Knowledge Marketplace
My First Million

My First Million

The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.

Back to Playbooks

Systematically expose yourself to different worldviews to avoid becoming cynical and maintain fresh perspectives

Successful business owners, investors, or professionals who risk becoming insular in their thinking

Ongoing practice, with quarterly or annual events

What Success Looks Like

Regularly discovering new business ideas, maintaining curiosity, avoiding the 'old bear' mentality, and finding unexpected opportunities

Steps to Execute

1

Identify conferences or events completely outside your industry

2

Force yourself to attend even when uncomfortable

3

Go with an open mind to 'steal something' from every experience

4

Look for younger people or different demographics to learn from

5

Take notes on new concepts or approaches you encounter

6

Apply learnings to your existing business within 30 days

Checklist

Have I scheduled at least one uncomfortable conference this quarter?
Am I actively seeking input from people 10+ years younger?
Do I have a system for capturing and applying new insights?
Am I resisting the urge to dismiss unfamiliar concepts?

Inputs Needed

  • Time and travel budget for conferences
  • Open mindset and willingness to be uncomfortable
  • System for capturing and reviewing insights

Outputs

  • New business ideas and opportunities
  • Fresh perspectives on existing challenges
  • Network expansion into new industries
  • Prevention of cynical 'old bear' mentality

Example

Kevin attends Design Pickle conference knowing nothing about the space, meets Sean, learns about newsletter models, and co-creates Milk Road which later sells for millions