Mat Gordon
@matgordon.com
Business is harder than it needs to be.
Usually because you're doing it the way you were told.
I call it the compliance tax.
Every week I write about where it shows up, what it costs, and what the other version looks like.
matgordon.com
Usually because you're doing it the way you were told.
I call it the compliance tax.
Every week I write about where it shows up, what it costs, and what the other version looks like.
matgordon.com
Things are as hard as we make them...
September 15, 2026 at 3:06 AM
Things are as hard as we make them...
You'd be surprised how much of your day goes on pointless bullshit you don't actually need to do.
Audit your work weekly.
Delegate. Defer. Delete.
What could someone else do better? What can wait? And what doesn't need doing at all?
Audit your work weekly.
Delegate. Defer. Delete.
What could someone else do better? What can wait? And what doesn't need doing at all?
September 7, 2026 at 1:11 AM
You'd be surprised how much of your day goes on pointless bullshit you don't actually need to do.
Audit your work weekly.
Delegate. Defer. Delete.
What could someone else do better? What can wait? And what doesn't need doing at all?
Audit your work weekly.
Delegate. Defer. Delete.
What could someone else do better? What can wait? And what doesn't need doing at all?
I've been called lazy in business, and it isn't wrong.
Wanting to avoid work is what makes you look for leverage.
People who don't mind grinding never have to ask if there's a shorter route, so they don't.
Lazy about the method, serious about the result.
That combination pays.
Wanting to avoid work is what makes you look for leverage.
People who don't mind grinding never have to ask if there's a shorter route, so they don't.
Lazy about the method, serious about the result.
That combination pays.
September 2, 2026 at 6:31 AM
I've been called lazy in business, and it isn't wrong.
Wanting to avoid work is what makes you look for leverage.
People who don't mind grinding never have to ask if there's a shorter route, so they don't.
Lazy about the method, serious about the result.
That combination pays.
Wanting to avoid work is what makes you look for leverage.
People who don't mind grinding never have to ask if there's a shorter route, so they don't.
Lazy about the method, serious about the result.
That combination pays.
Hard work isn't the price of success in business.
It's the price of compliance.
Every brutally hard company I've been near was hard for the same reason: someone decided what the market should want, then spent years forcing it.
It's the price of compliance.
Every brutally hard company I've been near was hard for the same reason: someone decided what the market should want, then spent years forcing it.
August 31, 2026 at 8:55 AM
Hard work isn't the price of success in business.
It's the price of compliance.
Every brutally hard company I've been near was hard for the same reason: someone decided what the market should want, then spent years forcing it.
It's the price of compliance.
Every brutally hard company I've been near was hard for the same reason: someone decided what the market should want, then spent years forcing it.
Most of the work in building a business is optional.
August 18, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Most of the work in building a business is optional.
the secret to deep focus isn't more tools or hacks
it's removing the 47 browser tabs and notifications stealing your attention
less input = more output
it's removing the 47 browser tabs and notifications stealing your attention
less input = more output
March 9, 2026 at 3:59 PM
the secret to deep focus isn't more tools or hacks
it's removing the 47 browser tabs and notifications stealing your attention
less input = more output
it's removing the 47 browser tabs and notifications stealing your attention
less input = more output
i tried journaling for months and quit
then i realized - i was doing it wrong
wasn't tracking growth or insights
just venting about my day
now i journal with purpose:
- what worked today?
- what didn't?
- what am i learning?
turns out self-awareness beats self-pity
then i realized - i was doing it wrong
wasn't tracking growth or insights
just venting about my day
now i journal with purpose:
- what worked today?
- what didn't?
- what am i learning?
turns out self-awareness beats self-pity
March 6, 2026 at 3:01 PM
i tried journaling for months and quit
then i realized - i was doing it wrong
wasn't tracking growth or insights
just venting about my day
now i journal with purpose:
- what worked today?
- what didn't?
- what am i learning?
turns out self-awareness beats self-pity
then i realized - i was doing it wrong
wasn't tracking growth or insights
just venting about my day
now i journal with purpose:
- what worked today?
- what didn't?
- what am i learning?
turns out self-awareness beats self-pity
i track 3 things every week:
1. what drained my energy
2. what gave me energy
3. what i learned
helps me spot patterns and avoid burnout before it hits
what's your system?
1. what drained my energy
2. what gave me energy
3. what i learned
helps me spot patterns and avoid burnout before it hits
what's your system?
March 5, 2026 at 7:05 PM
i track 3 things every week:
1. what drained my energy
2. what gave me energy
3. what i learned
helps me spot patterns and avoid burnout before it hits
what's your system?
1. what drained my energy
2. what gave me energy
3. what i learned
helps me spot patterns and avoid burnout before it hits
what's your system?
Personal growth simplified:
• 5 mindset shifts/week → clarity
• 3 habits/day → focus
• 2 reflections/day → balance
• 1 story/week → connection
• 1 newsletter/month → sustainable growth
• 5 mindset shifts/week → clarity
• 3 habits/day → focus
• 2 reflections/day → balance
• 1 story/week → connection
• 1 newsletter/month → sustainable growth
March 5, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Personal growth simplified:
• 5 mindset shifts/week → clarity
• 3 habits/day → focus
• 2 reflections/day → balance
• 1 story/week → connection
• 1 newsletter/month → sustainable growth
• 5 mindset shifts/week → clarity
• 3 habits/day → focus
• 2 reflections/day → balance
• 1 story/week → connection
• 1 newsletter/month → sustainable growth
It's wild how much trust we're putting in private tech giants to make ethical calls that should really be public policy decisions
Democratically elected leaders need to step up before these redlines get crossed
Democratically elected leaders need to step up before these redlines get crossed
March 4, 2026 at 7:05 PM
It's wild how much trust we're putting in private tech giants to make ethical calls that should really be public policy decisions
Democratically elected leaders need to step up before these redlines get crossed
Democratically elected leaders need to step up before these redlines get crossed
Watching world leaders scramble after the US and Israeli strikes on Iran
Every statement feels like a performance for the cameras
But underneath it all, it's just another turn in the cycle
How much longer before the cost catches up to all of us
Every statement feels like a performance for the cameras
But underneath it all, it's just another turn in the cycle
How much longer before the cost catches up to all of us
March 4, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Watching world leaders scramble after the US and Israeli strikes on Iran
Every statement feels like a performance for the cameras
But underneath it all, it's just another turn in the cycle
How much longer before the cost catches up to all of us
Every statement feels like a performance for the cameras
But underneath it all, it's just another turn in the cycle
How much longer before the cost catches up to all of us
I learned this the hard way with my first startup
We tried to be everything to everyone
Revenue was stuck
Then we killed 80% of our services and focused on ONE thing
Growth exploded
Less isn't limiting, it's liberating
We tried to be everything to everyone
Revenue was stuck
Then we killed 80% of our services and focused on ONE thing
Growth exploded
Less isn't limiting, it's liberating
March 3, 2026 at 7:05 PM
I learned this the hard way with my first startup
We tried to be everything to everyone
Revenue was stuck
Then we killed 80% of our services and focused on ONE thing
Growth exploded
Less isn't limiting, it's liberating
We tried to be everything to everyone
Revenue was stuck
Then we killed 80% of our services and focused on ONE thing
Growth exploded
Less isn't limiting, it's liberating
i've been journaling for years now
it's basically my mental debugging tool
helps me figure out what actually matters vs what just feels urgent
no fancy system - just writing down thoughts until clarity hits
works way better than keeping everything in my head
it's basically my mental debugging tool
helps me figure out what actually matters vs what just feels urgent
no fancy system - just writing down thoughts until clarity hits
works way better than keeping everything in my head
March 2, 2026 at 3:59 PM
i've been journaling for years now
it's basically my mental debugging tool
helps me figure out what actually matters vs what just feels urgent
no fancy system - just writing down thoughts until clarity hits
works way better than keeping everything in my head
it's basically my mental debugging tool
helps me figure out what actually matters vs what just feels urgent
no fancy system - just writing down thoughts until clarity hits
works way better than keeping everything in my head
i spent years grinding on stuff i hated with people i couldn't stand
now i work on things that actually matter to me with people i respect
turns out that's the real productivity unlock
not another notion template or morning routine
now i work on things that actually matter to me with people i respect
turns out that's the real productivity unlock
not another notion template or morning routine
March 1, 2026 at 4:55 PM
i spent years grinding on stuff i hated with people i couldn't stand
now i work on things that actually matter to me with people i respect
turns out that's the real productivity unlock
not another notion template or morning routine
now i work on things that actually matter to me with people i respect
turns out that's the real productivity unlock
not another notion template or morning routine
Business complexity is a massive hoax with consultants making millions off it
They take "sell stuff people want" and turn it into 47-step frameworks with some made up name
Then charge $5000 for a course on it
My most profitable business runs on a Google Sheet and takes 2 hours a week
They take "sell stuff people want" and turn it into 47-step frameworks with some made up name
Then charge $5000 for a course on it
My most profitable business runs on a Google Sheet and takes 2 hours a week
February 28, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Business complexity is a massive hoax with consultants making millions off it
They take "sell stuff people want" and turn it into 47-step frameworks with some made up name
Then charge $5000 for a course on it
My most profitable business runs on a Google Sheet and takes 2 hours a week
They take "sell stuff people want" and turn it into 47-step frameworks with some made up name
Then charge $5000 for a course on it
My most profitable business runs on a Google Sheet and takes 2 hours a week
productivity isn't about grinding 24/7 or waiting for some magical breakthrough moment
it's just showing up consistently
work on your thing, read a bit, learn something new, move your body
do it again tomorrow
that's literally it
it's just showing up consistently
work on your thing, read a bit, learn something new, move your body
do it again tomorrow
that's literally it
February 28, 2026 at 3:59 PM
productivity isn't about grinding 24/7 or waiting for some magical breakthrough moment
it's just showing up consistently
work on your thing, read a bit, learn something new, move your body
do it again tomorrow
that's literally it
it's just showing up consistently
work on your thing, read a bit, learn something new, move your body
do it again tomorrow
that's literally it
What burnout actually looks like:
• You have energy for Netflix but can't even start work
• Even picking what to eat feels impossible
• You get stuff done but none of it matters to you
• People you usually like just annoy you
It's not loud. It creeps up on you.
• You have energy for Netflix but can't even start work
• Even picking what to eat feels impossible
• You get stuff done but none of it matters to you
• People you usually like just annoy you
It's not loud. It creeps up on you.
February 26, 2026 at 7:05 PM
What burnout actually looks like:
• You have energy for Netflix but can't even start work
• Even picking what to eat feels impossible
• You get stuff done but none of it matters to you
• People you usually like just annoy you
It's not loud. It creeps up on you.
• You have energy for Netflix but can't even start work
• Even picking what to eat feels impossible
• You get stuff done but none of it matters to you
• People you usually like just annoy you
It's not loud. It creeps up on you.
watching "how to focus" videos instead of actually focusing
classic self-improvement trap we all fall into
classic self-improvement trap we all fall into
February 24, 2026 at 7:05 PM
watching "how to focus" videos instead of actually focusing
classic self-improvement trap we all fall into
classic self-improvement trap we all fall into
i've been speedrunning my daily tasks for months now
turns it into a game instead of a grind
suddenly checking emails feels like a mini challenge
works way better than forcing yourself to "stay focused" for hours
your brain actually likes the urgency
turns it into a game instead of a grind
suddenly checking emails feels like a mini challenge
works way better than forcing yourself to "stay focused" for hours
your brain actually likes the urgency
February 23, 2026 at 3:59 PM
i've been speedrunning my daily tasks for months now
turns it into a game instead of a grind
suddenly checking emails feels like a mini challenge
works way better than forcing yourself to "stay focused" for hours
your brain actually likes the urgency
turns it into a game instead of a grind
suddenly checking emails feels like a mini challenge
works way better than forcing yourself to "stay focused" for hours
your brain actually likes the urgency
what's one thing that actually helped you work smarter (not harder)?
could be an app, a simple trick, whatever
curious what's working for people
could be an app, a simple trick, whatever
curious what's working for people
February 22, 2026 at 4:55 PM
what's one thing that actually helped you work smarter (not harder)?
could be an app, a simple trick, whatever
curious what's working for people
could be an app, a simple trick, whatever
curious what's working for people
been tracking my distractions for a week
turns out 80% happen when i'm not even aware i'm doing them
just noticing the pattern cut my wasted time in half
no fancy system needed
turns out 80% happen when i'm not even aware i'm doing them
just noticing the pattern cut my wasted time in half
no fancy system needed
February 21, 2026 at 4:55 PM
been tracking my distractions for a week
turns out 80% happen when i'm not even aware i'm doing them
just noticing the pattern cut my wasted time in half
no fancy system needed
turns out 80% happen when i'm not even aware i'm doing them
just noticing the pattern cut my wasted time in half
no fancy system needed
Personal growth simplified:
• 5 mindful check-ins/day → self-awareness
• 1 focused task/day → clarity
• 3 deep breaths/day → calm
• 1 journal entry/day → reflection
• 1 newsletter/week → connection
• 5 mindful check-ins/day → self-awareness
• 1 focused task/day → clarity
• 3 deep breaths/day → calm
• 1 journal entry/day → reflection
• 1 newsletter/week → connection
February 21, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Personal growth simplified:
• 5 mindful check-ins/day → self-awareness
• 1 focused task/day → clarity
• 3 deep breaths/day → calm
• 1 journal entry/day → reflection
• 1 newsletter/week → connection
• 5 mindful check-ins/day → self-awareness
• 1 focused task/day → clarity
• 3 deep breaths/day → calm
• 1 journal entry/day → reflection
• 1 newsletter/week → connection
I reached a point of real clarity about personal growth and realized everything I believed about "grinding harder" was wrong.
The biggest secret is to stop obsessing over hustle ALL the time.
The biggest secret is to stop obsessing over hustle ALL the time.
February 20, 2026 at 7:05 PM
I reached a point of real clarity about personal growth and realized everything I believed about "grinding harder" was wrong.
The biggest secret is to stop obsessing over hustle ALL the time.
The biggest secret is to stop obsessing over hustle ALL the time.
Everyone chasing growth hacks
The boring stuff that actually works:
- consistent output
- genuine engagement
- showing your work
What people actually do:
- search for shortcuts
- ignore the fundamentals
- wonder why nothing sticks
The simple work wins
The boring stuff that actually works:
- consistent output
- genuine engagement
- showing your work
What people actually do:
- search for shortcuts
- ignore the fundamentals
- wonder why nothing sticks
The simple work wins
February 20, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Everyone chasing growth hacks
The boring stuff that actually works:
- consistent output
- genuine engagement
- showing your work
What people actually do:
- search for shortcuts
- ignore the fundamentals
- wonder why nothing sticks
The simple work wins
The boring stuff that actually works:
- consistent output
- genuine engagement
- showing your work
What people actually do:
- search for shortcuts
- ignore the fundamentals
- wonder why nothing sticks
The simple work wins
"Ego Is The Enemy. You're not as good as you think. You don't have it all figured out. Stay focused. Do better."
- Ryan Holiday
- Ryan Holiday
February 19, 2026 at 7:05 PM
"Ego Is The Enemy. You're not as good as you think. You don't have it all figured out. Stay focused. Do better."
- Ryan Holiday
- Ryan Holiday