⚡️ I Survived a Winter Blizzard To Tell You This

This is a story about one of the most valuable skills in life and entrepreneurship - and I learned it in a blizzard 9 years ago.

What does -39℉ even feel like?

Gather ‘round and I’ll tell you…

Your nose hairs freeze into icicles and poke you if you move your nose.

You don’t feel cold from the outside-in, but from the inside out.

Your cheeks are so cold it feels like you’re dragging them across a carpet.

I had never heard of a “Polar Vortex” before, but in 2014/2015 I found out.

Before you judge me for being crazy, let me tell you an unforgettable insight this polar adventure taught me.

Some Fly South

As a born and raised Chicagoan, I love winters.

There’s so many great things about winter: sipping a hot cocoa while your nose thaws inside the mug, pelting your unsuspecting buddy with the first snowball of the season, shredding powder on the ski slopes…

…And I probably can mention more, but if you ask Michelle, she will go blank and start talking about Miami winters instead.

She’ll tell you about how wonderful the beach is in January, walk you through all her favorite creative spots, and describe every amazing outdoor restaurant in the city.

She says that her ideas “freeze” when she’s in Chicago during winter months.

I’m a little curious about the science behind that claim 🤔

It was on this blizzardy day in February 2015 that I discovered one of the most important skills of entrepreneurship and life… from a flock of geese.

A Feather in Your Cap

I marveled at these geese, not just because they were the only other living creatures in sight, but for their ability to survive in this frigid cold.

We’ve flown spaceships to the Moon, but we still haven’t invented anything as effectively warm as a goose down jacket…that’s crazy!

Those were my thoughts as I shot this photo.

Now that I live in Miami, I’ve learned to adapt to humidity instead of frigidity.

I’ve learned to read labels on clothing material and buy clothes that breathe better in the weather here - I never thought that was a thing!

And you know what’s funny?

People in Chicago complain about the cold, and people in Miami complain about the heat.

The lesson was clear: you either learn to adapt and be a cool goose, or you don’t…and that’s not as cool.

This served me greatly because entrepreneurship it’s a lot like the weather:

• You can never predict exactly what’s gonna happen

• When you’re adaptable, you’re more successful and you have more fun

• Find and learn from animals (or people 😉) that are already doing it

Don’t Get Cold Feet

We’ve seen a lot in the world in just the last few years: lockdowns, inflation, big layoffs, wars, and everything in between.

While we cannot control what’s going on, we can learn to adapt better to it.

One way to do that is to generate an additional source of income.

Wouldn’t that make the “weather” of the world a little more manageable?

That’s what Michelle and I are offering with our Zero to One program here in Miami.

If you’ve got a business idea that you’d like to “thaw” out, consider what could change by transforming it into a business that generates impact and income.

We’re offering this because we believe everyone can create the life they want.

If that resonates for you or someone you know, learn more here.

The Bottom Line

We’re far more capable than we realize of doing seemingly very hard things.

All it takes is commitment, an adaptive mindset, and a little stubbornness.

Recommended Video

Jeff Bezos’ 1-minute advice on the two things it takes to be successful in entrepreneurship —> here.

Take Your Business Idea from Zero to One

Discover how to translate your business idea into, well, a business. This also for people planning a side hustle, because these days everyone needs an extra source of income. Take a look at how this would work for you —> here.

🏆Lastly, let me bribe you with cool stuff!

1) If you refer an aspiring entrepreneur and they sign up with us, I’ll send you a gift card or other reward of your choice as a way of saying thank you.

2) If you refer a new subscriber to this newsletter, I’ll send you a free e-book of your choice.

📢 Our next issue is the last and my favorite topic of this little series I’ve been sending you: how to value and charge money for your idea.

Keeping living your Great Adventure.

Jim Wall