1% Better

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Follow for posts about habits, productivity & peak performance | Former Accountant | Future Author | Join my newsletter for weekly goodness (Link Below)

Former accountant.
Future author.

I share actionable, educational, and entertaining self-development content to help my readers live their best lives.

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We're all dopamine addicts. 

The question is what kind.

Fast dopamine is easy. Scroll, click, swipe. The hit is instant. The crash is guaranteed. And five minutes later, you're back for more.

Slow dopamine is different. It’s the reward you feel after finishing a long book. The pride in cooking a meal from scratch. The glow from a real conversation. It asks more of you, but the reward actually lasts.

Here’s the problem:
Most of us are so hooked on fast dopamine that slow dopamine barely registers anymore. 

Silence feels uncomfortable. 
Boredom feels painful.

If something isn’t instantly stimulating, we bail.

The solution isn’t to try and go cold turkey.
It's to slowly change where you’re sourcing your dopamine from.

This week, pick one fast dopamine habit and replace it with something from this list. 

Just one swap. 

Instead of scrolling before bed, read a chapter. 
Instead of background noise on your walk, try silence.
Instead of takeout, cook one meal.

Your brain will resist. It'll tell you this is boring, that you need your phone, that you should quit. That's not failure. That's withdrawal.

Stay with it anyway.

Then next week, replace another one. And another. 

You're not trying to be perfect. You're trying to retrain your system to recognize what satisfaction actually feels like.

The shift happens slowly. But it does happen.

Colby Kultgen

Founder of 1% Better™ | Former accountant, future author | Follow me for the best self-development content on LinkedIn

A concept I wish I learned 10 years ago:

The Spotlight Effect.

Basically, the idea that we tend to overestimate how much people notice or care about what we do, say, or feel.

Harsh truth:
No one is thinking about you nearly as much as you think they are.

That awkward moment at work you stressed about for weeks?
They forgot about it in five minutes.

That mistake you replayed in your head 100 times?
No one even noticed but you.

When you embrace this, everything gets easier.

You stop internalizing every bit of feedback.
You stop chasing validation for every move.
You stop overanalyzing every silence.

You learn to take nothing personally.

And that habit alone protects your peace more than almost anything else.

In your life and work.

Talks about #mindset, #successtips, #productivity, #selfdevelopment, and #productivitytips

Steal this concept:

Building your personal capital.

Titles, followers, and accolades are great.
They unlock opportunities. They create momentum.

But they can also vanish overnight.
Personal capital is what stays.

It’s the stuff you’ve built internally:

- The ability to focus when it counts
- The discipline to finish what you start
- The resilience to recover from setbacks
- The curiosity to keep exploring
- The confidence to navigate uncertainty

It’s not loud.
It’s not glamorous.

But it’s what keeps you grounded when everything else wobbles.

These are the assets that compound quietly over time.
And they continue paying dividends, no matter how the outside world shifts.

Build the external.
But invest in the internal.

Because the most valuable things you own are the ones no one can take from you.

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Image credit: Cedric Bock on IG

5 ways to actually practice gratitude in your life:

1. Look for glimmers
Glimmers are the opposite of triggers. They're those tiny moments in your day that make you feel joy, peace, or gratitude. Once you train your brain to be on the lookout for them, they start appearing everywhere.

2. Snap a joy photo
Take one picture per day of something that brought you joy. A cup of coffee, a funny street sign, the way the sunlight hits your desk. Not for social media—just for you.

3. Say it when you feel it
When someone does something you appreciate, actually tell them. Doesn't have to be profound. Just: "I'm glad you're in my life" or "Thanks for always making me laugh."

4. Practice future nostalgia
Throughout your day, pause and ask: "Will I miss this moment someday?" Your current morning routine, the commute you complain about, even your kid's phase of asking "why?" fifty times a day.

5. Add an upside to your complaints
If you catch yourself venting about something, tack on one small silver lining. "This weather is awful…but at least I get to wear my favorite jacket."

What is your favorite way to practice gratitude?
💾 SAVE this to refer back to.

Image credit: unknown

Jaye Anna Hill, VP, PMP

One of the best things you can do in life…

Develop a bias for action.

Harsh truth:
Waiting for the 'right time' often means missing the time entirely.

We think later will be better, easier, or more convenient—but that’s not how life works.

Remember, there’s always a clock ticking that you can’t see.

Send that message.
Book that flight.
Start that project.
Tell people how you feel.

“Ready” isn’t a feeling, it’s a decision.
One that you can make right now.

If you're struggling, try this:

1️⃣ Set decision deadlines — Give yourself a time limit so decisions don’t drag on. Here’s a good rule of thumb: 24 hours for small decisions, one week for big ones.

2️⃣ Focus on the minimum viable action — Identify the smallest step you can take right now. Write one sentence. Open the document. Make the call. Action creates clarity.

3️⃣ Commit publicly — Tell a friend, post an update, or add it to your calendar. Once others know, your brain shifts from “should I?” to “how do I?”.

The clock keeps ticking whether you act or not.
So why not take action now?

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image credit: librarymindset on IG

Urgency culture is a trap.

The constant pressure to respond, react, and stay "on" is a guaranteed path to burn out.

Try this instead:
• Set clear response boundaries
• Turn off non-essential notifications
• Let people know when you’ll actually be available
• Treat responsiveness as a choice, not a measure of worth

The most successful people I know aren't the most accessible, they're the most intentional.
_____

♻️ Repost this if it resonates.

The cost of going for it scares you.

I get it.

Investing in a course. 
Hiring a coach. 
Putting money into something that might not work out.

It feels risky.

But let me ask you this: What's the cost of not going for it?

Another year at a job you're lukewarm about. 
Another year saying "someday I'll start." 
Another year watching people with half your talent build the life you want because they took the leap.

Here's what I've learned: 
Waiting until you're ready is the most expensive decision you'll ever make.

Because "ready" never comes. 

You just wake up one day and realize you spent years preparing for a moment that required you to start messy.

The fastest way to stop paying the price of inaction? Get in a room with people who are already moving.

That's what Archimedes is.

A private community for people who want to build and monetize a personal brand—without doing it alone.

Inside, we give you the systems, templates, and coaching to level up your content, grow your audience, and turn your personal brand into real leverage.

Apply right now: joinarchimedes.com

Not ready to apply yet?
That's ok.

We're hosting a free live training on November 18th, where we’ll show you exactly how to:
- Define your niche
- Position yourself clearly
- Create content that attracts the right opportunities

Attend live and get $200+ in free bonuses:
✅ Brand Blueprint Workbook ($67 value)
✅ AI Branding Tool ($47 value)
✅ 25 LinkedIn Algorithm Hacks for 2026 ($97 value)

Can’t make it live? 
Sign up anyway, and we’ll send you the replay.

Register free here (takes 60 seconds): https://luma.com/198qalwa

Can't wait to see you there!

The thing you're avoiding isn't hard because you’re incapable.

It's hard because you've never done it before.

Your first time posting online. 
Your first cold email. 
Your first product launch. 
Your first time speaking up in a meeting.

They all feel impossible—until they don't.

The catch? 

You have to walk through the discomfort of being a beginner. 

Here's what I've learned: 
Going into the unfamiliar is 10x easier when you're surrounded by people doing the same thing.

People who are in the arena with you. 

Testing things. 
Failing. 
Adjusting. 
Cheering you on when you post something that bombs.

That's exactly why we built Archimedes.

A private community for people who want to build and monetize a personal brand—without going it alone.

Inside, we give you the systems, templates, and coaching to level up your content, grow your audience, and turn your personal brand into real leverage.

It's run by me, Ben Meer, and Jade Bonacolta—and includes:
✅ Weekly coaching & feedback 
✅ 100+ plug-and-play design templates 
✅ AI tools that speed up content creation 
✅ Member-only workshops and networking 
✅ And the exact strategies we've used to grow audiences and land clients

Haven't applied yet? JoinArchimedes.com
Grab a seat while you still can.

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I’m 33.

If I were 20 again, here is what I would tell myself.

Which of these resonate with you?

I’m 33. Here’s what I would tell my 20-year-old self. 

How to remember almost everything you learn (science-backed):

how to remember almost everything you learn

20 small habits that earn big respect (in life and work):

1. Be easy to work with. People will love you for it.
2. Say “thank you for waiting” instead of “sorry I’m late.”
3. Share helpful resources with people: “Thought of you when I saw this.”
4. Learn a personal fact about someone, bring it up next time you see them.
5. Own your mistakes immediately and say, “Here’s what I’m doing to fix it.”
6. Give credit freely, especially when you could have taken it for yourself.
7. Compliment people behind their back, it’s called “positive gossip.”
8. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” if you don’t know something.
9. Ask follow-up questions after someone shares a story.
10. Be a connector. Introduce people who should know each other.
11. Criticize in private. Praise in public.
12. Follow up after meetings with a quick note summarizing key takeaways.
13. Always show up to an event at least 5 minutes early.
14. Do small acts of kindness without expecting anything in return.
15. Put your phone away during conversations with people.
16. Check in with old friends or colleagues just to see how they’re doing.
17. Keep your workspace clean, even if you’re the only one who sees it.
18. Compliment people’s work to their boss—it’ll go further than you think.
19. When someone cancels plans, respond with grace.
20. Send handwritten ‘thank you’ notes to people who impact your life.

💾 Save this for reference.
♻️ Repost it to add some value to your network.

My 7 rules for overcoming procrastination:

my 7 rules for overcoming procrastination

I've spent the last decade obsessing over productivity.

To be honest, most of the advice out there is hustle-bro BS.

Hour long morning routines.
Mainlining caffeine and nicotine.
Tracking your sleep with three different devices.

In reality, it mostly just boils down to this:

Do the hard things as early in the day as possible.

A bit of an oversimplification, yes, but this is really what started moving the needle for me both in my personal and professional life.

Note: This doesn't just apply to entrepreneurs.

The same principle works if you’re climbing the ladder at a 9–5, running a side project, or just trying to build momentum outside of work.

A few ways to make sure this happens:

1. Wake up an hour earlier
Yep, sometimes it’s that simple. You don't need to become a 4am psycho, but an extra hour before the chaos of the day sets in goes a long way.

2. Don't start your day with "busywork"
We want to avoid “rocking horse syndrome” at all costs. Filling your time with admin, organizing files, and clearing notifications might feel productive, but it's just motion without progress.

3. Decide on your "hard thing" the night before
Don't waste your peak morning energy choosing what to work on. Spend 5 minutes tonight identifying tomorrow's most important task, so you can hit the ground running.

4. Kill distractions until you’re done
Phone out of reach. Notifications off. Most people don’t lack time, they just lack the focus to actually use their time effectively.

That’s it.

No 5am cold plunges. No biohacking supplements.

Just do the hard things first.

Make a habit of winning early, and you’ll never end a day feeling behind.

—Colby

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12 books, 12 skills, 12 months.

Reading just 10 pages per day for the next 365 days can change the trajectory of your life.

Here's a 12-month plan: 
One book each month, focused on a skill that truly moves the needle.

📚 Month 1 - Finances:
I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

📚 Month 2 - Negotiation:
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

📚 Month 3 - Business:
$100M Offers by Alex Hormozi

📚 Month 4 - Communication:
Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg

📚 Month 5 - Focus:
Indistractable by Nir Eyal

📚 Month 6 - Leadership:
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown

📚 Month 7 - Sales:
To Sell Is Human by Daniel H. Pink

📚 Month 8 - Networking:
Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi

📚 Month 9 - Writing:
On Writing Well by William Zinsser

📚 Month 10 - Productivity:
Deep Work by Cal Newport

📚 Month 11 - Adaptability:
Range by David Epstein

📚 Month 12 - Public Speaking:
Talk Like TED by Carmine Gallo

Let's be real: just reading these books won't magically make you a better leader, negotiator, or communicator.

But they will give you the insights to start practicing, and that's where the real growth happens.

💾 Save this, and repost to add some value to your network.

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A reframe about health I can't stop thinking about:

“If you switched bodies with the person you love most for a year, how would you take care of their mind & body knowing you'd be giving it back to them? How would you take care of that person you love the most? Now do that for you.”

This idea came at the perfect time for me.

I spent the last week moving into a new apartment.

The good news is I love it.

The bad news is that in the heat of moving, my healthy habits went completely out the window.

UberEats for every meal.
Hardly any gym.
Sleep schedule trashed.

I'm cutting myself some slack because moving is a nightmare. But there's a pattern here I can't ignore:

Whenever life gets hectic, my health habits are always the first thing to slide.

This reframe was the kick in the butt I needed to get back on track.

And the next time I catch myself slipping into this pattern (because there will be a next time), I'll be coming back to this question.

♻️ Repost if this message resonates.

Pro tip: Don’t quit your job.

Try this instead:

Schedule a non-negotiable 45-minute block each day to work on your escape plan.

Use it to build skills.
Test ideas.
Launch small projects.

You don’t need to go all in right away.
You just need to start.

And that’s where a tool like Kajabi changes everything.

Kajabi gives you everything you need to turn that 45-minute block into real momentum.

Courses, newsletters, memberships, digital products, payments—all in one place.

Their latest update adds visual automations for personalized funnels, flexible checkout pages with upsells and payment plans, and community features that make it easier to host events and build real connection.

So instead of wasting energy juggling ten different tools, you can spend it building the business that will eventually let you walk away.

Because freedom doesn’t come from quitting your job tomorrow.

It comes from building something that lets you leave on your own terms.

Kajabi helps creators do exactly that.

Follow Kajabi to build a creator business that evolves with you.

#KajabiPartner

That was me, once.

Frantically climbing a ladder that didn’t even lean against the right wall.

What I really wanted was to build something of my own.

Work that actually meant something.

So I did.

I started small. Nights, weekends, early mornings.

Sharing what I knew. 
Creating things that helped people.

Eventually, that little project became a full-time business.

But back then, it wasn’t easy. Everything felt duct-taped together.

Different tools for emails, payments, courses, and analytics.

It worked, but it was messy and time-consuming.

Today, creators have a better option

Kajabi’s evolved platform brings everything under one roof: courses, newsletters, memberships, payments, and analytics. 

Their latest update adds visual automations for personalized funnels, flexible checkout pages with upsells and payment plans, and community features that make it easier to host events and build real connection.

It’s how thousands of creators are running businesses that are not just profitable but sustainable.

If I were starting over today, I’d start with Kajabi.

Follow Kajabi to build a creator business that evolves with you.

#KajabiPartner

10 lessons from Harvard’s 87-year study on happiness:

10 lessons from the world's longest study of happiness

Reminder:

You don’t have to wait until January 1 to change your life.

Here are 6 questions to close out 2025 strong and hit the ground running in 2026:

6 questions to answer during the last 6 weeks of 2025

Why working harder isn't the answer (do this instead):

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