Our Best Self

"Mastering Your Craft: The Power of Small, Consistent Efforts" Are you striving to become a better artist, accelerate your professional growth, or attain expertise? Often, there's a common misconception that 'more' equals 'better.' However, this notion can be both right and wrong. The challenge lies in choosing the right approach. Consider this scenario: whether you're making flavored syrups for coffee or honing your drawing skills, you face two choices. You can either create large batches (1 10-20oz) of syrup or complete one full drawing a week. Alternatively, you can opt for smaller batches (5-10 2oz) of syrup or sketch 10 times a week. Both options require a similar amount of time, but the latter provides a 10-fold increase in output. The allure of 'larger is better' is understandable. It's simpler, a single effort, and it feels satisfying to accomplish significant tasks. However, this can be a trap. While you may create more massive things, it doesn't necessarily translate to improvement or mastery. You've done it just once. In contrast, pursuing more frequent, smaller efforts yields remarkable benefits. If you engage in 5-10 batches or attempts in a week instead of just one, you learn with each iteration. The risk remains low, allowing you to experiment and try new methods. Moreover, you accumulate valuable experience with each repetition, be it in syrup making or sketching. The mathematics are clear: small batches or efforts grant you 5-10 repetitions weekly, while larger efforts yield just one. This means that what you learn in one week through small, consistent work would take the 'larger is better' crowd 5-10 weeks to achieve. Embrace a new mindset that entrusts your growth to: Small, quick efforts for better results. More repetitions for accelerated learning and bending time. Learning from each iteration for continuous improvement. Failing small to avoid long-term harm. Prioritizing quality in each effort, as it leads to the desired growth. Acknowledging that there are no shortcuts. Apply this mindset across your life, passions, and profession. Experiment, tinker, learn, explore, adapt, and grow. Remember, it's all about having fun while becoming the best version of yourself. ------------------------------------- About the author:   I have 30+ years in technology. Building companies. Running global services teams. Consumer and business direct customers. I have led cybersecurity compliance, standards, security, consulting, and product teams. My global work and deep research and experiences I draw on to share ways I and you can become our best self. These are meant to reflect the ups and downs of life. I am always at the tip of the spear in technology and will certainly share that as they are valuable ideas. Finally, my efforts are devoted to the following. Welcome others always in these journeys to do good work: - Dad and Husband - Cybersecurity innovation and AI product innovations - Bottling and operating coffee craft shops - Charity programs around kids with behaviors and organic farming - Regenerative farming, cattle, and vertical farm greenhouses - Fitness (coached 1,000+ athletes), and how we can live well   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   Checkout the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/16AGBV32xPuT81u16XUWCs?si=12a7b9cfea31480c Prefer reading the full essays: https://stepstobestself.substack.com/   Professional inquiries on LinkedIN please: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdeluccia/ Interactions and discussions on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/JDeLuccia   Things we dive into will reflect what I've learned in life; what my current research reveals, and lessons from my businesses and mentor programs. Adopt what serves you and pass along anything you enjoyed.   Trying to better the world through these stages.   Wishing you an amazing day!   - Jimmy James DeLuccia IV

What if you had a Magic Wand? What would your life look like? What would you do? Who would you be? How could you use a Magic Wand to help your team solve problems? In this episode I do a deep dive on this technique and how it can free you to live your best life, and solve the hardest problems. About the author:   I have 30+ years in technology. Building companies. Running global services teams. Consumer and business direct customers. I have led cybersecurity compliance, standards, security, consulting, and product teams. My global work and deep research and experiences I draw on to share ways I and you can become our best self. These are meant to reflect the ups and downs of life. I am always at the tip of the spear in technology and will certainly share that as they are valuable ideas. Finally, my efforts are devoted to the following. Welcome others always in these journeys to do good work: - Dad and Husband - Cybersecurity innovation and AI product innovations - Bottling and operating coffee craft shops - Charity programs around kids with behaviors and organic farming - Regenerative farming, cattle, and vertical farm greenhouses - Fitness (coached 1,000+ athletes), and how we can live well   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   Checkout the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/16AGBV32xPuT81u16XUWCs?si=12a7b9cfea31480c Prefer reading the full essays: https://stepstobestself.substack.com/   Professional inquiries on LinkedIN please: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdeluccia/ Interactions and discussions on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/JDeLuccia   Things we dive into will reflect what I've learned in life; what my current research reveals, and lessons from my businesses and mentor programs. Adopt what serves you and pass along anything you enjoyed.   Trying to better the world through these stages.   Wishing you an amazing day!   - Jimmy James DeLuccia IV  

Why you should give your best this second, now, today! For your kids, family, community, and self. About the author:   I have 30+ years in technology. Building companies. Running global services teams. Consumer and business direct customers. I have led cybersecurity compliance, standards, security, consulting, and product teams. My global work and deep research and experiences I draw on to share ways I and you can become our best self. These are meant to reflect the ups and downs of life. I am always at the tip of the spear in technology and will certainly share that as they are valuable ideas. Finally, my efforts are devoted to the following. Welcome others always in these journeys to do good work: - Dad and Husband - Cybersecurity innovation and AI product innovations - Bottling and operating coffee craft shops - Charity programs around kids with behaviors and organic farming - Regenerative farming, cattle, and vertical farm greenhouses - Fitness (coached 1,000+ athletes), and how we can live well   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   Checkout the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/16AGBV32xPuT81u16XUWCs?si=12a7b9cfea31480c Prefer reading the full essays: https://stepstobestself.substack.com/   Professional inquiries on LinkedIN please: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdeluccia/ Interactions and discussions on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/JDeLuccia   Things we dive into will reflect what I've learned in life; what my current research reveals, and lessons from my businesses and mentor programs. Adopt what serves you and pass along anything you enjoyed.   Trying to better the world through these stages.   Wishing you an amazing day!   - Jimmy James DeLuccia IV

I personally struggled with the logistics and unknowns that exist in front of me when starting my businesses. I've learned over time how artificial those fears and doubts really were to actually being successful. I now see this in those that I mentor and help. In this episode I break down the mental blocks most common that may be slowing your ultimate success. Honestly, it is these mental blocks that stop many people from even getting a real chance in the market.  Don't be one who never tried, be one who went for it! About the author:   I have 30+ years in technology. Building companies. Running global services teams. Consumer and business direct customers. I have led cybersecurity compliance, standards, security, consulting, and product teams. My global work and deep research and experiences I draw on to share ways I and you can become our best self. These are meant to reflect the ups and downs of life. I am always at the tip of the spear in technology and will certainly share that as they are valuable ideas. Finally, my efforts are devoted to the following. Welcome others always in these journeys to do good work: - Dad and Husband - Cybersecurity innovation and AI product innovations - Bottling and operating coffee craft shops - Charity programs around kids with behaviors and organic farming - Regenerative farming, cattle, and vertical farm greenhouses - Fitness (coached 1,000+ athletes), and how we can live well   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   Checkout the Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/16AGBV32xPuT81u16XUWCs?si=12a7b9cfea31480c Prefer reading the full essays: https://stepstobestself.substack.com/   Professional inquiries on LinkedIN please: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdeluccia/ Interactions and discussions on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/JDeLuccia   Things we dive into will reflect what I've learned in life; what my current research reveals, and lessons from my businesses and mentor programs. Adopt what serves you and pass along anything you enjoyed.   Trying to better the world through these stages.   Wishing you an amazing day!   - Jimmy James DeLuccia IV

Hard bad times always arrive. Hard good times are blessings too.   Here we discuss the mindset and challenges that life delivers, both the good and the bad.   Ultimately, You are in control   You are, you control your action; your energy, and what you do. That doesn't mean life won't provide you with interruptions, but even as we discussed above those are our own decision.   You are in control. How you react. How you respond. How you act. You control those states and efforts.   You are not in control of what happens to you, nor what other people do. So stop judging yourself based that which you do not control. It is the mistaken belief that you did control them that has you so stressed.   Focus on what you can impact and tackle all the hard bad. Embrace with gratitude and self awareness the good hard! You are leveling up in life and therefore ready (or will shortly become ready) to be proficient at this new level.   You got this, now go get it!   About the author:   I have 30+ years in technology. Building companies. Running global services teams. Consumer and business direct customers. I have led cybersecurity compliance, standards, security, consulting, and product teams. My global work and deep research and experiences I draw on to share ways I and you can become our best self. These are meant to reflect the ups and downs of life. I am always at the tip of the spear in technology and will certainly share that as they are valuable ideas. Finally, my efforts are devoted to the following. Welcome others always in these journeys to do good work: - Dad and Husband - Cybersecurity innovation and AI product innovations - Bottling and operating coffee craft shops - Charity programs around kids with behaviors and organic farming - Regenerative farming, cattle, and vertical farm greenhouses - Fitness (coached 1,000+ athletes), and how we can live well   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -   Checkout the posted videos too: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFAeNGJCvlYotbPRVhOgOPA Prefer reading the full essays: https://stepstobestself.substack.com/   Professional inquiries on LinkedIN please: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdeluccia/ Interactions and discussions on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/JDeLuccia   Things we dive into will reflect what I've learned in life; what my current research reveals, and lessons from my businesses and mentor programs. Adopt what serves you and pass along anything you enjoyed.   Trying to better the world through these stages.   Wishing you an amazing day!   - Jimmy James DeLuccia IV

A giant challenge is finding time to get things done. Our goals, dreams, and in some cases the demands of regular life. In this show I share a method that can free hours from your day - without waking at 5am! You can find the live video version of this presentation here on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@jamesdeluccia2340/videos  

Injured? Depressed? Sad? Bad day? ... There are a million reasons why you and I could NOT do what is good for our health, our family, our business, and our community. The quitting road is often called the easy road, but it also where you fail to get that promotion, have health problems, and lose out. Quitting only guarantees one thing - you lost. How you move forward even after getting hit with bad news, bad breaks, and bad people defines your present day. It also determines your future. What you and I do today - how we do it; how we react, and what you actually do matters.  Remember: even the tiniest steps get you closer to the goal. No matter how "simple" it is, progress accumulates. Perspective: you KNOW people who are worse off than you. People missing limbs. People with life ending diseases. People who fooled around in school and their 20s, only to now be starting at the bottom entry-level jobs in their 30s next to High Schoolers. Others have harder roads and overcame them everyday. Be inspired. *note, I love the human who is making amends for their behavior and doing the right thing in their 30s.. 40s.. They made their own bed and are building up to be the best self they possibly can today. I know they will live a better life because they've changed their mindset and daily actions - far greater than staying on that old road of ruin.   Give the effort, the best you have at this moment. Be proud of your effort. Continue on my friend.

Perseverance - finding your capacity Ever found yourself knee-deep in quicksand? What's next is what makes you. Men, fathers, especially, resonate with this. The world on your shoulders? It's part of the gig. Sleepless nights staring the ceiling down? Comes with the package. Juggling work and family like a circus performance? Welcome to the show. Here's the catch. The quicksand or the blizzard, they don't define you. Your march, action, and hard work does! Here I share your handbook to perseverance, the silent, tireless workhorse. Helping you see your motivation when you cannot see one. Helping you unlock your self belief when you question it. Helping you find a path through tough times. This is for men, women, adults, kids, and all of us who lead teams and our community. You are more than capable. Let's discuss it.

All roads lead somewhere, but not all lead where you want   Are you trying to get a promotion, but to where? Building a brand - personal / biz, but for what purpose? Are you trying to create cash flow or build audience to launch in future? Do you want to be a mother to raise kids to better the world or for your own selfish desires?   The world is full of roads   No matter where you are in the world or what you do today, there are innumerable roads / paths laid out in front of you. Every decision provides you with a unique step down a particular path.   Think of it this way - you live where you live today, that provides some paths (in Colorado mountains vs NYC vs Rwanda) and is a conscous choice. You can move today. You can change your household. You can change who you surround yourself with every day. This single choice creates unique paths that serve you or stymie you towards what you want to achieve.   Another consideration, subconscious/no-decision decisions that lay a set of roads at your feet. Wasting your time watching screens - social media, movies, binging shows, etc.. On average people are watching 5 HOURS a day. Consumption should just be thought of as putting your hopes and dreams in timeout. When you "check out", you are stopping forward momentum. Do the math - if you took that 5 hours a day (average) x7 days you get 35 hours of WORKing time towards your goal. That is equivalent to another full work week, and it is spent solely on your goal. Incredible opportunity when you see it and embrace it.   Conscious and subconscious highlight the opportunities exist, and how we make decisions impact our progression. That said, there is another insight I want to share about these paths.   Switching between paths can harm you or help you. If you continuously change the road you are on, don't expect becoming an expert or winner soon. That doesn't mean you shouldn't experiment and try new things, you absolutely must. That said, As you carry on new roads, be patient and consistent. It is ok to switch when the time is right, but ideally you can branch off the current road - therefore leveraging what you've built. If not, embrace the journey. It will need your hard work.   Where are you going   Imagine a hiker standing in a beautiful valley full of green fields and wildflowers. Beyond you see mountains to your left and to your right is a path following the river in the center of this valley. You can choose any direction and experience massive success and joy, but do you go up the mountain or along the river?   There is no wrong answer here, only what you want. The mountain may contain gold. The river may contain gems. Both may include new friends, your future spouse and kids. Both will include challenge and celebrations. The only choice is the one you make, that is the right one. We know this because you'll never know what you would have achieved on the other path - only you would know it.   You must decide. You must know.   The way to decide is try things - try hiking small mountains (love or hate will give you important insight), and walk in valleys. Try and then decide if you love it. You cannot know by reading books or watching people do it, only through hands on experience can you really know if that is the path for you.   Sometimes we just want to go UP. Go to the next grade in school. Get the next laddered up role at your job. At some point though, you escape these rat races. These factories aiming to give education. Then what - there are no more grades to get. You can delay the inevitable and do more more school (but this won't really deliver any meaningful life improvement). You can reach the zenith of your "job", then what? Well here is where you break out. Where you start creating your next job.   To decide means we achieve outside the bands of jobs and grade school progressions. You can do anything - the only question is where is that journey going to bring you.   What you want to do can emerge at any company, or in your extra 35 hours a week. You could merge these lives together and bring your love and work world together. You can do anything, but the key is simple.   Do. Try. Create. Experience.   NONE of these are passive activities. None of these can be outsourced, analyzed, or planned. You must DO the work to see if you like it. You must TRY lots of things to learn what you actually want to do. You must CREATE the job you seek. You must EXPERIENCE different places / activities / worlds to keep discovering what you want to do and be.   That last one is super important. You are not a ship arriving in a harbor forever meant to stay there. Forever to do one job, one way. You will continue to grow. You will put more steps forward as you travel down your own road. That is awesome, so accept and appreciate you are always free to grow further. Nothing is permanent or forever in this area.   Now go on - be selfish and authentic, decide what you WANT and put yourself in a place to achieve it. Surround yourself with those who want to achieve the same. Learn and do the work, and in time you will achieve all you seek. Promise.  

Too often we find ourselves just swiping and swiping through social media videos.. on and on and on... At some point you run out of time; burn the toast; forget to run with the sunset, or just walk away with a numb brain. The lesson is - you found you were just scrolling and got nothing out of it. You didn't find what you were looking for in the feed. Here I answer, for me, why we are not finding what we are looking for... your thoughts?

How can we ...   Build this business Experience trips and activities with our schedule Solve this crisis Achieve X   I am often in discussions where I am either driving to do big things, or working with someone is attempting great things. In all cases we are trying to figure out the most important question. That one question that defines whether you will be successful, happy, and proud of your effort.   How much?   It has nothing to do with how much money will it cost. This is a common mistake. People focus on their resources as they seek to achieve these goals (please know, what our goals are may be something as simple as putting food on the table, and not needing to be fancy). Resources such as money, time, and access.   While these matter they are not the answer to you achieving your goal. In fact, they play a near zero role in your chances of success. That is because resources don't guarantee success or the outcome. They only provide ways of accelerating and simpifying that hardships.   When can we do this..   Also, not the question. Time has no place in achieving our goals, because the time when we can start working on it is - NOW. The time it takes to reach our goal is what it is. Meaning it will take as long as it takes, and we have to start now.   So when can you begin to work on your goal; begin saving for that trip; develop the relationships to gain that new job, is all the same. Now. You can start now, this second. Pick up your phone send that text; say yes to that side work; read that manual to get better at your craft. Now, is when, and that is why time doesn't affect our goal.   Focus on how is this possible   How is this possible is the question you need to constantly ask. How can we achieve ____. How can we learn this topic. How can we start small and build up.   Focusing on how to achieve is the secret. If you focus on the HOW and not the reasons you cannot, you will already be ahead of the curve to hitting your goal. Too often people focus on the reasons why they cannot do something, and spend so much time on the why nots .. they never allow their minds to figure out the how to.   Surround yourself   To truly hit your goals, you need to surround yourself with people of the right mindset. Those that are chasing dreams, putting in the work, and hustling. You want people who will amplify your "how can I achieve" focus, and eliminate all others.   Build and surround yourself with builders #1. Pull people into your world that are on a similar path or ahead. Draw on their energy. Feed them your energy, and live an honest life. This is how you will overcome the hesitation, doubt, and uncertainty of going forward. You will learn that it is OK to try. It is good to take steps forward. Some will be small due to budget and resource. Some will be surprisingly quick based on your life experiences. All will put you closer and closer to your goal.   Be a champion for your goals. You are their biggest supporter.      

When I look at my life and those I advise the biggest fault is the persona as defined by where they born, what friends they have, and where they live. It is so rampant that I see people stuck in careers and substantial debt simply because their families and friends. Ultimately you get to decide what you value and how you spend your days and nights. I hope you see your potential is only limited by the boundaries you place upon it. Please don't let your circle of influence define you; define your circle of influence, and let that lift you to your true purpose. I'd love to hear your thoughts and what challenges you are navigating through today. Chasing my best self, and sharing the journey; struggle; lessons; and unlocks

Brian has transformed classic businesses to digital powerhouses. Weather Channel and now the Red Sox. In this incredible interview Brian shares his ideas, insights, approaches, and wishes. If you are seeking to become a better leader; seeking succeed in cybersecurity; looking for how the best in class serve IT organizations, and launch products with a work from home workforce - THIS IS FOR YOU. Hit play and apply to your own business and personal life

Life is short. You and I will die, and therefore we MUST use the time we have as a blessing and take action. We must love who we can love. We must touch, taste, experience, see, feel, create, and have impact. We must because life is short. I was struck with a neighbors death and after working through the thoughts I wrote down ideas on how I can live a life forward without regret. I share them in this video. Think on your life - what matters; what doesn't matter? How many summers do you have? How many does your mom or dad? What if you died in March? What if you died in 50 years? How would you change, what would you keep, and then what?? These are the foundations to unlocking what matters. Please take that time. Chasing my best self, and sharing the journey; struggle; lessons; and unlocks

Try out my 7 DAY Content Challenge to DISCOVER your potential and product possibilities A hard lesson for everyone who has ever sought to create anything - big or small. Here I share the takeaways from a discussion with extremely talented artists and business "to be" founders. I wish I had recorded it honestly - it was several hours of great discussion. Challenges we tackle today: Chasing shiny objects... Having so many good ideas - how do you choose? How can your ideas contribute to each other? What is the relationship between each of your ideas? Is this project a side hustle or an escape? How do I start my business? How do I start creating content? 7 DAY Challenge - make and then review Lessons I have learned there hard way .... 1. The Speed of Start 2. Testing the product to prove out an idea, stop thinking on it - just see what the market says 3. Waiting for the right expertise and equipment I waited 20+ years of achieving the most challenging product launches and saving the largest businesses, as I was concerned I didn't have ENOUGH experience to share. I also was incredibly busy doing the work, and now understand that sharing these lessons in real time would have made the work even better. Lesson learned.