What if staying calm in an uncertain world came down to three simple rules?

In this episode, I explore Dan Sullivan’s “Geometry” for staying cool and calm—a simple framework built around three ideas:

1. Everything is made up.
2. Nobody’s in charge.
3. Life isn’t fair.

At first, these might sound funny. But taken together, they can actually be incredibly freeing.

If everything around us was ultimately invented by someone, we’re free to invent something better. If nobody is really in charge, we don’t need to wait for permission. And if life isn’t fair, we can stop expecting reality to conform to our expectations and focus instead on what we can actually control.

A short episode about uncertainty, entrepreneurship, expectations, and a useful mental model for staying calm when things don’t go according to plan.

https://amzn.to/3SyqrkJ

What if the path to becoming a millionaire isn’t the same for everyone?

In this episode of Taylor Made Thoughts, I explore Roger James Hamilton’s The Millionaire Master Plan and its central idea: building wealth isn’t just about working harder or following someone else’s formula—it’s about understanding where you are now and choosing the right strategy for your particular stage.

I break down Hamilton’s framework for moving through different levels of wealth, why the skills that get you to one level may not get you to the next, and how your approach to making money should evolve as your resources, experience, and opportunities change.

Along the way, I look at what I found useful in the book, where I’m skeptical, and how its ideas apply to entrepreneurs trying to figure out what they should actually be focusing on next.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing a lot but aren’t sure whether you’re working on the right things to build wealth, this framework offers an interesting way to think about the problem.

Buy the Book: https://amzn.to/4g4DQJa (affiliate link)

In this episode, I discuss How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton Christensen, James Allworth, and Karen Dillon—a book that takes the management theories Christensen taught at Harvard Business School and applies them to one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves: What makes for a fulfilling life?

Rather than relying on inspirational advice, Christensen argues that the same principles that help companies succeed can also help us make better decisions about our careers, relationships, and personal lives.

I spend most of the episode focusing on three ideas that stood out to me.

First is the concept of deliberate strategy vs. emergent strategy. We often believe we need to map out every step of our future, but Christensen shows that many of the most successful companies—and people—arrive somewhere they never originally planned. The key isn't predicting the future; it's having clear values while remaining flexible enough to recognize and pursue unexpected opportunities.

Next, I dive into motivation theory, exploring why money and external rewards only go so far. Christensen draws on research showing that while fair compensation matters, long-term fulfillment comes from meaningful work, opportunities to grow, responsibility, and making a genuine contribution. It's a useful framework for thinking about both our own careers and how we lead teams.

Finally, we discuss outsourcing—not just as a business decision, but as a life decision. Which responsibilities should you keep because they create meaning or strengthen relationships, and which are better delegated so you can spend more time on what matters most? Viewing your personal life through the same lens as resource allocation in business can lead to surprisingly powerful insights.

Whether you're building a company, managing a career, or simply trying to live more intentionally, this book offers practical mental models for aligning your daily decisions with the life you ultimately want to build.

Books referenced (affiliate links):

How Will You Measure Your Life?: https://amzn.to/4faaYjs

Top Five Regrets of the Dying: https://amzn.to/3TnA060

Getting to Plan B: https://amzn.to/4wH3uu6

The Innovator's Dilemma: https://amzn.to/4wcAzhH

Rise and Fall of Strategic Planning: https://amzn.to/3T7apOK

Discovery-Driven Growth: https://amzn.to/4yt5K9S

The Origin and Evolution of New Businesses: https://amzn.to/3T3z9ra