Colby Kultgen

Life is full of beautiful paradoxes.

A mistake provides the lesson that propels you forward.
A stressful situation presents an opportunity to build confidence through action.
An act of self-forgiveness allows you to hold yourself accountable without being paralyzed by past mistakes.

By embracing these dualities, you unlock a deeper understanding of personal growth.

As Bruce Lee famously said: “Be water, my friend.“

Water adjusts to the shape of its container, flows around obstacles, and remains strong under pressure. Embracing the dualities of life allows you to be adaptable, resilient, and continuously evolving.

What other pairs would you add to this image?

Image credit: joinmonument on Instagram

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Want to improve your career in 2024?

This cheat sheet from my friend Chris Donnelly can act as your high-performer trait checklist.

Here's how you can get better at each one:

🎯 Get Sh#t Done
How to improve: Set specific, measurable goals with deadlines to focus your efforts and track progress.

🧠 Self-Awareness
How to improve: Reflect daily on your experiences to identify your strengths and weaknesses.

💪 Ruthless Grit
How to improve: Commit to a small, challenging task daily to build resilience and persistence.

🌱 Wants to Grow
How to improve: Dedicate time each week to learn something new related to your skills or interests.

❤️ Shows Empathy
How to improve: Practice active listening in every conversation to understand others' perspectives better.

🚫 Doesn’t Complain
How to improve: Replace complaints with constructive solutions or a positive outlook.

🗣️ Strong Communicator
How to improve: Seek feedback on your communication style and work on the areas that need improvement.

📐 Great At Simplifying
How to improve: Practice explaining complex ideas in simple terms to a non-expert.

🧘 Control Over Emotions
How to improve: Implement stress-reduction techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, into your daily routine.

📢 Speaks Up
How to improve: Prepare and practice your points before discussions to confidently express your values.

⏳ Manages Time Well
How to improve: Use a planner or digital tool to organize tasks and prioritize them based on urgency and importance.

🤔 Enjoys Being Wrong
How to improve: Actively seek out feedback and different opinions to challenge your beliefs and learn.

✍️ What do you think is the most important trait in a high performer?

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An idea everyone should try…

“Selective Ignorance” from James Clear (Atomic Habits):

Ignore topics that drain your attention.
Unfollow people that drain your energy.
Abandon projects that drain your time.

Do not keep up with it all.

The more selectively ignorant you become, the more broadly knowledgeable you can be.

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5 ways to get out of your comfort zone more often:

1️⃣ Use a “go one more” mindset:

When close to your limit, push yourself to go one more.

Meditation—go one more minute
Reading a book—go one more page
At the gym—go one more rep (carefully)

One is perfect because it pushes you slightly without overwhelming.
(h/t Nick Bare)

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2️⃣ Build something in public:

- Start a YouTube channel
- Start a podcast
- Start tweeting

It's uncomfortable at first, but it will change your life if you stick with it (trust me).

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3️⃣ Spend time with people who do it:

Research shows sitting next to a high-performer at your job can boost your performance up to 15%.

Apply this same principle to your growth.

Want to get out of your comfort zone more?
Hang out with people who do.

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4️⃣ Break your routines:

- Take a new way home from work
- Eat without using your phone
- Try a new exercise program
- Cook a new recipe

Sometimes the easiest way to get out of your comfort zone is to simply snap out of old habits.

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5️⃣ Reframe your stress response

Research says: anxiety and excitement both create the same response in our bodies—the difference is how we frame it.

Simply thinking to yourself, “I'm excited“ in a stressful situation can be enough to change an event from terrifying to exhilarating.

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A question I can't get out of my head:

What award are you trying to win that doesn’t exist?

The more I thought about it, the more I realized how often I fall into this trap.

🏅 Most hours worked.
🏅 Least rest taken.
🏅 Never said no.
🏅 Didn't ask for help.

If I had a trophy for every time I sacrificed myself to seem strong, dependable, or put-together—I’d need a new IKEA shelf every month to hold them.

But why do we do it?

Here's the harsh truth:​
This pursuit doesn't come from a place of ambition—it comes from a place of lack.

We chase these imaginary awards because we’re afraid.

Afraid that others will see us as unreliable, incapable, or incompetent.

So we swing hard in the opposite direction.

We overwork to look committed.
Say “yes“ to everything to seem reliable.
Avoid asking for help to appear competent.

But in reality, we’re performing for judges who don't even exist.

And the only one holding us to these limiting beliefs is ourselves.

Your challenge this week:​
Name the award you’ve been trying to win that isn’t real.

But don’t stop there.

Ask yourself: What’s driving me to chase it in the first place?

When you stop performing for an invisible panel of judges, you can finally start living from a place of truth instead of defense.

Image credit: themindfriend on Instagram
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Introverts should act like extroverts more often.

This might surprise you…

Research shows that when introverts intentionally act more extroverted, they often feel happier and even more like themselves.

Not because they suddenly love crowds, and small talk.
But because they feel more connected.

Here are four surprising things the research reveals:

1️⃣ Acting extroverted can boost your mood

Even if it feels uncomfortable at first, studies show introverts often experience more positive emotions when they lean into extroverted behavior.

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2️⃣ You might feel more authentic, not less

In one study, introverts actually felt truer to themselves when they acted outgoing. It turns out, stretching your comfort zone doesn’t always mean losing who you are.

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3️⃣ Authenticity isn’t about comfort, it’s about alignment

Living authentically can mean acting in ways that feel, at first, uncomfortable, as long as those actions draw you closer to your values and goals.

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4️⃣ You can act your way into feeling differently

As psychologist Jerome Bruner put it: “You’re more likely to act yourself into feeling than feel yourself into action.” The idea: don’t wait to feel confident, move first, and let the feeling catch up.

As someone who leans introverted, this challenged my assumptions in the best way.

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9 visuals that will rewire your brain:

Jack Butcher has been a big inspiration for me as a creator.

His visuals always remind me of a few key things:
1. Strip away everything until you're left with what is most essential
2. If you can't explain something in simple terms—you don't understand it
3. The right visual can make an idea stick in someone's mind
4. Clear > clever

This post is a tribute to his great work.

Make sure you check him out on Instagram @ visualizevalue

7 tips to stop procrastinating (right now):

Reminder:
The best project you'll ever work on is yourself.

This weekend, take some time to focus on you.

Whether it's reading that book you've been meaning to start, getting outside for a walk, or just slowing down to reflect, small actions add up.

Invest in becoming the healthiest, happiest, and most present version of yourself.

Life will start to align with your efforts.

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9 minimalist habits that will save you 1,000+ hours of your life:

Your habits are the silent architects of your life.

7 that I wish I started sooner:

1. 10,000 steps per day
2. Making “no” my default
3. No phone in bed (fixed 90% of my sleep problems)
4. Writing 1 “story-worthy” moment every day
5. Non-negotiable calls with loved ones
6. Listening to content on 1.5x speed
7. Using the Pomodoro Technique

Which habit has had the biggest impact on your life?

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What’s the best habit you’ve started in 2024?

Procrastination is an emotional issue.

These techniques will help in the short term.

But for long term results, you’ll need to get to the root of the issue.

How to do it?
1. Identify the emotional blocks that are driving you to procrastinate
2. Use an appropriate strategy to overcome each block

EXAMPLE 1:
Emotional block: Fear of failure
Strategy: Focus on inputs rather than results

EXAMPLE 2:
Emotional block: Lack of motivation
Strategy: Adopt an “action first” mindset
(action —> motivation —> more action)

When in doubt, some gold old-fashioned therapy can help too.

♻️ Repost this if you know a procrastinator

Want to save time and energy in 2024?

Here are 9 of my favorite minimalist systems for doing less, but better.

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Productivity isn’t about doing more.

It’s about doing more of what matters.

Ruthlessly pruning the BS from your life, so your energy can be focused on the activities, tasks, and people that truly move the needle towards your goals.

My advice:
Don’t try to do all of these at once.

Pick ONE and do it for a week.

If it works, consider adding it to your routine.

Over time, you’ll build an arsenal of techniques to minimize distraction and get the most out of your short time on this planet.

Happy Monday friends!

—Colby

How to get tasks done even when you don’t feel like it:

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33 years of knowledge distilled into 20 sentences.

I have a confession…

I used to be a productivity junkie.

Obsessed with squeezing every last drop out of each day—every minute scheduled, every task optimized.

If I wasn’t doing something “useful,” I felt like I was a failing.

But over time, my definition of productivity has changed (dramatically).

It’s no longer just about doing more.
It’s about doing what matters most.

Leaving space for deep work, real rest, and things that don't have a checkbox next to them.

These 20 sentences reflect the rules I try to live by today—shaped by trial, error, and experience.

I’d love to hear the ones you live by too.

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How to get out of the procrastination trap:

How many of these are you guilty of?

I've battled each and every one of them at some point in my life.

Two things are key when it comes to winning this battle:

1. The awareness to recognize that it's happening.
2. The courage to do something about it.

It's not easy, but it's worth it.

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7 mental models you should download into your brain (right now).

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8 rules for having a productive day (without burning out):

I think about this study at least once per week.

So many valuable lessons to be learned.

Note: This doesn’t just apply to 25-year-olds.

Whether you're 35, 45, or 55—the time will pass anyway.

So the question is:
Who do you want to be when it does?

A perfect example is this story from Mark Manson:

My friend had a grandmother who was 60 when her husband died.

As part of dealing with his death, she started taking piano lessons.

She began practicing every day.

Eventually, she was playing piano so much that her family began to worry about her.

But she was fine.

And she ended up living well into her 90s.

By then, she had been playing piano every day for over 30 years—longer than most professional musicians had been alive.

She played so well that everyone who met her was convinced she had been a concert pianist in her youth.

No one believed it when she said she started in her 60s.

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So here’s my question for you:
What are you holding yourself back from—just because you believe it’s too late?

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7 addictions you must break to become your best self in 2025:

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A lesson that took me way too long to learn…

If you want something you’ve never had, you have to be willing to do something you’ve never done.

Your daily habits are the architects of your life.

The small, repeated actions you take every day are what shape your future.

If you want different results, it’s not enough to just wish for change; you have to act differently.

At some point, you have to ask yourself:
What is the gap between the life I want to live and the life my daily habits are leading me towards?

Because the truth is, what got you here won’t necessarily get you there.

Here are three realistic ways to put this into practice:

1️⃣ Create a ‘Discomfort List’:
Write down activities that make you feel uneasy or nervous. Choose one to tackle each week, whether it’s speaking in public, trying a new cuisine, or networking with someone you admire. Embrace the discomfort as a sign of growth.

2️⃣ Implement a ‘New Habit Swap’:
Identify a habit you want to change, and swap it with a new one for a month. For example, if you usually scroll through social media in the morning, replace that time with reading a few pages of a book.

3️⃣ Join a ‘Learning Challenge’:
Sign up for a unique class or workshop that pushes you out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s improv, rock climbing, or a cooking class focused, immerse yourself in the experience and learn from others.

Remember:
The path to a different future starts with new choices today.

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A book is an incredible investment.

You give $20.

You get:
• 1000+ hours of someone’s hard work
• potentially life changing information
• a portal to a new way of thinking

✍️ What's the best short book you've ever read?
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How to 10x your focus (without medication):

5 steps to clean up your mental “desktop“:

We are 50% through 2024.

It's the perfect time to take on a new personal challenge.

My friend Ben Meer has put together this amazing list of challenges which I wanted to share with you today.

Here's what I would do:
1. Choose ONE of these challenges
2. Commit to it publicly 
3. Ask a friend to join you

Don’t wait for January.
Don’t wait for next week.
Don’t wait for tomorrow.

Start today.

Six months from now, you’ll look back at your progress and say “damn, I really did it”.

7 things I know at 33 that I wish I knew at 23.

If you could send one message back a decade, what would it say?

5 things I had to give up to be successful:

7 questions that will define your next 10 years:

Luck is completely out of our control.

Or is it?

Do these 6 things if you want to tilt the odds in your favor:

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You don’t need a “dopamine detox.”

Try this instead:

The problem with “detoxing” from dopamine is that it’s a band-aid solution.

a short-term fix for a long-term problem.

If you want to improve your relationship with dopamine, you need something more sustainable.

Here are some small, realistic lifestyle changes you can make:

1. Swap junk food for healthier options – Start with simple changes, like adding more fruits or less processed foods. Small steps.

2. Limit social media use – Set boundaries by Using an app like Opal to set limits on specific apps. Be intentional with your scrolling.

3. Face time > screen time – Prioritize face to face interactions with friends and family.

4 Create things you’re proud of – Find simple, creative outlets you enjoy, like cooking or DIY projects. Focus on progress, not perfection.

5. Moderate alcohol consumption – If you drink, try to be mindful of your intake.

6. Practice mindfulness – Short mindfulness exercises or meditation can help rewire your brain to appreciate the present moment without seeking constant stimulation.

7. Engage in physical activity – Regular exercise, even if it’s just a 10-minute walk, can help stabilize your dopamine levels and boost your mood naturally.

8. Prioritize sleep hygiene – Establish a consistent bedtime routine and avoid screens at least an hour before bed. Quality sleep is crucial for balanced dopamine levels.

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Quote credit: psychologywithcharlotte on Instagram

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What is the most valuable skill to have in 2024?

✍️ Let me know in the comments.

Productivity isn’t just about getting more done.

It’s about using your time effectively to make room for more of what matters.

Crush your to-do list today, so you can enjoy some:
- Unplugged time with family
- Guilt-free relaxation
- A stress-free weekend

Here are 10 proven strategies from Lukas Stangl to help:

1️⃣ Pomodoro Technique
↳ Work in 25-minute focus sprints, followed by a 5-minute break. Perfect for anyone who struggles with distractions.

2️⃣ Bullet Journaling
↳ Track tasks, goals, and priorities in a visual format. Great for creative thinkers and those who love writing things down.

3️⃣ Seinfeld Strategy
↳ Build momentum by completing daily tasks and marking them on a calendar. Keep the streak going!

4️⃣ ABCDE Method
↳ Prioritize tasks by urgency and importance:
A: Must do (highest priority)
B: Should do (important but less urgent)
C: Nice to do (low impact)
D: Delegate
E: Eliminate

5️⃣ Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
↳ Focus on your desired outcome, find your purpose, and create a massive action plan.

6️⃣ Timeboxing
↳ Assign tasks to specific time slots in your calendar and stick to them. Ideal for structured schedules.

7️⃣ 2-Minute Rule
↳ If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately. Perfect for small, quick wins.

8️⃣ Ivy Lee Method
↳ Write down your six most important tasks, order them by priority, and complete them one by one.

9️⃣ Eat the Frog
↳ Tackle your hardest or most challenging task first thing in the morning.

1️⃣0️⃣ Time Tracking
↳ Monitor where your time goes to identify patterns and improve efficiency.

Have a great weekend friends!
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A great leader doesn’t just focus on results.

They create an environment where people can breathe.

Where you feel comfortable speaking up.
Where you’re encouraged to share ideas.
Where mistakes are met with support—not shame.

The best leaders don’t change who you are.
They bring out the best of who you are.

And when that happens?

People don’t just perform better. They become more confident, creative, and resilient.

Leadership isn’t just about managing tasks.
It’s about unlocking people’s potential.

That’s where real growth starts.


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20 small habits that will earn you big respect (in work, life, and relationships).\n\nAnything you would add?\n\n♻️ Repost to help out others.

How to declutter your mind (in 5 minutes).

Tag someone who needs this exercise!

“You're under no obligation to be the same person you were 5 minutes ago.”

—Alan Watts

Don’t fall into the trap of “tomorrow”.

Start today.
Start now.

You’ll look back 100 days from now and be so damn glad you did.

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♻️ Repost this if you’re going to start today.