Sales professional & Indiehacker
Gavin Sevastian
2+ years spent mastering sales and thriving in the online business space
on life...
on business...
internet hall of fame
January 9, 2025
Opportunities
There is a popular quote from Warren Buffet:"It doesn't matter how hard you row. It matters which boat you get in."This leads people to erroneously beleif that there is a perfect opportunity for them out there. The belief that you can always make a flawless decision.In reality, most decisions must be made with incomplete information. In fact, if you wait until you have perfect information about an opportunity, it’s often too late—the opportunity has already passed.What defines an opportunity, in many cases, is the risk that comes with acting on incomplete information.
January 9, 2025
Be true to yourself
There’s a moment in life where the reality of mortality hits you—a moment when the signs of aging begin to show, and the brevity of life becomes uncomfortably clear. It's not just about physical changes; it’s also about recognizing the inner parts of yourself that have been lurking in the background. Many people go through life not living authentically because they fail to integrate their subconscious desires and identities into their reality.Think of your mind as a boardroom filled with various "versions" of you. There’s Introvert You, Gamer You, Status-Seeker You, and countless others—all vying for attention. The key to harmony is finding a way to integrate these different facets of yourself into your life. Each version has its own desires, and it’s your job to align them with your overarching goals.For example, Gamer You might love tracking achievements and stats, so you could gamify your business with cool dashboards and progress markers. Status-Seeker You might be fulfilled not by flashy cars or watches but by becoming a respected authority in your field. Introvert You? It might thrive if you take one or two days a week with no meetings to recharge.
Suppression Leads to ExplosionsHere’s the thing: you can’t just suppress these parts of yourself indefinitely. Think of your subconscious as a volcano—it might stay dormant for a while, but if the pressure keeps building, it’s bound to erupt. Your job, both as an entrepreneur and a human being, is to release that pressure in small, manageable ways.Of course, balance is crucial. As the Chairman of your inner boardroom, you still need to draw boundaries. You can’t indulge every whim, like partying every day, but maybe letting loose once a quarter is perfectly fine.It’s also important to recognize that not every part of you can—or should—be channeled into your work. For instance, golfing might not tie directly to your professional goals, but it could still serve as a vital outlet. Moreover, not all parts of you are equally demanding. Some desires are more dominant and need more attention. These are your leverage points—the recurring patterns in your life that, if addressed thoughtfully, can lead to significant change.
The Discipline of Being UndisciplinedEntrepreneurs often get stuck in a cycle of relentless work and discipline. Once you’ve mastered that initial self-improvement phase, where discipline is your foundation, the challenge becomes knowing when to let go. The true secret? Learning to discipline yourself to be undisciplined when it serves you.Imagine going full throttle in “monk mode” for three months—a period of intense focus and productivity. While this is powerful, it’s just as important to take a deliberate 1–2 week break to recharge. This downtime isn’t wasted; it allows you to come back refreshed, often resulting in higher output over the long haul. Sustainability beats burnout. It’s not about being at 100% every single day but operating at a steady 70%—a level that’s sustainable and productive over time. (And let’s be honest, 70% of your max is still incredibly effective.)
Why Sustained Monk Mode Doesn’t WorkThe problem with staying in monk mode indefinitely is that it only satisfies one part of you. Meanwhile, the other 5–7 parts are left waiting, growing restless, and eventually clamoring for their turn. This imbalance isn’t sustainable.Instead, the goal is to find a rhythm that keeps the peaks and troughs of your energy and focus as small as possible—like a sine wave with very subtle undulations. Small, intentional releases keep the system running smoothly, ensuring you remain aligned and energized.
SustainabilityUltimately, living authentically and sustainably as an entrepreneur (and as a person) means finding a way to honor all the parts of yourself. It’s not just about relentless productivity or endless indulgence—it’s about balance. By integrating your inner boardroom, recognizing your leverage points, and mastering the art of being undisciplined, you can create a life and career that’s both fulfilling and sustainable.The journey isn’t about eliminating tension but learning to manage it with intention. After all, the secret to long-term success is not a constant sprint but a steady, sustainable pace.
Internet Hall of Fame
Links to internet gems that are too good to paraphrase—just go see for yourself.
December 31, 2024
Kevin's Rule
Going into the new year, pick one big goal—just one. Something that, when you look back, makes this year stand out. The point is to make each year different, something you can clearly remember. If you stick to this, you’ll end up with 50 solid accomplishments over your lifetime—or at least a stack of stories if things don’t pan out. Either way, you’ve got something to show for it.Now, here’s the kicker: every other month, plan a trip, adventure, or experience you wouldn’t normally do. By the end of the year, that’s six mini adventures added to your life resume. It doesn’t have to be extravagant—just something to shake up the routine. Do this for 50 years, and you’ve got 300 adventures. That’s a life with some serious color.And here’s the beauty: this only takes six days a year. Six days out of 365. That’s just 1.5% of your time, but it adds a lifetime of memories.
H/t to Jesse Itzler
January 15, 2021
Immortality
People act like they are immortal. If only you could truly understand that you are not here forever. How many stupid desires and worries would instantly feel ridiculous.- Would you worry about what other people think if you truly realized you will die?
- Would you put things off to tomorrow if tomorrow is not guaranteed?"Let us prepare our minds as if we'd come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing. Let us balance life's books each day. The one who puts the finishing touches on their life each day is never short of time."
— Seneca, Letter #101
Allow me to end with one of my favorite sayings of all time:
Do everything as if you were a dying man—because you are one.