MY 18-HOUR WORKDAYS

Over the last two years, I have jumped from one failure to another.

I tried day trading, but I couldn't tolerate the constant chart-watching, so I quit.

I attempted a Substack newsletter but gave up after only gaining 23 subscribers.

I also tried becoming a Twitter growth guru, only to realize I needed a real skill so that venture ended as well.

I ventured into the physical business of fruit vending and providing door-to-door services, but the constant rejections, especially on sunny days, were discouraging—so I quit again.

That sucked!

Every time I quit one business model, I would take 1 month plus sabbaticals to re-strategize, recalibrate and assess the damages before hopping onto a different train. Now, it's not like I spent months doing solely that, absolutely not - I also binge-watched lots of TV series mostly to try and escape my reality.

However, I'm glad I quit all of those endeavours.

Why, you may ask?

Because those experiences allowed me to experiment (unconsciously) and ultimately discover something sustainable in the long term -- writing.

Specifically, copywriting.

I have always loved selling ideas to people—a trait I’ve had since childhood.

Although It took me one year to eventually start practising the skill, I am glad I found it

Shiny objects syndrome is no joke.

Nonetheless...

My goal is to master the skill -- which means lots of reading and writing—activities I genuinely enjoy.

So can ultimately monetize, scale to $10k/m and quit my 9-5.

I am running in 4 90-day splints:

1. **1st Quarter**: Mastering the craft.

2. **2nd Quarter**: Monetize the skill.

3. **3rd Quarter**: Scale

4. **4th Quarter**: Momentum

This is my strategy as it stands now. I’m open-minded and willing to refine it along the way.

But as of writing this, it's intact.

My day-to-day routine, on the other hand, is obsessive and nailed on the ONE thing.

Mastering the skill.(1st splint)

The reason for this singular focus is to build my professional leverage. You know, "so good they can't ignore me."

Here’s is how it looks like:

- I wake up at 4:30 AM.

- I start with maintenance tasks (stretching, drinking water, making bed) -30min

- Next, I spend about 30 minutes reading my favourite emails/sales letters from the great.

- I then dedicate 60 to 90 minutes to writing—this includes journaling, tweets, writing threads, and drafting emails.

- During my work hours, I engage with others(networking), grow my audience on X and publish content to grow my brand, which I do during tea and lunch breaks.

- Finally, in the evening, I read books on copywriting (currently, I’m reading *The Adweek Copywriting Handbook* by Joe Sugarman) for at least one hour.

- Next on: Home chores

- After chores, I spend another hour incubating ideas and reflecting on my day.

- I aim to sleep by 10 PM.

There you go, my leeway to $10k/m in the next 7-10 months.

I must say, I have never felt this alive before

Most of what I’m doing feels intrinsic and I’m genuinely in love with my 18-hour workdays:

Where a quarter of the day I spend:

▪︎ Practising the craft,

▪︎ Studying the greats, and

▪︎ Strategizing while analyzing results.

All while working 9 hours in my day job as a teacher.

The experience is thrilling and exciting at the same time.

I don't know about you, but if there is something I have learned in the last 2 years of juggling between different business models, it is...

It takes a while to figure out what you want.

Once you figure out your thing in life, the next step becomes obvious -- going all in.

That's the state I am in.

▪︎ Entering into flow states daily.

▪︎ Optimising the day to maximise on my ONE thing.

▪︎ Going to bed exhausted and waking up excited ready to crush the day.

▪︎ Saying no to almost everyone/thing that isn't pushing me closer to my ONE thing.

Etc, etc, etc

If this is not how it feels to be all in, then, I don't know what is.

And if you are still reading this, I am sure you can feel the energy.

Unbounded OBSESSION with no apology or excuses. (Best place to be in.)

And yes, I sleep for 6 hours a day.

18-hour workdays is not for the faint of heart.

But the good thing is I have an INCENTIVE.

My North Star.

My big goal. (What I get at the end of it all. Although I try to not think of outcomes that much and just focus on nailing the inputs relentlessly.) -- which is:

Digital freedom.

Or, simply put, to quit my 9-5 and achieve freedom of TIME, INCOME, WORK and LOCATION.

I made my 2025 vision billboard that I revisit every week to remind myself of where I am going and, most importantly, why I am working with such intensity.

Coz, let's be honest, the only real reason to work so hard today is so we can work less hard or rather work smart tomorrow.

It takes time and effort to build anything worth building.

I am just paying the price generously. Abd so should you.

And remember:

Early entrepreneurship isn't about making stacks of cash; it's about building momentum.

What's holding you back from starting and building momentum towards the dream life you know you want?

P.S.

...

If you are struggling to find your "thing" in life or don't know how to stay productive working towards your goals...

Shoot me a dm on X @itsdennischege with the word 'PURPOSE' (if you want to find your "thing") or 'PRODUCTIVITY' (if you know your "thing" but struggle with getting the RIGHT things done.)

I might have some tips.

COMPLETELY FREE CONSULTATION.

All in all, cheers to making 2025 the year you give your boss the middle finger and finally build your own thing.

Talk soon,

Dennis.