

From Chad
Chad Smith
Your thinking is bad. I can help. These quick daily messages aim to upgrade your mental game by helping you tell a better story. The most powerful story in the world is the story you tell yourself. You can download my book at fromchad.gumroad.com. Email me at fromchadsmith@gmail.com or visit www.fromchad.com for episode transcripts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 9, 2025 • 3min
Repeat #786
Embracing the boring basics, like consistent repetition of proven principles, is a powerful competitive advantage in business and life. This approach, exemplified by Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant’s respect for repetition of routine basics, leads to lasting success through patient repetition and deep understanding.

Aug 8, 2025 • 4min
Persist #785
James Dyson, inventor of the bagless vacuum cleaner, failed 5127 times over 14 years before creating a successful prototype. His persistence, fueled by belief in his vision and the support of his wife, led to the creation of $1 billion company. The story serves as a reminder to persevere through setbacks, viewing them as opportunities for growth and evolution.

Aug 7, 2025 • 3min
Care #784
Discover how Steve Jobs' love for storytelling fueled his investment in Pixar, even in tough financial times. The discussion highlights the importance of passion in achieving excellence, showcasing how genuine care for the craft can lead to remarkable success. It’s a captivating look at the intersection of creativity and business!

Aug 6, 2025 • 4min
Unlocked #783
Discover how Malcolm McLean transformed global trade with his groundbreaking cargo container invention. His simple idea of stacking trailer bodies on ships drastically cut costs and improved shipping efficiency. This often-overlooked innovation not only drove globalization but also fostered opportunities across various industries. The discussion encourages listeners to reflect on their own potential for transformative ideas that can change the world.

Aug 5, 2025 • 5min
Resilience #782
Jensen Huang shares his journey from a challenging childhood to leading NVIDIA, highlighting how enduring pain shaped his resilience. He believes this trait is essential for success and cannot be taught. The conversation delves into the transformative power of embracing hardships, encouraging listeners to view their own struggles as opportunities for growth and innovation.

Aug 4, 2025 • 3min
Necessity #781
It is said that necessity is the mother of all invention. Necessity can also be the mother of motivation. You can create your own necessity. You can create your own motivation by giving yourself ultimatums.

Aug 3, 2025 • 4min
Peers #780
The PayPal Mafia, a group of successful entrepreneurs, used peer pressure to drive excellence. They’re hiring philosophy, where only the best we’re hired, created a culture of high standards. This environment, where talented individuals challenged each other, led to innovation and success.

Aug 2, 2025 • 4min
Amateurs #779
Henry Ford, who revolutionized transportation and mass production, believe the motivation was for amateurs. He emphasize the importance of systems and habits over feelings, arguing that professionals follow processes while amateurs rely on motivation. Ford’s perspective highlights, the inevitability of accomplishment through commitment to a system, just like to his assembly line did.

Aug 1, 2025 • 4min
Manufactured #778
Motivation isn’t something you get, it is something you manufacture. Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s life is an example of this, using his father‘s abuse and negative motivation to achieve his goals. You can take negative events in your life, and turn them into motivation, using your pain and trauma as fuel to create drive.

Jul 31, 2025 • 3min
Guinnessport #777
Ashrita Furman, with over 700 Guinness world records, exemplifies that success is not solely determined by talent but dedication to training, strategy, and systems. His achievements, despite lacking, exceptional physical abilities, demonstrate the power of perseverance and the importance of mastering the game’s techniques. This story serves as an inspiration to prioritize training and strategy in achieving success.