If the Soul is Missing… the Results Will Too
10 thoughts, ideas & creative finds on mastering the signal-to-noise ratio, founders becoming the face of the brand and why wealth must be accompanied by freedom
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The Rundown — Here’s what I found over the course of this week that has helped me, inspired me or gave me some creative pushes…
On what a true calling actually feels like — “When you’re called to something deeply, it won’t just excite you… it will undo you. Your calling breaks you open so you can build what only you were meant to carry.” (—Matt Gottesman) — Most people think purpose is supposed to feel exciting. But if you’ve truly been called to something… you know it doesn’t just inspire you — it undoes you. It shakes up the logical. It disrupts the comfortable. It demands everything and gives back something far greater: clarity, conviction, and peace that’s earned. A real calling keeps you up at night — not from stress, but from a sacred responsibility that won’t let go. It doesn’t flatter the ego… it sanctifies the process. That’s why some people burn out chasing goals — and others rise from the fire with deeper strength. The truth? You don’t choose your calling. It chooses you — and then refines you into the version of yourself that can carry it.
On earning outcomes through evolution, not shortcuts — “You try to achieve everything that you wanna achieve in the next six months, it's impossible. But if you try to achieve everything you wanna achieve in the next ten years, it's very, very plausible." (—Tom Noske) — This one hit deep. Not because it’s harsh… but because it’s honest. In a world obsessed with instant wins and overnight status, we forget that readiness isn’t a timeline — it’s a transformation. The right opportunities don’t just show up when you want them to… they meet you when you’ve matured into the version of you that can actually sustain them. That’s not a punishment — it’s protection. I’ve lived this. And what I’ve learned is that pace doesn’t prove potential — evolution does. You don’t need to force a breakthrough. You need to become the kind of person it naturally flows to. Don’t rush the process. Refine who you're becoming.
On mastering the signal-to-noise ratio — “If you're gonna be awake eighteen hours Yep. And you've determined that there's three things you have to get done, you're gonna get those done. No matter what it takes, you're gonna get those done. And you're not gonna let anything distract you from the three to five things.” (— Kevin O’Leary) — Success isn’t always about doing more — it’s about doing what matters. Kevin breaks down a truth most founders overlook: if you can’t identify the 3–5 most important things you need to do in the next 18 hours… and protect them from distraction… you’re not running a business, you’re reacting to one. Vision is essential, but it doesn’t replace execution. Most people drown in noise — email, scrolling, surface-level meetings, chasing optics. But the most effective leaders? They’re ruthless about clarity. They don’t just set priorities — they defend them. I’ve lived both sides of this. And every time I return to simplicity, focus, and fewer moving parts… things accelerate. SIDE NOTE: learning what’s important and needs prioritization isn’t just for business… it’s for your health and relationships especially.
On mastering what you do — "Figure out what you do, then do it and do it better than anyone else and then let everything else build around that.” (—Founders Podcsat) — There’s something deeply grounding about the quiet pursuit of mastery. No crowd. No noise. Just you, your craft, and the discipline to keep showing up for it. In the story Tim Grover shares, he and Michael Jordan are at a sharpshooting range. They watch one sniper — no fanfare, no shortcuts — drive out alone to set up his target, then return to take a single shot. Bullseye. Every time. Total focus. Total presence. That kind of discipline doesn’t show up overnight. It’s built slowly, over time — and it’s what gets called on when the moment matters most. It reminded me: you don’t need to do it all, be everywhere, or prove anything. You just need to know your lane — and go all in on it. The most powerful work doesn’t demand attention. It earns respect. Quietly. Consistently. Unshakably.
On why burnout is a blueprint — “If you’re building from burnout, you’ll resent what you create.” — In a recent podcast, The energy you build with doesn’t just influence your results — it shapes your entire relationship with the outcome. When you’re stuck in hustle-mode, you might get things done… but they rarely feel aligned. You check the boxes, but you don’t feel connected. You show up, but it’s not sustainable. In this episode, I unpack the difference between discipline and disconnection — and how easy it is to confuse the two. Because if you’re building from depletion, urgency, or pressure, the resentment doesn’t show up at the start… it shows up when you realize what you built doesn’t reflect who you really are. I break down how to pause, reset, and rebuild from rest, clarity, and aligned strategy — not stress — My latest podcast on this can be found here (APPLE, SPOTIFY)
On building brands that resonate, not just sell — "A strong brand doesn’t sell, it invites people to be a part of the vision.” (—iamselinaargast on IG) — The best brands aren’t built on sales tactics — they’re built on shared beliefs. They don’t try to convince people… they connect with them. They offer a deeper “why,” a bigger mission, and a sense of belonging. And when that vision is clear? The right people don’t just buy… they align. Over the years, I’ve consistently lead with my brands not being “polished” but about presence. The presence of soul, clarity, conviction. When you lead with that, you stop needing to persuade. Your work speaks for itself — and those it’s meant for will know exactly where they belong.
On why founders are becoming the face of the brand — “Consumers follow faces, not logos.” — The shift didn’t happen overnight. But it’s clear now: people don’t buy from companies — they buy from people they trust. Founders aren’t just pitching behind closed doors anymore… they’re posting reels, telling stories, building in public. Because trust moved. It left the polished press releases. It left the staged boardrooms. It landed right in the hands of those willing to show up fully and honestly. And that’s the play — PR is out. Personal storytelling is in; Audience is the new moat; Content isn’t marketing — it’s your edge. Your personal brand is your company’s first impression. Your POV is the pitch deck. Your presence is the distribution. You don’t need a massive media budget. You need a message that connects — and the courage to share it. So here’s the takeaway — If you're building something meaningful, let people in. Not just into the product... but into the purpose. Because a strong brand doesn’t sell — it invites people to become part of the vision.
On why financial success without freedom still feels empty — “Wealth without independence is a unique form of poverty.” (—Morgan Housel) — It’s easy to chase the metrics that look good on paper — revenue, reach, recognition. But if it costs your autonomy, your time, or your peace — is it really wealth? Real wealth isn’t just about accumulation. It’s about agency. The ability to say no. To walk away. To create on your terms and live at your own pace. This line hit me hard because I’ve seen it — people with resources but no room to breathe. Making money, but not making moves that align. Busy, but bound. The true flex? Freedom. Ownership. Being the architect of your days, your decisions, and your direction. Success isn’t success if you’re still trapped. Let the strategy include sovereignty.
On the real value of creativity in the age of AI — “AI is the great equalizer for skill... but art has never been about skill. (— Dipa via Anu Atluru) — This post hit like truth. Because tools can level the playing field… but they can’t replace the soul. We’re entering an era where technical ability is becoming less rare — but authenticity is becoming priceless. The art that moves us isn’t about what someone can make; it’s about what they can’t not make. It’s the unmistakable presence of a human behind the pixels. That’s what Dipa captured so powerfully — that creativity isn't about mastering systems, it's about expressing something sacred… something you’ve carried… something that reveals the you behind the work. In the end, machines can replicate — but only you can resonate. Let AI sharpen the skill. But let soul shape the story.
Playlist — Soulful Amapiano & Edits Mix - Anuar @Stovelab 052 — A great playlist from StoveLab on YouTube @stovelab of Chill House to work to… great for creating, designing, writing, computer work.
If the Soul is Missing… the Results Will Too
The deeper I go into this journey — as a creator, founder, and human — the more I realize this: the outer world bends to the energy we build with. The strategy matters. The systems matter. But if the soul is missing… the results will too.
This week reminded me that alignment isn’t a luxury — it’s the requirement.
Your calling will stretch you.
Your evolution will test you.
Your brand will reflect you.
Your wealth will only free you if it’s built on your truth.
And your creativity? That’s the sacred imprint no machine can replicate.
Everything we’re building — our work, our presence, our impact — starts within.
So the question isn’t, “Am I doing enough?”
It’s, “Am I doing it from the right place?”
If you felt one of these hit deep — I’d love to hear it. Just hit reply.
Stay focused. Stay honest. Keep building what only you can.
The niche is you.
Until next week,
– Matt
P.S. If you found value in this week's insights, consider sharing this post with someone who might need this reminder about the power of individuality. ↙️
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Love the StoveLab playlist, Matt!!
Matt your words are true and authentic and I feel so aligned with every sentence right now that you have shared in this post. Thank you for sharing your words of honesty. This is so potent "This week reminded me that alignment isn’t a luxury — it’s the requirement".