← Back to the archive
Work & ambition

The secret to succes

What I’m about to reveal is so important that I truly believe it’s the secret of the universe:

Be boring. Keep it dead f*cking boring.

You see, most people will always lean towards the sexy solution no matter what. It doesn’t matter if it’s improving their health, building a business, getting a date, or anything worth pursuing. I’ve seen this pattern unravel in literally every single arena of life.

Take the "Feel Better, Live More" podcast, for instance. Personally, I love Dr. Rangan Chatterjee. I think his message is a net positive for society, and he’s on a mission to help people improve their health and wellbeing. But here’s the thing: Most people already know how to improve their health. The problem is that the things they need to do (but won’t do)…. are boring. Dead f*cking boring.

Eat whole foods. Exercise. Go to sleep at a reasonable hour. Don’t abuse alcohol and junk food. We all know the answer, and we all know it’s boring. But instead of sticking to boring things that would improve their health by 90%, most people would rather pursue the sexy things that may improve their health by 0.1%.

And so it goes with business. Instead of doing the boring things that build their business by 90%, most CEOs would rather chase some sexy new tactic that may improve their business by 0.1%.

The best way to show me you like what you're reading here is to forward this email to 5 of your colleagues who you think will also like it. It makes a big difference. All they have to do is click here to subscribe. Thanks.

Subscribe Here

The Boring Fundamentals Are Your Best Bet

How many times do you need to hear the boring fundamentals before you accept it’s the closest to a guarantee as you’re ever going to get in this game? How many times do you need to hear the boring fundamentals before you accept it’s the only way to lose fat and get in the best shape of your life?

So here’s the secret to the universe: Stick to the boring things that work. And keep it dead f*cking boring. And I have proof:

Warren Buffett: The Oracle of Omaha

Warren Buffett, one of the richest men in the world, is a prime example of someone who embraced the boring path. Instead of chasing the latest market trends or investing in flashy startups, Buffett has always stuck to a simple, boring strategy: investing in undervalued companies with strong fundamentals.

His approach to investing is all about patience and consistency. He buys shares in companies with solid business models, never trades, and lets the magic of compound interest work its wonders. Buffett’s strategy is so “boring” that he once said his favourite holding period is “forever.” Yet, this boring strategy has made him a billionaire many times over.

Jordan Henderson: The King of Simplicity

I can't actually believe that I'm using Jordan Henderson as an example here. I'm a Man Utd fan (he played most of his career with Liverpool) and I find his football so boring that I hated it every time he got picked for England. Anway, time to swallow my pride...

Jordan Henderson, the English midfielder who has captained Liverpool, exemplifies the boring path to success. Henderson isn’t known for flashy tricks or extravagant flair. Instead, his game is built on exceptional leadership, precise passing, and incredible work rate.

His style of play is often described as simple and effective (boring!). Henderson’s commitment to mastering the fundamentals of soccer—ball control, positioning, and decision-making—has led him to win numerous titles, including the Premier League and the Champions League. His “boring” dedication to the basics has made him one of the most respected and successful players in the world.

Jeff Bezos: Relentless Focus

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, didn’t achieve his success by chasing every new business trend. From the start, Bezos focused on a single, seemingly boring principle: customer obsession. He relentlessly pursued ways to improve the customer experience, from fast shipping to a vast selection of products.

Bezos stuck to this boring, customer-centric approach even when it wasn’t the popular thing to do. He avoided the flashy trends and fads that come and go in the tech industry. This relentless focus on the basics of good business practices turned Amazon from an online bookstore into one of the most powerful companies in the world.

So there you have it. That’s the boring secret to the universe.

Actionable Takeaways

  1. Health: Stick to whole foods, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep. Avoid the temptation of fad diets or extreme workouts.
  2. Business: Focus on proven strategies that drive 90% of your results. Avoid chasing every new trend that promises minimal improvements.
  3. Consistency: Embrace the mundane tasks that yield results over time. Success often comes from sustained, boring effort rather than sporadic bursts of inspiration.

Stay boring, stay successful.

Jon

P.S. If you'd like to see more of my pretty face, then check out my YouTube channel where you'll learn more about this kind of stuff.

P.P.S. The best way to show your love of this newsletter is to forward it on to one of your mates who you think will like it. To date 84% of my subscribers have come from recommendations (thanks, Mum).

  • → jon-kaye.ck.page/sign-up
Original newsletter disclosures

DISCLAIMERS & DISCLOSURES This content is for education and entertainment purposes only. Jon does not provide tax or investment advice. The information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.