Staying Hungry When You're Already Full
After multiple listening sessions, I finally finished episode #717 of The Tim Ferris Show podcast featuring Noah Kagan.
By Hubert Kang
“He who is not content with what he has, would not be content with what he would like to have.”
— Socrates
After multiple listening sessions, I finally finished episode #717 of The Tim Ferris Show podcast featuring Noah Kagan.
It's over 4 hours long.
If the names don't ring a bell, Tim Ferriss is a NYT Best Selling Author (The 4-Hour Work Week), and Noah Kagan is the CEO of Appsumo, a software deals provider for entrepreneurs.
Both are highly successful. With lots to say (clearly).
Towards the end, Noah asked Tim a question:
How do you stay hungry when you're already full?
Four hours of mostly unscripted dialogue and that question really struck me. Sure, I picked up all sorts of nuggets from the podcast, but days have passed and I'm still thinking about that question.
It affects everyone to different degrees.
You don't have to be a multi-million dollar CEO or Best Selling author.
- The challenge of "staying hungry" is not that easy.
- Why is that?
- We progress.
- We get comfortable.
We experience how hard work moves us from State A (less), to State B (more).
It's easier to relax when the needle starts moving in the right direction.
The second part of Noah's question, "when you're already full" also varies.
What does full even mean?
A steady paycheck in a low stress job after food, clothing, and shelter are checked off?
A suburban life where needs are met and an emergency, rainy day fund is in place?
A 3-comma club (billionaire) lifestyle that's exceeded your wildest dreams?
Wherever you fall along the spectrum of hunger or fullness, the key is balancing both so that one doesn't completely take over the other.
2 Takeaways
1. Seek Inspiration and New Goals. This is important whether you're full or not. There are always new, achievable goals out there that have nothing to do with business or work. Exposure to ideas, experiences, and people are probably the best ways to find inspiration. Studies on motivation have shown that it is common for people to expend more energy "holding on to what they have" vs. "working harder to gain more." Inspiration and new goals help here.
2. Practice Gratitude and Reflect On Your Purpose. Every now and then remind yourself why you're pursuing success as a Business Owner in the first place. Get specific. Break it down to elements like mastery, impact, money, passion, etc. Celebrate the small wins. When you're a small business owner or working for yourself, this is incredibly important to do.
1 Action
In the podcast I mentioned earlier, Noah was promoting his new book, "Million Dollar Weekend." Listening to a 4 hour podcast is a very heavy lift. Instead, check out Four Minute Books where you can watch a video book summary or download a 3-page PDF of Million Dollar Weekend. Even if you have no visions of starting a new business (or launching a second hustle), there are great insights and challenges that you'll take from Noah's book.