1% Each Day.

This morning, my wife shared a social media post about three Japanese concepts that really resonated with me.

Kaizen is the idea of making 1% improvements every day. Over time, those small gains compound, leaving you exponentially better at whatever you choose to invest your time and effort in. Ikigai is about finding your reason for getting up each morning. Wabi-sabi encourages us to embrace imperfection and recognise that nothing is ever truly finished - and that’s okay.

It was with these ideas in mind that I wrote this week’s newsletter.

I often struggle to find the time to publish these posts, but I know they’re valuable—not only for the people who read them, but for me as well. They remind me that I don’t have to make giant leaps every day. Small, intentional actions, repeated consistently, are enough to move me closer to long-term goals. Whether it’s becoming a better husband, dad, son, brother, friend, or businessman, I know I can continue to improve. And if I keep making those small daily investments, the benefits won’t just be mine—they’ll be shared by everyone around me.

Pumped to be a surf skater

I’ve become completely hooked on pump-track surf skating. I was getting into the flow and carrying more speed through the corners and finding the best lines to generate momentum. After a few fast laps my quads were like jelly, so I started riding switch (opposite leg forward) to spread the workload between both legs. It’s difficult, but like most worthwhile skills, developing balance on both sides makes you a better rider. It’s a surprisingly good workout.

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Don Diego will show you how to achieve more than you ever thought possible:

• Eliminate Bad Debt Immediately.

• Print Your Own Money (legally).

• Pay $0 TAX (legally).

• Reclaim 20% of your time immediately.

• Fire your boss (if you want).

• Retire in under 5 years.

• Travel the world and live where you want.

• Get High on OPM (legally).

Last week I started reading Level Up Your Life by Steve Kamb. It reminded me of a book I read years ago, The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss. I decided to read both at the same time and compare the ideas. I have included a few highlights from The 4-Hour Work Week in this post.

As I worked through the book, I realised how much I must have internalised from the first reading. Years ago, I built a small business that provides website design, SEO and hosting services. I still have it chugging along today. Ferriss promotes selling products or downloadable content through a “Muse” business model. The Muse frees up time and allows you to focus on lifestyle not busy-ness. I built a lifestyle business where a website is created once, then transformed into a subscription service for its hosting.

Many of my clients have been with me for more than five years. Most of the business runs itself. I only need to build new websites, which usually takes a few hours, or make the occasional update and tweak throughout the year. With accounting software and my trusty wife helping keep things organised, the business largely takes care of itself.

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Right at the beginning, I found a nugget of gold that crystallised the idea of eliminating excuses:

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I made some small steps with art this week. I found time to do some very quick and basic sketches. Nothing fancy, just putting pencil to paper trying to force a habit. I’ve always sucked at drawing. My hope was that regular attempts to produce ANYTHING would eventually lead to better art.

Art as a family

I purcha…

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Wake up call

It really is a great book. He packs so much wisdom into each page in a way that is easy to understand. I read it again in three days. It’s less about hot investment tips and more about developing a busi…

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The weeks fly by so quickly, especially when you’re trying to run two businesses, teach high schoolers, spend time with family, and buy and sell multiple properties.

Every part of life demands attention. I love giving my attention to my wife and kids, and I try to be fully present — physically and mentally — so they know they’re loved.

The businesses are …

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This week, I have been focused on preparing for my first major artwork of this learning cycle.

Back To Basics.

I’ve been collecting naturally coloured rocks from around dams to experiment with pigments for paint. The goal is to make the entire artwork as natural and locally sourced as possible.

I’ve been researching natural bind…

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The world is an unstable place. It always has been for most of human history. Laws shift and institutions are less reliable by the day. In response, I’ve developed a growing sense of urgency around learning, adaptability, and independence.

I am on my second of sixteen learning cycles, each lasting twelve to fourte…

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“Smash in case of emergency” is all about developing the skills needed to become a well-rounded, adaptable individual. Learning to use creative tools like Adobe products, builds versatility and opens up opportunities to earn, create, and stay future-proof.

This week, I used Adobe products for fun, and to earn a living. I thought I’d share a f…

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With Plan B now complete, I’ve chosen my next cycle: The Artist.

This cycle focuses on expanding my creative abilities—primarily through drawing and painting. A major artwork will serve as the core expression of this effort, acting as both a benchmark and a proof of work. I’ve wanted to pursue drawing and painting for years, and I’m looking for…

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This week has revolved around books.

I’ve read way more than usual.

On top of this, I have also published a number of articles for the local newspaper. Im rather exhausted and sick of writing. Despite my fading enthusiasm, I committed to the Preparation Course and made myself write another week of Smash In Case Of Emergency.

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This week was rather quiet.

Here’s a few things I got up to…

I’ve continued juggling and surf skating.

I’m regaining confidence on the skateboard and have started grinding coping again and carving a…

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This week I got humbled by a kids’ puzzle, wrecked my diet with meat pies, and questioned whether I’m being primed for war.

A rude interruption.

I don’t usually watch the news, but my in-laws had Channel 7 on before it got rudely interrupted by our fearless leader, Prime Minchter Albo. When he cut in for a “special br…

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This week forced me to look at things differently.

We didn’t get the residency.

We packed up, changed plans, and left Mexico.

I know, it looks like a step backwards. It felt like failure, but I had to reflect on what…

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This program isn’t theoretical. It only works if it’s lived… so what happens when you face a REAL SETBACK?

This has been a real tough week to write about. I was tempted to throw in the towel on the newsletter, and honestly, I felt like a failure.

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This program isn’t theoretical. It only works if it’s lived

Waiting, waiting, waiting…

This week has been about waiting for our permanent residency. Apparently the district office is no longer processing the residency applications in-house. They send all the documents to Mexico City and wait for them to be returned, at w…

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• Practised juggling daily (100+ throws in basic pattern)
• Finished the book Citizen One
• Restarted the Uncle Eric series (Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?)
• Regular ocean swims at Carrizalillo
• Continued building the Plan B residency path

This program isn’t theoretical. It only works if it’s lived.

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This program isn’t theoretical. It only works if it’s lived.

Skateboards, Stripe & Solving Bank Transfers

I’ve been helping a Mexican mate get a website sorted for his skateboard ministry in Puerto Escondido.

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This program isn’t theoretical. It only works if it’s lived.

Friction, Forms and the Slow Closing Net

There’s a moment in any Plan B journey where theory gives way to reality.
For us, Week 6 was that moment.

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