Your Dreams Are Too Small, Confidence Comes from Struggle, Morning Cardio is Ass
Read Time: 5 Minutes
Today at a Glance
In this week’s issue, we’re diving into:
Why your dreams are way too small.
Where confidence really comes from.
How morning cardio can make you unstoppable (once you survive the first few weeks).
Let’s get into it!
1. Thinking Big: You Have No Idea What’s Possible
I’ve been reading The One Thing by Gary Keller, and one line hit me:
"No one knows their ultimate ceiling for achievement, so worrying about it is a waste of time."
This got me thinking—most of us are held back by what we currently know. We set “big” goals based on today’s knowledge, but how many times have you thought you were an expert in something, only to realize later you knew like 2% of the entire field?
Take AI, for example. In 1956, when it was first introduced, people imagined it could mimic human tasks—but only if we built every function ourselves. Fast forward to today, AI is generating its own ideas, solving problems it created, and operating entirely without human intervention.
How This Shifted My Thinking
I’m building my app, Nuro. Originally, it was meant to be a simple tool to record and summarize thoughts. That’s it. But as I kept going, new use cases appeared, and the vision expanded beyond anything I expected. The possibilities felt limitless.
I realized: The biggest limit on what I create is the one I impose on myself. You are capable of achieving goals so much greater than what you currently believe possible—10, 20, even 100 times greater.
Why This Matters
Innovation lives in the unknown.
If your goals aren’t a little terrifying, you’re playing too small.
Growth happens when you push beyond your current limits and learn from the journey.
Actionable Tip:
When setting goals, ask yourself: Am I aiming high enough to make myself uncomfortable?
2. Confidence Comes from Struggle, Not Shortcuts
I had a powerful conversation with my friend Jensen. Like you've probably heard a million times, we talked about the concept of "despite being more digitally connected than ever, people feel lonelier, more anxious, and more disconnected. Depression is at epidemic levels. Why?"
We live in a world of instant answers. You can Google anything, use AI to solve problems, and text your friends 24/7.
But Jensen shed some light on something deeper: If you never have to work through challenges, you lose the opportunity to build confidence. Confidence doesn’t come from getting the right answer handed to you—it comes from knowing you can figure shit out.
And he's right. We’re the most anxious society because we’re scared of everything, even talking to people we’ve known forever. Why? We don’t have proof that we can handle unexpected situations. Confidence is built by facing those struggles head-on.
Why the Gym Builds True Confidence
In the gym or any sport, there are no shortcuts. No one can build your dream body for you. There’s no instant fix. You can’t delegate progress. The pride you feel comes from putting in the work:
Learning about nutrition, sleep, and recovery.
Perfecting form and technique.
Making sacrifices, like saying no to things that don’t align with your goals.
A Challenge for You:
Think about when you’ve felt the most proud of yourself:
Was it after overcoming a challenge or working hard for something?
What made you feel capable and confident in those moments?
How can you create opportunities to build that confidence today?
3. Morning Cardio: From Hell to Habit
One of my favorite quotes is:
"There’s no such thing as a loser who wakes up at 5:00 AM and works out." - Sahil Bloom
For this bodybuilding prep, I’ve been doing morning cardio at 6 AM every day—30 to 45 minutes on the stair climber. The first few weeks were brutal. But something shifted after week four: I started waking up before my alarm.
At first, I thought it was just my body adjusting. But when I began waking up an hour early, fully energized, I knew something was up. I talked to my therapist, who explained that cardio’s dopamine release was rewiring my brain. The endorphins were making my body excited to move.
Why Morning Cardio Works
Mental Clarity: Cardio sharpens focus and gets your mind moving early.
Consistency: The dopamine hit reinforces the habit of waking up early.
Deep Thinking: I’ve found it to be a surprisingly reflective time.
At first, I just watched Netflix during my cardio, but as the hours on the stairclimber climbed, I got bored of watching TV and found my mind begin racing. Here’s how I started use my cardio sessions productively:
Idea Generation: I jot down thoughts about life, work, anything in Nuro (beta releasing soon).
Research: I watch educational videos on topics i’m genuinely interested in.
Planning: I map out details for upcoming events, like my trip to Japan.
Morning cardio may suck, but it’s a powerful tool for building discipline and boosting your mental game.
Recommendation Zone: My First Million
I’ve been hooked on the My First Million podcast by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri. It’s a laid-back show where they discuss wild tech trends, brainstorm business ideas, and talk about crazy stories of how companies made millions. For me, I enjoy their goofy, slightly nerdy, overexcited, candidness, and I find its a great way to get my brain thinking in a creative entrepreneurial mindset.
Parting Thought: Find Confidence in the Journey
Confidence isn’t built on instant wins. It’s built on solving problems, learning, and growing.
This week, tackle a task you’ve been avoiding. Don’t just aim to finish it—experience what it’s like to push through challenges.
Stay curious, stay bold, and keep chasing the dream.
– Quest