Hacks, Fails & New Year Plans21 December 2018

Christmas Special - Hacks, Fails & New Year Plans - #044

0Frameworks

10Insights

Insights & moments

The myth-busts, hot takes, explainers, and tools worth keeping.

Explainer· 1

Explainer21:00

Why Process Goals Beat Outcome Goals

Johnny explains how reading Derren Brown's 'Happy' shifted his focus from outcome-based goals (like hitting targets) to process-based goals (like building habits). He argues that happiness comes from daily experiences, not distant achievements.

Outcome goals are momentary; process goals shape daily life.
Happiness is experienced in the moment, not just at achievement.
Focusing on the process makes outcomes inevitable.
Inspired by Derren Brown's book 'Happy' and James Clear's 'Atomic Habits'.

“The process is the most important thing. The outcome takes care of itself.”
Johnny · 22:30

#goal setting#habits#mindset#personal development

Story· 2

Story07:00

The Wedding Sandwich That Almost Killed Me

Johnny recounts a near-fatal allergic reaction at a wedding after eating a cucumber sandwich with pesto, which contained pine nuts. Despite assurances it was nut-free, he quickly developed severe symptoms and had to inform his girlfriend, who calmly told him to get his EpiPen—calmness that scared him more than the reaction itself.

Ate a cucumber sandwich with pesto at a wedding, unaware it contained pine nuts.
Experienced instant pins and needles in lips and mouth—signs of a severe allergic reaction.
Didn't have his EpiPen and tried to make himself sick, but failed.
Girlfriend remained calm when told, saying 'just go get the EpiPen,' which felt more alarming than panic would have been.

“I was like, 'Right, no problem. This has happened before, just make myself sick.'”
Johnny · 08:30

“She just went, 'No problem, just go get the EpiPen.' And that was more worrying than what was happening to me.”
Johnny · 09:30

#allergies#anaphylaxis#personal story#health emergency

Story27:00

The Coffee Spoon That Broke Me

Johnny shares his disastrous attempt to reintroduce coffee after years of abstinence. A slightly heaped spoon of instant coffee sent him into a caffeine overload, causing nausea, shaking, and a racing heart—leading him to quit coffee again for good.

Reintroduced coffee after years of being off it due to unhealthy relationship with caffeine.
A 'slightly heaped spoon' of instant coffee caused extreme physical reaction.
Experienced nausea, shaking, and elevated heart rate within 30 minutes.
Texted friends saying 'can't stop shaking' and decided to quit coffee permanently.

“Guys, I've had a slightly too heaped spoon of coffee this morning. Like can't like can't stop shaking.”
Johnny · 29:30

#caffeine#addiction#personal failure#health habits

Tool· 3

Tool66:30

How Cold Turkey Blocks Digital Distractions

Johnny uses the Cold Turkey app for Mac to enforce focus by blocking distracting websites and apps. He even enabled 'Frozen Turkey' mode, which locks him out of his laptop at a set time—forcing real breaks.

Cold Turkey blocks access to apps or websites on a schedule.
Has a 'Frozen Turkey' mode that locks the entire laptop at a set time.
Used to enforce fixed schedule productivity and prevent work creep.
Helps create intentional rest periods, not just non-stop grinding.

“It will lock you out of your laptop at times you set. You run your day or your day runs you.”
Johnny · 67:30

#productivity#focus#apps#digital detox

Tool13:30

How I Use Day One for Journaling

Johnny uses the Day One app to capture insights, photos, and significant moments. Unlike a traditional diary, he uses it for specific reflections and chronological tracking—enhancing self-awareness without busywork.

Uses Day One app for journaling with password protection.
Captures insights, photos, and important moments—not daily entries.
Values chronological order for reviewing life events.
Complements with Evernote for reading summaries and periodic review.

“I use Day One for very specific things... insights that come up and are important to note down.”
Johnny · 14:00

#journaling#apps#self-reflection#productivity

Tool69:00

Three Books to Read for the New Year

Johnny recommends three books for personal growth: 'Atomic Habits' by James Clear, 'Deep Work' by Cal Newport, and 'Happy' by Derren Brown. He says mastering these can transform habits, focus, and mindset.

Atomic Habits by James Clear: builds systems over goals.
Deep Work by Cal Newport: trains focused, distraction-free work.
Happy by Derren Brown: challenges goal obsession and redefines happiness.
Together, they form a foundation for meaningful change.

“Get Atomic Habits by James Clear, Deep Work by Carl Newport, and Happy by Derren Brown. Put those three books into your life.”
Johnny · 69:30

#books#habits#productivity#personal development

Takeaway· 4

Takeaway42:30

Stop Caring What C Players Think

Inspired by Josh Waitzkin, Johnny adopted the mantra 'Do not concern yourself with the opinions of the C players'—referring to armchair critics who aren't in the arena. This mindset helped him focus on creating without dilution from low-level feedback.

Quote from Josh Waitzkin: 'Do not concern yourself with the opinions of the C players.'
C players are critics, not creators—people who don't produce but judge those who do.
Applies to athletes, artists, writers, and anyone creating public work.
Only listen to expert opinions, coaches, or overwhelming consensus—not armchair critics.

“Do not concern yourself with the opinions of the C players.”
Johnny · 42:30

#mindset#productivity#criticism#focus

Takeaway18:30

Why My Morning Routine Is Sacred Now

Johnny shares how he transformed his morning from optional to essential. He now starts with standing outside, coffee, breakfast, journaling, meditation, and reading—making waking up a pleasure rather than a chore.

Morning routine includes standing outside, coffee, breakfast, journaling, meditation, and reading.
No phone use until after gym—avoids early dopamine hits.
Uses a timer to slowly build a 20–25 minute reading habit.
Now looks forward to sleep because the morning is so enjoyable.

“I almost look forward to going to sleep because the start of my day includes a load of [__] that I love to do.”
Johnny · 18:30

#morning routine#habits#productivity#mental health

Takeaway70:00

Wishy-Washy Practice Leads to Wishy-Washy Results

Johnny shares a quote from meditation expert Daniel Ingram: 'Wishy-washy practice leads to wishy-washy results.' He now applies this to all areas of life—insisting on precision and full effort in every endeavor.

Quote from Daniel Ingram, A&E physician and meditation expert.
Applies to meditation, gym, work, and personal projects.
Serious Vipassanā meditation is like a competitive sport—measuring internal sensations per second.
Consistency and focus guarantee results.

“Wishy-washy practice leads to wishy-washy results.”
Johnny · 70:00

#meditation#focus#performance#mindset

Takeaway73:00

Work Done = Time × Intensity

Johnny emphasizes that real progress comes from both time and intensity. Most people overestimate effort but underestimate how hard they could push—when in reality, the body can endure far more than the mind believes.

Work done = time × intensity—like a physics equation.
Mind gives up long before the body is truly exhausted.
Doubled progress by increasing both volume and intensity in training.
Applies to gym, work, relationships—any area of growth.

“Work done equals time times intensity. That's like the conservation of energy.”
Johnny · 73:30

#productivity#fitness#performance#mindset