The other day I was out celebrating a friend's birthday.

There were 3 of us, we grabbed our beers and sat down just to chat and catch up. Have a chill evening.

And I have to admit...

I was so distracted by the large groups of friends around us, having a blast, making jokes, and enjoying themselves.

At the moment, I wasn't having the same experience...

See, I moved to a new town a few months ago and to be honest, I've bunkered down into my apartment and have focused on work and my brand. I'm not getting out too much...

So I haven't met anyone here, other than a couple of guys I chat with at the gym.

I thought about the town where I grew up... I knew everyone. And last year around this time I recall making loads of new friends.

I loved it because I couldn't go anywhere without running into someone that I knew (I know for a lot of people that's a nightmare - but I'm a social guy so I eat it up.)

Anyway, I've spent the last few days thinking about how I haven't made any friends here and trying to figure out why?

Then it dawned on me - if I wanted to make new friends I knew exactly what to do:

1. Identify my problem.​
   • Not leaving the house - which is keeping me from meeting anyone new.
   ​
2. Get in the reps.​
   • Leave the house and talk to people. Then talk to more people.
   ​
3. Get results.​
   • Problem → solution → resolution.
   • Not leaving the house → leaving the house to talk to new people → making friends.

Doesn't this framework apply to everything?

Think about it, you might say:

• I'm not good at cooking
• I don't know how to talk to girls
• I can't build a business

But the reality is, that the only limit to accomplishing any of those things is putting in the attempts to get them.

-If you burn scrambled eggs when you cook them all you have to do is adjust the factors the next time.

-If you talk to a girl and make a fool of yourself you just need to adjust your approach the next time.

-If your business fails you will take the lessons learned and apply them the next time.

Once you make eggs the correct way, your next meal will probably be better because you've learned how to navigate the stove.

Once you have a comfortable and fun conversation with a girl, the next conversation will be easier because you've learned when to make your corny joke.

Once you make money from your product or service, your next business will be better off because you know how to market and sell.

And after doing any of those 10 more times, you'll be even better.

Everything is a skill.

I sat here for a day or so writing this newsletter trying to think of skills, feelings, or anything that you cannot develop...

I can't come up with anything.

Identify your problem, practice, and you'll get better.

I think about this tweet and a page in The Almanack of Naval Ravikant

The book reads:

Everything truly is a skill, and there is a method to get better at everything. Here's what I do:

5 Steps To Getting Better At Anything

As Naval said, everything from nutrition to love is a skill.

So whatever you think you are bad at right now, you can get better at.

Here's how:

1. Identify Your Shortcomings

Start by finding out where you need to improve.

Ask yourself these questions:

• How often do I need this skill?
• Is it a social skill?
• Do I know anyone good at this?

This will help you find opportunities to practice.

2. Set A Clear Goal

Define how good you want to be at the skill.

I understand that some of the skills you have aren't quantifiable...

Maybe there is someone who you look up to or a situation you want to feel more comfortable in...

That can be your goal.

3. Break It Down

You are not where you want to be because you are not doing what needs to be done.

That is, putting in the reps.

You overwhelm yourself...

and never take the chance to try.

So break your goal down into measurable milestones.

It's as simple as # of attempts over ___ period of time.

A few examples include:

• Cooking 2 new meals each week. If you want to be better at cooking.
• Talking to 5 girls in public over a week. If you want to be better at talking to girls.
• Attempting 50 sales calls per week. If you want to grow your business.

If you need help with this, schedule a call with me here.

4. Consistent Practice

This is simple.

Put yourself in an environment that will develop you.

• Stay in the kitchen to get better at cooking. (or read tbh)
• Go to the mall, bookstores, and coffee shops, to talk to more girls.
• Get on money 𝕏 and try to sell something, to grow your business.

The key is, practice, practice, practice

5. Get Feedback

Don't be afraid to ask for feedback.

Ask your friends if they think you're getting better.

Ask your mom if she notices an improvement in your cooking.

Ask that girl if you had a better approach than the average dude...

Criticism will help you develop whatever skill you are working on.

Work case scenario, someone is truthful and tells you what you need to fix.

Rome wasn't built in a day, and no skill will be either.

Show up for yourself every day.

Eventually, you'll look back and see how far you've come.

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I appreciate you taking the time to read this, and I hope this was helpful.

Let me know any skills you are looking to develop and I'd be happy to help!

You can schedule a Q&A call with me here.

Best,

Vic | vicsalinasiv​