Two times I didn't press "Publish". The moment I overthink what to write, the odds of publishing skyrocket. Our old demons 👹 lurk in the dark, waiting for that moment of weakness to whisper doubts. Yet here I am, first things first !

Gratitude

Exactly this time last year, I went against all internal warnings 🚨 to deliver "Positioning Hacked" keynote for technical entrepreneurs. That first leap put me on track to host "The One-liner Seminar", started to write this (almost) weekly newsletter, and build "Engineers Can Talk" community.

You’ve supported me in invaluable ways🙏🏻 . You helped me get the confidence to get out there and start talking to my audience, (thanks to you, I didn't not start from scratch) each one in his/her own way :

1. Through your action : your presence, your kept promises, your forgiveness, your commitment, and your wallet $$$ 😆
2. Through your words : your encouragements, your thoughtful comments, the kinds words in my absence and your recommendations
3. Through your prayers : your benevolent thoughts, your understanding and your patience

​

​

​

​

The key shift in 2024

Moving from (just made this up) "safe monkey technique" - grabbing the next branch before letting go of the current one

To "mad monkey technique" - taking a leap of faith into a dense savanna ahead. Not a blind jump off a cliff, but an informed wild guess with relative safety nets.

And the journey continues...

Start Then Learn

As an engineer, I'd study exhaustively, build spreadsheets, make linear predictions. Sometimes I'd get lost in that future state. But starting something new requires a different approach: just do it, then trust you'll figure it out.

This mindset helped me start my business in my late 20s, become a parent in my late 30s, and now find my voice to help others find theirs.

I started to notice more and more moments where I am having to deal with something new, where all the readings in the world won't replace what first-hand experience can provide. Think about how a toddler 👶🏻learns to walk

For too long, I was doing it in reverse ... trying to improve something I didn't start yet 🤯🙃

Here is a new addition to my list of 15+ Sacred 1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ Sequences

When launching something new : 1️⃣ Start 2️⃣ Learn 3️⃣ Improve

My Sacred 1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ Sequences List

I have collected during the past years a list of “My Sacred 1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ Sequences” that keep me sane in different situations. It’s my wisdom checklist 😆 These are mine, meaning tried and battle-tested for me, yours might be different, the important thing : they keep me grounded and in the right direction.

• When confused on priorities: 1️⃣ Me, 2️⃣My Family, 3️⃣My Community (Business and the rest of the world)
• When present-pitching : 1️⃣ The Who, 2️⃣The Problem, 3️⃣The Differentiator
• When future-pitching : 1️⃣ The Problem, 2️⃣The Who, 3️⃣The Why
• When operating : 1️⃣ Clients,2️⃣ Employees,3️⃣ Investors
• When firing: 1️⃣ Integrity, 2️⃣ Attitude,3️⃣ Performance
• When someone fucks up: 1️⃣st time “accident”, 2️⃣nd time “negligence”,3️⃣rd time distinguish between “ability” and consider “malevolence”
• When marketing : 1️⃣ Former Clients, 2️⃣ Network (Warm),3️⃣ Prospects (Cold)
• When starting-from-zero: 1️⃣ The Present,2️⃣ The Future, 3️⃣ The Past
• When lost: 1️⃣ The Past, 2️⃣ The Present, 3️⃣ The Future
• When innovating: 1️⃣ Desirability,2️⃣ Feasibility, 3️⃣Viability
• When B2B selling : 1️⃣ The Who, 2️⃣ The Alternatives, 3️⃣ The Pros of Alternatives
• When talking: 1️⃣ Them, 2️⃣ Their Problem, 3️⃣ My Message
• When winning: 1️⃣ Thank God, 2️⃣ Thank those who helped (including enemies), 3️⃣ Calmly Pursue The Next-win
• When panicking: 1️⃣ Solve 72x23, 2️⃣ Breath, 3️⃣ Be Grateful
• When pricing: 1️⃣ Outcomes (Results), 2️⃣ Output (Deliverables), 3️⃣ Input (Labor/T&M)
• When supporting someone : 1️⃣ Action, 2️⃣ Words, 3️⃣ Prayer
• When debating : 1️⃣ Acknowledge, 2️⃣ Common Ground, 3️⃣ Assert Position
• When changing: 1️⃣ Identity, 2️⃣ Beliefs, 3️⃣ Emotions
• When blaming : 1️⃣ No-one, 2️⃣ Self, 3️⃣ Others (Chinese proverb)
• +When launching something new : 1️⃣ Start 2️⃣ Learn 3️⃣ Improve

​

Which one resonated with you the most ?
Disagree with any ?
Do you have your own sequence(s) you want to share with me ?
​
👉🏻 Click "reply"