Uncage Yourself

Did your corporate career start with a bang? But soon enough, the flame died out. Now you're left wondering, "Is this all there is?" Here's where you take elite action. Don't just carry on, and don't rage quit either. Instead, use your corporate career as a launchpad to freedom. In this episode, you'll learn to: Harness your corporate gains Create an entrepreneurial future Do this in service of a life you love *** 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to escape the Corporate Cage⁠ (8-min video)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌐 Show website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UncageYourself.FM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** RESOURCES ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter: Uncaged Secrets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect w/ Matt on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the show on YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Badass Corporate" Private Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Most people treat their careers as one-lane highways (staying in “employee” mode for 40+ years). Staying locked into this traffic pattern means leaving tons of freedom on the table. So, build an offramp. Give your future self a gift: an optional exit off that mind-numbing highway. This episode discusses the 16 lessons I’d give to my past self for accelerating the shift from corporate to entrepreneurship. *** 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠How to escape the Corporate Cage⁠ (8-min video)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌐 Show website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UncageYourself.FM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** RESOURCES ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter: Uncaged Secrets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect w/ Matt on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the show on YouTube⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Badass Corporate" Private Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The trading life nearly destroyed ⁠Mike Gardon⁠. Since stepping away, he’s obsessed with creating “life options.” At the core is the idea of “investment in loss”: to make significant changes, we often need to step backward. Today, his mission is to “break our mental constructs for what it means to make a living.” Enjoy! *** 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Training: escape the Corporate Cage⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌐 Show website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UncageYourself.FM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Intro02:17 Ironman mentality (06:37) Compounding personal gains (09:48) Stratify your goals (12:31) Mike’s childhood → career start (17:56) Rebelling against the default path (20:06) Investment in loss (23:31) Portfolio mindset (25:34) Passion for career coaching (27:50) Mike helping his former self (33:47) Involving your family in major change (34:52) Risk mindset for personal growth (37:00) “Is what you’re pursuing big enough?” (40:02) Life options (41:50) Skin in the game (47:03) Money, time, & energy (52:30) Uncaged = ownership *** TAKEAWAYS 1. Pushing yourself with a new venture is not just about the accomplishment. It’s the person you become in the process. 2. “What’s your Ironman race?” Find the near-term thing in your life that forces your growth. 3. The entrepreneurial journey starts with a flicker inside you (an inclination) before you take tangible action. 4. The ultimate safety isn’t choosing the “right” path; it’s creating life options. 5. Portfolio mindset: make multiple concurrent bets and see what sticks. Even with the “failures,” you’ll grow tremendously. 6. Slow down (even step back) to speed up. 7. In managing the risk of major life decisions, too many remain stuck protecting what they have instead of pursuing what’s possible. 8. “Don’t tell me what you think, [show me] your portfolio.” —Nassim Nicholas Taleb 9. “Every decision is an investment decision.” You must devote appropriate money, time, and energy to the transformation you seek. 10. Choose yourself. *** RESOURCES Connect w/ Mike on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠The Break Podcast⁠ ⁠The Break Newsletter ⁠⁠⁠Connect w/ Matt on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter @Uncaged_Matt⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Check the show on YouTube⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Badass Corporate" Private Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter: Uncaged Secrets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Taylor and Tori, the dynamic hosts of the Corporate Sellouts podcast, join Matt to share an enlightening view of how Millennial females experience the post-COVID corporate world. They discuss what it means to be a corporate sellout, how to get the most gain for the least pain in corporate life, and how ambitious individuals can pursue their entrepreneurial dreams while navigating a day job.  Prepare for a candid and empowering exploration of the corporate landscape, where we uncover hidden opportunities to find freedom and fulfillment in your professional journey. *** 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Training: escape the Corporate Cage⁠⁠⁠ 🌐 Show website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UncageYourself.FM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Intro (03:08) What is a “Corporate Sellout”? (06:05) “Transactional” is not a dirty word (11:35) Post-COVID corporate life challenges (16:52) Configuring work to your life needs (18:40) How Gen Z is shaking up work norms (21:10) Industrial-era mentality is disintegrating (23:46) Female perspective on work-life balance (28:15) Clarify expected outcomes at work (32:22) Challenge: buy back your time (35:47) Kickstarting entrepreneurship with a 9-5 (40:47) Corporate: venture capitalist for your life (44:18) Entrepreneurship transforms us as people (45:06) What it means to live Uncaged *** TAKEAWAYS Maintaining a transactional mindset in the workplace is a massive unlock for winning back time and energy from corporate to live a fuller life Return-to-office efforts are an opportunity to evaluate your employer and assert your life preferences (set your business case) Gen Z is challenging traditional workplace norms and advocating for a life-first approach. We need to consider gender dynamics at home when seeking “balance” (outsourcing tasks can help regain mental peace and capacity) If you’re stressed and burned out, can you afford NOT to buy back your time and energy? View your corporate job as an investor in your future self (and business)  Small, concentrated entrepreneurial efforts can transform your entire career trajectory (and life) *** RESOURCES Corporate Sellouts Podcast Corporate Sellouts Instagram Taylor's TikTok Tori's TikTok ⁠⁠Connect w/ Matt on LinkedIn⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Follow on Twitter @MatthewRDoan⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Check the show on YouTube⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Badass Corporate" Private Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter: Uncaged Secrets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Burnout transcends just feeling tired; it impacts your health, relationships, and overall happiness. The discussion delves into how unaddressed workplace stress can lead to a deep disconnect between personal values and job demands. It's not just an individual issue but a societal one, affecting families and life satisfaction. Recognizing these hidden costs is pivotal for reclaiming a fulfilling life. Mentorship and support are vital in overcoming the severe repercussions of burnout.

The Rat Race is an endless, "hamster wheel" approach to ensuring your relevance in this world — and It's completely unwinnable. If you believe you have no choice whether to run this race, you're wrong. This episode breaks down proven strategies for breaking free of the Rat Race and creating real autonomy in your career and life. *** 👉 ⁠⁠⁠How to escape the Corporate Cage⁠ (8-min video)⁠⁠⁠ 🌐 Show website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UncageYourself.FM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** RESOURCES ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Badass Corporate" Private Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter: Uncaged Secrets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect w/ Matt on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter @MatthewRDoan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the show on YouTube

Sad truth: most people fight for their limitations, not their dreams. Right now, you're tolerating a lot of BS in your work and home lives, which is killing your growth. This gut-punch coaching episode is designed to unlock you from all you're tolerating. *** 👉 ⁠⁠How to escape the Corporate Cage⁠ (8-min video)⁠⁠ 🌐 Show website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UncageYourself.FM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** RESOURCES ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Badass Corporate" Private Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter: Uncaged Secrets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect w/ Matt on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter @MatthewRDoan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the show on YouTube

When a job dominates your life, most people either endure it or leave. Unfortunately, both choices are costly forms of quitting. Instead, I want you to take intelligent action within your environment. Reclaim your precious time and energy, reshape your role to suit your advantages, and start living a self-directed life (yes, even within the corporate world). Do this by implementing "corporate countermeasures" — proven tactics that'll create freedom for you within the work environment. From there, you'll have the capacity to build a side business, get healthy, and be there for loved ones. Enjoy this highly actionable episode! *** 👉 ⁠How to escape the Corporate Cage⁠ (8-min video)⁠ 🌐 Show website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UncageYourself.FM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** RESOURCES ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Badass Corporate" Private Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter: Uncaged Secrets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect w/ Matt on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter @MatthewRDoan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the show on YouTube

Why are we so slow or ineffective at pursuing our goals? Despite our best-laid plans, we get stuck. The problem is that we lack daily "activation." Learn how to inject the missing ingredient in this episode. *** 👉 How to escape the Corporate Cage⁠ (8-min video) 🌐 Show website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UncageYourself.FM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** RESOURCES ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Badass Corporate" Private Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter: Uncaged Secrets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect w/ Matt on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter @MatthewRDoan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the show on YouTube

Paul Millerd⁠, author of ⁠The Pathless Path⁠, joins me to talk about "default path" addiction and what it's like to awaken. As former management consultants, we dig hard into this arena too. Enjoy! *** 👉 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Masterclass: escape the Corporate Cage⁠⁠ 🌐 Show website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UncageYourself.FM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *** TIMESTAMPS 03:12 The Great Contemplation 06:21 How Paul's book affected Matt 08:25 The process of Awakening 09:51 Pre-awakening (most people trapped here) 15:58 Addiction to Default Paths 19:03 Value of an early-career foothold 21:56 "There's a pebble in my shoe" 23:51 Higher stakes if you're a parent 27:10 Understanding life tradeoffs 28:28 The Pathless Path 31:21 Uncertainty as a feature 33:10 Testing boundaries at work 38:31 The great work of your life 41:15 Minimal risk in betting on yourself 44:21 Thoughtful re-entry into corporate life 51:20 Rapid-fire 57:53 What's your "work" story? *** TAKEAWAYS 1. Great Resignation might actually be the Great Contemplation: a rejection of scripted life, healthier conversation about our identification as "workers," and a desire to take control of your life.   2. Rule of thumb: most people you'll meet are asleep (80%), some are groggy (15%), and a few are truly awake (5%). 3. The Protestant Reformation triggered an "obsession" with work, which has taken global hold.  4. Aim of life for people came to find work and then hold on tight to that path. 5. The Default Path feels addictive because the start is so thrilling. Eventually, we stop growing and become sleepy. 6. Instead of doing the work, you eventually find yourself doing performative work (pretending to be valuable). 7. Tough for parents to fake it at work while simultaneously encouraging your kids to blaze their own path. 8. We can't let sunk costs weigh us down. Your life season hugely impacts what you should say "yes" to next. 9. Not knowing what comes next might actually be a feature, not a bug. 10. "If there are clear boundaries [at work], there is also great freedom to adapt and imagine within those lines. These boundaries, however, should always be tested to see if they are actually still real. It takes conscious acts by individuals to test these edges." —David Whyte 11. Great work of your life: continually find the great work of your life (Stephen Cope). 12. Know yourself: deliver targeted value inside your 9-5; push yourself for exponential growth in the outside world.  *** RESOURCES ⁠The Pathless Path (book)⁠ ⁠Paul's newsletter, site, & podcast⁠ ⁠Follow Paul on Twitter⁠ ⁠Connect w/ Paul on LinkedIn⁠  ⁠Connect w/ Matt on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Follow on Twitter @MatthewRDoan⁠ ⁠Check the show on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"Badass Corporate" Private Facebook Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Newsletter: Uncaged Secrets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠