The Token Metrics Podcast

There’s an excellent quote from Nietzsche that sums up the ideas above. It goes like this: “In the end, it must be as it is and always has been: great things remain for the great, abysses for the profound, nuances and shudders for the refined, and, in brief, all that is rare for the rare.” Great things remain for the great. Rare things remain for the rare. Let’s drill into that so you can fully internalize it. Not everyone can be Michael Jordan. Not everyone can be Tom Brady. Not everyone can be the President of the United States. Not everyone can win a Nobel Prize. Great things remain for the great, and rare things remain for the rare. If it were easy, everyone would be great; everyone would have rare things. Put that into perspective with whatever goal you’re trying to achieve. I internalized it, by realizing that everyone isn’t entitled to living a six-figure lifestyle. Evident by the number of people twice my age who had yet to achieve this goal. As a result, I had to be motivated to be great and rare at an early age if I wanted to achieve this lifestyle in my twenties. Thus, if you want to become Superman and achieve your fullest potential, you need to accept that it’s going to take a lot of hard work. The ride isn’t going to be straight nor smooth. You must have the will-power to turn every roadblock into an advantage. Website: http://ianbalina.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaryofamad... Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/diaryofa... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianbalina/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/diaryofamademan

Happiness and misfortune are brothers and sisters. They go hand in hand. They are like twins who grow together. So, if you wish for all suffering in your life to be small, then the level of happiness you achieve in life is going to be small as well. “No pain, no gain” – I know it’s an overused cliché, but it’s the truth. None of the people who succeeded in life on their own had it easy. Thomas Edison, one of the most successful inventors in history, failed 10.000 times before he invented the lightbulb. Instead of accepting defeat, Edison understood that if he wants to be successful, he has to work hard and test each idea until he would find the one that works Any goal that is worthwhile will have an equal amount of suffering required that goes with it. In other words, the harder something is to achieve the more worthy it is. And, the more you’ll suffer now, the greater the reward. Website: http://ianbalina.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaryofamad... Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/diaryofa... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianbalina/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/diaryofamademan

“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” – Friedrich Nietzsche Becoming the best at something won’t be easy. We already know it might take a lot of pain and suffering, but as long as you have a why you’ll make it through. And there are a lot of examples: Imagine the amount of suffering LeBron James had to go through in the gym to become the world’s best basketball player. Imagine the amount of suffering Elon Musk had to go through to grow three companies from the ground up and take them public with three separate initial public offerings (IPO). Imagine the amount of suffering Barack Obama had to go through to become America’s first Black president. They were all able to succeed because they had a “why” that motivated them and kept them going. You need a “why” as well if you want to conquer any adversity in your journey towards achieving your fullest potential. But, how do you find what drives and motivates you? Pay Attention to People Who Inspire You: You can learn from their experience. Find out how they discovered their inner power (their “why.”) Maybe some of their methods will prove useful. Find a Coach/Mentor: You might need direct guidance in this process. Having a coach/mentor enables you to ask the right questions so that you find the right answer. Your coach/mentor should be someone with experience who has already been where you are. Let me be clear: You can’t reach your full potential if you don’t have a why that drives you. I know that for a fact. I have been able to achieve a tremendous level of success pretty early in life because I have been able to find an answer to one of the most difficult questions: Why? My family is my “why.” My parents have done a lot for me to be successful, so I owe them a lot. I don’t want to disappoint them. I want to pay them back by becoming so successful that my entire family never has to worry about money, ever again. Moreover, I want to leave a legacy so profound that future generations of my family never have to worry about money. My family isn’t the only thing that motivates me to work hard every day. I look at the lists of billionaires and millionaires, and I only see a few Black or African people on them. I take personal ownership in wanting to change that. I want my success story to influence young Black students. I want them to see that you don’t have to be a victim of circumstances. If you have a goal in mind, are committed and work smart and hard, anything can be achieved regardless of your background. However, finding the thing that makes you eager to get out of bed every morning and work is just the first step. If you want to reach your full potential, you need to accept that another harsh reality I briefly touched on earlier. Website: http://ianbalina.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaryofamad... Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/diaryofa... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianbalina/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/diaryofamademan

“To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering” – Nietzsche This has been one of the most important quotes of my life. Read it again and let it sink in. To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering. Everybody suffers. Suffering is part of life. That’s what it means to be human. Life has highs and lows. A life consisting of only highs is pure fantasy. The first step in achieving your fullest potential and becoming Superman is to understand this concept fundamentally. You shouldn’t be afraid to suffer because this process will help you. It’s just like getting a shot. Although it hurts at first, in the end, it will make you better. Think about it this way. In medicine, pain is your body telling you that something is wrong. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to identify the problems and fix them. So, pain is not only natural but also useful to your self-fulfillment. If you still need convincing, here’s what psychologists say about suffering: It’s Only as Bad as You Make It: It stops being bad if you believe life is about growth. And, growth entails a degree of pain. No pain, no gain. Suffering Can Include the Most Profound Happiness Within It: Think of Mahatma Gandhi, to name only one. Although he endured great suffering, he also experienced joy during that time. He knew that what he was going through was for a greater good. Suffering Is a Normal Part of Every Worthwhile Endeavor: Periodic torment in all areas of life is natural. If it’s worth it, it won’t always be easy. In the end, suffering is what it is and what we make of it. Of course, it’s not pleasant, but as long as we find meaning in it, it’s not useless. On the contrary, it’s in our favor most of the time. So, you should keep in mind that every dark cloud has a silver lining. Also, whenever you have a hard time, ask yourself: “Does complaining about my hard time help in any way?” You’ll find that most of the time, the answer is no. In fact, complaining will only stop you from achieving your fullest potential. I know, we are all guilty of whining to some degree or another. It’s easier to complain than to take action. But here are some tricks that can help you complain less, do more, and be happier: Change the Way You Think: Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on the positive. Try finding something good in every situation, no matter how hard it is. If you find it difficult, ask a more optimistic friend to help you. Be Less Judgmental: We often complain about the people around us. That’s because they don’t live up to our expectations. However, if we stop judging others, our level of dissatisfaction will decrease. We suffer because we have expectations that don’t get met. But, if we let expectations go, we will be less judgmental, and we will suffer less. Take Action: If something is bothering you, you have two options: either solve it or accept that nothing can be done right now. If that is the case, then why complain about it? It will only make it worse. The point is that, instead of always complaining, you should have a reason to push forward. That brings us to the next point of Nietzsche’s quote. Being human is to suffer. To survive life and ascend beyond suffering, you have to find meaning in the suffering you’re currently going through. You have to find the why! It’s the fuel that helps you endure the enormous amounts of suffering required. It’s what gives you meaning during your suffering, and motivates you to soldier on. Website: http://ianbalina.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaryofamad... Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/diaryofa... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianbalina/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/diaryofamademan

As I said before, being Superman isn’t about having physical strength, but mental power. It means you should maximize and live up to your fullest potential. The concept of Superman encourages people to will their destiny, create their set of values and make life dance to their rhythm. Becoming Superman means achieving everything you can achieve. It means crushing your goals and ascending to a level where others question whether you’re even human. Becoming Superman is the manifestation of you achieving “greatness.” You are operating at 100% and doing everything you can to strive towards your goals. Superman doesn’t bow to obstacles in life; he makes obstacles in life bow to him. He is not a bystander; he is the one that acts while others watch him take action. Superman doesn’t sit on the sidelines watching others achieve greatness. He achieves greatness while others watch and talk about him. He has fully mastered life and has figuratively ascended the human condition. Website: http://ianbalina.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaryofamad... Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/diaryofa... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianbalina/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/diaryofamademan

Actionable advice on how to make six figures in your 20s. Learn how to make $100,000 a year while you're still young. Website: http://ianbalina.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaryofamad... Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/diaryofa... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianbalina/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/diaryofamademan

Everybody is familiar with the origin story of Superman. Born on the alien planet Krypton, he was sent to Earth by his father moments before his home planet’s destruction. He was adopted and raised by a Kansas farmer and his wife under the name of Clark Kent. Upon discovering his superhuman abilities, he decided to use them for the benefit of humanity under a secret identity. But, have you ever wondered how the concept of “Superman” was born? As it turns out, the metaphor for Superman comes from Friedrich Nietzsche’s Übermensch (German for Superman). It symbolizes “the superior man” who has overcome himself and human nature. In essence, the “Ubermensch” is one who has conquered the chains of the human condition and reached a liberated state. In Nietzsche’s definition, anyone has the potential to become an Ubermensch. However, the metamorphoses that one must undergo to reach the state of Superman are not easy, he warns us. You mustn’t let hardship and difficult times keep your down. “That which does not kill us makes us stronger,” is a famous quote by Nietzsche. The point being that, as long as we’re alive, we can surpass anything and each experience, no matter how challenging, will help us improve. So, following this path, the goal is to become the greatest version of yourself. But how do you do that? Let’s find out. Website: http://ianbalina.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaryofamad... Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/diaryofa... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianbalina/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/diaryofamademan

By this point, you should have several different options on how to continue your career. Option #1 Continuing to work corporate jobs, keep interviewing every 1-3 months and leverage your side business and book to keep getting higher paying jobs. Option #2 If your side business is taking off and bringing in more money than your regular job, you can make the leap and do it full time. Option #3 Improve your brand even more by reaching out to top influencers in your field, requesting to interview them for your business’s website or upcoming book. Stay in touch with these people and try to meet them in person as often as you can. There’s a reason successful people surround themselves with like-minded people. Even if you are not the one running the show, their mindset, attitude and lifestyle can influence your opinions and, eventually, your actions; Take Steve Jobs, as an example. Maybe he wouldn’t have become one of the greatest businessmen in the world without the help of Mike Markkula. While it’s true that he invested in Apple, which brought him a one-third share in the company, the most significant contribution he made in Steve Jobs’ life was his role as ‘adult supervisor.’ Mike Markkula was the one who kept Steve Jobs on track. After talking to all these amazing people and eventually finding a mentor, gather all the interviews with the top people in your field into a second book. See how it all adds up? The more people you meet and the more books you publish, the more name recognition you get. Just look at Tim Ferriss, the famous author, who knew how to leverage his brand and platform to interview billionaires and create a new book called “Tools of Titans.” Then, he used his network and people he interviewed to promote it. That’s what you need to do too in whatever line of work you work in. Website: http://ianbalina.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaryofamad... Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/diaryofa... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianbalina/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/diaryofamademan

Why do some people succeed more than others? Is it because they are more intelligent, more ambitious, they take more risks or is it just sheer luck? When talking about the wealthy and powerful, most people want to know what they’re like – how intelligent they are, what kind of character they have or what unique talents they are born with. We assume that it is those personal traits that explain how some people got to the top. The question they should ask instead is: what does it take to be great? But, to uncover the path to greatness, you first need to understand what it means. People define greatness in different ways. According to Wikipedia, it represents “a state of superiority affecting an individual or object.” Sir Francis Galton, an English sociologist, even argued greatness implies the possession of a natural ability to be better than others. In other words, biology plays a crucial role in people’s chances of achieving success. We all now know that not to be true and we’ve seen countless examples of individuals who succeeded against all the odds. American journalist, Tony Schwartz tried to redefine the concept of greatness by saying that the real measure for it is our capacity to navigate hardship with ability and grace. As you can see, although the idea of greatness is probably as old as time, people still struggle to understand it. The problem is that, without a clear understanding of what it means how to measure it, it’s almost impossible to tell if you achieved it. Moreover, greatness is relative. For some people, being the best means bringing a positive change in the world (Martin Luther King Jr., Bill Gates, Winston Churchill, etc.) For others, it means being the best at what their doing (Michael Jordan, Michael Jackson, Tom Brady, etc.) Whatever the case, one thing is clear: people aren’t born great; they become great. ------------------------ Table of Contents ------------------------ 0:51 Defining Greatness 1:55 A Real World Definition of Greatness 4:07 How to Achieve Greatness 6:03 Levels to Greatness - Break Greatness into Manageable Steps 8:18 A Story on Greatness - Basketball Example 9:45 9th Grade 13:10 9th Grade Greatness Matching Action Steps 14:43 10th Grade 18:06 10th Grade Greatness Matching Action Steps 21:26 11th Grade 24:29 11th Grade Greatness Matching Action Steps 26:24 12th Grade 28:04 12th Grade Greatness Matching Action Steps 30:44 College 33:38 Conclusion ------------------------ Website: http://ianbalina.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaryofamad... Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/diaryofa... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianbalina/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/diaryofamademan

As your business grows, your experience in your field improves as well. Learn how to use that to your advantage. Year One – Network Every Month Attend at least one event a month in your industry. Not only will you improve your knowledge and skills, but you will extend your network. Here are a few examples of events you could attend and how you should use them: Conferences Trade shows Meetups As I said, these events are an excellent opportunity for you to talk to people and extend your network. But, here’s something I noticed. About 95% of people fail to make meaningful connections because they don’t follow up. So, if you had a great conversation with someone at a networking event, send them a note and remark on your interaction. Mention how you enjoyed talking with them. If you’ve offered to connect them with someone else, then you should follow through with your promise. Networking isn’t over the minute you walk out of the event. It’s a continuous process. At the end of the first year, you will have improved your knowledge and skills. You will possess not only the vocabulary but also the ins and outs of how your industry operates. Most importantly, you will have new, meaningful connections with experts in your industry. A wise man once said, “Your network, is your net worth.” Don’t take it lightly. Year Two – Start a Blog Start writing content on trending topics in your industry – it’s a great way to make yourself known. Write on your blog or even write guest posts on other sites in your industry. If you don’t have a blog or if you don’t have enough name recognition to land guest writing opportunities, then you can publish your content on LinkedIn Pulse. Be consistent. If you want to be seen as an industry expert, make sure to post content regularly. Set a day each week or month when you publish new content and stick to the schedule. Make sure your articles are unique, helpful, and add value to your audience. As a rule of thumb, make sure your posts are at least 1,000 words or longer. Ideally, they should be around 3,500 to 5,000. These should be evergreen pieces that last the test of time. How to guides are a perfect example. Year Three – Publish a Book Publish a book and start presenting it at events in your industry. Believe me, it’s not as difficult as it sounds. You can take your first 12 blog posts and re-purpose them as a print book, eBook, and audiobook. Wait a minute. Aren’t print books dead, you might ask yourself. Far from it, and there’s another advantage to physical books. Even if you don’t sell any, they will become your new business card. A print book will separate you from most people in your field. Just imagine going into a job interview and handing an employer a physical copy of your book. Or imagine what people will think when you’re talking about your side business, and they come to find out you wrote a book in the space it works in. There’s no question that you will make a lasting impression. Use IngramSpark and CreateSpace to self-publish the books and have them available on Amazon, bookstores, and libraries. Focus on using your book as a tool to make money. Website: http://ianbalina.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaryofamad... Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/diaryofa... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianbalina/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/diaryofamademan

Risk-taking is almost synonymous with being successful. You need guts and the right mindset to make a dramatic career change or start a business. The prospect of earning a six-figure income is worth it. But, before you dive headfirst, you should make sure that you invest in yourself first. Automate Your Savings You’ll need extra money if you want to invest both in yourself and in new business ventures. That’s why you should maximize your employer’s 401K match. To make sure that you’re not leaving any money on the table, you need to contribute the right amount of money at the right time. Let’s see how you can do that in a few steps: Understand Your 401K Matching Program: While some companies have very compelling matching programs, others offer small or no matching programs at all. Analyze the overview of your 401(k) program to make sure it fits your needs; Never Turn Down Free Money: In other words, don’t fail to contribute to your 401(k) plan because if you do, then you are losing money your employer would otherwise be providing for your retirement. Calculate Your Contribution Amount: This calculator might help. Remember, you can’t maximize your benefits if you don’t pay attention to the real numbers; Multiply Your Sources of Income A lot of people think that the rich are getting richer because they have more investments than everybody else. But, that’s not necessarily true. They don’t have a secret formula that they use every day to grow their investments. Instead, they are smart about them. So, once you have the basics of investing covered, focus on the following: Invest Part of Your Income in Your Side Business Your side business is a real business. If you treat it as a hobby, not spending time and resources to grow it, then how do you expect to make money? Invest Part of Your Income in Passive Income Streams and Investments with Lots of Upside Your side business might be your baby, but the number one rule any disciplined investor must know is: never put all of your eggs in one basket. So, take some of your income each month and invest it in things with lots of upsides. That means you should keep your eyes on the market, research it, and jump at volatile opportunities you encounter, as they usually mean lots of possible money could be made. They say the average millionaire has around seven different sources of income besides their main job. Maybe the number is a bit of an exaggeration, but the main takeaway is still valid: you need to diversify your revenue stream if you want to make $100,000 in your 20s. Here are some ideas that can help you generate passive income. Sell on Amazon: I’ve already written an entire guide about how to make money selling on Amazon, so I encourage you to read it. Growth Stocks: The reason growth stocks work so well is that corporate earnings evolve as the economy evolves. Not only that they are easy to buy and sell, but growth stocks can also help you stay ahead of inflation. Practically, if you need cash right now and you have stocks, you can sell them at any time. Crypto-currencies: There’s no secret that crypto-currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum (Ether) are on the rise. In fact, I’ve recently read an article about a man who invested $27 in Bitcoin and made a profit of $886,000 in four years. While it’s true that he forgot about the investment, it still shows you the power crypto-currencies and other speculative investments. So, now that you have a few ideas on how to multiply your sources of income, it’s up to you to decide which one fits you best. The important thing is that you expand your income streams. Website: http://ianbalina.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaryofamad... Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/diaryofa... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianbalina/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/diaryofamademan

If you’re going to be using your business to lower your taxes, you’ll have to keep expenses. Keeping track of your expenses may prove difficult, especially when you have a lot on your mind. Luckily, nowadays almost anything can be automated. For instance, I have an app that reminds me to pay my bills, one to remind me of meetings, and one that reminds me when my favorite shows are on. So, it’s only normal that there’s an app that can help track your expenses. In fact, there are hundreds of different options out there, but I prefer to do the bulk of my expense tracking using Expensify. This app will automatically track and log expenses for you, by linking up to your debit and credit cards. Here’s how to use it: Sign up for a free plan using your email, this will help you do everything you need. The next step is to import all your credit and debit. From now on, any transactions on them will be automatically logged and categorized. When it comes to filing your taxes, just pull up your expenses by categories. This will make filing your business expenses incredibly easy. If you need any additional information, you can simply search and filter through all your transactions each tax year with their search box. If you still need convincing, here are a few reasons you should use Expensify, as a business owner. Remember what I said about trying to spend as little as possible? Well, decreasing your most significant expenses is part of it. Lower Your Rent Move to a city with a lower cost of living. Sure, it’s cool to say that you live in New York City, but when you pay an arm and a leg for a shoebox, maybe it’s time to reconsider your decision. If your business or job requires you to travel a lot, why not make some money while you’re not home? You could, for instance, rent your house on Airbnb. If you want to learn how to earn an extra profit or even create a real business renting your home on Airbnb, then you should check my guide here. Decrease Your Car Payment If you have a car that you barely drive, then you should rent it out on sites like Turo. Turo is a peer-to-peer car rental service that allows regular people to rent their cars to each other. It’s completely up to you on how you price your car. You can either set your rate or allow the service to adjust them based on supply and demand. But, what if someone messes up my car, you may ask. Well, that’s the beauty of the service. Turo has a one million dollar liability insurance policy that covers drivers while they are renting your vehicle. Website: http://ianbalina.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaryofamad... Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/diaryofa... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianbalina/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/diaryofamademan

Still undecided on a college major? Here is a quick guide on how to choose a college major that is future proof and makes money. Website: http://ianbalina.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaryofamad... Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/diaryofa... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianbalina/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/diaryofamademan

Money seems to grow on trees for a very select number of people. As a result, the gap between the rich and everybody else is getting bigger by the day. You probably know the famous interview in which Warren Buffett explains how he pays fewer taxes than his secretary. It sounds outrageous, but he’s right, though. Millionaire Mike, who makes $5,000,000 a year will pay only 18% on his income tax while Average Joe, who makes $50,000 a year, will pay a tax rate of 20%. How is it possible that millionaires pay less in taxes than their secretaries or janitors? It’s because the tax laws in the United States are designed to benefit investors. That said, if you plan on getting rich, a regular job won’t suffice. But starting a business on the side might get you there. Start Your Side Business It’s said that the most important trait of a successful entrepreneur is his or her ability to see an opportunity and imagine something where others haven’t. But, I’ve seen many stuck at the starting line preoccupied with every single detail. But, here’s the thing. Your business idea doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. Just think about the coffee cup sleeve – there’s nothing ingenious about a piece of carton that protects the drinker’s hands from hot coffee. But, it solved a problem most people were having. If you still have trouble finding a good business idea, focus on what you know already. For instance, if you are a salesman, you could start a consulting business and teach others how to master the art of selling. At this stage in life, with you so young, the main purpose of your business is to decrease your taxable income. Making a profit is nice, but not the end of the world. Amazon didn’t make a profit for nearly six years. The main point of your business at this stage is to help you pay lower taxes, and take that extra money to re-invest into your business. Learn How to Convert Personal Expenses to Business Expenses As difficult as it may seem, having your own business will bring you some benefits. For instance, you can convert some of your personal expenses to business expenses, such as: Home office Travel Mileage or car Transportation Hotels You can write off these expenses by linking them to your business. You don’t have to be a master accountant to do it. It’s quite simple. Here’s an example. A good friend of mine runs a nongovernmental organization. He’s a master when it comes to writing off expenses. Almost everything he does is somehow linked to his business. For instance, if he plans a vacation to the Philippines, he’ll turn it into a business trip. Sure, he would explore the islands, surf, and relax but, at the same time, he would also schedule meetings with possible partners and investors, or simply look for business opportunities while exploring the country. So, the secret is to add a business spin to what you’re doing, just as my friend does. Not only will you have fun, but you will have fun for free and expand your business, at the same time. There’s no law that says your one employee corporation can’t hold board meetings in Honolulu, Hawaii or Tokyo, Japan. Website: http://ianbalina.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diaryofamad... Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/add/diaryofa... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianbalina/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/diaryofamademan

I sit down with the smartest person I know, and close friend of mine, Asad Mahmood M.D., aka Ace. This is a deep interview on how to hack school and get straight As.