Taylor Made Thoughts

In this episode, I dive into Working Backwards: Inside Stories and Secrets from Amazon by Colin Bryar and Bill Carr, focusing on two of Amazon's most influential management ideas. First, I explore the Working Backwards process—Amazon's practice of starting with a future press release and FAQ before building a product. Instead of asking, "What can we build?" the process forces tea...

We all know how hard it is to change our own behavior—and even harder to convince someone else to change theirs. In this episode, I explore two surprisingly effective ways to work around the ego, reduce resistance, and create real behavioral change. Along the way, I compare two competing models of personal development: the popular "be, do, have" philosophy that focuses on identity and br...

Episode Description I recently challenged myself to make 100 cold calls in 3 days—targeting dental offices, gyms, physical therapy clinics, and veterinary practices. In this episode, I share what actually happened, what surprised me, and what I learned. If you're starting a business, I make the case that every founder should do 100 cold calls before worrying about websites, logos, or marketing...

For this episode, I discuss The Watercourse Way by Alan Watts, a book that explores Daoism through ideas like the Dao, yin-yang polarity, and wu wei —or effortless action. The biggest theme that stood out to me is that the things we want most often seem to elude us, while the things we care less about arrive naturally. Looking back on my own life, I've repeatedly gone after one outcome—money,...

One of the biggest lessons I took from What the CEO Wants You To Know by Ram Charan is that business is much simpler than most people make it. Great CEOs focus on a handful of fundamentals: customers, cash flow, return on invested capital, and growth. Instead of getting lost in departments, metrics, and complexity, Charan argues that everyone should understand how the business actually makes money...

In this episode, we explore Tim Ferriss's powerful concept of Fear Setting —a practical exercise designed to help you overcome indecision, anxiety, and procrastination. Instead of focusing only on goals, Fear Setting encourages you to define your fears, examine the worst-case scenarios, and create plans to prevent or repair potential setbacks. Learn how this simple framework can help you make...

Welcome to *Taylor-Made Thoughts* — a series exploring mental models, psychological frameworks, and practical tools for improving thinking and increasing your chances of achieving meaningful goals. Each episode breaks down actionable ideas and mental tools you can apply immediately in your own life. In this episode, I reflect on *The Psychology of Hope* by C. R. Snyder and explore six mental tools...