Created

Apr 27, 2025 7:16 PM

Framework:

1) What is best for your current reality? Does your environment align with your values? Do your values align with your environment?

Values are set. I’ve revisted them plenty. I am set in them. My environment is not conducive to my values though. I believe I need to be in a new living environment 3-4 days per week. Does it make sense to go to Gram’s or Aunt Diane’s of a few days per week?
Questions to answer to get further clarity:

Am I feeling the way I am feeling because of how hard the current moment is?

Partially. But I also believe this moment is here for the reason of allowing me to reset and realign with what I truly want.

Do I build my own thing and focus on that? Am I staying home for that? Why stay home?

Yes. Yes. Home allows for the flexibility to hustle hard without the added overhead of monthly rent, food, etc. expenses

How long is the short-term plan of staying home? What do I need for that to be comfortable?

You have the long-term vision set, what is the short-term ladder step to get to the next one and the next one to eventually reach the top? Focus on just the first short-term ladder step.

I need a comfortable monthly pay, that enables me to do anything I need to 20-30 hours/week to build my businesses.

Do I even want to move back to Austin, TX?

I don’t. A feeling. But I miss the team. I want to be around them. That energy and intensity. Yet, I want to be near to my family too.

Do I move back to Austin, TX when called?

No. But I miss the team. Yet, I want to be around my family too. To help them.

Do I move to South Carolina to eventually be with Rilee?

Discussion and contextual. We will see.

Do I get a side job to suffice in the short-term?

If yes, who can I call on to help me with a quick, short-term gig? Put your pride aside. Tap into your network.

Yes. I know people. Going to write out a list of people to make this happen. Then, reach out to them with intention.

What to do if mom or dad’s health condition lessen? What happens? How must I adjust?

I need to be the one to step up and help. The brothers may help in some way too. But together, we need to make up a lot at a young age (an imperative age for accumulation, learning, and building).

What to do if Aunt Diane, Gram, or Pop-Pop’s health condition lessen?

Same as #8. We need to make up for their loss. Financially and physically (especially in regard to Aunt Diane or the effects that come with declining health and older age).

Do I move somewhere I haven’t been before? Why?

Yes. I truly believe Gram’s 3-4 times / week is a good idea. Allows me to fully focus and lock-in. No distractions.

What to do if financial situation worsens at home?

I need to step up or we need to figure out an alternative. Does everyone disperse? What about Nick? I need to think through these things on a very real level.

How can I create the space and time to make what I want happen?

I need to continue to build upon the effective calendar system I have now. Master the minute. Discipline is the way. Become a warrior.

2) Can you persist in your current sacrifice (well.... you can always persist if you truly want to)? It's more so, "Are you willing to persist in your current sacrifice?" If not, adjust and align.

I can. I need a simple, easy base minimum per month and that can give me the freedom to build as I need to.

3) Think about others? Will this hurt or help others? Am I doing this solely for myself or others? How old am I? Do I have responsibilities? Will this transition cover my basis psychological, biologically, and financially?

I am 26 years old. I don’t have responsibilities just yet. Just small monthly expenses and paying off debt. I will soon have responsibilities in providing for others. I need to prepare for that as a responsible masculine man.
This new thing of mine and transition will help others. I am doing it for others. I am doing it to position myself well too. But I wouldn’t be this focused on the goal, if it wasn’t in service of others.

4) Make sure you reflect when going through any sort of pain. Check your values. Update your blueprint if needed. Reference your principles.

Pain + Reflection = Progress (Ray Dalio)

5) Go on long walks (AND RUNS — use that outlet as a way to let it out!) and allot time for isolation to think independently. Triangulate your view with those you trust and those that would give worthwhile advice in the current scenario.

Go to God first, go to yourself next, then go to family, then go to friends thereafter. This can be adjusted over time though (besides God) - especially because friends might be a better fit for inserting their opinion in specific scenarios too.

YES!

6) Do all of the above before coming to the next phase: How am I going to communicate this to everyone? When? What will I say and who will I say it to?

Once I feel certain and anchored in my decision in my mind and heart and soul, I will have 1 on 1s with the pertinent people around me.
I will write out or speak aloud in practice, what I am going to say to the pertinent people closest to me that most need communication of this new “PIVOT”. I think of mom, Rilee, Nick, and filling Tom in for the sake of getting feedback and keeping him updated since our last discussion.

7) At the end of the day, it's your destiny (or I should say co-destiny alongside God). Don't let others waver you if you don't want to be wavered. With that said, have a strong foundation and make sure your decision is at its best. People will question and poke as they should. Use those exchanges as a way to strengthen your decision and test your mind. Use those exchanges as a way to detach more and let go of things/others as needed/wanted. Use those exchanges to become more aware and a better communicator. Use those exchanges as a way to deepen relationships or rid oneself of certain relationships that didn't stand amidst the test.

This is perfectly said. I know what needs to happen. I know what I need to do. This is it.

8) "The PIVOT" isn't that hard. The actually thing that's hard is communicating "The PIVOT" to others. (well for me that's the case because I enjoy moving around and being independent. The world is my home).

Exactlyyyyyyyyyyy. Deep down you know what needs to be done. Communicating it is the hardest part. Of course it is — because there is a possibility of losing others. That’s ok. Just do what is truthful and everything will work itself out.

9) Be easy on oneself and write plenty. Be easy on others and accept that they make mistakes and have faults too.

Open minded. Understanding. Accepting.

10) Remember: If it feels right, it's probably right. Your subconscious doesn't lie. But remember to use logic and your principals through any BIG decision. The difference between you and the average billionaire is they just take slow, calculated risks.

“The difference between you and the average billionaire is they just take slow, calculated risks.” Amen. So true. As it goes, "Make decisions fast, but change your mind slow.”

Gatherings + Observations During “The Pivot” (Pt. 2):

From 2021 (Pt. 1)

Nick - "Make decisions fast, but change your mind slow." (Nick Nanakos)

Tom (verbatim of one comment) - "Think and meditate on the consequences of fully not adapting this new self. I do agree, you need to: Incorporate and mold your shadow better! [everything] Your new self is going to produce new thoughts [new perspective] because of the change in scene. However, use your old actions from your old self [habits; and build new ones]. Know what works for you [self-awareness]. And use the new thoughts with old actions that work, and in time this will transcend into a new outcome. We can def talk later after 5."

Adam (in short summary, takeaway from our convo) - even if everything fails, you'll still have won :).... if you win, all the better

The Story of the Chinese Farmer (analogy) - middle mindset, moderative thinking

Justin (in short summary, takeaway from our convo) - some of the greatest self-awareness he's ever seen me use thus far in life

Josh - "whisper is so soft, but the noise is so loud - and you're doing a good job of listening to the whispers; I understand you even when I don't understand you; Selfishly.... as in I..... I'm happy our whispers are leading us to the same place."

Gram - "You're young and can, and should, take risk"

Mark Westdyke - "I believe you create your own luck [in life]..... and you certainly have done that."

Aunt Diane - "You are more brave than I ever was"; "Make sure you don't meet someone and stay"

Pop-Pop - “Don’t do too much too fast.”

Now — 2025 (Pt. 2)

Myself - Step into the shadow. Mold your character invention of DAP. You have come out of a wilderness experience. Now, God is calling you back in. Step out in faith after you finish this deep reflection practice. The new you is awaiting. Ready or not — here you come (ohhhh….. and I am ready).

Myself - sometimes you need to lose yourself to find your new self. A continual shedding and rebirth. Great timing for me right now because it’s spring, so I am stepping into V3 Anthony as spring arises.

Myself - I realize that I don’t need advice from the same people in Pt. 1 (2021). Even then, that advice came organically and what those individuals said, stuck with me at that moment in time. I love all of them, but Pt. 2 (2025) is now different. The right people will enter into my path as needed. I will take advice that I need and discard what is a distraction. High-signal. Aware. Understanding. Learning.

Tom - you need to decide what it is you want, then communicate that in the truest, most intentional way possible. As Jack Kamen said in 2021 (very funny because I don’t talk Jack anymore. I was connected to him once, but his words have rung true to this day. He epitomized what he said with speaking from the heart): “Speak from the heart. That’s the key to giving you peace. How others receive it is outside of your control.”

Nick - Family & God - he always provides and paves the way!!!! Praying for strength wisdom and navigation.

Zach — deep talk with personal frustrations that came out from his side (and reasonably so), but a great discussion and walk with Zach emphasizing action and getting myself stable, short-term income. That’s it. Grateful for my brother who has sacrificed so much in his life to help collectively get us to the next level as brothers. Action. Facta non verba.

Jennifer — “Claim it - praying for you.”

Maruf — Second person who has told me to be a fitness trainer. Do that and combine it with a $3-4k/month job. That’s huge in the short-term. Allows flexibility and building the businesses on the side.

Maruf — quotes while on FL trip

“Go thru the pain but strong enough to enjoy your success.” — Maruf

“Best way to credibility? Stand next to someone who is credible” — Maruf

** POWERFUL: “Nature doesn’t rush. But everything gets done.” — Quote Maruf said **

“Outwork your self doubt.” — Maruf

“Don’t look for temporary amusement in things that are permanent.” — Maruf

“Business is business, but the world works as it wants.” — Jeff Bezos

Songs I have been listening to on repeat: Our Father who are in Heaven, DEATH TRIAL - Slowed, FARMAA

Video I have been listening to daily: The Strangest Secret Earl Nightingale 1956 Original FULL

Fear Setting:

Not amounting to the potential God is giving me for my life

Intention Setting:

Become Version 3.0 of Anthony:

V1: Before Austin
V2: After Austin
V3: Now (become Him, because you are always becoming)

Taken from Pt. 1 and applied to Pt. 2:

Don't just seek freedom, seek the capability to have peace - even in the chaos.
Do what I love (and progress towards my future goals with what I deeply want to fulfill alongside God), be with great people, and be in a place I enjoy
If something feels off, or isn't going how I should, or I don't like something, don't hesitate to opt out.
Becoming a better writer, reader, and thinker
Molding my body and mind into the best, most sound shape ever

The 4 focuses to nail down by year end — relationally I just need to continue being consistent with that. It is going well already:

Faith (continue to anchor this)
Finances (reach the standard that is set)
Training (become a 200+ lb beast)
Chess (work with coach and become 1000+ elo)

Next immediate move: build the businesses, set the foundation, get a steady job to be able to pay expenses, debts, and have money to spend on loved ones

Outcome Detachment:

3-6 months ahead (make $4-5k/mo): steady job (building business capital reserves and not taking any of it)
6-12 months ahead (make $7k/mo): steady job (building business capital reserves and getting salaried from it)
12-18 months ahead (make $10k/mo): steady job (multiple rev streams — biz salary, side income from hustles)
18+ months ahead (make $15-20k/mo): steady job (multiple rev streams — biz salary, side income from hustles). debts paid and savings accruing nicely. start utilizing net worth goals and execution plan to make everything a reality as I venture to $M and $B.

Notes Taken During “The Pivot”:

Points to Write Massive Reflection On:

From Pt. 1

The Pivot - Plan & Execution:

{from Pt. 1} FIGURE OUT how I’m going to communicate this massive move and transition in life, with fam, friends, others

- {from Pt. 1} Advice from Jack Kamen (Infected with Fire): “Speak from the heart. That’s the key to giving you peace. How others receive it is outside of your control.”

Thinking…..

Knowledge compounds (read the best books, watch the best videos, take the best courses, have the greatest mentors)

When doing work - have everything in writing to verify it

2 things to remember during this time:

The 3 most important decisions of your life are where you live, who you're with, and what you do.

Also..... you can only control how you react to things and how you handle situations, not the situation itself for the most part. Especially if it's outside your control.

Reputation is priceless - Buffett quote of it takes decades to build and seconds to shatter

Always seek understanding, not right or wrong. Don’t listen to reply, listen to understand.

The greatest form of progress is letting go - maybe just temporarily too

Pure intent and truth has no catalyst to hesitation. If it’s known, it’s known

The hardest decision is usually the right one..... and the most worthwhile

Thought to Self on 3/17/21 (11:11 am):

It feels so good to start over. My mind and soul was craving for more space. I tried to create it with Dream BIG & Co., my brand and business, but it wasn't meant to scale just yet. I never had the correct process/structure or direction in doing such a thing at the time.

I had in my daily grail 6-weeks in a row to create more allotted time for myself to read, write, etc. At this point in time, I need to learn more and have more financial bandwidth to absorb new ideas and strategies to go where I'm going.

All of this seems sudden. "The Pivot" to Austin, TX that is. But it's the most right thing to do and most true to me at this moment in time.

I'll learn how to scale properly, build an audience properly, delegate, budget, lead better, make EVEN BETTER stellar content, and more.

This is meant for me. Thank you God. I love you.

My old self is being diminished. My new self is being called higher. The former is pulling back the latter. I'm a warrior. I must fight onwards. My old self got taken advantage of and was too nice for reasons already known (see here for more). I'm evolving so letting go of that is causing me to let go of other people who who were used to that. Wow.

When celebrating others wins and joyful moments, detach your own internal wants and need-based projections.

Keep in mind, it’s not confidence that does the job, it’s first courage.

Now — Pt. 2

The truth of the matter: the past 2 years have been the hardest years of my life. Now, I have to start from scratch. While home in NJ for the past 5-6 months, I’ve also spent lots of relational time with my girlfriend and time with my family (which I don’t regret). I’ve needed to compensate for this area in my life because I spent no time on a girlfriend for 4 years while in Austin, TX. I wasn’t around family in Austin, and would make periodic trips home to NJ. I worked and worked. So, having this time home for Nick’s basketball season, seeing my niece, being home for family and holiday events, and being home for my family during their own struggles has been a blessing.

Others close to me have seen me changed and become less intense like I am in Austin, now that I’m home. I get it. I know why.

Time to balance things out and make it right in this reality of mine.

God has positioned me to be home for a distinct, particular reason. To be here for the people I’m here for.

I am missing my immediate purpose right now. Not my life purpose — because I know that and I know my purpose is in Jesus Christ. But more so my vision for what I am doing in the short-term. My long-term plan is set, but it’s the short-term that needs fulfilling — as I’ve said aloud but not internally to myself or in writing (until now). I’m in this inbetween point. So, of course I’m rediscovering and rebirthing what I need to do. My whole work has been reset (bankruptcy) and my parents are struggling deeply (their 3rd bankruptcy is underway). With all of that said, I need to create more structure and discipline in my life within this new environment of my life. I need to lock-in on building the initial, short-term relief plan — meaning I have the income to sustain myself and the time allotted to build my new thing. Yet, I can’t do that without being rooted in my identity and anchored in my purpose.

Lord, I am seeking you out in this moment. When I finished “THE PIVOT” (Pt. 2), I ask for discernment, for wisdom, for strength, and for clarity on the correct answers for this context of my life at this point in my life.

I am ready. I wouldn’t be here, at this moment in time, if I wasn’t.

Text Conversation Post, In-Person Convo with Tom on 4/27/25

Text Conversation with Nick Nanakos on 4/27/25

I need to get lost in the work. I need to get lost in my craft. I need to become obsessed again. Anthony Version 3.0. Are you the guy or are you just pretending to be the guy??????

STEP UP! WIN!!!!!! GO!!!!!!!!!

I write with tears pouring down my eyes as I step into this new me. You must let go Ant. What is it you want? Declare it. Demand it. Open up your mind to God to make sure it is His will. Ask him to help you — at this point as I write, I don’t believe it’s just me…. as I listen to this song on repeat, Our Father who are in Heaven, I have tears running down my face.

Yes. Lord. You are with me. You always have been. I’ve never doubted that. I thirst for more. I thirst for you. I thirst for my thing. Let it come. Let me believe it. Let me set it and let the actualization and materialization of the thing manifest itself in my life.

The thing that is most infectious is someone on fire with their purpose. All good things are attracted from that. Money. Relationships. Everything. Just decide and believe. Earl Nightingale talks about this. So, just do that, and create, and all things will happen according to the Divine Creator’s (God’s) plan. Trust.

Actions cures all. Period.

I will admit. I got lost a little bit these past 5-6 months. But now I’m back in stride again. Seeing that more attention to detail, presence, and taking control of a situation is what I need. Focus. Be locked-in. You can’t and don’t deserve to not be.

Look in people’s eyes and have them feel your intensity. Be there. Don’t be anywhere else.

Yes.

You got it Anthony. That is it.

Unlock.

Arrive.

Always arriving.

Proud of you.

And journaling all of this while in FL for a huge shoot with your good friend Maruf — you used to dream of things like this. Take a moment to be grateful. Soak it in. Excited.

All these new experiences and being in Florida from 4/29-5/7 is nice, but the most important thing to remember is that it’s those that you do it with that matters most. I’m on the balcony of my hotel room and I think, “What if it was just myself here?” Then, I answer to myself, “It would be pointless”. I’m literally living out the things I put on my vision board many years ago. It’s those that I am doing it with and will do it with that makes it so worth it.

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"The PIVOT" (Pt. 2) - How to Navigate Change Well (2025)

Framework:

Gatherings + Observations During “The Pivot” (Pt. 2):

Notes Taken During “The Pivot”: