Business is a video game. Here's how to win.

Key Concepts

• Tutorial Island (stuck in planning phase)
• XP System (experience points for actions and milestones)
• Character Care (self-care as business foundation)
• Boss Battles (overcoming obstacles)
• Skill Tree (developing necessary skills)
• Power-Ups (mentors, resources, community, tools)
• Quest Log (breaking down goals into actionable steps)
• Minimum Viable Task (smallest possible version of a task)

Quitting Tutorial Island

• Problem: Business owners get stuck in the planning phase, endlessly preparing instead of implementing. This is "Tutorial Island."
• Solution:
  1. Set a Time Limit: Allocate a maximum of 2 weeks for research and planning. Schedule the first non-overwhelming step on your calendar.
  2. Choose One Focus: Select one marketing platform or content type to concentrate on initially. Avoid spreading efforts too thin.
  3. Create a Minimum Viable Task: Start with the smallest possible version of your goal (e.g., a tiny freelance package, a mini-workshop).
  4. Accept Imperfection: Acknowledge that you will never feel 100% ready. Clarity comes from action, not endless planning.
• Underlying Fears: Procrastination, perfectionism, and overthinking are often disguises for fears of negative feedback, failure, choosing the wrong path, or appearing incompetent.
• Quote: "Clarity comes from action."
• Irony: The only wrong decision is to make no decision, as it prevents progress and data collection.

Understanding the Game of Business

• Game Mechanics: Applying video game principles can simplify business.
• XP System:
  • XP is earned through taking action (e.g., sending a DM, sending a newsletter) and achieving milestones (e.g., earning the first dollar).
  • The bigger the challenge, the more XP is awarded.
• Character Care:
  • Self-care is crucial because you are the foundation of your business. Neglecting sleep, working excessive hours, and lacking fun will destabilize the business.
  • Quote: "The biggest asset you have is you."
• Boss Battles:
  • Boss battles are confrontations with significant obstacles. Examples include:
    • Self-Shame Boss: Defeated by practicing self-compassion.
    • Comparison Boss: Defeated by focusing on your own progress and learning from others without comparing.
    • Impostor Syndrome Boss: Defeated by accepting that everyone starts as a beginner.
    • Rejection Boss: Defeated by viewing rejection as data for optimization.
    • Over-Analysis Boss: Defeated by accepting that there will never be a perfect decision.
• Skill Tree:
  • Develop skills relevant to your business type (e.g., freelancing vs. physical product business).
  • Soft skills are essential and often undervalued.
  • Earn XP by practicing the skills you need to develop (e.g., sales, team management, marketing).
• Power-Ups:
  • Mentors: Rare NPCs who provide shortcuts and expert feedback.
  • Resources: Books, YouTube videos, courses, and workshops (effective only if applied).
  • Community: Provides support and collaboration.
  • Team: An "adventuring party" with complementary skills.
  • Tools: Gear upgrades like Notion, Claude, and Canva.

Leveling Up

• Business Levels: Simplified levels include beginner, intermediate, and advanced, defined by revenue, systems, and team size.
• Quest Log:
  • Break down the main quest (big goal) into the first 5-10 tiny, actionable tasks.
  • Limit tasks to 15-minute increments to avoid overwhelm.
  • Assign XP to each task based on its impact and effort.
• XP Menu: Create a menu to track progress and visually see how close you are to leveling up.
• Notion Game: A game created in Notion where you can create tasks and when you take them off you get XP and that XP builds up in your rewards bank and you can use it to claim rewards and treats to reward yourself for taking action essentially.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The video presents a gamified approach to business, emphasizing action over endless planning. By framing business challenges as "boss battles," skills as a "skill tree," and progress as an "XP system," the speaker encourages viewers to overcome their fears, focus on incremental progress, and prioritize self-care. The key takeaway is that business, like a video game, requires consistent action, strategic skill development, and a willingness to learn from failures to "level up" and achieve success.