How To Use New AI To Connect In Old Ways

You can walk into the future, but the stories you tell will be the same. Because tech changes - human psychology doesn't. Think of technology as the surface of the ocean—constantly shifting with waves and tides. Meanwhile, human psychology is like the deep ocean—calm, steady, and unaffected by the changes above. So, no matter what you’re building, your content needs to do at least one of three things that scratch the itch of the human mind (preferably all three): Educate, entertain, or inspire.

Here's The Secret To Finding Creative Partners...

I’ve written before about the qualities to look for in a long-term business partner. But how do you find one? In the last year, I’ve learned the secret. Tara and I now have multiple projects going with high-quality partners and plenty of creative momentum. What’s the secret? Fair warning - you’re going to laugh cause it’s so stupid simple. Here’s the secret: Tell people what you’re doing, or (if you haven’t started yet) what you're planning on doing.

Artificial Intelligence Is Immense Power In Your Hands

As a leveraged creator - someone who follows the path of: Create assets → scale them with free leverage → earn your freedom - it has become impossible to ignore how artificial intelligence can empower you - creators - to build whatever you want.

Most Of Your Progress Is Invisible... Until It's Not

It was a big week. The producer Tara and I partnered with sent out our movie script to some of the biggest comedy directors you can think of. By any measure, getting eyes on our writing at this level is a win. And it got me thinking about how we got here. The most obvious observation I have looking back is how much all the progress we’ve made over the last three years was invisible. Not only was it invisible, but much of the time it actually felt like failing.

All The Ways I'm Building Free Leverage Right Now

The best use of your time is to build quality assets that work for you after you’re finished working on them. Once you see how powerful this idea is, it’s impossible to unsee it. It’s what I spend 90% of my time thinking about and implementing. Here are some ways I'm doing it...

Embarrassment Is Temporary. But Regret Is Forever.

Everyone wants success. But most people aren’t willing to start down a path filled with unknowns unless they get a guarantee of success before they take that first step. The worst thing you can do is NOT start because you’re waiting for a guarantee your idea will work. The embarrassment of starting and failing is temporary. But the regret of not starting at all is forever.

Mental ModelsThomas WaschenfelderAugust 11, 2024embarrassment is temporary

Don't Be The Smartest Person In The Room

We had just opened a second bottle of wine after dinner. The producer’s dining room was beautiful - a huge wooden table with an expansive bar collection covering the wall behind us. And the house was even nicer - newly renovated with a massive backyard in a wonderful Los Angeles neighborhood.

Mental ModelsThomas WaschenfelderAugust 2, 2024smartest person in the room, networking

Why You Should Time Batch Similar Creative Work

After writing, shooting, and editing our first video sketch, I’ve learned something you can steal. Batch similar creative work together. Here’s why, using the steps of my process so it’s clear. For this first sketch, the writing process was very informal…

Mental ModelsThomas WaschenfelderJuly 27, 2024batch creative work

Make The Stuff You Wish Existed

There’s an old saying in Hollywood: “Write the movie you want to see.” When I’m thinking about what to work on next, that’s where I start.

You Can't Google Your Way To Specific Knowledge

Anyone can Google stuff. Not everyone can ask specific questions about their project to a partner who has shared upside in the outcome. That’s the power of apprenticeships - the better the apprentice, the more upside for the one sharing their specific knowledge.

Mental ModelsThomas WaschenfelderJuly 10, 2024specific knowledge

Master The Mindset Of The Wealthy. Then Build.