When I started my podcast, all I had was a $30 mic from Best Buy. I had no idea how to interview people, edit audio recordings, or cold email people…but I didn’t care. I was so interested in talking to people about what they did with their lives and how they got there, that everything else was background noise. I just assumed I’d figure it out along the way.
Sure enough, I was right. 2 years and 130+ episodes later, I’d figured out how to edit audio recordings, ask good questions, build content online, and more.
And now, after 1 year of no podcasting, I’m aching to find something else to dive into — a project to feed my soul — but have trouble sticking to anything.
During my exploration, I’ve come to the realization that most of us (myself included) complicate things. We pile up excuses and add unnecessary step after unnecessary step to prevent ourselves from doing what we say we want.
In reality, we’re either terrified or we don’t want to do it.
Because launching an MVP (minimum viable product) is easy.
You don’t need all the bells and whistles — you need the basics.
Ex: If you need a website to advertise that you build websites for B2B SaaS startups, go on carrd and set something up in under 30 minutes.
It’s not overly complicated to publish 100 podcast episodes, complete a 50k run, launch a blog, or whatever goals sit in your head.
Here’s what you need:
Curiosity: a question or idea you want to explore
ex: how to lower patient wait times.
An initial idea: something you can act on fast
what’s the lowest entry point you can think of to get your idea out into the world or act on what you want to achieve?
Time: 6 month minimum to see any real returns
doesn’t have to be 4 hours every day, but something consistent that can compound.
A journal: a place to document what happens
ideally this happens online so other people can follow along — your world will open up tenfold.
The basic tools: software and physical products needed to make it happen
ex: if you want to run a race, this would be running shoes, access to a place to run, exercise clothes, and good food.
A schedule: focus on “publishing” more than “perfecting”
quantity > quality at first. Focus on getting reps in.
In most of these situations, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
If you don’t want to do something, don’t do it. Figure out what it is you do want to do.
What’s the worst that can happen? You’ll learn either way.
For those curious, this newsletter is my current project (hence the writing here at the top). And I know this one isn’t the best thing I’ve ever written, but it’s something and I’ve hit ‘publish’ — a win in my book.
15 New Opportunities (Jobs, Internships & Fellowships)
Data Scientist at Jasper.ai — Remote
Associate Frontend Engineer at Frequence — Remote
Jr Copywriter at Frequence — Remote
Content Writer Intern at Circle — Remote
Talent Management Intern at OpenDoor — Remote
Employer Brand and DEIB Intern at OpenDoor — Remote
Data Scientist, Marketing Intern at OpenDoor — Remote
Ticket Operations Associate I at GameTime — Remote
Fan Happiness Associate I at GameTime — Remote
Product Operations Specialist at GameTime — Remote
Client Operation Specialist Enterprise at Optiv — Remote
Client Manager at Optiv — Nashville, TN
Vendor Data Architect Internship at Pax8 — Remote
Corporate Campaigns Marketing Summer Internship at Pax8 — Remote
Social Impact Summer Intern at Pax8 — Remote
Resources I Recommend
📕 How to figure out what to do with your life — Julian Shapiro
🖨️ Resume scanner — Learn how to play the game that is job hunting
🛟 Designing Your Life — Actionable steps to figure out what to do with your life
📚 How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big — Scott Adams
🎥 Merit — Free tech mentorship to grow your career
Happy hunting,
Taylor
Ps - please email me with any questions or feedback! Happy to help.