Category: Articles

It’s in the way your cat’s whiskers twitch while she plots your murder when you’re fast asleep.

It’s in that mysterious stain on the ceiling that looks like Abraham Lincoln making out with a dolphin.

What am I talking about? How to come up with unlimited ideas and all of that fancy stuff…

The prose. Your words. They are everywhere…

Shrieking to be noticed, humping your leg like a desperate chihuahua.

The room you do your writing in, isn’t just a room.

It’s a crime scene of potential stories. See that spider web in the corner? That’s not just accumulated dust and dead bug parts, that’s a goddamn silk-spun memoir of eight-legged murder.

The prose is in the way your chair squeaks like it’s having an existential crisis every time you shift your ass.

It’s in the way your neighbour’s bass-heavy music vibrates through the walls like a cardiac arrest in progress.

It’s in that houseplant you’ve been slowly torturing to death because you treat it like it’s either dying of thirst in the Sahara or drowning in the Pacific.

So here’s a little prompt to get you going and get you writing: PLANT YOUR ASS AND PAY ATTENTION

Shut that door. Lock it. If you don’t have a door, imagine one, and then imagine locking that imaginary door because you’re a writer and making shit up is your job.

Now open your eyes so wide your face hurts. Look around like you’re casing the joint for a heist. (I had to throw that bit of language in there cause I’ve just finished playing a Mafia game and it’s so damn good)

What do you see? What smells are assaulting your nostrils? What sounds are crawling into your ears? Don’t just observe. WITNESS. Take that sensory information and vomit it onto the page like you’re purging after a bad taco Tuesday.

Where are you? No, where are you REALLY? Don’t give me that “I’m in my room” weak sauce. Tell me about the way the afternoon light cuts through your blinds like a serial killer’s smile. Tell me about the dust motes dancing in that light like tiny drunk angels at a rave. Tell me about the pile of laundry in the corner that’s achieved sentience and is planning a coup.

Spit it out. Make it raw. Make it real. Make it bleed.

Because if you can’t see the stories screaming from every corner of your own space, you’re not looking hard enough.

And in this business, not looking hard enough is the kiss of death.

Writers block is a myth. So get to it. Write some words.

Stephen Walker

If you’re not diggin’ these tasty little emails anymore you can hit the unsubscribe button right here >>> unsubscribe

Stephen Walker
Unit 146317
PO Box 7169
Poole
BH15 9EL
United Kingdom

I didn’t give Irvine Welsh the love he deserves yesterday, so I’ll open with little quote from his short story The Acid House

“— Skanko n Leanne’s suppose tae be gittin engaged, she said, — that’s what ah heard anywey. This statement, though it elicited no response from Coco, sparked off an interesting line of thought for Kirsty. If he could remember nothing, he might not remember the status of their relationship. He might not remember what a pain in the arse he could be when it came to talking about their future.

— Irvine Welsh. The Acid House”

And I’m glad I didn’t. Tech was being a pain in the arse and eh, well. I got there in the end.

Now I know you’re not only here for my ramblings…

I kinda do this writing thing and so now I’m gonna give you the break down as to why you NEED to study Irvine Welsh’s writing.

Hash tag writing community on twitter can kiss my ass…

So if you’d like to write and learn to write well. There’s something you need to start doing in your prose. This can apply to your advertising copy too but that’s a whole different nuance so I’m skipping that for now.

The thing is. We want writing to be addictive and hypnotic and we want to truly feel what the characters are feeling.

We’re not chasing Ernest Hemingway today. We’re bareknuckle boxing against Welsh.

Here goes:

Phonetic Dialect Writing

Welsh famously wrote in Scottish dialect, transcribing how his characters actually speak. This shows how “write like you talk” can be taken to an artistic extreme. He captured the raw authenticity of Edinburgh’s vernacular.

Now I’m not saying that has to be something you do all the time, but slipping a bit of local dialect and vernacular into your dialogue can do magic for the reader. We don’t want to overcomplicate the reading but we also want our brain meat to do some work and “get” how they sound.

Cultural Immersion

His work stems from deep cultural understanding and lived experience. Rather than trying to force a voice, he wrote from what he intimately knew. In this case, we might not all live and breathe the same life. However, like many have said… Great writers are great readers and in this case you need to consume EVERYTHING. Books, movies, shows, podcasts and even conversations in person. The more you throw yourself into the world, the better the “voice”

This doesn’t just apply to the whole cultural immersion but also a more rounded assimilation of ideas and conversation.

Commitment to Authenticity

Welsh never sanitised his writing to make it more “marketable” or accessible. He maintained his distinct style even when it challenged readers.
He is one of the few working writers to this day that don’t care about the PC-brigade. If he’s referencing the 70s, 80s and 90s. He is using the language, references and words of the time.

This whole getting offended at words and sentences still blows my mind. What happened to sticks and stones eh?

Starting with Short Forms

With The Acid House being a short story collection. It demonstrates how shorter pieces can help develop voice before tackling longer works.

Each story allowed experimentation with different tones and styles.

Let’s be honest. Who wants to commit to a 50 thousand+ word novel and then hate the way it “sounds” or reads.

It’s also why I choose to write and share my ideas via email or a concise blog post.

We want something short, snappy and quick to digest so we can crack on with our day.

And with all that being said. Grab his book/s and treat yourself to great dialogue and insane short stories.

They’re not for the feint of heart, but damn they are written well.

Stephen Walker.

If you’re not diggin’ these tasty little emails anymore you can hit the unsubscribe button right here >>> unsubscribe

Stephen Walker
Unit 146317
PO Box 7169
Poole
BH15 9EL
United Kingdom

I promise.

There’s been some fish activity with some of the links I’ve sent.

But looks like they’ve all been fixed.

My new ESP dropped me a message after I replied

I wasn’t trying to steal your information.

I was only looking to highjack your brain and indoctrinate you into some other books I’ve been reading.

The acid house is a wild ride…

So I’m just making sure it all works again.

Stephen Walker

If you’re not diggin’ these tasty little emails anymore you can hit the unsubscribe button right here >>> unsubscribe

Stephen Walker
Unit 146317
PO Box 7169
Poole
BH15 9EL
United Kingdom

“The difference between good and exceptional isn’t hours worked – it’s the depth of thought applied to the right problems.” – Shane Parrish
​

During my first meditation retreat, Zen master Shinzen Young told a story I’ll never forget.

​
In it, he described two lumberjacks.

​
The first is a young man who is in such a rush to cut down trees that he never takes time to sharpen his axe.

​
Soon, his blade is dull and blunt…

​
…Doubling, and then tripling the time and energy it takes to cut down a single tree.

​
Before long he is frustrated, exhausted, and weary, and wonders why swinging his axe at a tree feels like swinging a bat at a wall.

​
​The second is an older, more seasoned logger — a master of the craft.

​
Each morning, when the young man races off into the forest…

​
…The older man stays behind, taking his time to sharpen his blade to a razor’s edge.

​
And so, when he finally swings his axe, his blade pierces the wood in a smooth, unbroken stroke:

​
Clean, efficient, effortless.

​
Shinzen went on to say:

​
​Our axe — the axe of the modern world — is the blade of our mind…

​
A blade that everybody uses, but almost nobody takes time to sharpen.

​
And so almost everybody lives in a state of chronic, frustrated overwhelm:

​
Confused, unclear, uncertain…

​
Hacking at the questions and problems of their lives with a blunt hammer instead of a precision blade.

​
Of course, it doesn’t need to be this way.

​
But school never taught us how to think (only what to think)…

​
…And society doesn’t even want us to think (only to follow along).

​
So if we want to train our mind to a razors-edge, so that we can:
​

Guide the critical decisions of our lives with fearless accuracy
Pierce through problems and transform uncertainty into radical clarity
Access the deeper levels of our intelligence
Transform the tangled patterns of our mind into streamlined thinking systems
Open expansive new possibilities in our work, our businesses, our relationships, and the direction of our lives

​

…We need to take it into our own hands.

​
And next week, that’s exactly what we’re going to do.
​
Here’s how:

​
This Tuesday (November 26th), we’re releasing a course I taught during our summer retreat called:

​
​Precision Thinking

​
In it, we will:

​

1. Finally learn how to think, and master the fundamental mechanics of original, organic creative thought.

​
(a lesson we should have been taught on our first day in school, but never were)

​

2. Install a powerful system of mental models; reliable frameworks that filter and refine our thinking with razor-sharp accuracy.

​

3. Dismantle the mental traps (ie. cognitive biases) that create blind spots and wreck havoc on our thinking process.

​

4. Unlock higher intelligence; intelligence that operates beyond thought, and acts as a gateway into your own unique genius.

​
​After more than 14 years of teaching, I consider Precision Thinking the single most important course I have ever taught.

​
And this Tuesday, its yours.

​
Stay tuned…

​

• T

​
​P.S. Of course:

​
Even if you’re not able to join Precision Thinking next week, we’ll have plenty of no-cost email and video lessons for you.

​
(including a can’t-miss clip that will drop Monday morning)
​
In the meantime, here’s where you can catch up on the earlier parts of this series:

​
​How To Think (Part 1)​

​
​How To Think (Part 2)
​
​How To Think (Part 3)​
​​
Enjoy 🙂

​

​

​

​

​

​Unsubscribe | Update your profile | 5-420 Erb St. W, Suite 433, Waterloo, ON N2L6K6

Here I am, slipping and sliding on the ice outside.

The mercury has dropped below 0 during the time of me writing this.

My hands in my hoodie pockets balled into fists so tight you could see the whites of my knuckles.

If I was squeezing any tighter I’m sure the flesh would’ve torn as I hobbled along outside.

I’ve been listening to some weird podcasts about parasites and fungus that take over their hosts.

I remember seeing a video online not so long ago of some zombie fungus that highjacks a snail and turns them into a psychedelic zombie looking vessel.

So here I am. Outside and freezing my ass off and thinking that my next short story needs to be something zombie related.

I guess I’m gonna go re-watch and re-read some classic zombie trope series/books I’ll share them in here too.

Yes I’m a zombie nerd.

You can talk to me about zombies and apocalypses all day and it’ll hold my attention.

Honestly though I’m just taking advice from one of my all time favourite ad men Victor O. Schwab. which I’m applying to the stories I write.

This is what he said:

“1. Read…the comics, newspaper, and magazine features, stories and books which have the largest popular following. Also read the truly great books which bring ordinary people to life before your eyes and make you understand them.

2. See…the smash-hit movies, television shows, and plays whose entertainment values attract millions of people.
3. Listen…to those particular radio programs which hold the interest of countless people week after week.
4. Talk…with taxi drivers, laborers, newsboys, clerks, and others who do not inhabit the more rarefied social and economic heights.
5. Study…the appeals and the copy of the mail order advertisements which continue to repeat their mass-market messages, because they aren’t repeated unless they pay in direct, checkable results.

Schwab, Victor O.. How To Write A Good Advertisement: A Short Course In Copywriting (p. 59). Golden Springs Publishing. Kindle Edition.”

I take a lot of the things I’ve learnt in advertising and apply it to my fiction writing and you should too.

Anywho…

Here’s what’s going to keep me out of trouble this weekend:

TV series

The Walking Dead
Z Nation

Black Summer

Kingdom (Korean series)
All of Us Are Dead (Korean series)

Black Summer is so underrated I would 100% recommend you binge that if you like zombie stuff.

Books/Novels

The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks

Cell by Stephen King

Feed by Mira Grant

Rot & Ruin series by Jonathan Maberry

Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Zone One by Colson Whitehead

Well. This email is getting longer than it needs to be right now.

Stephen Walker

P.S. Don’t forget to check/save https://stphnwlkr.com/ I’ll be adding loads of other cool stuff there for your own reading/listening pleasure.

If you’re not diggin’ these tasty little emails anymore you can hit the unsubscribe button right here >>> unsubscribe

Stephen Walker
Unit 146317
PO Box 7169
Poole
BH15 9EL
United Kingdom

“Physics is the law, everything else is a recommendation.” – Elon Musk
​

It’s Labor Day weekend, 2001.

​

Elon is driving to Manhattan with an old college friend, who asks him what he plans to do after he sells PayPal.

​
“I’ve always wanted to do something in space,” Elon replies.

​
“But I don’t think there’s anything an individual can do.”

​
His logic is straightforward:

​
Rockets are too expensive, NASA has nearly-infinite funding, there’s just no way a single individual can afford to start a rocket company…

​
…Right?

​
That’s when Elon stopped making assumptions, and began to think.

​
​Step 1: Deconstruct the problem.

​
What are rockets made of?

​
Metal and fuel.

​
Okay, not too expensive.

​
What else?

​
Engineers, warehouse, staff…

​
Okay, add it up.

​
Elon’s got $175 million in the bank, enough for a year or two of runway, at least.

​
In his words:

​
“By the time we reached the Midtown tunnel, we decided it was possible.”

​
​Step 2: Reconstruct a solution.

​
How can we streamline our costs to make SpaceX viable?

​
Well, most rockets can only be used once — after they take off, they’re trashed.

​
Okay, let’s build re-usable rockets.

​
But contractors famously overcharge for rocket components, the prices are insane.

​
Okay, let’s manufacture our own components, in house.

​
Still, it takes ages to test a rocket…

​

How are we going to afford rent and payroll for 10 years while we’re just figuring out how to make it safe?

​
We’re privately-funded, so we can move much faster than NASA.

​
Test quickly, fail quickly, iterate quickly — what takes public rocket companies ten years, we’ll do in one.
​
And so, SpaceX was born.

​
​This is how real thinking is done:

​
Not by making assumptions based on information we’ve heard from others…

​
…But by:

​
​1. Deconstructing the problem, question, or situation.

​
ie. Breaking it down into it’s component parts, and looking at those parts through clear, unbiased eyes.

​
​2. Reconstructing a solution, answer, or fresh perspective.

​
ie. Rebuilding those parts into something new, better, and more original.

​
Or, said another way:

​
​By looking at reality as it is, and transforming it into something greater.

​
Instead of following recipes, the master chef recombines ingredients to create dishes never seen before.

​
Instead of copying competitors, the master entrepreneur reimagines entire marketplaces.

​
Instead of referencing the thoughts of others, assuming them to be true, and claiming those thoughts as his own…

​
…The master thinker deconstructs those thoughts and reconstructs new ideas, new paradigms, new realities.

​
​Of course, nobody taught us how to do this…

​
(they were too busy forcing us to memorize the steps of photosynthesis; seriously, what is school even for?)

​
…But make no mistake:

​
The skill of clear, original, precise thinking — thinking that can:
​

Pierce through problems and transform uncertainty into radical insight
Unlock access to the deeper dimensions of your intelligence
Transform the tangled patterns of your mind into streamlined thinking systems
Guide the critical decisions of your life with fearless accuracy
Open expansive new possibilities in your work, your business, your relationships, and the architecture of your life

​
…That is a skill that can be learned, trained, and ultimately, mastered.

​
Tomorrow, I’ll share how.

​
T

​
​P.S. Can you do me a quick favor?

​
Our email system was hit with a bot attack this week, which signed up a bunch of random emails and tanked our open rates.

​
(In 14 years of online business, I’ve never seen anything like it — super weird stuff)

​
I’m still sorting it out over here, but can you shoot me a quick reply with the words “got it” to let me know you received this email?

​
It’s a big help, so thank you.

​
And, if you missed any earlier parts of this series, here’s where you can catch up now:

​
​How To Think (Part 1)​

​
​How To Think (Part 2)
​​
Enjoy 🙂

“To find yourself, think for yourself.” – Socrates
​

A teacher of mine once made a chilling statement:
​
​”Once you start thinking, you’ll realize you’ve never thought before.”
​​
“What is he talking about?” I asked myself.
​
I’ve built multi-million dollar businesses, produced ~80 online courses, managed teams, run retreats all over the world, and even did pretty damn well in school when I felt like it.
​
So what, in other words, the fxck is he talking about?
​
As it turns out, he was talking about exactly what he said he was talking about.
​
And, when I finally started thinking, I came to the mind-splitting realization that — just as he’d claimed:
​
​I’d never actually thought before.
​
​I’d felt as though I was thinking.
​
I’d looked like I was thinking.
​
I’d even thought I was thinking.
​
But I hadn’t actually been thinking.
​
​It was as though I’d spent my entire life thinking I was walking, only to realize I’d been crawling on my hands and knees.
​
And when I finally stood tall, and started putting one foot in front of the other…
​
​…An entirely new world of possibility opened up in front of me.
​​
After all, how could it not?
​
Thinking is the foundational skill from which all other skills are sourced:
​
The world of work, business, and money is an exercise in thought.
​
(business is a game that is played with the mind; the mind is to an entrepreneur or executive what the body is to an athlete)
​
Communication is our thoughts expressed, and the clarity and power of our communication (and therefore the quality of our relationships) is dependant on the clarity and power of our thoughts.
​
Even our attractiveness is signalled by our intelligence, and our intelligence is a direct reflection of our ability to think.
​
As the Buddha (allegedly) said:
​
​With your thoughts you create the world.
​​
There is nothing our thinking doesn’t touch, which means there is, arguably, nothing more important than developing our ability to think.
​
So that’s what we’re going to do this week.
​
Stay tuned…
​
T
​
​P.S. In case you missed it yesterday, here’s:
​
​The Simple Formula For Speaking Powerfully​
​​
(remember, speaking is an expression of thought, which means your ability to speak powerfully is sourced from your ability to think)

“The only thing you need to know to understand the deepest metaphysical secrets is this: that for every outside there is an inside and for every inside there is an outside, and although they are different, they go together.” – Alan Watts
​

Happy Friday.

​
​Before I left for retreat last week, a long-time Path member (and DeepGame graduate) sent me a folder full of his favorite DeepGame Forum posts.

​
(shout out to the Don, Adan Maldonado — we all thank you)

​
And, since the DeepGame Forum is now closed, it seems like a waste to let these posts disappear into the ether.
​
So I polished one up for you below — if you enjoy it, let me know (there’s more where this came from).

Why does suffering exist?

​

To answer that question (and it’s a good question), you might first ask:

​
Would I know what happiness is if sadness did not exist?

​
Would I feel pleasure if pain did not exist?

​
Would I perceive light if darkness did not exist?

​
There is no such thing as a single-sided coin:

​
Up exists because of down, right because of left, inside because of outside.

​
Remove one, and you remove the other.

​
Wanting reality to be one-sided is like wanting a painting to be nothing but a single color.

​
That’s not a painting, that’s a paint chip.

​
Art is an exercise in contrasts, and reality is the greatest work of art ever created.

Hit reply if you’d like to see more of these, and in the meantime:

​
Have an amazing weekend over there.

​
You deserve it.

​
T
​
​P.S. The second half of this track (J Cole’s verse) has been on repeat all week.

“No wonder there’s so much tension, anxiety, and fear. Each of us actually believes that things should be the way we want them, instead of being the natural result of all the forces of creation.” – Michael A. Singer
​

Yesterday, I said:

​
​”There is a deep intelligence guiding our rate of progress… And our job is not to speed it up, but to trust it.”

​
And, while it landed for many, it confused a few as well.

​
So let’s clarify it today.

​
What this statement doesn’t mean, obviously, is “don’t do anything.”

​
Action — dynamic, relentless, continuous action — is required, and most people vastly underestimate the amount of action needed to bring a great vision to life.

​
However:

​
While our actions may be within our control, the result of our actions is not; we don’t get to decide when our vision becomes our reality.

​
That part is obvious, and I know you’ve heard it a million times.

​
What isn’t so obvious is this next part:

​
​If our actions are correct, but our vision still isn’t coming to life as quickly as we’d like…

​
…Maybe something smarter than us — life, nature, God, Tao, invisible eye in the sky, take your pick — has organized it that way.

​
If we haven’t found our ideal partner, yet…

​
…Maybe we aren’t ready for them (and/or they aren’t ready for us), and to meet them sooner would destroy our chances for a successful relationship, like planting a flower in the winter.

​
If we haven’t achieved financial success, yet…

​
…Maybe we aren’t ready for the challenges and complications that financial success brings, and to achieve it now would destabilize our ego and our lives, leaving us further behind for having achieved it.

​
If we haven’t healed the trauma causing us pain, yet…

​
…Maybe that pain is generating the specific type of growth that will lead us to uncovering the deeper purpose of lives, and removing our trauma would remove our fuel source.

​
If we feel like we’re moving too slowly…

​
…Maybe we’re going exactly as fast as our deeper psyche — our fears, our resistances, our capacity — is willing to go.

​
Maybe all the ways we slow ourselves down are the braking pads with which we are steering ourselves safely through our own unique process.

​
Maybe by going faster we would speed past critical lessons that will be needed at the next level, and rob ourselves of important wisdom that requires time to learn fully.

​
Maybe, just maybe:

​
​Our rate of progress is exactly perfect, exactly as it is.

​
After all:
​
Life has been organizing itself for billions of years.
​
Our ego arrived a few decades ago.
​
So, if our ego disagrees with life, chances are:
​
Life is right.
​
​Normally, I shy away from this sort of spiritual theorizing (God’s agenda is way above my pay-grade)…

​
…But this message message beat me over the head for four straight days during our retreat last weekend, and if I’m not sharing my insights I’m not doing my job.

​
So there’s that.

​
But I still don’t recommend believing anything I say on blind faith.

​
Instead, I recommend asking yourself this question:

​
​“Would trusting my rate of progress instead of fighting and forcing it result in faster, smoother progress?”

​
And, if so…

​
…What’s stopping you?

​
Would love to hear your thoughts.

​
T

​
​P.S. We had a big spike in subscribers over the past week, so if you’re new to this newsletter, I’d love to hear how you learned about it.

​
Hit reply to let me know, when you have a moment.

​
Happy to have you with us 🙂

​

​

​

​

​Unsubscribe | Update your profile | 5-420 Erb St. W, Suite 433, Waterloo, ON N2L6K6

“A good romantic partner makes everything in life easier. A bad romantic partner makes everything more difficult. Therefore, relationship skills are some of the most important skills for life.” – Mark Manson
​

Happy Friday.
​
​We’ve had some valuable discussions on dating, love and relationships inside The Path recently, so I wanted to share a few of the highlights today.
​
Enjoy.

They Aren’t Teachers, They’re Triggers.
​​
Romantic partners are, in many cases, our most powerful teachers — but they rarely teach through words.
​
Far more often, they teach experientially:
​
By triggering parts of us (in pleasant and unpleasant ways) so we can look at ourselves more clearly.
​
This is far more valuable than linear teaching, but we need to read between the lines to receive it…

Stop Approaching & Just Be Friendly​
​
In the past I’ve found that “approaching” people is kind of the wrong angle…
​
What felt better for me was just generally chatting with people, not hitting on anyone, just being friendly with everyone and seeing which seeds sprout.
​
You could start with something really simple and add one sentence (“how’s your day going?”) every time you interact with a cashier or someone in your yoga class.
​
Don’t make it about finding a date / soul mate, just make it about being friendly.

Crushing On Chicks Turns Our Brain Goofy​
​
My working theory on love & neurochemistry:
​
Liking a girl, at least in the early stages, turns our brain goofy.
​
The serotonin / dopamine / oxytocin soup our brain cooks up when we’re crushing on someone makes us less productive, more reactive, prone to poor decisions, and overall, simply, dumber.
​
And yet, in the end:
​
​Life is still better for it. ​
​
Monk mode is overrated fellas, get out there and mix it up.

Have an awesome weekend over there.
​
You deserve it.
​

• T
  ​
  ​P.S. Many, many thanks to everyone who left a rating and review for the new podcast.
  ​
  And, in case you missed it yesterday, here’s the deal:
  ​
  Everyone who leaves a rating and review on Apple Podcasts (turns out Spotify doesn’t allow reviews, so Apple is best) and replies to this email with a screenshot will receive access to one of the best recordings from this year’s retreat:
  ​
  ​Happiness: A practical guide to life strategy.​
  ​
  (not even shared with our Path members, yet!)
  ​
  Thank you, again and always, for your support of this work.

“I don’t believe in magic”, the young boy said. The old man smiled: “You will, when you see her.” – Atticus

“Degree of difficulty doesn’t count. There aren’t more points for accomplishing something really hard.” – Nick Huber
​

Tattoo this one across your mind so it can never be forgotten:

Degree of difficulty doesn’t count.
​
Nobody cares how many hours you spend in the gym, they only care how well you deliver on game day.
​
And, the deeper truth separating big-game players from underperforming gym rats:
​
​Big-game players get the biggest bang from the smallest spark.
​​
They squeeze the largest output from he smallest input; the most reward for the least work.
​
If the goal can be accomplished with 1% effort, they don’t crank it to 100% just to tickle their own ego:
​
They tick it off at 1% and move the fxck on.
​
Which means — no calculator needed:
​
​100x the result for the same amount of work.
​​
The scoreboard doesn’t lie, difficulty doesn’t matter, and work ethic without results is a waste.
​
Take that, Goggins.
​

• T
  ​
  ​P.S. Along those lines:
  ​
  ​Here’s a big-bang, no-cost, zero-time-investment habit that will multiply your results across every domain of life…​

“You are not in this world. This world is in you.” – Nisargadatta Maharaj
​
There’s a goofy little meme working its way through pop-psychology circles that goes something like…
​
“Life is not happening to you, life is happening for you.”
​
It’s a cozy idea:
​
A sort of psycho-spiritual Xanax (Spanax!) that spreads a soft film of pleasure around life’s sharp edges.
​
(Spanax: When life sucks, it can feel good too!™)
​
It’s also not true.
​
Life is not happening to you, or for you:
​
Life is responding to you.
​
In other words:
​​
You’re getting what you’re giving. ​
​
Walk into a party off-gassing a bunch of twisted-up negativity, and people will respond in kind.
​
Now, scale that to the rest of reality, and we’re finally seeing through clear eyes:
​
The universe speaks the language of energy, and it doesn’t respond the way we want it to, it responds the way we respond to it.​
​
Said another way:
​
​Our outer world is always directly and immediately reflecting of our inner world…​
​
…Which means the responsibility to create it, shape it, and make it our own, is on us.
​
Freeing, isn’t it?
​

• T
  ​
  ​P.S. This just dropped… ​

“Never assume that loud is strong and quiet is weak. The fiercest storms rise from the calmest seas.” – Tommy Shelby, Peaky Blinders
​

Happy Friday.
​
​Here are three (four) more recs for your weekend, including one that might go on our all-time list if we ever make one.
​
Enjoy.

​The Most Dangerous Country On Earth​
​​
If life feels hard right now, watch this video.
​
We all need to be reality-checked once in a while.

​Craig Ferguson: Stop Being Nervous Around Women​
​
The communication God himself drops well-earned wisdom on how to stop being nervous around women.
​
(originally shared in The Path during our Advanced Communication release)
​
For extra points, here’s Craig in action.​

​Peaky Blinders (All Time)​
​
I’m re-watching this show for the first time since 2019 (still haven’t seen the final season), and it’s blowing my mind all over again.
​
It’s a little (lot) dark in spots, but what it lacks in warm-and-fuzziness is more than made up for in shining, world-class quality.

S-Tier.

​BONUS: Binaural beats for working​
​
I like to listen to binaural beats / ambient sound while working, and this channel is my current favorite source.
​
Cool visuals as well.

Have an awesome weekend over there.
​
You deserve it.
​

• T
  ​
  ​P.S. In case you missed it earlier this week…

“What weapon will slay the dragon? Whatever weapon is in my hands.”
​

A few weeks ago, we started keeping an Insight Log inside The Path:

​
A special section where our members share short, quick-hitting insights, quotes, and ideas as they come to mind throughout the day.

​
It is absolutely popping off.

​
Here’s a peek at a few of my favorite insights from the past week:

The Real Value of Small Talk

shared by Adan Maldonado
​
“Small talk is basically a short ritual that allows your nervous system to regulate in the presence of another human before you can begin to open up.”

The Ultimate Problem-Solving Frame

shared by me
​
“None of this is a problem, and solutions are abundant.”
​
The ultimate functional-and-accurate problem-solving frame; applies to damn near everything.
​
Let it permeate your mind until you feel it in your energy.

Simon’s Insights

shared by Simon Bitan
​
“What weapon will slay the dragon? Whatever weapon is in my hands.”
​
“A man may fulfill the object of his existence by asking a question he cannot answer, and attempting a task he cannot achieve.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes
​
“Perhaps happiness is separate from wanting and not wanting.”

Feeding Your Awareness
​shared by Callum Suttie
​
​“The more you feed into your awareness the less it can focus on anything; the less you feed into your awareness the sharper and more clear it becomes.”

The Shrinking Brain
​shared by me, via. Chris Williamson
​
“The human brain, after growing for millions of years, has begun shrinking over the last ten thousand years.
​
Such shrinkage is consistent with increased cultural innovation, which allows more people to survive even if they’re not particularly bright.
​
They can get away with not coming up with the best answers but simply copying what most other people are doing.” – Rob Henderson & Michael Muthukrishna

There are many more, of course, inside The Path — these are just a few that resonated for me this past week.
​
I hope you enjoy, and benefit.
​

• T
  ​
  ​P.S. In case you missed it…

“If there’s anything more important than my ego around, I want it caught and shot now.” – Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy
​

What is the state of your internal world, right now?

​
Do you feel clear, centered, and strong?

​
Or do you feel frustrated, overwhelmed, and cloudy?

​
The only right answer is the truth, so turn your attention inwards and take a look.

​
If you feel clear, centered, and strong — bueno.

​
Carry on.

​
However:

​
If you feel frustrated, overwhelmed, cloudy, whiny, cranked, wanked, or otherwise janked…

​
…My next question for you is this:

​
​Is that state productive, for you?

​
Is frustration helping you make progress?

​
Is overwhelm helping you gain clarity?

​
Is whining about the problem helping you solve the problem?

​
Is staying janky helping you get un-janky?

​
Sit with that for a moment, because we’ve reached a fork in the road.

​
For many, the question alone will crank their jank to new levels of wank, and send them spinning down the side of the road that leads, effectively, nowhere.

​
(“mrrahhh I’ll be janky if I damn well wanna be!!!”)

​
​Those people are not serious about self-mastery.

​
They’re also probably not reading this right now, which means you, dear reader, took the side of the road that actually leads somewhere.

​
So good for you.

​
On that side of the road sits a big, glowing stop sign with an arrow in front of it and the solution to your problem behind it.

​
Beneath the arrow, clearly marked, are the words:

​
​Baggage stays here.

​
The moral of the story?

​
Our disturbance about a problem does not help solve the problem.

​
Let go of the disturbance, and the solution appears.

​

• T

​
​P.S. This new clip just went live.​

​

(and pairs perfectly with today’s email…)

There’s this law. It’s a sneaky law.

It governs how people see you. How they perceive you and how you carry yourself. 

It is infectious. It’s almost impossible to not feel the same way as any person who is using this sneaky little law.

Neurologists have proven it…

People who have talked about this sneaky little law, have only touched the surface. 

The interesting thing about this sneaky little law is…

It overrides everything they taught you as you grew up.

You’ve may have heard friends, family and professionals say that you need to keep hydrated. 

Eat healthy. Get 8 hours of sleep to be you. To be functional. To be healthy and normal.

Hell. If you look at what’s going on in the world right now.

What is normal?

And even though I’m not saying those things aren’t important because they are.

What I’m saying is that this sneaky little law doesn’t need you to follow the above.

You can activate it with ease and it’s fun and once you start using it daily.
You won’t believe the level of confidence that will radiate out from you.

For now though. I’m getting ahead of myself.

I’ve been knee deep in the research phase of this sneaky little law.

I’ve been glued to papers, books and lectures on it.

So now I’m just trying to make sure I haven’t lost my mind.

I’ll share more about it soon.

For now though…

I’m going to vanish off into the night and play with this sneaky little law again…

Stephen Walker.

P.S. This is not a euphemism but it is fun. Very fun.

Nothing is ever simple.

The last couple of days I’ve been in Mortal Kombat with software and payment processers AND banks…

You’d think in this day and age everything would be super easy peasy lemon squeezy but it’s not. It’s difficult difficult lemon difficult (Wow Stephen you’re so creative)

Anywho.

I’m used to a tech snafus. They’re easily solvable.

Yet when it comes to paying for things like software and setting up system. You can only be as good as the service provider you’re dealing with.

Now here in the UK. When you’re buying software or anything business related that’s not British. The checks they do are just unreal. Everything gets flagged as spam or scams. It’s wild.

My main issue is using my UK bank accounts. So I’ve had to battle for the last few days to open up 2 new accounts and get two new cards.

What an absolute shit show it was.

So the little membership site I’m getting ready to launch has had to be put on hold.

Unless I use Stripe which is another payment processor.

So nothing magical has happened. I haven’t vanished into a portal. I’ve just been stuck dealing with shenanigans.

And with truel silly goose fashion. I’ll be returning with the menace-ry on your feeds.

Stephen Walker

It’s a fresh and early morning and the world is still kind of asleep.

You wake up. Grab a coffee and then you do the worst thing possible…

You jump on to social media and get stuck in a scroll hole that sucks you into the outrage.

Politics. Olympics. Terrible things happening across the world. You feel your heart rate spike a little. Your day hasn’t started and now you’re annoyed. Hell, you’re about to head straight into Outrage city.

You’re primed to find everything annoying and so your day spirals into a menacing hatred for society and humans as a whole.

This was all engineered. The media is designed to make your emotions flip flop.

However, you’re better than this. You take a deep breath. You open your email and you find this waiting for you.

You get told that life isn’t too serious even when things seem terrible and the world is crumbling.

You’re safe. You’ve got a roof over your head. You’ve got friends and family nearby. You live in a safe community in relation to what’s being fed. You are blessed.

Oprah once penned: ““Gratitude can transform any situation. It alters your vibration, moving you from negative energy to positive. It’s the quickest, easiest, most powerful way to effect change in your life — this I know for sure.”

While everything in the world in on fire. An attitude of gratitude will slap you out to the meh-ness of today.

Stephen Walker

Like the sun that glowered down like a pissed-off solar bad guy, its rage focused squarely on the pale, sweaty faces of England’s unprepared folk.

Air conditioning? What’s that? Some fancy American joke?

I sat at my desk, keyboard sticky with the residue of melted semi soaked face towels and desperation. The fan wheezed pathetically, stirring the air like a geriatric butterfly with arthritis.

But there, on my screen, were the messages. The comments. The reviews.

You, the beautiful, glorious readers…

While the world outside turned into Satan’s sauna, you were still here.

Still reading my fever-dream ramblings, my tales of weirdness and woe.

I wanted to hug you all, but that would involve moving, and moving meant more sweat, and more sweat meant… well, let’s not go there.

So instead, I typed. Because if you could brave this solar apocalypse to read my words, I could damn well write them.

Even if my face melted off in the process.

Thank you, you mad, wonderful creatures for keeping up with my word shenanigans.

Now excuse me while I go stick my head in the freezer and I’ll hopefully be back with my regularly schedules programming tomorrow.

Stephen Walker

A few years ago, a buddy told me he’d cashed in a bunch of sick days to give himself a “self care week”.

His strategy:

Ordering takeout and finishing an entire MyCareer on NBA 2k.

I know I’m preaching here, but that ‘aint no mfxcking self-care.

Swapping psychological stress for neurological stress…

(ie. going on a dopamine bender via. video games, social media, binge-watching, etc)

…Is not going to de-stress you, it’s just going to stress you differently.

(as he put it afterwards — “now I need a vacation from my vacation”)

Remember:

Self-care means giving yourself what you need, not what you think you want.

It means re-building your energy through activities that build energy:

Sleep, good food, nature, friends, meditation, qigong, even exercise in some cases.

It doesn’t mean strapping yourself to the couch and beating Zelda in two weeks.

(ask me how I know…)

Anyway, I’m a big fan of self-care done right; the right type, in the right dose, at the right time.

And that is exactly what I plan to give myself.

It has been exactly zero days since the last time I enjoyed a zoom call filled with people who have made data and analytics their personality type…

Spent the whole day on and off in various zoom calls of the corporate type.

I was having flashbacks and it felt like a fever dream unfolding.

The world outside my window’s gone to shit.

Locked up tighter than a nun’s chastity belt, we’re all slaves to the glowing sadness rectangles now. Fuck me sideways if I didn’t see this coming. Every morning, I hook my brain into the Zoom-o-matic 3000, feeling those sweet, sweet oligarch electrons coursing through my synapses.

It’s a hit of digital crack, and I’m jonesing hard.

“Good morning, team!” chirps my boss, her face a pixelated mask of corporate cheer.

I want to vomit, but my fingers are too busy dancing across the keyboard, typing bullshit reports about nothing.

Days bleed into nights, weeks into months. The only difference between Tuesday and Saturday is the flavour of microwaved crap I shovel into my face-hole. Sometimes, I catch a glimpse of the outside world. Trees swaying in the breeze, birds singing their carefree songs. Bastards.

Don’t they know we’re all fucked?

But then the Zoom call dings yet again, and I’m pulled back into the matrix of meaningless meetings and forced smiles. It’s almost comforting now.

God help us all.

Then the world goes back to normal and we aren’t waiting to witness an all out catastrophe.

Yet the world has changed a lot more. We’ve become hyper fixated on social media. Twitter, Tiktok and Youtube are crack and just like that. Social media has us even deeper in their grips.

And so this is where I make my case for email. These lovely little compilations of words.

It’s like we’re sitting across from each other enjoying a coffee, except we’re not. This has found its way into your inbox and hopefully you’re entertained and whisked out of the dullness that life can sometimes throw our way.

Asides from hand written and typed letters. Emails for me have always been a favourite to way to share insights into my life with others who have opt-ed in to my word shenanigans.

It’s like a blog but it’s not. We’re just having a singular moment as soon as I hit send and then it’s off until tomorrow.

Even though we’ve never met face to face. You might feel like you’ve known for since forever.

This is why I encourage everyone who is either in a creative industry or just want to get away from the toxic cesspool that is social media, to start up their own little news letter.

You’ll learn a lot more about yourself when you’re forcing yourself to write about you, your life and the things that make you tick.

It’s a hell of a lot better than spending hours scrolling through the brain rotting abyss that is social media.

Stephen Walker

“The longer you spend on a path that isn’t yours, the longer it takes to find a path that is.” – Paul Millerd

Yesterday, we spoke about the first step in developing your Life Strategy from age 18 – 35:

Figuring out what the hell you want.

In other words:

What actually matters to you?

The most honest answer, in most cases, is:

“I have no idea.”

Which brings us to our second principle:

2. Cast a wide net.

“Our job in this life is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it.” – Steven Pressfield

What you have right now is energy and freedom, what you need is wisdom and self-understanding, which can only be earned through life experience.

Here’s how to get it:

• Travel, ideally a lot…

…Not to check destinations off your bucket list, but to learn about the world and about yourself, by your reflection in it.

(and, to figure out where you actually want to live, instead of settling for where you were born)

• Have a variety of relationships with a variety of partners to learn what you’re looking for, and not looking for…

…And, to develop the critical relationship skills necessary for making a long-term partnership work.

• Expand your social life and maximize opportunities to meet new people, while deepening your connection with your current social circle.
• Satisfy your lower desires (responsibly) — party, chase girls, spend money on dumb sh*t if you’re so inclined, even seek status and validation if you absolutely must.

If it’s in your system, burn through it so you can comfortably move on to higher purposes later on, without regrets.

(also; wear condoms, pull out, don’t get addicted to anything, and stay out of jail — being not-stupid is more important than being smart)

• Collect data on what you like, what you don’t like, and especially, and what you love.
• As you learn more about yourself, slowly narrow your focus until your life is full of things you love and (mostly) free of things you don’t.

Meanwhile…

3. Develop your skill set.

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” – Albert Einstein

Sounds obvious, I know — but what’s not so obvious is what you’ll realize ten years from now:

Learning new skills is vastly easier when you’re young.

Your mind is far more flexible, more adaptable, and more willing to suck for extended periods of time until you get good — which is critical to the learning process, because everyone sucks at everything, at first.

The trick, of course, is knowing which skills to focus on.

(think of the poor bastards who spent four years and tens of thousands of dollars learning HTML, only to be wiped out by modern no-code software and instant-code AI…)

Here are some reliable guidelines…

• Master your communication skills, both through study and a sh*tton of real-world interactions.

(we’ll be doing a deep dive on communication at the retreat this year — recording coming to The Path soon…)

• Sharpen your thinking skills. Make a study of biases and self-deceptions, and observe them at work within your own mind. Build a network of reliable mental models to run your thinking through; turn your mind into a precision tool.

(this will be another retreat deep dive — Path members get ready…)

• Study human behaviour, persuasion, and marketing — this is a skill set that can produce income in any business environment.
• Learn to write and/or speak, and find your unique voice.
• Start building — the business, the product, the idea in your head. You’ll learn much more, much faster, through doing than through study.
• Make it your mission to tackle challenges you don’t know how to overcome. Then, overcome them.
• Optimize for learning and growth over short-term gain; this will lead to much larger gains over the long-term.
• Keep a keen eye out for skills you feel naturally gifted at, and work you feel naturally inspired towards. Nature leaves clues.

Finito.

Three more tomorrow…

• T

P.S. Here’s Part 1, if you missed it.

There are days where we struggle through the spiritual meatgrinder we call life.

When the world’s got you down, and your soul feels like it’s been put through a cheese grater, that’s when you need a dollop of Alan Watts’ philosophy.

So on days where I want to clock out early and just be…

Here are 5 things I reflect on often:

Reality check: Watts reminds us that we’re all just fancy mud playing dress-up in a universe-sized sandbox. His philosophy slaps you with the cosmic truth that your problems, while valid, are about as significant as a flea’s hiccup in the grand scheme of things. Oddly comforting, right?

Mind-bending perspective shift: Watts’ ideas are like mental gymnastics for your brain. They flip your worldview upside down, inside out, and sideways. Suddenly, your troubles look different – maybe even manageable – when you’re seeing the world through Watts-tinted glasses.

Ego deflation station: Feeling full of yourself? Watts’ philosophy is the pin to your balloon of self-importance. It reminds you that you’re part of something bigger, interconnected, and wildly beautiful. Your ego shrinks, but your sense of wonder explodes like a supernova.

Laughter in the face of absurdity: Watts had a knack for pointing out the ridiculous circus that is human existence. His philosophy helps you see the universes wild joke, and guess what?

You’re the punchline. But so is everyone else, so might as well laugh about it.

Freedom from the hamster wheel: Watts challenges the rat race mentality that’s got us all running in circles. His ideas are like bolt cutters for the mental chains of societal expectations.

Once you grasp his concepts, you might just find yourself doing a happy dance in the rubble of your former preconceptions.
If you drop his name into the search bar in Youtube. There are hundreds, if not thousands of audios, full talks and compilations you can inject into your earholes.

Get off of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Reddit and open up your soul to a little philosophical loving.

Stephen Walker

You want the truth about creativity?

It’s not some mystical bullshit where you dance naked under a full moon and wait for the muse to French kiss your brain.

It’s not about finding the perfect artisanal coffee shop with just the right amount of hipster ambiance and pretentious baristas.

It’s about planting your ass in a chair and staying there until your fingers bleed alphabet soup.

You think 23,748 words is impressive? That’s cute. That’s what happens when you stop making excuses and treat writing like the soul-crushing, mind-numbing job it really is.

You lock yourself in a room at 9 AM like you’re cosplaying as a hostage in your own personal word dungeon.

You don’t come out until the work is done or you’ve forgotten how doors work. 
(This actually happened cause I had to escape for a little break to refuel on spite and caffeine)

No excuses? Damn straight.

Your dog ate your laptop? Write on its back with a Sharpie.

Alien invasion? Better hope those probes come with a word processor.

The apocalypse? Well, congratu-fucking-lations, now you’ve got plenty of material.

Distractions? Ha! The only distraction you’re allowed is the occasional bout of existential dread or the burning desire to headbutt your keyboard until it spells out a bestseller.

Your phone? Throw it out the window.

Social media? Block that shit harder than your ex trying to friend request you after ghosting for three years.

The writing got done because you stapled your ass to that chair and told your brain, “Listen here, you lazy bag of neurons, we’re not leaving until we’ve vomited words onto this page like a freshman after their first keg stand.

“There’s nothing romantic about it, kids. It’s not about inspiration striking like lightning.

It’s about grabbing inspiration by the throat and forcing it to do your bidding like some demented puppet master.

You think Hemingway waited for the perfect moment? Hell no. He wrote drunk, edited sober, and probably insulted a few people in between.

So, all you aspiring wordsmiths and various flavours of creatives out there, here’s the cold, hard truth:

The muse is a fickle bitch who’ll leave you high and dry faster than a date who realises you can’t afford the fancy restaurant.

Waiting for inspiration is like waiting for your cat to appreciate you – it ain’t happening.

Not knowing what to write about? Welcome to the club. We meet at the bar of perpetual despair every night.

What matters, what really fucking matters, is putting your ass in that seat and getting to work.

You write when you’re tired. You write when you’re hungover.

You write when you’d rather be doing literally anything else, including giving yourself a root canal with a rusty spoon.

And yeah, after puking out 23,748 words, you’re gonna feel like your brain’s been put through a wood chipper and reassembled by a drunk toddler.

Your editor’s gonna look at that mess tomorrow and wonder if you’ve been possessed by a demon with a grudge against the English language.

But you know what? You did it. You showed up. You faced the blank page and told it who’s boss.

And tomorrow? You’re gonna do it all over again, because that’s what writers do. We’re not artists, we’re word factories running on caffeine, self-loathing, and the faint hope that maybe, just maybe, we’ll write something that doesn’t make us want to set fire to our laptops.

So strap in, It’s gonna be a long, bumpy ride on the Creative-Express, and the only stops are Writer’s Block City and Carpel Tunnel Junction. But hey, at least you’re moving forward, one painful word at a time.

Now get back to work, stop reading this email. Those words aren’t gonna torture themselves onto the page.
Stephen Walker

One of the world’s greatest Go players who was defeated by an artificial intelligence program warns that the technology may come with a rude awakening for humans as it advances.

Lee Se-Dolis a South Korean legend in the game of Go, which is widely considered to be a more complex game than chess. The game, which can be played in person and online, also once posed a computational challenge for AI researchers.

In 2016, the Go world was rocked after Lee was defeated by AlphaGo, an AI program made by Google’s DeepMind. Lee lost 4 out of 5 games.

The defeat was a huge upset and pushed Lee to retire from the game in 2019.

“With the debut of AI in Go games, I’ve realized that I’m not at the top even if I become the No. 1 through frantic efforts,” Lee told Yonhap News Agency at the time. “Even if I become the No. 1, there is an entity that cannot be defeated.”

Lee told The New York Times in a recent interview that his loss against AlphaGo had a profound impact on his life: “Losing to AI, in a sense, meant my entire world was collapsing.”

Now, he warns that the technology won’t just be coming after Go players.

“I faced the issues of AI early, but it will happen for others,” Lee said at an education fair in Seoul, according to The Times. “It may not be a happy ending.”

Lee told the publication that he can see AI creating new jobs as it takes away others. But a larger concern for the retired Go player is what AI will do to people’s appreciation for originality.

“People used to be in awe of creativity, originality, and innovation,” Lee told The Times. “But since AI came, a lot of that has disappeared.”

Since AI’s rise to the mainstream, artists and some leading intellectuals have raised doubts about the technology’s ability to be creative.

Noam Chomsky, a linguistics professor and philosopher, previously told Business Insider in 2023 that he was “skeptical” that artificial intelligence could make breakthroughs in studies like the arts.

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg said in an interview with Stephen Colbert that AI takes the “soul” out of creative work.

“I think the soul is unimaginable and is ineffable,” Spielberg said. “And it cannot be created by any algorithm, it is just something that exists in all of us.”

The inner Star Wars nerd in me wants to punch a hole through the wall.

Mainly cause I wish I had the force as a power since I was kid watching Star wars…

But today I’m talking about force but for creating cause that’s where people seem to get stuck

From writers block. To not knowing what to paint. Or how to frame their photos or come up with a hook for their new music.

This whole creative endeavour seems to grab people around the neck and strangle them to submission and when it comes to producing for deadlines. They are like a deer standing in front of a 18 tonne truck about to end their existence…

Anywho…

Forced creativity Vs Flow state creativity.

The names tell you everything there is to know.

The majority of creatives live for the deadline and beg the muse to help them out. Hours before they need to produce they are stuck forcing out something to create.

This is not good. This is anxiety inducing and can honestly drive you mad. You don’t ever want to be here.

Flow state in the other hand is having an abundance of ideas that you can riff off of at any given time.

There’s no Yoda-based-voodoo-magic ancient jedi teaching that’ll help you to get to this point.

It’s just you NEED to get to a point where you are disciplined enough to come up with 100s of ideas and stack them together. That way at any given moment. Deadline or not. You can go through your tome of ideas and pick something out that you’re feeling, and create a piece of content.

Instead of relying on creativity and forcing yourself to make something. You have so many ideas knocking about that you can turn them down for that point in time and come back to it later when you’re in the mood.

That’s the type of state you want to get into.

A flow state beats a forced state 10/10 times.

Jedi-mind-trick free.

Now if you want a continuation of the HOW TO of this.

Hit reply and tell me.

If not. That’s cool. I’m gonna go head out into the wild…

Stephen Walker.

Medium. You glorious, glittery trashfire of a platform.

Home to thinkfluencers, self-help gurus, techbros, and the occasional writer who actually gives a damn about the craft.

But mostly, it’s become an ouroboros of writers writing about how to succeed at writing on Medium.

Scroll through the hallowed halls of Medium these days and what will you find?

A metric fuckton of posts with titles like:

“How I Made $10,000 on Medium Last Month With This One Weird Trick”

“The Ultimate Guide to Gaming the Medium Algorithm to Score Fat Stacks”

“Medium is Screwing Over Writers Again With These Latest Changes”

It’s a cavalcade of craven capitalism and crybaby complaining.

The actual WRITING on Medium has become secondary to the constant meta-discussion about the platform itself.

You know what’s sexy? Actually giving a shit about the CRAFT of writing.

Spilling blood on the page to tell a kickass story or share an idea that matters.

You know what’s about as sexy as a bucket of lukewarm turtle barf?

Endlessly prattling on about how to optimise yourself to make a quick buck off your “content.”

Sure, some of the criticism of Medium is valid.

The overlords keep changing the rules on us poor writer peasants, tilting the game in favour of shameless grifters and away from those who want to create something of substance.

It’s frustrating as hell.

But instead of bitching about it or trying to hack it, maybe – just maybe – focus on actually becoming a better goddamn writer.

Tune out the noise, hit the keys, and put something original and worthwhile out into the world.

THAT is the only “one weird trick” that has ever mattered.

So to conclude my little rant:

Fuck the algorithm, and fuck writing for robots instead of humans.

Tell your story, sing your song, and to hell with all the rest.

The cream always rises, motherfuckers.

Get to work.
P.S. Build your own list (Just like this) or forward this one email on to a few of yo’ friends and direct them to https://cult.thesillygoosesociety.com/

Stephen Walker

The love hate relationship with social media continues.

But every now and then you come across a gem of a human who does some amazing work…

Josh, is lucky enough to bless strangers through the power of crowdfunding.

He lifts up the ones who are struggling and also helps out the local mom ‘n pop businesses who support his cause.

In a world filled with madness, I aim to be like Josh. Use the power of my words to help those where I can.

Check out one of Josh’s clips here

Stephen Walker

2020 was the last time I went to Subway.

Meatball Marinara Melt was my go-to sandwich. It was messy and tasty.

Today I went after 4 years and had the same. It was crazy cause one of the employees recognised me, even though I’ve not been through those doors since the world shut down for a little while.

We got talking and they mentioned that they have just finished their final year of a computer science degree, which was awesome!

I made a few jokes about A.I. more specifically ChatGPT and they were laughing (Again)

I remember the last time we spoke we were laughing about some silly stuff. I can’t exactly remember what cause it was 4 years ago, but the impression was there. They were chuckling.

It wasn’t particularly busy. It was just after 4pm and raining and it got me thinking…

Maya Angelou once penned; 

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

This was true cause all those years ago I left them with a humour-filled impression of me.

We had a few laughs amidst the chaos that the world was going through at the time.

You don’t need to be a world-class comedian to make someone laugh, giggle or chuckle like a mad scientist.

Just be yourself and had a little humour to it. You too can become unforgettable.

And if you need some inspiration on how to do it quickly and effectively check out:

Make ‘Em Laugh & Take Their Money by Dan Kennedy

Stephen Walker

Haters.

Those squawking shitnuggets that cling to your coattails like a cloud of fleas, sucking you dry with their endless negativity.

It doesn’t matter where you are in life; they’ve always got a steaming pile of word-vomit locked and loaded, ready to spew all over your dreams.

First, they’ll call you a loser, a bottom-feeding parasite with delusions of grandeur.

But when you start making moves, they’ll smirk and say, “Seen this song and dance before, buddy. You’ll be back in the gutter soon enough.”

As you keep grinding, they’ll snicker, “Tick-tock, motherfucker. Let’s see how long you can keep this charade going.”

When you’re inches from the finish line, they’ll sneer, “Any idiot can start a race, but it takes a real champ to cross that line.”

Then, when you finally hit your goal, they’ll shrug and say, “Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes.

Colour me unimpressed until you do it again.” And when you do? “Sure, anyone can win if they sell their soul. Real winners don’t need to cheat.”

As you keep stacking victories, they’ll grumble, “Get a load of this egomaniac. Pride comes before a fall, asshole.” When you don’t fall, they’ll pivot: “Yeah, you’ve got skills, but you’re still a slimy turd in my book.”

When you’re reaching the top, they’ll hiss, “Stepped on a lot of necks to get there, didn’t you? Karma’s a bitch, and she’s got your number.”

And finally, when you’re perched atop your throne, they’ll say, “I always knew you’d make it, you magnificent bastard. But you’re still a piece of shit.”

Here’s the thing: haters are gonna hate. They’ll judge you whether you’re facedown in the gutter or doing lines off a golden toilet. Fuck ’em. They’re just miserable pricks projecting their own inadequacies.

Win for yourself, for the people who matter. Use the haters’ bile as rocket fuel. They’ll always be there, gnashing their teeth in the shadows.

Let them choke on your success.

Stephen Walker.

P.S. You Like It Darker by Stephen King is on tonight’s reading agenda. Check it out if you dig his short stories.

A close friend of mine dropped me a message a few days ago about feeling anxious all the time and whether or not what they’re doing in their lives, business etc was good.

Now I’m not super-massive into the personal development scene as I used to be. I look at it more now from a psychology and human behaviour point of view.

In a nutshell. They’re anxious all the time because of Spotlight effect (or spotlight syndrome)

Which is the tendency to overestimate how much other people notice our appearance and behaviour. In other words, we tend to think there is a spotlight shining on us and that everyone is paying close attention to what we do or how we look, when in reality, people are often caught up in their own thoughts and concerns and are paying much less attention to us than we imagine.

And that there is the lesson in itself.

People are way too caught up in their own lives to worry about what you’re doing in every aspect of your life.

Yes we’re going to make stupid decisions and do stupid things that may make us look like a fool to others, but trust me on this. Nobody really cares all that too much. They have their own worries and things going in in their lives.

Once you’re able to change this thought pattern and re-frame your decisions. It can be the most powerful thing you ever do. It’ll give you the confidence to truly do and say what you want.

Write that story or book. Ask the guy/girl out for a drink or whatever. Start that business. Quit that toxic relationship with a partner, friend, family member etc. Change jobs or whole careers.

The sky is the limit.

Stephen Walker.

I’m sure we’ve all played a few video games in our lives and here’s an apt analogy to follow.

I’ll use Call of Duty as an example cause you’ve either played it yourself, or have kids who have played it and probably heard them talk or even get frustrated of an update coming out and things getting “Nerfed”

Nerfed basically just means changes that are always bad.

Say you have a favourite gun you play with and you usually find yourself destroying everyone that comes into your path. Then one day they send out an update and that same gun has now been nerfed.

It may do less damage per bullet, shoot slower or just recoil more and shake all over the place.

Which in turn just makes you either get killed more and not kill as much as you used.

To say it’s rage inducing is an understatement, but hey. It’s game and that’s what developers do to keep things interesting and also make people focus on other weapons.

Now when it comes to life. We all get nerfed a lot.

We have accidents as kids. We break our bones. Our hearts get broken or a loved one dies.

There are big and small nerfs in this life. Some will kick us to the curb rapidly and sometimes we do end up laying face down on the curb a little longer than we should.

It’s okay. It’s necessary and it’s also there for growth, hindsight and whatever other self-help guru might be peddling at the time.

As a writer, I have many a piece rejected. I’ve had entire sales messages bomb and not make a client any return on their investment with me.

Does it suck? Yes.

But there’s always a lesson to take from it.

Whether or not it’s video game. Your personal life, or business. We get knocked down and I give you full permission to mope around and feel sorry for yourself. Only for 24 hours though. No more no less.

Buy all the cake. Eat all of the pizza. Watch re-runs of Friends.

Then once that’s over. Sit up. Pull up yo’ pants or whatever bits of clothing you usually clobber on.

Then get to work. Reflect. Plan and go out and execute.

There will be many nerfs in life as we go. It happens but working on it as you go forward.

That right there. Is the way to set yourself free and grow into the person you deserve to be.

Stephen Walker.

P.S. I don’t have any interesting books I can point you towards with this type of subject matter in hand. Yet here’s a compilation of my unofficial mentor Jim Rohn and what he talks about when it comes to you being in control.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

“Take full responsibility for your life and never forfeit it over to someone else. There is no such thing as riding the coattails of an enlightened being to enlightenment itself.” – Adyashanti

A few months ago, I discovered a spiritual teacher named Adyashanti and I’ve really enjoyed his work so far.

Below is a quote from one of his books (The Way of Liberation) that felt strong enough to stand on it’s own, here…

…Especially the part in bold:

---

“I cannot overemphasize the importance of having a clear, unified focus.

What do you value most in your life — not in the sense of moral values, but in the sense of what is most important to you.

Contemplate this question.

Do not assume that you know what your highest aspiration is, or even what is most important to you.

Dig deep within, contemplate, and meditate on what the spiritual quest is about for you; don’t let anyone else define your aspiration for you.

Look within until you find, with complete clarity, what you aspire to.

Life unfolds along the lines of what you value most.”

---

Experienced practitioners will appreciate how powerful this is, while beginners are likely to underestimate it.

Read (and re-read) as many times as necessary, until it sinks in.

Then, hit reply to let me know what you come up with.

• T

P.S. For extra points…

1. Write the question at the top of the page:

“What is my highest aspiration in life? What really matters to me, and why?”

2. Write your response to the question for at least ~45 minutes (it takes time to strike gold).

Don’t settle for superficial answers (ie. “ball iz life!!!”)

Keep asking why, keep piercing deeper until the answer falls open in front of you, pure, simple and undeniable.

Hear ye, Hear ye…

Sometimes you just wanna troll the trolls to get a bit of that juicy juicy engagement sauce.

So listen up…

You wanna know how to weaponise Cunningham’s Law and get the internet goblins to do your dirty work for you?

It’s easy, and it’ll give you the sweet, sweet engagement you crave like a junkie craves their next fix.

Here’s the deal:

Cunningham’s Law states that the best way to get the right answer on the internet is not to ask a question, but to post the wrong answer.

Post something that’s just a little bit off, a little bit wonky, and watch as the keyboard warriors descend upon your post like vultures on a carcass.

They’ll be falling over themselves to correct you, to prove you wrong, to show off their big, juicy brains. And in the process, they’ll give you the answer you were looking for all along.

It’s like some weird judo for the internet age, using your opponent’s own strength against them.

Not only will you get the right answer, but you’ll also get a metric ton of engagement. Comments, shares, likes etc. They’ll all come pouring in as people rush to put in their two cents.

It’s a double whammy of knowledge and attention. So go ahead, give it a try. Post something just a little bit wrong, and watch as the internet does its thing.
Now go troll the trolls…

Stephen Walker.

“Inspiration is for amateurs, the rest of us just show up and get to work.” – Chuck Close

Make your move or pass the ball.

Speak up or sit down.

Sh*t, or get off the damn pot.

Those moments of lukewarm effort, of kinda doing the thing but really not…

The work hours spent flicking around social media instead of in deep, unbroken concentration on your most critical task…

The workouts half-assed, the sets stopped short of failure, the exercises skipped, the days missed…

The meditations spent lost in thought, sitting without practicing, never generating the diligent focus required for self-mastery…

The activities completed as checks on a to-do list, done just to say you did them, showing up without being fully present…

The time spent doing work you hate without also working towards doing work you love…

The years that pass by with no tangible results, no material progress, no dynamic movement towards your greater vision…

The hesitation, the indecision, the fapping and farting and taking it way too damn easy for no good reason other than fear, laziness, and that foggy, cloudy, not-sure-what-it-is that seems like it’s blocking you but evaporates the moment you take action…

…Those moments are the very building blocks your life is made of.

And when time all-too-quickly runs out, your life as you know it will be the end result of those moments: 

The moments you either sat there doom-scrolling with your pants down around your ankles…

…Or put your phone down, put your boots on the ground, sh*t, and got off the damn pot.

Happy Monday.

– T

P.S. This just dropped. 

You’re here because you want the skinny on cranking out those word counts, right?

You’ve got deadlines looming like storm clouds and a book that’s as stubborn as a mule.

You’re probably hoping I’ll tell you about some mystical muse that’ll swoop down and breathe life into your work. Well, sadly I don’t.

The Muse is a Fickle Beast

Let’s get this straight: the muse is about as reliable as a chocolate teapot.

Sure, the idea of some divine creature sprinkling your brain with fairy dust sounds peachy, but if you’re waiting around for that to happen, you might as well be waiting for rain in the Sahara. It’s a myth my  fellow silly geese. A beautiful, dangerous myth that could leave you high and dry when the deadline’s knocking at your door.

Embrace the Gloriously Mundane

Here’s the real magic trick: making peace with the mundane. That’s right, the day-to-day, the grind, the routine. It’s not glamorous, but it’s gold…

Here’s how you mine it:

1.Nail Down a Writing Schedule

Clock in, clock out. Make it as regular as brushing your teeth.

Whether it’s an hour after breakfast or a quick sprint before bed, keep it consistent. This isn’t just about cranking out words—it’s about making your brain sweat in all the right ways.

2. Claim Your Territory

Stake out your space. Whether it’s a creaky desk in the corner or your favourite coffee shop, make it yours. This is your cockpit, you’re the captain and that’s where the words are gonna fly.

When you sit down, you’re not just fooling around—you’re flying to the moon.

3. Chop It Up  

A book’s a beast. Don’t try to wrestle it all at once. Break it into bits—scenes, chapters, beats. Conquer it piece by piece, like eating an elephant one bite at a time. And yes, it’s okay to celebrate every little victory. Do a dance. Pat yourself on the back. You’ve earned it.

4. Systems Over Goals  

Forget painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Your job is to put paint on the brush and then put that brush to the canvas. Every. Single. Day. The system is your path to victory. The goals? They’ll follow if you keep pumping the pedals.

5. Feed the Beast  

Read, watch, absorb. Stuff your eyeballs with movies, your brainpan with books, and your soul with art. The muse might not show up, but you can still invite other guests to the party. They’ll bring their own sparks and who knows? Fire might just catch.

Finally…

Keep On Truckin’ 

The real work happens when nobody’s watching. It’s the slow and steady, the relentless march of words that pile up while you’re looking the other way. That, is where you’ll find the gold.

Remember, the muse is great for a fling, but the mundane? That’s your ride or die. It’s the quiet, commitment to the craft that’ll help you churn out stories that stick. Keep hitting those keys, keep showing up. Make the mundane your secret weapon. Now, go forth and write.
Stephen Walker.

I get that in the wild times of the internet in its current state.

We’re all shouting from the roof tops trying to be seen. Whether it’s just for attention (Which is the new currency btw) or whether we need to get people into our creative worlds so we can share our things and stuff with them.

It’s easy to do but it’s not simple. It takes consistent work and effort and a certain level of ruthlessness you need to weave into your system. Like when grandma gave you tablespoons of cod liver oil whenever you went over to visit. It may have tasted gross, but it was good for you.

So how do you do this you may ask?

Well…

You need to craft an interesting persona and origin story for yourself as a creator.

Build a mystique around your creative process. Engage your followers and readers curiosity about the person behind the work they love.

You do this by telling stories and sharing processes, it also goes a lot deeper with your characters and stories you write. The paintings you and drawings you make or even the music you write and share.

There needs to be back stories and emotions attached to it. You need to write it all. Yeah might write a love song or song about something but why? Go deeper. Were you feeling a certain way? Was it just cause you were bored? Details matter. Even if you don’t share it. It’s there so in your mind you can attach and pull from it with future work.

The thing is. It’s not difficult. It’s just a lot of work that needs to be done. Yet when you carry on doing work this way. Your work will automatically be infused with more magic and authenticity than the creatives who just create something with minimal thought.

It’s why some authors can write a single book. With a single character and rope in millions of fans.

A prime example would be Jack Reacher from Killing Floor by Lee Child

Lee has such an amazing approach to developing his characters, you can’t help buy think that you know that character in person, even though it’s pure fiction. Yet if you read the books. You learn about every single detail there is about the character, warts ‘n all.

This is something I actively think about the things I post and share on social media and with my fellow Silly Goose Society.

This is how I want you to think about creating if you are already making the jump or plan to make the jump in the future. Either way. I’ll have your back if you need advice or tips or be pointed in the right direction.

Stephen Walker.

I’m at this hoity-toity coffeeshop, right?

Just trying to inject some sweet, sweet caffeine into my veins and wrestle with the squirming, otherworldly creatures of my next series of posts, ideas and books.

When suddenly, this starry-eyed, enthusiastic fan comes bouncing up to me like a sugar-rushed squirrel.

“Oh my word, are you Stephen Walker? THE Stephen-Walker?”

[Silence for a second]

I’m like, “You caught me, my friend. Resident silly goose, squirrel tamer, and creative mischief-maker, at your service.”

This guy starts singing praises about how my storytelling advice has transformed his writing game.

He’s all, “Man, your tips on crafting unforgettable characters and building immersive worlds have straight-up supercharged my fiction skills!”

We chat for a bit, geeking out over our favourite fantasy series and debating whether adverbs are the linguistic equivalent of a stale cookie.

He tries to buy my coffee, but I’m like, “Nah, dude, I got this. Gotta fuel the ol’ imagination machine somehow.”

As we part ways, it hits me: this guy felt like he knew me, like we were old pals trading tales over a cozy campfire.

But we’ve never met. Heck, we haven’t even swapped a single Twitter high-five.

So, how did he feel so connected to me?

It’s because I’ve been weaving stories and sharing my hard-earned writing wisdom with him (and you) through my tales, blogs, and mildly caffeinated twitter musings.

And yeah, that little coffeeshop encounter? Total fiction.

But don’t get your knickers in a knot. There’s a method to my madness.

This is a demonstration.

I want you to take a closer look at this tall tale. Can you see the strings I’m pulling, the emotional beats I’m hitting? Do you get why I’m weaving this particular web of words?

Do you want to learn how to do this too, how to craft stories that grab readers by the heartstrings and don’t let go until they’re begging for more (and maybe even throwing their hard-earned cash at you) ?

Well, if you stick around and keep reading these emails.

You’ll be creating your own propaganda in no time and people will line up to throw their coins at you.

Stephen Walker.

P.S. Check out Writing Dynamite Story Hooks by Jackson Dean Chase if you want to indoctrinate a few new tricks up your sleeve in the mean time.

I had a call with a couple of my silly goose members and they keep brining up A.I. in the creative sense of the world.

Now I’ve always said that there’s a place for A.I. when it comes to do the boring shit. If you don’t like data and numbers, the robot overlords can do that. Hell, I welcome it.

(Unless you as a person love that then ugh, okay?)

When it comes to creative work. Art, writing and music… Well that’s a whole different thing in itself.

Firstly. The fact that all of these companies, start ups and “biz bros” who jumped on the bandwagon went out of their way to steal work from living artists, to train their models on.

I would’ve been totally cool if they were using work that has already been put into the public domain or even work that isn’t being used by family estates that may still be living.

Yet they didn’t.

Now when they have billions of dollars to throw at companies in silicon valley it’s the whole:

Grace Hopper’s famous axiom, “It is better to ask forgiveness than permission,”

Which is bullshit, cause instead of going out and getting a commission from your favourite painter or artist. Some shit weasel who is using A.I. can create a poor mans copy of your favourite living artists work by typing a few sentences (Or prompts as the A.I. nerds) like to call it.

So as much as I’m one for working smarter and not harder. When it comes to creativity. Well I’d rather spend my time crafting the best work I can with the brain-meat that sits behind my ears, than rely heavily on A.I. apps/software and the people who use it to exploit living creatives.

I’m actually just annoyed while writing this so it’s coming off more of a rant.

A.I. is just theft in its current state. They don’t care about the creatives they steal from, they also don’t even have heart to approach their artists they stole from and compensate them for blatantly ripping off their intellectual property.

And as much as I’d embrace my own manifest of being a silly goose (Coming soon)

I will go out of my way to boycott these start-ups, apps and advocates of A.I. cause they don’t seem to care about the humanity wrapped around it.

Stephen Walker.

The ol’ proverb: “empty vessels make the most noise” has always stuck with me over the years.

You also don’t want to be labelled as one because you’re going to remove any authority you may have over your audience etc.

When you’re shouting from the roof tops and echoing what has said without any conviction you are committing the sin of being an empty vessel.

With the way social media has infected our brains, we’re often pushing for changes or ideas without really standing behind what we mean.

Without getting too political, you see it with the current day social justice warriors. They just hop onto anything that’s popular to get a little bit of internet currency.

Creatives like us get stuck into it as well. We often start to water down our ideas, our stories and the things we create.

If you have a certain set of beliefs and you stand by them (Even when challenged) you are far from being an empty vessel.

I’m wrong more often than I’m right and I course correct my beliefs as I learn and grow.

That’s the way the world should be. That’s the way we need to stay true to ourselves.

Don’t be like one of the many internet weirdos who hop on band wagon after band wagon just to be part of the “In” crowd. It’s a form of misery that loves company.

Don’t be an empty vessel, cause they’re just loud and obnoxious.

Stephen Walker

Till this day. I live by that saying:

“If you don’t stand for anything, you’ll fall for everything.”

In the digital age we’re bombarded with everything. The good, bad and ugly.

Lies and truths that make up our world view. Social media platforms have got us thinking every single way. Up down left right and it’s tough.

So buckling down and having a world view that evolves as you learn and grow is a must.

Like having a moral compass on whether you’re gonna do this or that. If it’s write or wrong etc.

As a kid you were born and raised a certain way with a certain set of beliefs (whether they are right or wrong) well that’s just down to a lived experience.

However you need to adopt something that you can stand behind and believe in and if you are wrong (which will happen) you can course correct, learn and grow yet again.

I’m creating a little Silly Goose Manifesto which is essentially the way I see the world and the way/reasoning behind why I approach things the way I do. From my writing, to the way I carry myself in the real world and online. It’s by no means perfect but it’s a solid base which helps me just be me.

I’ll be sending it out when it’s done. Take a look. See if it makes sense and hey, if you’d like to adopt the Silly Goose Philosophy, well then that manifesto is all you’ll need.

Stephen Walker.

Alright, gather ’round, you merry band of weirdos and word-wranglers, because we’re diving deep into the mind’s muck and mire.

Picture this: your brain is a sprawling, chaotic map of the universe. A madcap collage of memories, beliefs, and wild-ass guesses, all stitched together into a shoddy patchwork quilt of reality.

This, dear silly goose cultists, is your mental model—a cracked, creaky simulation of the world you stumble through.

Now, we ride this rickety rollercoaster of a model to navigate life. We make plans. We strategise.

We predict. All in the hopes of wrangling our way to those glittering goals we set for ourselves.

But here’s the kicker: if your mental map is a half-baked, janky mess, you’re gonna make choices that are just as busted. You might think you’re on the golden path, but really, you’re about to cannonball into a pit of despair.

Why? Because the map is not the territory, folks. So, what’s our role in this carnival of chaos?

When we set out to sway someone, to nudge them into action, we’re playing the role of the map-maker. Depending on the gig, we might be tweaking their existing map, nudging it to fit our ends.

Other times, we’re handing them a fresh map, a guide to uncharted lands they’ve never ventured into.

Here’s the juicy part: you can spin this metaphor into gold.

Craft informational products that folks will scramble to buy. These maps—your maps—can guide people from their current mess to a sunlit meadow of desirability. Strip down the complex territory to the bare bones, the key landmarks and choices that lead to the promised land.

But wait, there’s more…

Craft a map to your map. Your sales pitch? It’s a map that paves the way from problem to solution, from agony to ecstasy, from empty hands to the Holy Grail. What are the waypoints on this journey? How do you lead someone from clueless to clued-in, from indifferent to raving fan?

And then, because we’re never just satisfied with one layer of madness, create a map to the map that leads to your map. Build content that drags people from the quagmire of their dull, settled lives to a state of restless agitation.

Light a fire under their complacent asses. Propel them from the land of “meh” to the land of “must-have.

Between where your mark is now and where you want them to be, there’s a wild, untamed wilderness. So, sharpen your pencils, ink your quills, and get to work on your cartography.

Metaphorically speaking, of course.

Stephen Walker

Every now and then a massive tweet thread goes down on Twitter where fellow word nerds debate Quality over Quantity.

It’s like trying to prove what came first? The chicken or the egg?

Now I’d like to think that I do alright with writing and words and whatever, yet that was never the case. I was a reader as a kid. I read a lot more and never thought of myself to be a writer.

I did great in English classes. Essays were always 100% but that’s probably cause the teacher loved that I debated with them because of everything that I read.

Getting back to Twitter. Well, it’s a weird place for authors. Unless you’ve got a massive audience nobody really cares about what you write and the quality of writing you put out.

I know I put out a lot of garbage and have done so for years. Luckily as time went on. It got a lot less garbage-y.

The thing is. You need to write a lot. Write about anyone and everything. Create characters, kill them off. Write silly stories and deep poetry. Write terrible jokes and make people cringe.

The more you do it. The more you imbibe your own “style” or voice (Voice is another different topic when it comes to writing)

You need to be writing daily and you need to be doing it a lot. Not once or twice a week or month cause you’re waiting for the muse.

Anything worth doing and getting good at needs to be done a lot. You need to get through some serious quantity before you start creating quality. This applies to pretty much everything in life too.

(Keep ya mind out of the gutter…)

…but seriously.

The handful of creative friends I’ve got who get stuck just ask me the same thing over and over.

“How do I get good?”

Simple answer.

Do the work and do a lot of it. Then when you’re done. Do some more and more and more until you can’t. Then rest and then do some more.

This is a craft. Everything creative is a craft.

So get to doing the quantity so you can get to doing the quality.

Stephen Walker.

You ever come across something written and it’s all just fact after fact after fact?

*SNORE*

That’s the way college and university professors teach us how to share information.

“Just hit ’em with the facts”

Wrong.

You need to paint a picture. A grand vision.

Here’s an example of the ol’ college and university style approach:

The Benefits of Fat Loss

Embarking on a journey to lose fat can lead to significant improvements in your overall health and well-being.

Here are some pure facts highlighting the benefits:

Reduced Risk of Chronic Diseases: Losing excess fat can lower your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.

Improved Metabolic Health: Fat loss helps regulate blood sugar levels and improves insulin sensitivity.

Enhanced Physical Functionality: Shedding extra pounds can decrease joint pain, improve mobility, and increase energy levels.

Better Mental Health: Fat loss can lead to improved mood, reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, and higher self-esteem.

Longevity: Maintaining a healthy weight is associated with a longer life expectancy.

Now don’t get me wrong. People need facts even if they’re boring but they honestly don’t move you to do anything about wanting to lose fat and get in shape, even if they know it’s gonna stop them from dying before they hit 40.

The vision version:

Picture this: You roll out of bed, and BAM!

You’re ready to conquer the day like a caffeinated squirrel on a mission. Imagine moving through life with the grace of a ninja, unburdened by the heavy anchor of extra weight. Visualize joining your crew for a hike without turning into a wheezing, sweaty mess.

See yourself playing tag with your kids and actually catching them, or finally rocking that outfit that’s been taunting you from the back of your closet.

Think about the surge of confidence as your body transforms, the ego-boosting compliments raining down from friends and strangers alike. Envision strolling into your doctor’s office, your health stats shining like a beacon of awesome news.

Picture your future self, living a life that’s longer, healthier, and packed with kickass experiences instead of medical bills and regret…

Obviously it’s a little basic but it was just written to illustrate a point.

If you want to indoctrinate people into your world and share your ideas and win them to your way of thinking. You need to paint a vision of what life can be like etc.

You can apply this to your characters in your stories or even a story you want to tell your loved ones, friends etc to help win them to your way of thinking. Paint a picture, give them the grand vision and if they question. Then hit them with the facts.

You need to finesse people’s brains a little. The news is doing it. So you might as well get in on the action too.

Stephen Walker

Saul Goodman, the charismatic and morally flexible lawyer from the popular TV show “Better Call Saul,” offers a number of lessons on charisma and persuasive communication.

Since persuasive communication is my jam and I get asked occasionally how I can be so charismatic.

Which is weird cause I don’t class my self as that. I’m just a regular silly goose who just doesn’t seem to care all too much about what people think of me.

So maybe that’s part of it?

Well, when it comes to creating characters or at least even telling a story here are some of the cool things I’ve picked up from watching Saul in the show…

Confidence: Saul exudes confidence, even when his back is against the wall. This self-assurance often convinces others to trust in his abilities and follow his lead, a key trait of charismatic individuals.

Communication Skills: Saul is a master of verbal communication. He knows how to tailor his language, tone, and pitch to suit his audience, making him highly effective at persuasion. His ability to spin any situation to his advantage is a hallmark of his character.

Humour: Saul often uses humour to disarm those around him and to diffuse tense situations. His quick wit and ability to make people laugh endear him to clients and viewers alike.

Adaptability: Saul is highly adaptable, able to shift his strategies and tactics depending on the situation. This flexibility not only helps him navigate complex legal and ethical challenges but also enhances his appeal to a broad audience.

Empathy: Although often used for manipulative purposes, Saul’s ability to understand and play into the emotions of others is a critical component of his charisma. He often portrays himself as the underdog or aligns himself with the struggles of his clients, making them feel understood and supported.

Boldness: Saul is unafraid to take risks, whether in his choice of flamboyant marketing strategies or in the courtroom. This boldness is attractive and commands attention, contributing to his charismatic image.

Resourcefulness: Saul’s ability to think on his feet and come up with creative solutions to problems is another key aspect of his charisma. He often turns seemingly hopeless situations around through sheer ingenuity.

Presentation: Saul knows the power of a strong visual presentation. His flashy suits and office decor are meticulously chosen to craft an image that is both memorable and authoritative.

Now I’d say be more Saul but you’ll need to watch out.

His methods and ethics are frequently questionable, his charismatic traits are undeniable and play a crucial role in his ability to influence and persuade others. It’s important to note that while these traits contribute to his success, they also underscore the potential dangers of charisma when detached from a strong ethical foundation.

This is why politicians, presidents and just bad people overall can end up rising to the top very quickly.

So yeah, Be more Saul but without all the bad juju.

Stephen Walker.

P.S. Picked up this poster cause it was bloody epic: Better Call Saul

Gary Provost is one of my favourite writers. He added so much to the craft.

He also pissed a lot of “Scholars” of writing off too.

He also annoyed a lot of the ad men from the Mad Men era of marketing. Purely because of the way he approached writing, especially sentences.

Here’s one of my favourite quotes/reminders and if you master this. You’ll magnetise your readers to your work. No matter what it is that you choose to share with the written word…

“This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It’s like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety.

Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals–sounds that say listen to this, it is important.”

Your English teachers and people who read a lot will always say that run on sentences are bad, but you can make ’em work if you write them like a piece of music.

Food for thought eh?

Stephen Walker

P.S. 100 Ways to Improve Your Writing by Gary Provost is an amazing little read. There’s a few things in there that I don’t agree with but that’s just me. 

There’s just something about the old spaghetti westerns that get my thinking.

Yes they’re not always the most flash, especially cause they were shot well before CGI.

I mean they were shot well before I and may others were even born.

They are cinema marvels though.

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is my all time favourite and it’s one that I watch at least twice a year.

There’s minimal dialogue but it’s impactful, the story is simple and the tension between scenes is always exciting no matter how many times you’ve watched it.

If you’d like to spice up your writing and the way you tell stories. I’d highly recommend watching it over and over.

In fact. That’s what I’m going to do right now.

Stephen Walker

When I’m not writing horror, filth or advertising copy.

I’m always dabbling with my own philosophy on how I see the world, how I do my work and how I want to help people think differently.

It’s a tough gig cause there’s way too much information out there and there are also way too many people telling you that your way is wrong.

This is where when you take a craft like writing and force yourself to do it every single day, without fail, even when you don’t want to and churn out something. Your brain magically starts to compartmentalize ideas. It’s what I call content assimilation.

I wouldn’t say it’s new. It’s just something a lot of people don’t talk about purely because they’re trying to sell you something that won’t work.
(I’ll talk more about content assimilation in another email cause it’ll deserve it’s own bit of spotlight)

I was just reminded by boy Ben Settle that sticking to your philosophy and constantly tweaking and growing as you go is what you need to do.

Especially in a world where creatives try and pound their chests on social media.

Announcing how great they are…

(You’re not great if you have to keep telling the world how great you are)

Greatness is acknowledged when you put in the time. You make the sacrifice and put out the words, content and ideas that you readers/fans will inevitably read.

The only thing you have control of is putting yourself out there, followed by moulding your philosophy surrounding what it is you do.

It’s why I write. I write for self-discovery and it helps me shape the way I see the world and people.

It’s about progress and not perfection. It’s about vulnerability instead of fake confidence.

Funnily, the more vulnerable you are the more confident you come across.

So whether I share my books or talk about advertising and psychology there’s always going to be an underlying philosophy around why I do the things I do.

It’s why you’ve probably followed me on places like Twitter or LinkedIn it’s also probably why you’ve joined my little cult inside of The Silly Goose Society.

I like to test the limits of what people look for on social media. I post what I post deliberately to filter out people who won’t get my humour and ideas. I don’t take myself too seriously but I do love to have conversations about a lot of wild topics which will then lead me to be able to write about it too.

That’s a win win strategy in my books. So having a reason behind what you do. A philosophy.

That is what will set you apart from the others competing for attention in a world where connection is overlooked.
This also applies to how interact with people at work, or how you treat your loved ones.

There’s always a philosophy around how you act and it’s what will draw and repel people from you.

If you ever want to talk about this. I’m all ears. Hit reply and let’s go.

Stephen Walker

You wake up one day and decide you want to become an expert in whatever it is you’re working in.

Even if it’s just a hobby.

Everyone believes you need to have degrees and hundreds of years worth of experience to even be considered an “expert”

So let me give you the permission to call yourself an expert. If you’re willing to put in the work and hone your craft day in and day out. You can call yourself an expert.

The thing is. You only need to know a little more than the person needing your services/product/thing to stand out.

Obviously it’s a specialist thing like heart surgery, then duh. You better go to medical school, get your degree and get your proper working qualifications.

But we’re talking about the day to day things that people do on auto-pilot, who even think that it’s not of any value at all to anyone else but themselves. (Which is untrue)

I was helping a friend whose been in the dog walking business for a few years, which is also a pain in the ass to get into here in England. So much red tape and public liability insurance loop holes to dance around… blah blah blah.

Long story short. She kept getting asked by friends and family on how they could get involved or at least get started with their own little dog walking side hustle.

So basically the only thing I did was advised her to document her process. How she got started. From building a basic website. Getting all the legal bits sorted and also how to go about getting her first few clients.

She typed it up and made it all pretty and sold it to them for $27. A little PDF guide on how to get started as a dog walker.

There’s a lot of free information out there but being able to put it together in an actionable way is what sets everything else apart. It’s also what considers you to be an expert if you are able to make it make sense.

So if you look at this from a birds eye view. ANYTHING you are good at that people may have an interest in. Can be packaged up simply and position you as the expert.

As long as you’re genuine with your intentions, giving them actionable advice and support. You be the expert.

You can expertly tease them with the ideas through the conversations you have and then just present them with the offer.

So whether you’re a dog walker, pole dancer, landscaper, writer, musician etc etc.

This all applies.

You never know. These are the types of things you can turn into a full time income and break away from the wild 9-5 grind that everyone despises.

You have expertise inside of you. Now you just need to figure out how to best package it for the world to see.

Stephen Walker
You received this email because you subscribed to my list. You can unsubscribe and stop getting my daily emails.

I’m not clingy like that ex who won’t stop calling or sends you 45400 texts a week.

21
Greater Manchester
Lancashire
BL6 7JT
United Kingdom

So you wanna brew a villain so nasty you’re itching for their downfall?

Well, there’s no secret that I spend more time creating villains. They’re fun and honestly it’s the main reason we watch a lot of these crazy films. Yes the hero will win, but heroes are boring.

So now I’m gonna let you in on how to cook up a villain so dastardly, so unapologetically vile, that your readers are clawing at the pages (or swiping madly on their e-readers) just to see your hero plant a metaphorical (or literal) boot in their ass?

Well, buckle up, grab a coffee, because I’m about to guide you through the villainous labyrinth of crafting a Big Bad that’s more hated than a cell phone that goes off in a quiet movie theatre.

First off, Make It Personal.

A great villain isn’t just a faceless entity or a nebulous force of evil. No, no, no. Your villain needs to be a thorn in the side, a pebble in the shoe of your hero’s life. Maybe they burned down the hero’s village, swiped their significant other, or – for added spice – they’re the hero’s own flesh and blood.

The more personal you make it, the more readers will salivate for some grade-A comeuppance.

Secondly, you gotta Give ‘Em A Plan. Not just any plan, though. I’m talking about a scheme that’s as complex and intricate as a Rube Goldberg machine, but with the stakes cranked to eleven.

This plan should make the reader’s stomach knot up with tension. It should be something grandiose, with layers that peel back like some kind of sinister onion, each layer revealing a new level of “Oh crap, they did WHAT?”

Now, let’s talk Charisma. Yes, charisma. Your villain should drip it like a leaky faucet.

They might be as wicked as a sack full of scorpions, but oooh, make them charming. Whether it’s a silver tongue, a magnetic personality, or a devilish wit – if your readers love to hate them, then baby, you’re golden.

Think of the smooth-talking charmers who could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in white gloves. That’s your villain.

Moving on, Flaw Them Deeply. A perfect villain is a boring villain. Give them weaknesses that your hero can exploit. Maybe they’re hubristic, prone to underestimating others, or maybe they have a soft spot for an old flame or a pet armadillo.

These flaws make your villain relatable and beatable, which is crucial unless you want to write a story of unending despair (you monster.)

Finally, let’s get to The Clash. The hero versus villain showdown should be like the climax of a great symphony – all instruments blaring, timpani banging, and the audience on the edge of their seats. This battle, whether of wits, words, or weapons, should feel inevitable and satisfying.

Build it up throughout your narrative, sprinkle hints of what’s to come, then deliver a finale that’s as cathartic as popping a zit.

The clash is one of the most important parts so as a little bonus. This is how you can spice it up even more.

1. Raise the Stakes

First up, you need stakes that are higher than a kite on a windy day. We’re not just talking about personal stakes (though those are juicy and essential), but something bigger, broader—a threat that looms over more than just your hero’s head. Maybe the villain’s plan will reshape the world as we know it, or maybe their win means a significant ideological shift in the universe. Whatever it is, make it gargantuan.

2. Location, Location, Location

The setting of your final showdown affects everything: the mood, the tactics available to both sides, the scope and scale of the battle. Choose a location that amplifies the tension. Volcano lair?

Classic.

A crumbling suspension bridge? Heart-pounding.

A space station with a malfunctioning gravity core? Sci-fi gold.

Match the location with the theme of your story for maximum impact.

3. Personal Dynamics

This battle should be more than just a clash of fists or wits; it should be a clash of ideals and emotions. Weave in personal history and pain points. Maybe the villain is the hero’s former mentor or their sibling.

Each blow can be a line of dialogue that cuts to the bone, making the fight as emotionally charged as it is physically brutal.

4. Unexpected Twists

Throw in a couple of curveballs. Just when the audience thinks they know how this is going to go down, flip the script. Maybe the villain gains an unexpected upper hand, or an ally of the hero betrays them at the worst possible moment. Keep your readers on their toes.

5. Hero’s Growth Reflection

The hero should use everything they’ve learned throughout the story during this final battle. This is their moment to shine, to show how much they’ve changed and grown. Have them use a new skill, a piece of knowledge, or an emotional truth they’ve come to embrace to turn the tide.

6. Satisfying Conclusion

The resolution of the clash should feel earned. Avoid deus ex machina solutions that can deflate the tension. The hero should win through their own efforts, cleverness, and sacrifices. This victory should wrap up not just the fight but also their character arc, providing a satisfying closure to their journey.

7. Epic Description

Don’t just tell us the hero swung and hit the villain. Show us the swing, make us feel the impact, describe the consequences of that hit in vivid detail.

Use dynamic, sensory language to paint the battle in the minds of your readers. Let them hear the clash, smell the sweat and blood, and feel the raw emotion and adrenaline.

So no matter what you do. Your villain will be the most hated and loved character and when the clash is over. Your readers will fall in love with the hero. That’s how you tug on your readers heart-strings.

Stephen Walker.

P.S. Check out Writing Dynamite Story Hooks by Jackson Dean Chase it’ll help you write in a way that drags the readers by their eyeballs and gets you cranking out hooks left and right.

You received this email because you subscribed to my list. You can unsubscribe and stop getting my daily emails.

I’m not clingy like that ex who won’t stop calling or sends you 45400 texts a week.

21
Greater Manchester
Lancashire
BL6 7JT
United Kingdom

Powered by EmailOctopus