My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
Develop the ability to read people's true intentions and emotional states
Entrepreneurs, salespeople, negotiators, anyone who needs to understand human psychology
3-6 months of consistent practiceWhat Success Looks Like
Ability to sense when someone is lying, uncomfortable, confident, or hiding information through behavioral cues
Steps to Execute
Practice observing strangers in public spaces (malls, cafes) without being creepy
Create mental profiles: were they picked on in high school, are they confident, depressed, etc.
Watch for baseline behavior when people are relaxed and truthful
Note changes in behavior patterns during stress or deception
Trust your gut instincts - the feeling you get in the first 3 seconds of meeting someone
Checklist
Inputs Needed
- Time for consistent observation practice
- Public spaces with diverse people
- Willingness to trust instincts over logic
- Patience to build pattern recognition
Outputs
- Improved negotiation outcomes
- Better hiring decisions
- Enhanced sales conversations
- Stronger personal relationships
Example
“At a business dinner, you notice the potential investor keeps touching their neck when discussing funding timeline, suggesting discomfort. You pivot the conversation to build more rapport before returning to the ask.”
Related Knowledge
Breakdown to Breakthrough Framework
A mindset that reframes adversity and failure as opportunities for growth and transformation rather than setbacks
Victim vs Responsible Framework
A mental model that distinguishes between taking a victim stance (blaming external circumstances) versus taking complete
early_success_trap
Handle adversity, losses, and setbacks without self-destructive behavior
Ability to maintain good decision-making during losses, avoid chasing bad decisions with worse ones, and use adversity a
Expensive Happiness Principle
Your emotional state should be premium-priced - it should take significant negative events to affect your mood, not triv
Expected Value Decision Making
Making decisions based on long-term mathematical expectation rather than individual outcomes