“Pass everything through a sieve.” —Michel de Montaigne

I used to mistake complexity for intelligence.

A persona that if I was busy, I wasn’t lazy.

If I had a lot to do, I was “being” successful.

Symptoms of complexity are:

• Working 60 hours a week and thinking you have a leads problem.
• Being a creator/artist personality and hiring to scale.
• Answering messages on weekends to make Monday manageable.

Feel these? Read on.

Because you don’t need to seek something new.

You need to pass what already exists through a filter.

These 4 filters have made my life so GD simple it makes me question every business book I ever read.

I’ll give you the 30-second version here.

If you want to go deeper on all 4, check this video.

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1. North Star Filter

Ditch goals for direction.

My North Star is to reach my potential by helping the most people reach theirs.

Automatic filter. If I’m helping someone, I’m stepping towards it. If I’m not, I’m stepping away.

Example: I got invited to speak in London to a group of entrepreneurs. If I stayed home — citing expense, travel, inconvenience — I’m stepping away.

I booked the trip and helped some people step closer to their potential.

2. Opportunity Filter

Does it bring you joy or move the needle?

If it does one or the other, evaluate it.

If it does both, double down on it.

If it does neither, eliminate it.

Example: That long to-do list you’ve got. Run it through this filter.

3. Appetite Filter

Best used with an extended time horizon.

Someone puts an opportunity in front of your face. Don’t answer in the moment.

Ask: “Will I have the appetite for that 6 months from now?”

9/10 that answer will be no.

4. Eulogy Filter

Flooded with opinions? Follow some experts telling you to do something?

This is decision debt, and it sucks.

Ask: “Would this person give the eulogy at my funeral?”

No guilt required. You spend every second of every day with yourself.

Your opinion matters most for the direction of your life.

The more you use this one, the more you trust yourself.

It’s a bangin’ headspace to occupy.

4 Filters + Daily = Simplicity

I give a lot of examples in the video; check it out if you’ve got 22 minutes.​

Good luck.

-C

P.S. Need help making space so you can think cleaner and trust yourself?

When you’re ready, give this a read.