Very cool thoughts this week that I’m excited to share. Thanks again for reading, and feel free to distribute to others if you’re enjoying this.
On My Mind
Small Things, Vast Impacts
I have been thinking a lot about little things, seemingly basic decisions, and random happenings that have led to outsized gain for me.
In my personal life, one in particular sticks out to me: Meeting my future wife in college from a random blind date to a sorority function, set up by a mutual friend I hadn’t talked to in a year.
Side note: I thought I was being pranked for a few days. Sarah forgot to text me back. Joke’s on her - I’m persistent
Then, in 2020, I went under contract to buy a condo, 2 weeks after COVID hit. Felt insane at the time, but ended up getting a great deal, and learned all kinds of things: how to “househack”, how to eventually manage a rental property, how to run a small business, and then how to sell a property all in 5 years time. Buying a property is by no means a “small” thing, but the outsized benefit was unexpected for such a basic decision people make every day, as it led to so many different skills and major career opportunities.
I’m sure you are thinking of a handful of small things just like this.
More Small Decisions = More Top-of-Mind Examples
In my business, I now can tie many of these outcomes happening much more often. Perhaps it is because I’m required to make lots of small (but consequential) decisions every day, each shaping the business in a unique way. Here are just a couple off the top of my head:
My first week at Colophon, I met our SEO Strategist on a call. He was working on a couple of accounts for us with a small scope after backfilling a long-tenured teammate who had retired mid-acquisition. We hit it off, learned a lot from each other, and quickly grew our SEO service offering 10x with a compelling offer and program for our customers.
If Colophon hadn’t made that pivot and invested in this new highly-desired offering, the growth and evolution of the agency wouldn’t have been possible
If that original person had not retired, we would never have been able to take that step forward
.
Earlier this year, I signed up for WordCamp US emails. As, surely, no one knows what this is: it’s the annual WordPress conference. I ended up not being able to attend last week, but stayed on the newsletters out of curiosity. In one of the email blasts that I read on a flight last month, I saw that “Automattic for Agencies” was a sponsor. Automattic is the business run by the guy who invented WordPress, Matt Mullenweg, and they own, build, and maintain a lot of reputable solutions in the ecosystem. I had no idea this agency partnership program even existed (inception was under 2 years ago), and explored it.
Long story short - this coincidence has led to a massive cost savings project, a Pro partnership together, and several other immediate benefits for our customers and for Colophon as a business
All from looking for (and not even attending!) a conference in our space
And many more come to mind…
Major referrals and testimonials often stemming from one teammate going the extra mile for a customer on a simple task
Random partnership opportunities from chance encounters or cold calls
Sending a LinkedIn request to someone I admire
Giving a Colophoner an opportunity to learn something new, and watching them shape our business with this new skill.
Many examples of small beginnings, actions, or decisions that have often led to interesting, outsized impacts.
More Small Decisions = Larger Surface Area for Luck
I am realizing that the more little things I do and small decisions I make, the more I increase the “surface area for luck” in my career (to borrow a great term from Sahil Bloom).
I am also betting that this can apply to a lot of areas of my life. The more I put myself out there - the more I actually do something as opposed to not doing something - the luckier I have seemed to get in all areas: with relationships, with meeting people, with exercise, with hobbies, etc..
Curiosity and willingness to try something have been major players.
There is a fine line between the ideal state I’m describing and needlessly overextending, but I think maximizing actions (within a reasonable limit) is something I’ll be optimizing for moving forward. Luck is exactly what I need right now.
What I’m Digging
The Witcher on Netflix
Sarah and I have strangely gotten into it. I tried to watch it years ago after reading the book series, but it didn’t stick. Now we’re watching at least an episode or two every night. In the second season now, and they are doing a pretty good job (though I understand the quality deteriorates quickly). Stuff they’ve added has been pretty cool
.
Spindrift Sodas
They’ve got these low sugar faux sodas we got at Costco. Phenomenal little treat. Enjoying at the end of the day. Also a good substitute for beer.
Stuck In My Head
Not exactly the soundtrack to my week - I just want you to share in the misery of these catchy tunes getting locked into your brain for the foreseeable future
Secondary by Brand New
Instant Crush by Daft Punk (feat the dude from the Strokes)
Pink Lady by Mt. Joy
Gotta link the live version
Thanks for reading
Sincerely,
Zander Barth
