Ahhhhhh fireworks in the air, 4th of July weekend in the U.S.

Or maybe it’s just all of the wildfire smoke…yikes.

You’d probably love to (or already are) drink until you see double and eat a lion’s share of hot dogs and burgs.

Go ahead and splurge a bit, but it’s also a critical time of the year.

As we cross the midpoint of 2023, it’s a good practice to reflect on what you’ve been doing and assess whether or not you’re where you want to be.

Remember that piece of paper where you jotted down all of your “New Year’s resolutions”?

Maybe it’s time to dig that out of the trash and figure out if you’re on track with all of the ambitious goals you planned out for yourself.

If it’s covered in rotten milk and egg shells, don’t worry, you probably still have a good idea of what they were.

Something that may help, and personally employ, is a self audit.

Coming from an engineering background, audits are necessary to keep any process controlled.

And that’s what life is - a process. With many out-of-process situations manifesting daily. They're like your personal GPS, helping you navigate through the ups and downs.

Start broad.

A simple approach is to question everything.

Seriously, challenge the status quo and see if it aligns with your vibe. I know, cringe, but really.

Take a close look at your habits, beliefs, and the people you surround yourself with. Are they lifting you up or dragging you down? Shake off those negative vibes and surround yourself with folks who inspire and support your growth. 

It's all about building a tribe of awesome peeps who have your back.

Paper and pencil example - SWOT Analysis:

SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. It's a simple yet effective framework that helps you assess your current situation and make informed decisions about where to focus your efforts. Let's break it down:

1. Strengths: This section is all about recognizing and highlighting your internal strengths and skills. Take a moment to reflect on what you're really good at. Are you a great communicator, a creative thinker, or a natural problem solver? Write down your strengths, whether they're related to your work, relationships, or personal life. Acknowledging your strengths empowers you to leverage them and build upon them for future success.

2. Weaknesses: In this section, it's time to be brutally honest with yourself. Identify areas where you may have limitations or room for improvement. Do you struggle with time management, lack confidence in certain areas, or have difficulty saying no? Recognizing your weaknesses is not about beating yourself up; it's about acknowledging areas where you can grow and develop. By addressing your weaknesses, you can work towards personal growth and overcome obstacles.

3. Opportunities: This section focuses on the external factors or situations that can potentially benefit you. Consider the opportunities that are available to you in your personal and professional life. Is there a new skill you can learn, a project you can take on, or an event or networking opportunity you can attend? By identifying and seizing opportunities, you can expand your horizons, create new pathways, and enhance your overall growth.

4. Threats: In this final section, it's time to be aware of potential challenges and threats that may hinder your progress. Identify the external factors that could negatively impact your goals or well-being. Are there any economic, social, or environmental factors that might pose a threat? It could be competition in your field, changing market trends, or personal circumstances that could affect your progress. By being aware of these threats, you can develop strategies to mitigate risks and navigate through challenges more effectively.

Once you've completed your SWOT analysis, take some time to review the insights you've gained. Use this information to create action plans, set priorities, and make informed decisions about where to focus your energy.

(More to come on how to increase and sustain energy in a future post(s))

Remember, SWOT analysis is a dynamic tool, and your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats may evolve over time. Regularly revisit and update your SWOT analysis to stay on top of your game and drive your personal growth forward.

Some people to follow for the rest of the year and eternity:

Linn/Lyn’s just win.

Crypto - Crypto Linn - friend of mine (from zkAmurai - a top NFT project on zkSync - shout out to rusty - dev) and also one of the top crypto newsletters (my personal favorite) at the moment. Free (Linn’s Leverage) and paid (Linn’s Ledger) subscriptions available - cannot stress enough about the value provided. Just look at the recent $PENDLE run, she’s been banging on that drum for months.

Most recent free newsletter: Linn's Leverage

Hint: Keep an eye on $PNP and $EQB - both built on top of Pendle, I am loaded up.

Great Dune dashboard on the Pendle Wars by coumarin: Pendle War

Macro - Lyn Alden - been following Lyn for a long time. Amazing macro insights summarized in monthly newsletters that are free and invaluable.

One just released today: July 2023 Newsletter

Life and Entrepreneurship - Jack Smith - Recently discovered, but awesome insights. Sold his company Vungle (now Liftoff) for $800 million dollars.

Check out this pod of a recent interview from the My First Million guys, Sam Parr and Shaan Puri: I Sold A Company For $800M At 29... What I’m Doing Now (#470)

So, go have some fun this weekend/week, but not too much.

Don’t let the 3-day hangover derail your entire week, it’s time to reorient.

Happy 4th!