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The most powerful life hacks I've discovered: 1. Go Outside for 15 Minutes Every Morning Get sunlight in your eyes every morning. Sunlight: • Sets your circadium rhythm • Primes your brain to be alert and focused • Enhances metabolism and immune functionality Watch this transform your overall mood and well-being. 2. Surround Yourself With Optimists Who you surround yourself with has a bigger influence on you than you know. You’re the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Each of those 5 should be someone pushing you forward. Choose who you spend your time with wisely. 3. Practice Gratitude Gratitude is a key ingredient for living a fulfilling life. Gratitude helps people: • Feel more positive emotions. • Build strong relationships • Improve their health Take 5 minutes/day to write down 5 things you're grateful for. 4. Set a Bedtime Alarm After this alarm goes off, allow your mind to relax: • Turn off all your devices • Take a warm shower or bath • Read your favorite fiction book Setting yourself up for success the next day starts the night before. 5. Write Every Day Writing is essential in unleashing your creative potential. Writing every day: • Builds discipline • Allows you to organize your thinking • Improves your vocabulary and communication skills Mastering this skill will lead to success in the modern economy. 6. Meditate Daily All of man’s problems come because he cannot sit by himself in a room for 30 minutes. Our society is filled with: • Cheap dopamine • Constant notifications • Screens everywhere we look Take time to slow down and be present. 7. Take a Cold Shower A 3-minute cold shower will provide you benefits that last the rest of the day. Taking a cold shower: • Increases dopamine • Boosts metabolism • Burns brown fat Anything else you have to do afterward will seem easy. 8. Build a Personal Board of Advisors Don’t underestimate the power of a mentor. Epictetus mentored Marcus Aurelius. Jobs mentored Zuckerberg. Buffet mentored Gates. Seek advice from people 2-3 steps ahead of you. You can access their lifetime of wisdom in 2-3 years. — Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want my complete lifehacks checklist? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/eNquvqaQ

How to build a brand so good people can't ignore you: 1. Most Founders Get It Catastrophically Wrong After analyzing 1,000+ founder brands, I've identified mistakes keeping 99% broke and invisible: • They build faceless company brands when the world craves human connection • They hide behind corporate speak because they fear judgment • They wait for mythical "success moment" before building their brand Invisible. Forgettable. Ignored. This is the fate of the faceless founder. 2. The Founder-Led Advantage The math is undeniable: • Elon Musk: 193M followers vs. Tesla: 20M • Richard Branson: 12.3M followers vs. Virgin: 667K Why? • Your life story creates uncopyable competitive advantage • Trust follows you across every venture 3. Your Brand Identity Blueprint This 5-part system produces 7-figure founder brands: 1. Core Topics: The 3 hills you'd die on even if no one paid you 2. Unique Perspective: The lens only your experiences could create 3. Visual Identity: Patterns that make your content unmistakably yours 4. Voice & Tone: Your verbal fingerprint 5. Brand Story: Your origin 4. The One-Sentence Positioning Formula "I help [specific audience] achieve [specific outcome] through [unique mechanism]." Mine: "I help founders scale profitable personal brands through proven systems that create freedom." 5. The 3-3-3 Framework After publishing 2,100+ pieces across 6 platforms: • 3 Core Content Pillars (your expertise zones) • 3 Content Formats (that leverage your strengths) • 3 Signature Phrases (that only you say) 6. Build Your Brand Commandments Every brand has non-negotiable rules: • What you ALWAYS do (your brand promises) • What you NEVER do (your brand boundaries) • What you ALWAYS believe (your brand values) • What you ALWAYS challenge (your brand enemies) • What makes your approach DIFFERENT (your brand signature) At Founder OS, we NEVER glorify hustle. We showcase systems over grit. 7. The Invisible Force: Founder Energy The intangible element that separates 6-figure brands from 8-figure empires: Energy isn't about being loud. It's the unmistakable force when your work, message, and purpose align perfectly. 8. Experimentation > Perfectionism Before Founder OS, I spent 9 months crafting a "perfect" brand that generated zero results. Then I launched a "messy" brand in 2 weeks that built an 8-figure business. 9. Your Story Is The Strategy The most underutilized asset in founder branding: • Share your failures • Document your process  • Reveal your thinking  • Show your evolution 10. Your 30-Day Brand Sprint Days 1-7: Define your foundation Days 8-14: Create your content engine Days 15-21: Build your identity system Days 22-30: Implement your systems One hour a day for 30 days changes your life trajectory. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want to build a successful personal brand? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/eXp2VkuQ

How to build a profitable personal brand (in just 30 days): 1. The Old Game Is Dead Stop playing by outdated rules: • Paying for ads → Diminishing returns • Chasing algorithms → Constant anxiety • Hiring PR firms → Speaking someone else's words • Press features → Temporary spikes • Networking events → Surface-level connections The new game: Become the media company. 2. You = The Media Company Most founders still don't get it: • Media companies own their distribution • Media companies control their narrative • Media companies create intellectual property • Media companies build loyal audiences • Media companies monetize attention Stop acting like a guest on someone else's platform. 3. The Personal Media Company Framework Five pillars separate seven-figure personal brands from the rest: 1. Content Creation (Your Voice) 2. Distribution Channels (Your Reach) 3. Audience Building (Your Community) 4. Monetization Systems (Your Freedom) 5. Team Architecture (Your Leverage) Master these 5 and you'll never need to pitch yourself again. 4. The Content GPS Most founders create random content. Media companies follow a map: • Your 3 core topics • Your 3 content formats • Your 3 unique perspectives 9 combinations = Endless content without sacrificing depth. Clarity creates consistency. Consistency creates wealth. 5. The Soul-Selling Trap Most personal brands fail because: • They chase vanity metrics over values • They create what's trending vs. what's true • They speak in someone else's voice • They build a persona instead of a person • They trade authenticity for approval Your quirks aren't flaws. They're your competitive advantage. 6. The Media Moat Building a personal brand takes time, but follows a predictable path: • Year 1: People discover your content • Year 2: People trust your perspective • Year 3: People join your community • Year 4: People buy everything you create • Year 5: People promote you without asking Patience is the price of influence. 7. Your 30-Day Personal Brand Sprint Days 1-7: Define your positioning and commandments  Days 8-14: Create your content pillars and formats  Days 15-21: Develop your voice and visual guidelines  Days 22-30: Build your content system and calendar One hour a day for 30 days changes everything. Your personal brand is not just another marketing channel. It's the most valuable business asset you'll ever own. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want to build a personal brand? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/eG7-n_rG

Tony Robbins once said: “If you talk about it, it's a dream, if you envision it, it's possible, but if you schedule it, it's real.” How to design your dream life in 2025: Every action you take is a vote for the person you wish to become. Your success in 2025 depends on: • The habits you build • The systems you create • The people you surround yourself with Small choices compound into massive changes. 1. Find Your Purpose First Start with finding your Ikigai - your reason for being. It's the intersection of: • What you love • What you're good at • What the world needs • What you can be paid for This becomes your compass for every decision. 2. Set Clear Life Goals Get crystal clear on your goals for each area of life: • Health  • Relationships  • Career  • Finances  • Personal growth  • Impact Break these down into quarterly milestones you can measure and track. 3. Master Deep Work Block off 4 hours each morning for focused creation. No phone, no distractions. One hour of deep work achieves more than eight hours of shallow work. This is how you move mountains. 4. Design Your Environment Your space shapes your behavior. Create zones for: • Deep work • Exercise • Rest and recovery • Social connection Your environment is stronger than your willpower. 5. The AED System Master these three elements: • Automate what you do repeatedly  • Eliminate the unnecessary  • Delegate what others can do 80% as well as you Your time is your most valuable asset - protect it ruthlessly. 6. Build Scalable Systems Great systems allow you to: • Work fewer hours • Achieve better results • Create more freedom Systems act like guard rails to keep you on track. 7. Monthly Personal Board Meetings Review: • Your vision • Key relationships • Major wins • Lessons learned • Next quarter/year goals What gets measured gets improved. 8. Double Down On What’s Working Reflect on your: • Best relationships • Most memorable experiences • Greatest achievements • Biggest learnings Use these insights to design an even better 2025. 9. Take Action Now Your dream life won't happen by accident. It's built through intentional design, consistent action, and proven systems. Whenever I take a step to drastically change my life, I always wish I had taken that step sooner. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want to learn 4 simple steps to build an online presence that no one can ignore? Join my free live Workshop on July 1st (24 hours away) to steal my homework: https://lnkd.in/exsmfKXY

If you’re a perfectionist, you’ll never be wealthy. 10 rules to live by to stop overthinking every decision you make: 1. Slow Down, Relax You don't need to be in such a rush. Time's not the enemy; it's your ally. Take a deep breath. Rome wasn't built in a day. Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. 2. Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable Whatever you do, stay consistent. Embrace the suck. Push through the discomfort. Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Discomfort is the price of admission to a meaningful life. 3. Adopt The Cycle for Success Ship → Learn → Iterate → Repeat Don't wait for perfection. Launch and improve. Progress beats perfection every single time. Done is better than perfect. 4. Start Now. Hit Publish Stop waiting for the "right moment". It doesn't exist. Share your work before you feel ready. The world rewards action, not intention. Your imperfect work today beats your perfect work tomorrow. 5. Find Your Personal Board of Directors Surround yourself with mentors and advisors. Learn from their experiences. Leverage their wisdom. Stop second-guessing every decision. Your network is your net worth. 6. Build a Business That Feels Like Play If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. Align your business with your passions. When work feels like play, burnout becomes a foreign concept. Life's too short for a job you hate. 7. Create Systems for Everything You Do Systems are the bridge between wishing and achieving. Automate the routine. Humanize the exception. A good system beats a good intention any day. Your systems determine your success. 8. Embrace The "Hell Yes or No" Principle If it's not a "Hell Yes," it's a "No." Guard your time and energy fiercely. Opportunity cost is real. Choose wisely. Say no to good, so you can say yes to great. 9. Apply the 80/20 Rule Ruthlessly Identify The 20% of efforts that yield 80% of results. Focus on high-impact tasks. Delegate or eliminate the rest. Not all hours are created equal. Work smarter, not harder. 10. Become 5% Better Every Day Small, consistent improvements compound over time. Focus on progress, not perfection. Embrace the power of marginal gains. You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. Stop overthinking. Start doing. These rules aren't just theory – they're battle-tested at Founder OS. — Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want my productivity checklist? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/esQqXzaS

I wish I knew this life hack sooner… It's my adaptation of the Feynman Technique. Once you implement it, you'll learn anything 10x faster: The Feynman Technique involves four steps: 1. Preparation  2. Practice with someone else  3. Feedback/Review  4. Repeat I've infused each step with other proven advice to create a bulletproof framework for learning anything in hours. Here it is: 1. Preparation Start with an honest assessment of where you're at. If you're learning a topic? Jot down everything you already know. A new skill? Find points of comparison (e.g. musical instruments have grades) for your starting and end points. Now, set your learning goals... Figure out the meta-learning behind what you’re going to learn - i.e. HOW you're going to learn the thing. Ali Abdaal calls this 'sharpening the axe' after the Lincoln quote: “Give me 6 hours to chop down a tree and I'll spend the first 4 sharpening the axe“ 2. Use People Feynman's version was 'Explain Like I'm 5': break down your understanding enough to convey your message to someone with no prior knowledge. What about skills that aren't centered around learning information? Use the same rationale: Say you're learning a new sport. Get match experience as soon as possible. Learning a new instrument? Sign up to perform at a new concert. You get the gist. 3. Iteration The beauty of using people to perform: your iteration accelerates. Because, in the words of Edison, you haven't failed, you've just found 10,000 ways that don't work. Each attempt exposes gaps in your learning and pinpoints the next target of your focus. Your practice and performance need these two secret ingredients: 1. Spacing: practice at intervals long enough apart to strengthen neural connections 2. Desirable difficulty: e.g. if learning a new sport: opponents HAVE TO be your level/just above for optimal improvement 4. Repeat This is a simple process, Learn. Do. Iterate. Repeat. And you won’t believe what your mind’s capable of. But if you want to supercharge the process… Sprinkle in the following if you have the resources: • Coaching • Consulting experts • Joining groups for accountability Accepting that some things truly are pay to win makes life a lot easier. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want more tips for personal growth? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/ee28FgdJ

Most experts are broke. They have incredible knowledge but no system to monetize it. Meanwhile, mediocre people with systems create sustainable wealth. Here's how to become the expert who breaks this pattern: 1. Expertise Amplification You shift from hidden knowledge to frameworks that create intellectual property. When you share your methodologies publicly, you establish thought leadership while creating systems that work without your constant presence. 2. Trust Acceleration Engine You develop systematic nurture processes that build credibility before transactions. Building this 4-week trust journey transparently shows other experts that sustainable monetization requires relationship-building, not just content creation. 3. Systematic Transformation You package your expertise into scalable systems rather than hourly consulting. When you document this shift publicly, you demonstrate that true wealth comes from systematizing knowledge, not just applying it repeatedly. 4. Community Validation You create peer networks that accelerate your credibility and referral systems. Sharing your mastermind and implementation approaches openly builds social proof while helping other experts see the power of community-driven growth. 5. Licensing Leverage You develop systems so robust that others pay to use your methodology. Building this progression in public creates a pathway for other experts to see how intellectual property becomes passive income. 6. Value Multiplication You move from trading time for dollars to creating systems that generate value independently. When you share this transformation transparently, you inspire other experts to focus on scaling expertise rather than scaling hours. This isn't just about making more from your expertise; it's about creating beautiful, systemized businesses that transform knowledge into sustainable impact. When you build your monetization systems in public, you're not just scaling your own expertise. You're showing other brilliant minds that their knowledge deserves systematic, scalable wealth creation. The future belongs to experts brave enough to systematize their genius and share the blueprint. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want to monetize your knowledge? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/evUcBqnN

I generate $264,000 per month from content. Not luck. Not grinding 80-hour weeks. Not spending millions on ads. Here's exactly how: 1. The Content GPS System That Changed Everything After helping 732 founders transform content into cash machines, I've distilled it to three elements: • G: Goals (specific revenue outcomes) • P: Pillars (core themes for authority) • S: Systems (automated processes) Element 1: Precision Goals That Drive Revenu • Lead generation • Authority building • Community development Element 2: Power Pillars That Create Omnipresence • 3 core topics where you have undeniable expertise • 3 content formats that leverage your natural strengths • 3 platforms where your ideal customers spend time Element 3: Bulletproof Systems That Eliminate Hustle • Content calendar • Creation process • Distribution workflow 2. The Content Waterfall Method That Multiplies Your Output • Transforms into newsletter for 182,000+ subscribers • Becomes video for 152,000+ YouTube subscribers • Converts to a podcast episode for 50,000+ listeners Create once. Distribute everywhere. 3. The 80/20 Rule That 10X'd My Content ROI After tracking revenue from 1,000+ content pieces, I discovered the inverse relationship founders miss: • 20% creation, 80% distribution (not the other way around) • 20% posting, 80% converting (not just publishing and praying) • 20% inspiration, 80% systems (not waiting for the muse) • 20% vanity metrics, 80% revenue metrics (not obsessing over likes) 4. The 5 Content Archetypes That Literally Print Money • Frameworks • Case studies  • Contrarian takes  • Process breakdowns • Personal stories Master these 5 and you'll never run out of high-converting content. 5. The Attention-To-Cash Pipeline That Never Sleeps Content → Email capture → Nurture sequence → Offer → Conversion → Ascension This isn't theory or guesswork. This is mathematical certainty. 6. The Content Freedom Formula That Buys Back Your Time • Week 1: Batch create flagship content • Week 2: My team repurposes into multiple formats • Week 3: Automated systems distributed across platforms • Week 4: We analyze results and optimize Repeat monthly. 7. The Dream Team Structure That Scales Your Voice • Content strategist (4 hours monthly) • Writer/editor (transforms ideas) • Designer (scroll-stopping visuals) This lean team creates and distributes more content than most 20-person marketing departments. — Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want more systems to generate more revenue? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/gznTzuEe

10 TED Talks in 10 days that will change your life: Day 1: "How Great Leaders Inspire Action" - Simon Sinek Start with WHY, not WHAT. Your purpose drives everything else. Sinek breaks down why Apple sells billions while others struggle. This talk will change how you think about your business, your brand, and your life. Day 2: "The Power of Vulnerability" - Brené Brown Vulnerability isn't weakness. It's courage. Brown shows how embracing imperfection leads to connection, creativity, and change. Essential for founders who think they need to have it all figured out. Day 3: "Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are" - Amy Cuddy Confidence isn't just mental. It's physical. Cuddy reveals how your posture literally changes your brain chemistry. Two minutes of power posing before important meetings will transform your presence. Day 4: "The Puzzle of Motivation" - Dan Pink Money isn't the best motivator. Autonomy, mastery, and purpose are. Pink destroys traditional thinking about what drives high performance. This changes how you build teams and design your life. Day 5: "The Power of Believing That You Can Improve" - Carol Dweck Fixed mindset vs growth mindset. Dweck shows how believing in your ability to grow literally rewires your brain for success. One word change: "I can't do this" becomes "I can't do this yet." Day 6: "How to Make Stress Your Friend" - Kelly McGonigal Stress isn't your enemy. Your belief about stress is. McGonigal presents research showing stress can actually improve performance and health. Changes everything about how you handle pressure. Day 7: "The Happy Secret to Better Work" - Shawn Achor Happiness leads to success, not the other way around. Achor breaks down the neuroscience of positivity and performance. Simple daily practices that literally rewire your brain for success. Day 8: "The Skill of Self-Confidence" - Dr. Ivan Joseph Self-confidence is a skill, not a personality trait. Joseph shows the exact formula for building unshakeable confidence. Repetition plus positive self-talk equals an unstoppable mindset. Day 9: "How to Speak So That People Want to Listen" - Julian Treasure Your voice is your superpower. Treasure reveals the vocal techniques that make people lean in. Essential for founders who need to inspire teams and customers. Day 10: "The Paradox of Choice" - Barry Schwartz More options don't make us happier. They paralyze us. Schwartz explains why limiting choices increases satisfaction. This will change how you design products, offers, and your daily life. Bonus: After watching all 10, go back and watch your favorite again. The second viewing hits differently when you have the full context. That's when the real insights emerge. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want to create compelling workshops? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/erTSz6wf

Everyone thinks money = happiness. But money is rarely the source of true happiness. 10 habits that will make you happier than 98% of people: 1. Choose Optimism It will: • Increase commitment to your goals • Attract the right people • Change your mindset around mistakes. Optimism isn't just positive thinking—it's a strategic advantage. 2. Write Daily Journaling became my therapy. I explored: • My passions • My future • My calling Writing isn't just for authors. It's a tool for clarity, creativity, and personal growth. 3. Take Care of Your Health • Mind - meditate • Body - exercise daily • Soul - cultivate meaningful relationships, take breaks Your health is your wealth. Invest in it daily. 4. Pay It Forward Random acts of kindness boost well-being. The waves of positivity you send into the world always ripple back to you. Kindness is a boomerang. Throw it often. 5. Don't Compare Yourself to Others Comparison is the thief of joy. If you are 1% better today, you're winning. Your only competition is yesterday's version of yourself. 6. Prioritize Growth Every morning ask yourself, "How can I improve today?" (1.01)^365 = 37.7 Small daily improvements compound into massive yearly gains. 7. Constantly Read Books give you access to the: • Stories • Thoughts • Philosophies of those who came before you Reading is time travel for the mind. 8. Give Sincere Appreciation When I'm in a slump, being grateful always pulls me out of it by putting my problems in perspective. Gratitude turns what we have into enough. 9. Reduce Your Wants Happiness ≠ external objects Happiness = internal sense of fulfillment Find your minimal lifestyle. The fewer things you need, the more freedom you have. 10. Ignore the Non-essential Say no to distractions and focus your energy. Learn to define your one big target. Saying no to the good lets you say yes to the great. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want to learn 4 simple steps to build an online presence that no one can ignore? Join my free live Workshop on July 1st (6 days away) to steal my homework: https://lnkd.in/ega47yzG

How to sell (without feeling salesy): First, understand the Ethical Wealth Formula: (Value First × Trust Building) × Authentic Positioning  ———————————————————  Frequency of Asks × Pressure Tactics This isn't abstract theory. It's practical math: • Increase the numerator: deliver more value, build more trust, position more authentically • Decrease the denominator: reduce frequency of asks, eliminate pressure tactics • Watch revenue soar while your integrity remains intact Ethical doesn't mean unprofitable. It means sustainable. Principle 1: Value-First Monetization The approach that generates $864,000 monthly without a single "hard sell": • Deliver so much value upfront that buying feels like the obvious next step • Create free content so good people say "If this is free, imagine what's paid" • Solve small problems for free, big transformational problems for a fee Give until it feels slightly uncomfortable. Then give a little more. Principle 2: Trust Through Consistency I've never missed weekly content in 3 years, through vacations, illnesses, market crashes. The trust-building machine that works while you sleep: • Show up reliably when competitors disappear during tough times • Do what you promise, when you promise it • Maintain quality across every touchpoint One founder implemented this and saw conversions increase 74% in 30 days, without changing offer or price. Trust isn't built in grand gestures. It's built in boring consistency, most won't maintain. Principle 3: Authentic Positioning The approach that helped me raise prices 300% while increasing sales: • Own your expertise unapologetically, confidence is not arrogance • Speak to specific problems you solve, not vague benefits you provide • Tell detailed stories of transformation instead of listing features You don't need to be perfect to sell effectively. You need to be authentic about how you help. Principle 4: Invitation Vs. Manipulation The ethical alternative to high-pressure tactics: • Invite people when they're ready, don't push when you're ready • Create genuine scarcity (limited capacity) not fake urgency (countdown timers) • Respect "no" as "not now" rather than objection to overcome My most profitable sales sequence has zero countdown timers, zero artificial scarcity, zero pressure. Ethical selling feels like extending help, not hunting prey. — Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want to improve your sales strategy? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/eTp4jain

Here's how to get so good that they can't ignore you: What does being "so good they can't ignore you" mean? “Don’t follow your passion; rather, let it follow you in your quest to become so good that they can’t ignore you.” – Steve Martin, 5-time Grammy Winner In short, it's a mindset. A mindset where, regardless of what you do for a living... You approach your work like a true performer. In the end, by optimizing for what you are great at, no one can compete against you. Give me 3 minutes, and I'll break it down: 1. Question Yourself Ask yourself: "What do I truly want?" Make a list of 10-15 items. Most of these are responses that society has conditioned you into. Question what you actually enjoy. Fearlessly write down your craziest ideas to understand your true north star. 2. Stack Skills Ask yourself: "What daily, repeated practice will get me to my goals?" Skills enable growth: • Write email copy daily → Build out an agency  • Create content daily → Bootstrap a media company Pick up a new skill every 30 days to accelerate your value. 3. Set Anti-Goals The quickest choice that kills momentum: finding distractions. Set anti-goals to build guardrails to your attention. Ask yourself: • What's the worst outcome? • What systems lead to that?  • What daily actions create that system? Avoid at all costs. 4. Kill Self-Doubt When betting on yourself, self-doubt is your biggest confrontation. View self-doubt as a signal to learn, not to quit: • Ask for help  • Learn the basics  • Practice and implement  • Teach others 5. Ruthlessly Track Your Time No one is going to hold you accountable for your own progress. Tracking your time illuminates: • Which hours are you most productive • What methods teach you the fastest  • What areas interest you the most This data is invaluable. 6. Set Specific Goals Your intentions guide your destination. Stop setting arbitrary goals (ie. "I'm thinking of surfing on a beach in Costa Rica, without worrying about money") Start setting specific goals (ie. "I want to hit $5 million in revenue by 2023, $3 million in profit") — Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want systems to achieve growth? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/eKfjmhru

Benjamin Franklin once said: “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Here's how a simple master plan will get you ahead of 99% of people in 2025: Every December, I sit down and create my annual master plan. I've been doing this for 10 years, and it's the exact framework that's helped me build multiple 7-8 figure businesses while working just 4 hours a day. Here's my 2025 master plan: 1. Mission & Purpose My mission is to unlock humanity's creative potential and live the most fulfilling life imaginable. And my purpose is to help 100,000 founders achieve $ 1 M+ revenue through proven systems to grow their audience, brand, and monetization. 2. My Core Focus I see myself as the Chief Detail Officer. My job is to: • Obsess over quality (Steve Jobs' level of detail) • Do fewer things (say "no" by default) • Be a world-class manager and leader • Be an artist 3. My Theme For 2025 Insanely simple. • Insanely simple experiences • Insanely simple operations • Insanely simple systems • Insanely simple design • Insanely simple lifestyle My goal for this year is to say no by default to focus deeply on what matters. 4. Reflection Here’s where I could have been better: • Be more patient • Set clearer boundaries • Be a more active listener • Be more selective with new hires I want to focus on only saying 'Hell Yes' to things aligned with my head, heart, and gut. 5. Health, Wealth, and Business Wins • Brought on my sister Claire (dream hire) • YouTube crossed 100k subscribers • Creating 180 systems for founders • Crossed $13M of portfolio revenue 6. Values Here are the 6 values that steer my life choices: • Inner Harmony • Freedom • Community • Creativity • Nature • Love Your values are decision-making filters for life. 7. Personal Goals Living an extraordinary life requires intentional design: 1. Romance & Family: Monthly weekend getaways 2. Health & Wellness: Daily lifts and optimal sleep 3. Personal Growth: Write and publish a book 4. Lifestyle: Live all over the world 8. Founder OS Vision Here’s the core thesis we live by: 1. Brands are founder-led 2. Every brand is a media company 3. Creators are the future 4. Content GPS is the most powerful system for growth 9. Dreams For 2025 I'm aiming higher than ever in 2025: • Dream Collabs: Naval, Tim Ferriss, Andrew Huberman • Dream Community: Launch a founder retreat center in the Dolomites • Dream Content: Pixar for founders These aren't just wishes—they're targets with detailed execution plans behind them. This master plan is my compass for the year ahead. Writing it forces clarity, commitment, and most importantly, alignment with what truly matters in life. Peace + Profit + Purpose for 2025. Time to execute. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want more tips to master 2025? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/eTyE6NdD

Most founders think their biggest bottleneck is capital. But after analyzing hundreds of entrepreneurs who've built successful companies, I've discovered something counterintuitive: The most expensive bottleneck in your business is you. I learned this the hard way when I was trapped answering emails, scheduling calls, and tracking invoices for years. Here's what happens when you build systemized delegation in public: 1. Time Multiplication You shift from doing everything yourself to systemizing everything that matters. When you document this process publicly, you create accountability and inspire others to value their own time properly. 2. Strategic Thinking Space Removing low-value tasks creates mental bandwidth for high-impact decisions. Sharing your strategic frameworks publicly helps other founders identify what truly requires their unique expertise. 3. Team Empowerment The right operations hire takes ownership of entire systems. Building these delegation processes in public creates a playbook that other founders can implement immediately. 4. Revenue Leverage Within 30 days of my first ops hire, I tripled my strategic thinking time and doubled my creative output. Documenting this ROI openly shows other founders the true cost of being their own bottleneck. 5. Scalable Growth Your first hire should give you time back. When you build hiring systems transparently, you demonstrate that sustainable growth requires systematic thinking. 6. Compound Freedom Each hour you reclaim compounds into more strategic value creation. Sharing this transformation journey publicly creates a community of founders who prioritize time leverage over task completion. The simple math: A monthly operations investment created exponential opportunity returns. When you build your delegation systems in public, you're showing other founders that their time is their most valuable asset. The future belongs to founders who understand that being irreplaceable is the opposite of being valuable. — Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want to learn how to delegate effectively? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/g2cDh2np

10 phrases every founder should read: 1. "Revenue is vanity. Profit is sanity. Cash is reality." 2. "Your business should work without you, or it's not a business—it's a job." 3. "Systems run the business. People run the systems." 4. "Charge what you're worth, then double it." 5. "Problems are just undiscovered profit centers." 6. "You don't get what you deserve. You get what you negotiate." 7. "Focus is saying no to 1,000 good ideas." 8. "Your network is your net worth, but only if you give before you receive." 9. "Perfectionism is procrastination in disguise." 10. "The market doesn't care about your feelings." __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want to start thinking like a CEO? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/gm5BtVbw

Nobody ever built an empire alone, yet most founders try. When I started building my companies, I believed no one could do it as well as me. But I was dead wrong. Building my delegation systems in public taught me that transparency around this journey creates exponential value. When I started sharing my mistakes and breakthroughs with team building, founders began implementing similar frameworks and sharing their own transformations. Here's what happens when you build your Zone of Genius systems in public: 1. Energy Optimization You shift from doing everything to doing only what energizes you. When you share this process publicly, you inspire other founders to audit their own energy and identify what truly deserves their focus. 2. Systematic Delegation You create frameworks that allow others to excel without constant oversight. Building these systems transparently shows other entrepreneurs that great delegation isn't about losing control, it's about multiplying impact. 3. Mistake Documentation You learn from expensive hiring errors and over-delegation mishaps publicly. Sharing these lessons saves other founders from making the same costly mistakes while building their teams. 4. Balance Discovery You find the sweet spot between hands-on leadership and strategic oversight. When you document this journey openly, you provide a roadmap for other founders struggling with the same balance. 5. Genius Zone Focus You identify and protect the work that only you can do exceptionally well. Building this clarity in public helps other entrepreneurs recognize their own unique value and stop competing on tasks that drain them. 6. Team Empowerment You create space for A-players to thrive by handling everything outside your genius zone. Sharing this approach publicly demonstrates that the best founders aren't indispensable, they're irreplaceable in their specific zone of genius. This isn't just about building better teams, it's about creating beautiful, systemized organizations where everyone operates in their zone of genius together. When you build your delegation systems in public, you're showing other founders that true leadership means becoming strategically replaceable everywhere except where your unique genius matters most. The future belongs to founders brave enough to build empires through others, not despite them. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want to learn 4 simple steps to build an online presence that no one can ignore? Join my free live Workshop on July 1st (7 days away) to steal my homework: https://lnkd.in/eRpjEKuz

Leadership is a superpower. Learn it and you can achieve just about anything. 8 ideas to level up your leadership in the next 5 minutes: 1. Simon Sinek's Golden Circle: • Why - Your purpose (Ikigai) • How - Your process or way of doing things • What - Your product Most leaders communicate from the outside in (what – how – why). Great leaders communicate from the inside out (why – how – what). 2. Feedback Feedback is one of the most important skills for a leader. It’s also one of the most difficult. Here's a simple system: • Describe the specific situation • Explain the impact of that behavior • Offer suggestions for improvement Feedback is a gift. 3. Delegation Delegation is not about giving tasks. It's about empowering others. • Choose the right person • Specify desired outcome • Provide resources/support • Set deadlines • Give feedback Delegation is an investment in your team and yourself. 4. Emotional Intelligence IQ is how smart you are. EQ is how well you understand and manage emotions. SQ is how well you navigate social situations. All are important for leaders, but EQ reigns supreme. 5. Leadership Styles There's no one-size-fits-all approach to leadership. Here are the 6 most common leadership styles: • Visionary • Coaching • Affiliative • Democratic • Pacesetting • Commanding Find the right one for you and you will thrive. 6. 7 Laws of Honorable Leadership Leadership is a privilege, not a right. • Serve others • Lead with courage • Embody your values • Pursue excellence • Take accountability • Foster inclusion • Leave a legacy To earn respect, you must lead with honor and integrity. 7. The 80/20 Rule The Pareto Principle states that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts.  Your job is to identify and focus on the 20% that really moves the needle. Here's how: • Prioritize ruthlessly • Automate, eliminate, or delegate • Batch tasks • Take breaks 8. Building a World-Class Team Use this success sheet to improve your team: • Psychological Safety • Dependability • Structure & Clarity • Meaning • Impact • Growth Mindset Great teams are only as strong as their leaders. — Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want more leadership tips? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/eiQVg9P5

I make $1.1M per month while taking 4-day weekends. Here's how to build a business that runs without you: 1. Systems > Hustle Most founders are stuck working IN their business instead of ON it. They chase growth through brute force when they should be building systems. The simple truth: • You don't need to work harder • You don't need more hours • You don't need more motivation You need systems that run without you. The difference between a job and a business is whether it works when you don't. 2. The AED Framework This is the exact system I use to remove myself from operations: • AUTOMATE what's repetitive • ELIMINATE what's unnecessary • DELEGATE what's not in your zone of genius When something lands on your plate, run it through this filter immediately. Your most valuable resource isn't money, it's your attention. 3. The 5 Systems Every Founder Needs After building multiple 7 and 8-figure businesses, these are non-negotiable: • Content system (audience growth on autopilot) • Sales system (predictable revenue generation) • Delivery system (consistent customer experience) • Team system (accountable performance) • Finance system (profitable decision-making) Build these 5 and you've built your freedom. 4. Your Team = Your Leverage Most founders hire too late, too cheap, and without systems. Here's your first three game-changing hires: • Executive Assistant (buys back 20+ hours weekly) • Content Manager (builds your audience while you sleep) • Operations Manager (runs your systems when you're gone) Hire for systems, not tasks. The ROI on great people with great systems is infinite. 5. The Founder Freedom Formula True freedom requires more than just delegation. You need: • Documented processes for everything you do • Decision frameworks for your team to follow • Clear metrics to measure performance • Weekly accountability systems • Strategic deep work time for yourself Your business should serve your life, not consume it. 6. The 90-Day Freedom Plan Want to implement this in your business? Days 1-30: Document every process you touch  Days 31-60: Build your team and systems dashboard  Days 61-90: Transition to 4-hour founder workdays Most founders never escape the daily grind because they never commit to the systems work. Be the founder who builds a business, not just another job. Your systems are your path to freedom. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want to remove yourself from operations? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/eJ7JEAKE

I’m 35. When I was younger, I battled to get sober, had my company raided by the government, traveled the world, and started multiple 8-figure companies. 11 lessons for 21-year-old Matt: 1. Prioritize Nature Nature's been my biggest mentor and therapist. Getting outside daily, taking my shoes off, and grounding myself has brought infinite stability to my life. 2. Never Stop Building Your Network Over the years, I've created a personal Board of Advisors. Some of my closest friends are killers across sales, writing, YouTube, community building, and strategy. I know world-class advice is just a phone call away. 3. Never Compromise Your Ethics In tough decisions where blurring the lines is an option, choose moral. NEVER compromise your ethics. It'll affect you in subconscious ways you never imagined. 4. Be Boring A lot of success comes from just saying no to cheap dopamine. And instead, focusing on the mundane: • Maximizing sleep • Guarding time for workouts • Not eating out in favor of your nutritious diet Boring's not a bad word when you're on the up. 5. Become a Self-Starter The fastest way to grow your career: Find your bosses' pain points and solve them without being asked. You put yourself on the radar - and train your entrepreneurial muscle for when you need it. 6. Learn Storytelling Early Sales, hiring, marketing - it's all storytelling. It's the highest intangible ROI skill you can learn. The first step: Study storytelling frameworks and the 7 fundamental human emotions. 7. Be Humble However hard it is on your ego, you need to swallow your pride every damn day. It's how you'll take criticism better, know when to ask for help, and know when to cut your losses. Grasping onto an image of who you are only limiting what you might become. 8. Never Skip 2 Days With whatever habit you're forming, only skip a maximum of one day. Once you skip two in a row, you've lost momentum. I've found this rule much more practical than 'never miss a day'. 9. Find Your Peak Energy State Keep trying new work environments. Experiment with working at different times. Until you find when you're most energetic, at ease, and productive. That's your competitive advantage. 10. Embrace Compounding Aim to get 1% better everyday - and be 37x better by the end of the year. It's a simple mindset hack that'll bring you a world of joy down the line. All you need is consistency. 11. Never Feel Sorry for Yourself Embrace the suck and use it as fuel to level up. You're not a victim - don't get in the habit of thinking you are one. That's a surefire way to never achieve anything. It's simple: if you've chosen the wrong road, go back and find the right one. — Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want more cheat codes? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/eexwTHf7

How to brand yourself in 30 days (without selling your soul): 1. The Old Game Is Dead I've spent $1.4M testing what doesn't work: • Paid ads → 83% ROI decrease • Chasing algorithms → Endless pivots • PR firms → $30K for zero sales • Press features → 72-hour spikes • Networking events → Surface connections 2025 winners aren't buying media. They're becoming it. 2. The Media Takeover Look at the numbers: • Elon Musk: 193M followers vs. Tesla: 20M • Tim Cook: 14M followers vs. Apple: 9.6M • Richard Branson: 12.3M followers vs. Virgin: 667K Yet 97% of founders are still playing by outdated rules. 3. The Personal Media Company Framework After scaling to $13.8M, I've distilled success to 5 pillars: 1. Content Creation - How only you can say it 2. Distribution Channels - Where your customers exist 3. Audience Building - Strangers into advocates 4. Monetization Systems - Revenue while you sleep 5. Team Architecture - People who buy back your time Miss one pillar = costly hobby, not profitable empire. 4. The Content GPS System I've tested 1,400+ pieces across every platform. The formula: • 3 core topics (what you own) • 3 content formats (how you deliver) • 3 unique perspectives (what only you can say) = 27 combinations for a year of posts. Systems create wealth. 5. The Soul-Selling Trap The #1 reason personal brands fail: they're not personal. I've watched founders: • Chase vanity metrics while staying broke • Mimic trends, sacrifice authenticity 6. The Content Waterfall Method Create 30+ pieces from one idea: ONE flagship piece weekly → • Newsletter (182K subscribers) • Podcast (50K listeners) • YouTube (150K subscribers) • LinkedIn (800K followers) • X thread (365K followers) • Instagram (910K followers) 7. The 4W Freedom Formula The system that lets me travel 100+ days/year while making $13.8M: • Own WHAT you create (intellectual property) • Control WHEN you work (time autonomy) • Choose WHERE you live (location freedom) • Decide WHO you serve (customer selection) 8. The Authenticity Paradox The tightrope every founder walks: • Professional ≠ Boring • Vulnerable ≠ Oversharing • Consistent ≠ Repetitive • Valuable ≠ Perfect • Yourself ≠ No strategy Pure authenticity without strategy is a diary. Pure strategy without authenticity is just marketing. The intersection is where fortunes are made. 9. Your 30-Day Media Company Launch The exact roadmap I’d follow if starting over: Days 1–10: Foundation • 3 core topics • Unique voice • Audience personas • Content philosophy Days 11–20: Systems • Content calendar • Posting templates • Distribution workflows • Conversion metrics Days 21–30: Flywheel • Launch machine • Build an audience • Monetize basics • Track results 1 hour daily for 30 days can change your life. __ Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost it to your network and follow Matt Gray for more. Want to build a personal brand? Join our community of 172,000+ subscribers today: https://lnkd.in/ew3SXYXG