My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
Shift from reactive to intentional living and planning
Timeframe: 5-10 years as mainstream adoption
What's Changing
People are moving away from constantly reacting to others' demands and toward proactively designing their lives according to their own values and priorities.
Driving Forces
Increasing digital overwhelm and notification fatigue
Recognition that busy doesn't equal productive or fulfilling
Desire for work-life integration rather than just work-life balance
Social media highlighting curated vs authentic living
Winners
- Planning and organization tools and systems
- Experience-based businesses and adventure companies
- Coaches and consultants focused on life design
- Retreat and workshop facilitators
Losers
- Reactive, always-on business models
- Products that increase rather than reduce decision fatigue
- Generic productivity advice without personalization
How to Position Yourself
Offer systems rather than just motivation
Focus on concrete outcomes and measurable results
Provide frameworks that work for busy people
Emphasize quality of life alongside traditional success metrics
Early Signals to Watch
Example Implementation
“A productivity app that helps users block calendar time for their most important priorities first, then manages incoming requests against those pre-set boundaries.”
Related Knowledge
Itzler Annual Planning System
A three-step system for intentional year planning: getting light (decluttering), closing out the previous year (reflection and gratitude), and setting one year-defining goal (misogi).
Calendar as Autobiography Framework
Viewing your calendar as your most honest autobiography and highlight reel - what you put energy toward reveals your true priorities and creates the story of your life.
Create mental and physical space for the new year by eliminating clutter and unused commitments
Coming into the new year feeling light, organized, and ready to take action without the weight of accumulated clutter and obligations.
Create a comprehensive review of the past year to identify accomplishments, gaps, and lessons learned
A one-page summary of your year's highlights that makes you feel proud of what you accomplished and clear about what you want to do differently.
CEO of Your Life
Thinking of yourself as the chief executive of your personal life, with the authority and responsibility to make strategic decisions about how you spend your time and energy.
Momentum Through Small Actions
Starting big projects with the smallest possible action to build psychological momentum, rather than waiting until you feel ready to tackle the whole thing.