E18: The Hacker Mindset: A 5-Step Methodology for Cracking the System and Achieving Your Dreams

3 Lessons 💡

1) Contrast Slackers and Hackers

• People can be slackers in execution or strategy
• Slacker in Execution
  • These are the types of people who are always dreaming of the things they could do -- always planning, but never doing
• Slacker in Strategy
  • They put in all the effort but lack direction and so end up just going down the same path over and over again
• Hackers
  • Identify what their goals are and optimize the fastest path to achieving them -- balance execution and strategy

2) Critical Hacker Characteristics

• Curiosity, Constant Improvement, Courage, Determination, Realism and Efficiency
  • These CAN be learned, BUT require action to grow

3) Hacker Methodology Repeating Process

• Objective → Reconnaissance → Analysis → Execute → Reassess
  • Clarify your objective at the beginning -- can be small to start
  • Reassess -- most important step
  • Always keep learning and repeat the process for best results

✅ Actionable Advice:

1) Reflect on the Hacker Characteristics:

• What's one action I could take to increase any of these abilities in my life?

2) Think about a problem in your personal or professional life

• Brainstorm 3 or 4 ways you might solve any problem

3) Reflect on what your most important employment objective is?

• What's most important to my career? What can I compromise on?

Helpful Links:

• The Hacker Mindset (ThriftBooks or BetterWorldBooks; only new copies available at time of publishing)
• Alex and Books Website
• Highlights from "The Hacker Mindset"
• Questions: Email [e-mail]

Book Mentioned: "The Hacker Mindset: A 5-Step Methodology for Cracking the System and Achieving Your Dreams" by Garrett Gee