When You Strip Away What's Unnecessary, Everything Else Takes Off
10 thoughts, ideas & creative finds on winning by doing what actually matters, why your curiosity is worth millions, and creating a life instead of content
New here? Click HERE for why I write weekly letters & essays.
Hey Everyone,
We kicked off The Niche Is You community this year — designed to help you refine your work, build more intentionally, and create with conviction.
If you want to connect deeper (algorithm-free space), join our ever growing network of 100+ creatives, entrepreneurs, makers and path builders from around the world. You’ll get instant access to our private group chat, quarterly challenges & workshops, LIVE conversations with other well-known creators from around the world, and exclusive in-person events. Would love to have you in the room.
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 creating from flow, not force — “Most people grind for results. But the happiest, most aligned people? They create from flow.” (—Matt Gottesman) — We’ve been taught that results come from resistance — force, pressure, sacrifice. But the people who build things that truly last? They aren’t grinding to keep up… they’re flowing with something deeper. They don’t chase what others are doing. They stay anchored in what they can’t not do. There’s a frequency to that kind of work. It doesn’t scream. It doesn’t rush. It just resonates. And that’s the irony — the work that looks hard from the outside… often feels like peace from the inside. Because when you’re aligned, the grind disappears. The path starts to feel like art.
On creating as a path of discovery — “Anything I've really discovered has come through the act of work or making things. The act itself is the path to discovery. And success drives you towards repetition… the people who are serious about their work move towards what they don't know…. The act itself is the path to discovery… not the arrival." (—Milton Glaser via Mockiro on IG) — Most people chase success by sticking to what they already know — refining their image, protecting their niche, staying in their lane. But true creators? They walk into the unknown on purpose. They know mastery isn’t found in repetition. It’s found in exploration. Milton Glaser reminds us that the real work is the act of making itself. Not for applause, not even for clarity — but for discovery. You figure it out as you go. You move things around until they feel right. And that messy process? That’s the sacred part. The irony is, the more successful you become, the easier it is to lose the very thing that got you there: your curiosity. But staying in your zone of genius is only genius if it still scares you a little. So don’t just repeat what worked. Chase what you don’t yet understand. Make what hasn’t been made. Follow the pull that leads to questions, not just answers. That’s where the magic lives.
On discipline becoming destiny — “He didn't just lift weights. He lifted his family up with him. And that's the real story here. It's not about the millions of views and millions of dollars. It's about the millions he inspired to believe in himself.” (— Roberto Nickson on Anatoly) — Anatoly’s story is a masterclass in devotion. No sponsors. No shortcuts. Just a farm boy in Ukraine with internet access, a homemade gym, and an unshakeable dream. While others waited for permission, he built his path from bricks, wood, and Soviet-era tractor parts — literally. He didn’t just create content — he created a life, rep by rep, upload by upload. That’s what real influence looks like: not the aesthetics, but the audacity. Not the virality, but the vision. You don’t need perfect conditions to start. You need relentless belief, daily work, and the kind of grit algorithms can’t measure. The views are a byproduct. The real flex is lifting your family, your community, your purpose — with you.
On keeping your blinders on — "When you're running after something, you should not look left and right.” (—Jimmy Iovine) — Distraction doesn’t always come from laziness — sometimes it comes from watching what everyone else is doing. In this clip, Jimmy reminds us of the power of focused pursuit. Racehorses wear blinders for a reason: the moment you start checking the competition, you lose your rhythm. Same goes for creators, founders, and anyone chasing vision. The noise will always be there — other opinions, other strategies, other timelines — but your work requires your full attention. Stay in your lane. Keep your pace. Let your results speak. You don’t owe the world an explanation for staying locked in… just a finished product that proves why you were quiet in the first place.
On how productivity doesn’t always mean alignment — “Productivity without peace is just performative hustle” — In a recent podcast, I unpack why peace is a stronger signal than performance. Because if your momentum is built on urgency, not clarity… it’s not sustainable — it’s just reactive. Real productivity isn’t about how much you do — it’s about how well you move in alignment with what matters. The goal isn’t to keep up. It’s to move from overflow, not overwhelm. From purpose, not pressure. I break down — Why hustle without peace leads to burnout, the difference between movement and momentum, how reclaiming slowness can be a strategy, not a weakness, if your work feels heavy, it might not be the workload — it might be the way you’re holding it — My latest podcast on this can be found here (APPLE, SPOTIFY)
On “more” not being “better” — "More isn’t better — better is better.” (—Tom Noske) — One of the most common mistakes creators and founders make is overdelivering in all the wrong ways. We assume that if we add more modules, more lessons, more tools… people will see more value. But in reality, excess becomes a burden. Completion rates drop. Results disappear. And impact gets diluted. The reminder here — Simplify the path to the outcome. When you strip away what’s unnecessary, people move faster — and with clarity. Because success isn’t about how much you give — it’s about how well what you give works. I’ve learned this firsthand: the most effective products, content, and systems I’ve created were also the simplest. When the work is clear, the result becomes inevitable. Don’t build complexity — build completion. That’s what scales.
On the power of pure motivation — “I can carry on playing at this level because I like hitting the tennis ball.” (—Novak Djokovic — video via Founders Podcast) — Most people are chasing something external — trophies, accolades, admiration. But Novak’s words remind us of what real longevity is built on: love for the craft itself. He didn’t become world #1 because he wanted the title. He became world #1 because he couldn’t stop showing up. There’s a quiet power in doing something simply because you enjoy it. When you’re driven by pure intention — not performance, pressure, or payoff — consistency becomes second nature. And in a world distracted by outcomes, the ones who last are the ones who stay obsessed with the process. Love what you do enough to keep doing it… even when no one’s watching. That’s where greatness lives.
On how complexity is often the enemy of progress — “‘The biggest lie I was ever told? ‘It’s not that simple.’” — We’ve been conditioned to believe that anything meaningful must be complicated… that clarity is naïve… that change has to be hard. But sometimes the most powerful shifts come from the simplest actions: the moment you stop overthinking, stop waiting, stop asking for permission — and just do the thing. Complexity often becomes the excuse that keeps us stuck. Simplicity, on the other hand, forces a confrontation with truth. It asks, “What if it really is that simple… and always was?” The truth is, most breakthroughs don’t need another plan — they need a decision. Stop letting “it’s not that simple” be the reason you settle.
On redefining wealth beyond luxury — “Most people don’t dream of being fancy-rich. They dream of being free enough to give without thinking twice.” (— ) — True wealth isn’t in the flex — it’s in the freedom.
The freedom to give generously. To show up quietly. To be the kind of person whose presence feels like comfort. Success isn’t about accumulating more for yourself. It’s about becoming someone who can create more for others. A full fridge. A warm space. A small gesture with a big ripple. The world has glamorized wealth for its aesthetics… but real wealth is felt, not flaunted. It’s peace. It’s provision. It’s being so aligned with abundance that you naturally turn it into care.
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.
When You Strip Away What’s Unnecessary, Everything Else Takes Off
This week’s Rundown wasn’t just a collection of ideas — it was a return to essence.
Every insight pointed to a deeper truth: that clarity, not complexity, is what creates momentum.
Anatoly didn’t wait for perfect conditions — he used what he had.
Djokovic didn’t chase trophies — he just loved hitting the ball.
Founders aren’t winning by doing more — they’re winning by doing what actually matters.
When you remove the noise, the posturing, the pressure to keep up — you uncover a kind of quiet power.
It’s not loud. It’s not urgent.
But it’s real.
And it builds.
Because when you stop building for validation, you start building for velocity — the kind that compounds from within.
Strip it back.
Get honest about what stays and what goes.
And watch how everything else begins to move.
Here’s to less noise, more meaning — and the kind of momentum that doesn’t burn out.
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. ↙️
🔐 Consider becoming a paid subscriber…
My Substack is a “reader supported” publication. Please consider becoming a “paid subscriber” which will give you access to 1.) exclusive subscriber-only content, 2.) podcast episodes, 3.) membership in a creative community, 4.) access to our private community chat feature, 5.) Q&A’s & LIVEs, 6.) Quarterly workshops, and 7.) early access & discounts to books, apparel, events, workshops & more.
I am truly grateful for you supporting my journey while I support yours.
Not a reader? Follow along below:
Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign Up
Connect With Me…
☼ Podcast
☼ Apparel
☼ Text Me
☼ Instagram
☼ Twitter
In the meantime, tell your friends!
thanks for these words and shares. such a powerful reminder - in a world full of so much noise, here's to returning to the quiet, where the real magic can happen.