I first asked my #milliondollarquestion back in Jun 2019. Since then, I had explored this audacious dream over more than 20 posts, with the last one in Nov 2019. In particular, regarding my keystone habits, I asked:

What keystone habits and habit systems do I need in order to get to $1mil?

I went on to decide that these were the 5 keystone habits I needed to create that background conditions to strive towards $1mil:

1. Sleep
2. Meditation
3. Health & fitness
4. Downtime for deloading, reviews and reflection
5. Deliberate practice of deep work

Back then, it’s hard to see how any of those habits contribute tangibly to a financial target of $1mil. I mentioned then that I’ll report back if I discover I need specific keystone habits that’s financial or revenue-related.

NOW is the time to report back (to myself, at least). I definitely need financial-related keystone habits. It’s not enough to just have great productivity habits and an audacious goal. 

Since June last year, I’ve dialled down on my keystone habits, and I’m happy with my progress in all those habits I set out to form. I feel healthier than ever, lost 10kg, get enough sleep and rest, have time for reflection and no issues with deep work. But seems like that’s not enough, because 6 months on, I’m nowhere near earning a sustainable revenue stream. I’m unhappy with my progress. I spent a lot of time learning new stuff, trying new tech, making a bunch of different products, but nothing stuck when it comes to revenue.

I got to do something better, something drastically different, to break that zero barrier. Everything is figureoutable. I just need to get real and more specific now, with that million dollar question. I really need a keystone habit that related to pushing for financial progress.

What specific financial keystone habit do I need in order to get to $1mil?

The theme for Juicy January will go some way to help with that, since I’m trying to learn more about marketing and monetization. But Juicy Jan will likely only help me pick up a bunch of growth hacks and selling techniques, not necessary a keystone habit to sustain financial progress. I had tried visualisation of success during meditation, using the 6 phase meditation technique by Mindvalley. It helps but seems insufficient.

What I really need is something:

• that would have a strong enough spillover effect that triggers widespread change in other smaller habits (definition of a keystone habit). 
• I can do everyday, no matter how minute, because I realize I don’t really think about making money that much during my work day routine.
• directly actionable and clearly moves the money needle.

I have no ideas yet. Have to muse more about it. Got to figure this out. Fast.  

Any good ideas what this specific financial keystone habit could be?

-———

After thinking about it for a week while referencing the book The Secrets of The Millionaire Mind, I came up with the following money habits to nurture. I’m taking many small bets here, by trying out a bunch of different money habits based on different timeframes. Will have to monitor which one works better, which is worthy of being a keystone money habit. 

I also realised this is no longer just about marketing and product monetization…but a more 10,000ft altitude, helicopter view of money within life in general. 

As above, so below. 

Broad strategy: 

Earn more, invest more, spend less, save more - in this order of priority, for me.

Quarterly

What you focus on expands; what you track increases.

- Calculate my net worth every quarter.

- Review if my business systems is passive and monetizable enough.

Monthly

Manage money now to signal that you can handle more.

- Track monthly earnings vs expenses, based on different money buckets, aka Financial Freedom accounts.

- Review if last month’s efforts worked. Course-correct.

Weekly

Take many small bets, ideate-experiment-iterate constantly.

- Ideate at least 1 new way to earn more during the week, and try it on the following Monday. Review at end of each week, then ideate again.

- Ideate and optimise 1% improvement to saving more/spending less.  

Daily

Focus on non-zero days.

- Every morning, read out loud, re-affirm my goal statement and visualize success.

- Every morning, save a $2 note daily in jar, as a “daily money magnet” habit.

- Do at least one task everyday with immediate/direct potential to earn at least $1; something directly monetizable, e.g. cold email potential customer.