5 Steps: Employee → Owner Mindset

IDEAS TO CONSIDER

• Everything about GPT5 with Sam Altman 

• AI is going to kill us (this is a must watch)

• 7 Human Skills that get more valuable in the Future of Work

• The power of Ho'oponopono (I practice this every day)

Here’s the scene:

I’m on a plane, heading to Philly for a festival. 

I open my Remarkable 2 tablet to the $100M Offers PDF by Alex Hormozi. 

I decide to re-read the most important section in the book.

It was the Value Equation.

Dream Outcome X perceived likelihood of achievement divided by Time Delay X Effort and Sacrifice. 

Many online business owners I’ve met recommend this book because of this equation.

I flipped to the next page and was reminded of this exercise after the Value Equation:

List all the problems in your industry and all the solutions that could solve it. 

“Alright,” I thought, “let’s see what I wrote down…”

Well the funny thing is, instead of seeing my notes of problems and solutions I could solve, I saw a big star. 

⭐️ Fill out LLC forms by June 1!!!

Hm.

This wasn’t a gold star for “well-done.”

This was a reminder to do something that didn't solve a problem…

You see, a year ago I was so focused on the operations-focused, short-term outcome, that I never actually did what the outcome meant to solve… 

Build a business. 

Help people.

I wanted to help people through a business.

But all I cared about was having a business. 

The truth is: Starting a business is not a to-do list.

The goal is to SOLVE a bigger problem, not create an even bigger problem. 

Because with a business, you have:

• paperwork to file..

• invoices to chase...

• contractors to pay…..

• software to upgrade…..

A year ago, still in the employee mindset, I cared more about creating rather than solving. 

But… I was creating the wrong things. 

I was creating a problem. 

And I think that’s what early-stage entrepreneurs do.

We still exist in the employee mindset, not the owner mindset.

99% of education is built around the employee mindset.

I think about this John D Rockefeller quote:

Sure, a nation of workers worked back then.

But that was 100 years ago.

Today, in the future of work… the age of the worker is dying.

We are being forced to think.

Because AI and automation are taking over the working class. 

The white-collar, desk workers are first.

Does that sound scary to you?

It does to me too.

Here's what I wish people told me about building a business in the age of AI:

1. If you haven't started yet—it's O-K-A-Y.

It took me TWO YEARS from layoff (seriously, exactly 24 months ago!) to today—now earning 81% of my prior income a month.

This is nothing to brag about. Some people may say that I’ve "failed.”

But I like to think of it as never giving up. And this is your calling too.

2. Your motivation comes after starting.

Someone recently told me this interesting comparison: think of motivation like sleep. “You know when you sleep? You don't wait to sleep. You pretend to sleep… then you fall asleep.”

This is the 2nd biggest piece of advice I'd share with anyone looking to start.

People stuck “waiting” for motivation are still stuck in the employee mindset.

If you're thinking like this person, reconsider your objectives:

3. 100% execution isn't human.

I tell myself weekly: “Don't be so hard on yourself, you're working 10 hours on your computer a day!”

(this is true, I use Rize to measure exactly what I am doing every workday)

We are not built like robots. Take a breather, enjoy the journey.

Those who last see the big picture will be the ones to “succeed”

Whatever that means!

4. Start a business to work 10 hours a day.

Freedom? Yeah right. Your first year working will be brutal.

And honestly… if you want to scale every year, it won't get easier.

You will get tougher.

So start a business because you enjoy working 10 hours a day. Not because you feel forced to.

But if you're like me, then those 10 hours will be a small price to pay for the reward ahead.

And lastly, honestly,

5. No one needs to know.

This sounds counterintuitive to my content. However, my goal is to be inclusive. I know “my way” is not the only way. My way involves content because of my long-term dreams of becoming a speaker.

Your long-term dreams may be different.

So know your dreams. Know your objectives. Take the steps necessary to generate your own.

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🎶 OUR PLAYLIST

Are you building your online empire where leads come to you?

I help my clients build that reputation. I know all it comes down to is your Brand Voice. In the age of AI, your personal brand will be the only reason your business stands out. Gary Vee says this about the ai-future of work.

The problem is, some people don't know how to create their personal brand. When they stare into a camera or they sit in front of the blank box of the “Post” button, we freeze. We have analysis paralysis for the unknown.

But you already do know your personal brand.

It's locked in your voice. It's hidden in every conversation you have with friends, family, clients, and your dog (like my puppy Zoë). And personally? I realized…. I can help people unlock this.

Two weeks ago I announced, I'm offering 10 Free Brand Voice Analysis Interviews in the month of August. You get a detailed, strategic yet reflective analysis of your Brand Voice to use in creating assets that bring your leads to you.

But the truth is…

I'm overbooked. The 10 calls are taken. And it's August 16th.

But I know… I can still make time to add value. That's what I want to do for you. 45-minute interview. 30 minute review.

Are you ready?

Reply to this email.

I'll send you time to book.

Sincerely,

Lauren and the Connections team

P.S Here's why to take advantage of this limited offer. Or maybe you want to hear this. Maybe this is why you book. If you feel an inkling of a reason, let's do it.