FASTer - Issue #115

We are experts at lying to our selves. “We did our best”. But did we really? Like this edition of Faster, It was almost done but it wasn’t. I was late, but its out now.

“When you think you’re done, you're only at 40% of what you’re capable of doing.” —David Goggins. I think about this often, especially a few days ago when I reminded about what us humans are capable of really achieving.

When you find yourself believing that you have reached your utmost limit, whether it's in a project, a relationship, or an athletic pursuit, take a moment to reflect and question whether you have truly given it your all. Is it possible that you have allowed excuses to hold you back, preventing you from pushing further and possibly changing your outcomes? Instead of succumbing to self-imposed limitations, challenge yourself to delve deeper and uncover the untapped potential within you.

I did my best. Really.

This video is one of my favorite examples of how we are truly responsible for our own outcomes.

Heather Dorinden faced a moment where surrendering and claiming, "I did my best," would have been effortless. No one would have blamed her, considering the perceived impossibility of recovering from a fall in a mere 600-meter race.

However, what unfolded revealed that Heather possessed an incredible capacity that surpassed her own expectations, as well as those of others.

This remarkable revelation occurred solely because she chose to invest her effort and dedication into the endeavor to own her own outcomes.

Will you own yours?

Outcomes

The Wolf Child, 1889. In the Bulandshahr region of the Indian forests, there resided Dina Sanichar, a feral child of merely six years old. Sanichar lived amidst a wild wolf pack, adapting to their ways and partaking in their activities.

This remarkable case serves as a vivid demonstration of the impact of environmental factors on human behavior. The things that shape outcomes are present around us. We need to take note of that fact. What we choose to impact us, is as much our choice as its not. Knowing the difference takes us further.

It exemplifies how the availability of resources, the upbringing environment, and the ability to adapt to surroundings during childhood can shape an individual's physical and mental abilities, ultimately ensuring survival.

The extraordinary narrative of Sanichar captivated the imagination of Rudyard Kipling, who drew inspiration from it for his renowned work, "The Jungle Book." Subsequently, Disney transformed this literary masterpiece into various cinematic adaptations.

One New Thing (That I didn't Know)

Japanese medical doctor moves to help Afghanistan, changes mission when faced with state of local agriculture. Brings with him a medieval Japanese manual for land restoration. Gets murdered. Same spot: January 2017 and April 2023.

Inspired by the Yamada Weir and the irrigation technology of Fukuoka province in the middle ages. I believe there is a modern manual now in English, Pashtun and Japanese called the PMS Manual.

Boring Stuff That Scales

People go to Thailand and HongKong and rave about 24 hour suits. But first some history…

While Bangkok might not have the same storied history as London’s Savile Row or Florence’s Pitti Uomo, high-quality tailoring and bespoke suits have been part of the city’s fabric (excuse the pun) for hundreds of years. And while Thailand was never colonized or occupied by any European country, it did embrace aspects of English culture, notably the suit, an invention largely credited to Beau Brummell, the spiffy toff of Regency England.

A quick rewind to the late 1700s, the beginning of Modern Rattanakosin period: it was then that the adoption of a more Euro-leaning appearance began to form, firstly within the Royal family, and then into the wider Thai population. From around 1860, Thai royals selectively adopted Victorian corporeal and sartorial etiquette to fashion contemporary personas. Almost 100 years later, Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram issued a cultural mandate to westernize Thai dress. Until the early 20th century, men primarily dressed in either a pakama, a large rectangular piece of fabric wrapped around the waist, or a phraratchathan, the traditional shirt and sash.

By the 1960s and ’70s, Thailand had begun to open up to international travelers, including visiting politicians and diplomats. The suit traveled with them, crinkled and crumpled out of the suitcase. Savvy Thais and industrious Chinese and Indian immigrants recognized the opportunity and looked to service men with bespoke tailoring and a quick turnaround. Fast forward to the present, and fashion in Bangkok rivals the best in Asia — a “Made in Thailand” label gaining a global following and securing the respect of tailors and fashionistas worldwide.

So why the history lesson. I know some one, who is doing this but for custom pet clothing online. They take 10 days for bespoke pet clothing or your money back, including global shipping. Order comes online, sizing based pet type, dozens of styles, selection of motifs, colors, patterns. Average item is for a medium sized dog, most orders come from NY, average order value is 280$, including shipping cost of 40$ and cost to manufacture including all over heads is is 90$, 150$ is the margin.

It’s being done remotely from Pakistan. I cant disclose the site/platform where its setup,(since I don’t have their consent but I will ask and share soon) but boring as hell, 1300 repeat customers, 6 months since launch.

The kicker, every thing is outsourced to local tailors who were facing downtime, my friend who runs this, has Zero staff. Last month she did 26000$ in gross revenue. The only other businesses I know that let u make a 53%+ margin are typically not legal.

What You Should Be Reading

Apples creative branding & ad copy. Think about it…

• It's not a laptop – It's a MacBook

• It's not headphones – it's AirPods

• It's not an MP3 player – it's an iPod

• It's not a smart phone – it's an iPhone

• It's not a smart speaker – it's HomePod

Think about what things are not… “It’s not a virtual headset, it’s spacial computing” . It's not a VR Headset - It's Vision Pro

Some times, its equally important to tell people what you are not, vs what you are. To enhance your outcomes, try to figure out what you are not..

Monetize Your Time

Did you know that celebrating small wins can have a big impact on your life outcomes? According to psychological research, acknowledging and appreciating even the tiniest achievements can increase motivation, boost self-confidence, and enhance overall well-being. Monetize your time and your life’s outcomes by doing this often and doing it without shame.

This concept is supported by science, as it activates the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine and reinforcing positive behaviors. By focusing on small wins, you break down larger goals into manageable tasks, maintaining a sense of progress and perseverance. So, let's celebrate those small victories and keep moving forward!"

One Last Thing

Solving simple problems for crazy outcomes.

Meet The founder: Joy Mangano, a passionate inventor and entrepreneur, embarked on a mission to revolutionize household cleaning.

Meet The product: Enter the Miracle Mop, Joy's ingenious creation that made mopping a breeze. With its self-wringing mechanism, cleaning floors became faster, easier, and more efficient.

Meet the Distribution Vector QVC: Joy's breakthrough came when she caught the attention of QVC, a renowned home shopping network. QVC provided a platform to showcase innovative products to millions of viewers, making it a springboard for entrepreneurial success.

Stats on product sales: Joy's Miracle Mop didn't just make waves; it caused a tidal wave of success. Within moments of her appearance on QVC, the Miracle Mop sold out, leaving viewers in awe of its functionality and sparking a nationwide cleaning revolution.

This inspiring story demonstrates the power of identifying everyday problems and offering innovative solutions. Joy Mangano's entrepreneurial journey, from obscurity to household name, serves as a reminder that pursuing niche markets and addressing specific pain points can lead to tremendous success.

As entrepreneurs, let Joy's story inspire us to uncover untapped opportunities, challenge the status quo, and create products that truly make a difference. Remember, your breakthrough could be just one innovative idea away from transforming lives and building a thriving business. There is a movie out on this. Worth the watch.

Bonus! Thought of the week

Bring some thing unique to the table. Do not bring conformity, conformity kills ideas, it kills growth, it kills desire. Don’t agree because it makes life easy, don’t agree because it’s the path of least resistance. Don’t agree, because you must, instead give your self the courage to not conform. Your outcomes will thank you.