but also builds a loyal audience.
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9 snips
Nov 22, 2025 • 6min

1879: [Part 1] The 10 Keys to Selling Anything by James Altucher on Sales Strategy

Explore the art of selling with insights on shifting from traditional negotiation to a value-focused approach. James Altucher reveals how understanding a customer's lifetime value can redefine your sales strategy. He shares personal stories that illustrate the benefits of finding the buried 'yes' in potential clients. The importance of selling what you love to those you cherish is emphasized, along with the concept of ancillary benefits in enhancing reputation and attracting more customers. A fresh perspective on the keys to successful selling awaits!
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Nov 21, 2025 • 8min

1878: 7 Deadly Sins of Creativity by Marc Chernoff of Marc and Angel on Creative Growth

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1878: Marc Chernoff reveals the subtle but destructive habits that sabotage our creative potential, from perfectionism to fear of judgment. By identifying and overcoming these mental roadblocks, we can unlock deeper self-expression, stronger ideas, and a more fulfilling creative process. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.marcandangel.com/2011/11/27/7-deadly-sins-of-creativity/ Quotes to ponder: "Creativity is not about perfection. It's about exploration and growth." "You can't possibly know what will work beforehand. You have to create your art to find out." "Procrastination is the enemy of success and creative progress." Episode references: The Artist's Way: https://juliacameronlive.com/the-artists-way/ The War of Art: https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Steven-Pressfield/dp/1936891026
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Nov 20, 2025 • 7min

1877: A Simple Guide to Overcoming Project Resistance by Karl Staib of Dig To Fly on Productivity

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1877: Karl Staib offers a practical and empathetic framework for overcoming resistance to important projects by helping listeners recognize and shift their mindset, build momentum with small wins, and use emotion-based techniques like the Dig to Fly Method. His approach empowers you to move through fear, perfectionism, and procrastination, so you can take meaningful steps forward with clarity and confidence. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://digtofly.com/simple-guide-overcoming-project-resistance/ Quotes to ponder: "Resistance is just a signal that you care about the outcome." "Start small so you build confidence and momentum." "When you name the emotion, you take away some of its power." Episode references: Tiny Habits: https://www.amazon.com/Tiny-Habits-Changes-That-Change/dp/0358003326 The War of Art: https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Steven-Pressfield/dp/1936891026
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Nov 19, 2025 • 7min

1876: Dangerous Ideas: College Extracurriculars Are Meaningless by Cal Newport on Academic Purpose

Cal Newport argues against the common belief that college extracurriculars are vital for success. He shares insights from his experience at Microsoft, where such activities were overlooked during hiring. Newport emphasizes that internships and meaningful connections hold far greater value. He advocates for a minimalist approach, suggesting students focus on fewer activities but strive for excellence. The ultimate goal? To create a standout profile that reflects true passion and commitment.
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5 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 7min

1875: Notes from a Cold Bathroom Floor in South Africa by Chris Guillebeau on Resilience

In a moment of vulnerability on a cold bathroom floor in South Africa, Chris Guillebeau delves into life lessons on resilience and acceptance. He highlights the importance of confronting discomfort rather than rushing to find solutions. The reflection emphasizes how letting go of control can lead to personal growth and clarity. Chris also contrasts different creative philosophies on completing work, discussing persistence and the balance between perfection and timely delivery. It's a compelling exploration of embracing the unpredictable in our journeys.
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Nov 17, 2025 • 8min

1874: 7 Key SMART Goals To Achieve Business Success by Brian Tracy on Business Growth

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1874: Brian Tracy outlines seven powerful SMART goals that pave the way to long-term business success, emphasizing frugal living, disciplined saving, and strategic investing. By mastering negotiation, adopting compound growth habits, and setting clear, actionable financial goals, you can build wealth slowly and sustainably, just like the vast majority of millionaires. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.briantracy.com/blog/business-success/business-success-smart-goals-frugal-living/ Quotes to ponder: "The ultimate end or purpose of all human life is the achievement of personal happiness." "The power is always on the side of the person with the best information." "Most great fortunes and business success stories are built slowly." Episode references: Nicomachean Ethics: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/ The Millionaire Next Door: https://www.amazon.com/Millionaire-Next-Door-Surprising-Americas/dp/1589795474
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Nov 16, 2025 • 6min

1873: [Part 2] Killing My Baby: Why I Shut Down My Longest-Running Business by Nick Loper of Side Hustle Nation

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1873: Nick Loper shares the emotional and financial challenges behind shutting down his longest-running business after a final attempt to salvage it failed. His reflection on sunk costs, failed pivots, and the freedom that came with letting go offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs facing hard decisions. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.sidehustlenation.com/shoesniper-postmortem/ Quotes to ponder: "I told them the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results, and handed over the keys to the site in exchange for them waiving the 'amount due.'" "Still, not making an investment in SEO when times were good is a big regret." "The site was responsible for a disproportionate amount of stress in my life over the last year, and with all the problems, it just plain wasn't fun to work on anymore." Episode references: Empire Flippers: https://empireflippers.com
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Nov 15, 2025 • 7min

1872: [Part 1] Killing My Baby: Why I Shut Down My Longest-Running Business by Nick Loper of Side Hustle Nation

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1872: Nick Loper reflects on the emotional and strategic decision to shut down his first and longest-running business, ShoeSniper, after a decade of operation. This candid story challenges the myth of never quitting by showing how shifting market forces, rising ad costs, and declining commissions can turn a once-profitable venture into a slow bleed, making quitting not just okay, but necessary. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.sidehustlenation.com/shoesniper-postmortem/ Quotes to ponder: "Most of what you read in the entrepreneurship world is about perseverance and 'never giving up.' But it's not true." "Quitters never win and winners never quit." Episode references: PriceGrabber: https://www.pricegrabber.com/

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