Microsoft 365 subscription. Outlook for mail. Teams for comms. SharePoint for files. I myself have this setup.

They pay for it every month. But only use 30% of what’s in the box.

The other 70% goes unnoticed. Unused. Collecting dust for a subscription that is already being paid for.

The tool I would like to highlight is Power Automate. This is one of the major tools that goes unnoticed.

it’s the underrated piece of software in your entire business tech setup.

What is Power Automate?

Power Automate is Microsoft’s low-code automation tool. It lives inside your Microsoft 365 subscription, meaning if you’re already paying for 365, you already have access to it right now.

No extra cost. No additional subscription. It’s already yours.

It lets you build automated workflows that connect the tools you use every day such as Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Excel, Forms, Word, etc without writing a single line of code.

If something in your business happens repeatedly, Power Automate can probably handle it automatically.

Why do people ignore it?

2 reasons.

First → nobody talks about it. The conversation around automation tools is dominated by Zapier, AirTable, GoHighlevel, and now AI agents. Power Automate doesn’t have the same marketing machine behind it so it flies under the radar.

Second → it looks intimidating at first glance. Most people open it once, see a canvas full of connectors and conditions, and close the tab immediately. [Happened to me too, despite me being technical by nature]

That’s a mistake. Because once you understand the logic it’s remarkably straightforward.

Where I've seen it work

My experience with Power Automate started at a previous role as a Technical Business Analyst where I deployed automations for a manufacturing client.

Their problem: contracts, quoting, and pricing were all being handled manually at first. Sales teams were copying data between systems. Finance was re-entering numbers that already existed somewhere else. Errors were constant. Time was being wasted at every step.

We built and refined a series of Power Automate workflows that connected their systems together. When a quote was approved it automatically triggered the contract generation. Pricing data flowed directly from their source system into the right documents. Notifications went to the right people at the right time without anyone manually sending an email.

The result: hours saved every week. Errors reduced significantly. And the team could focus on the work that actually required their judgment instead of focusing on being data engineering experts and moving data from one place to another.

I took that same logic and applied it internally at AC Innovations. My Outlook inbox is automated. File organization happens automatically. Internal notifications run without me touching them.

3 Power Automate workflows every small business should have

1. Automatic email follow up → When a new lead fills out your contact form, Power Automate sends them an immediate confirmation email, creates a task in your to-do list, and notifies you in Teams. No manual follow up. No leads falling through the cracks.

2. Contract and document automation → When a client signs off on a proposal, Power Automate triggers the contract generation, saves it to the right folder in SharePoint, and sends it to the client for signature, all automatically. What used to take 30 minutes of back and forth happens in seconds.

3. Automated reporting → Every Monday morning (or your personalized scheduling) Power Automate pulls data from your relevant sources, compiles it into an Excel report, and delivers it to your inbox before you’ve had your first coffee. No manual data pulling. No forgotten reports.

Here’s the bigger point

Before you spend another dollar on a new software subscription go ahead open your Microsoft 365 account and look at what you already have.

Power Automate is one example. There are plenty others.

The best technology decision you can make as a small business owner isn’t always buying something new. Sometimes it’s actually using what you’re already paying for.

That’s the difference between founders who feel overwhelmed by technology and founders who feel in control of it.

Next week we’re going deeper on tech stack simplification. How to audit every tool you’re paying for, what to cut, and what to double down on.

I hope this provides clarity regarding to your current tech stack.

Thank you for reading.

- Andres

You’d think my advice would be to buy more technology, use more tools, automate everything.

It’s actually the opposite.

The most common reason founders and small business owners bleed money isn’t bad marketing, slow sales, or a weak product.

It’s their tech stack.

After working with multiple founders and small businesses I keep seeing the same three mistakes over and over. And the painful part is that they’re completely avoidable.

Let’s jump right in.

Trap #1 → Multiple Subscriptions

Most small businesses are paying for 8 to 12 software subscriptions at any given time.

CRM. Project management. Email marketing. Scheduling. Invoicing. Communication. Analytics. Bookkeeping. And three others nobody remembers signing up for.

Each one seemed like a good idea at the time. Together they create a fragmented, expensive mess that nobody fully uses.

The rule I give every founder I work with:

You need a maximum of 3 core tools. Everything else is noise.

One tool to manage your customers. One tool to manage your operations. One tool to communicate. That’s it. Get those three working properly before you add anything else.

Simplicity scales. Don’t over complicate it.

Trap #2 → Buying AI Before You Need It

AI is everywhere right now. Every founder feels the pressure to adopt it or get left behind.

So they subscribe to ChatGPT. Then Claude. Then three AI tools their competitor mentioned on a podcast.

Here’s the honest truth, most of the problems founders are trying to solve with AI can be solved with a simple automation or a better configured piece of software they already own.

AI is powerful. But it’s a multiplier. It amplifies what’s already working. If your operations are messy, AI makes them messier faster.

Before you spend another dollar on AI ask yourself one question:

Do I have a clear, repeatable process that AI can enhance, or am I hoping AI will create that process for me?

If it’s the second one, slow down. Fix the process first.

Trap #3 → The Root Cause

Here’s what actually causes Trap #1 and Trap #2.

Lack of technical clarity.

Most founders are brilliant at their business. They’re not trained to think about technology architecture. So when a new tool promises to solve a problem they buy it. When AI promises transformation they subscribe.

Not because they’re careless but because nobody ever sat with them and mapped out what their business actually needs technically before recommending anything.

That’s the gap. And it’s the reason I started Code to Capital.

Every week I’ll break down one specific technology concept, tool, or decision framework so you can make smarter technical decisions without needing a computer science degree.

Next week: the one tool inside your Microsoft 365 subscription you’re almost certainly ignoring and how it can save you hours every week without writing a single line of code.

Thank you for reading.

- Andres

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While I tend to lean more toward the prequels, I still deeply appreciate the original trilogy. One film stands out above the rest: The Empire Strikes Back.

This movie isn’t just one of the best Star Wars films — it’s one of the greatest films ever made. What sets it apart isn’t just the lightsaber duels or the epic storytelling, but the profound symbolism and deeper philosophical (and even biblical) undertones woven throughout the narrative.

I’ll admit that, like many fans, I used to focus mostly on the action — the lightsabers, the heroics, the battles between good and evil. But with time and reflection, I’ve come to see this film through a new lens — one that reveals something more meaningful. One theme stands out to me: faith.

Faith: A Subtle Yet Powerful Thread

Faith is something inherently human. Whether it’s faith in our work, in others, or in a higher purpose, it often uplifts us and gives life meaning. The Empire Strikes Back subtly but powerfully captures this idea, especially in Luke’s journey to become a Jedi

When Obi-Wan tells Luke to travel to Dagobah and seek out Jedi Master Yoda, Luke envisions a powerful, noble warrior who looks like a general ready to lead armies. But when he arrives, he encounters a quirky, small, green creature who annoys him more than anything. Luke, blinded by expectation and pride, doesn’t realize that the very master he seeks is standing right in front of him.

This is the same pattern we observe in our lives we often seek solutions to our problems in a logical and obvious manner according to our preconceived notions. We look for answers in grand or obvious places, only to be humbled when the truth is simple, quiet, or hidden in plain sight. Pride clouds our vision. We become frustrated when the solutions we seek don’t arrive the way we expect. But often, they were right in front of us all along — just not in the form we imagined.

Luke’s reaction is deeply human: he complains, grows impatient, and resists. And it’s in this moment that Yoda finally reveals his identity and begins Luke’s training.

Wisdom Through Stillness

Yoda instructs Luke to remain calm and passive. One can see much better where they are going when they are not in a rush but rather in peace. Passivity can turn into activity at the right moment.

He urges Luke to calm his anxious mind, to live in the present moment, and to understand that rushing often leads us astray. “You must unlearn what you have learned,” Yoda says — a line that captures the very essence of personal growth.

And how often do we forget this? When our problems overwhelm us, we panic. We lose sight of the lessons we’ve already learned. We perceive our challenges as massive, immovable obstacles — just like Luke does when he sees his X-Wing sinking into the swamp.

But our problems are often just reflections of our beliefs. They grow or shrink depending on our perception. When Luke fails to lift the ship and says, “I don’t believe it,” Yoda replies, “That is why you fail.”

Faith in Action

This moment reminds me of Matthew 8:26, when Jesus calms the storm and rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith: “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”.

The training scene in Dagobah illustrates perfectly James 1:3- which teaches that trials test our faith, producing perseverance. Yoda isn’t just teaching lightsaber techniques or Force tricks — he’s refining Luke’s character, discipline, and inner resolve. It’s a test of patience, humility, and endurance. Luke struggles with impatience, showing he’s not yet “mature and complete.”

Yoda teaches that the Force responds to belief and intent. When Luke tries to lift the X-Wing and fails, it’s not because it’s too heavy — it’s because he doesn’t truly believe it’s possible. Yoda demonstrates that with enough faith, even the impossible can be achieved. This aligns with the biblical message of belief unlocking divine power as seen in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

Here’s How To Apply This Wisdom:

1) Identify your ‘X-wing’

Write down the one thing in your life that feels too heavy or impossible to change — a personal failure, a calling you’re afraid to step into, a healing you’ve stopped praying for, or a dream you’ve shelved.

2) Take One Step Anyway

Just like Luke had to try to lift the X-Wing before he could learn what belief really looked like — act even when you feel unqualified or unsure. Apply for the job. Start the project. Get uncomfortable.

3) Surround Yourself with The Right Crowd

Yoda didn’t just train Luke in solitude — he spoke truth, challenged him, and modeled belief. Who’s speaking into your life right now? Find people who push you toward faith, not fear. Community cultivates courage.

4) Reflect on Past Victories

Remember what God has already brought you through. Think of a time when you thought something was impossible — and it wasn’t. God always keeps his promises.

5) Let Go of the Outcome

Yoda teaches Luke not just to try, but to trust. You may not control what happens — but you can control what you believe. Even if you are backed down with nothing to show for. Believe that you have victory over it.

May this help your journey to become a better person.

Blessings,

- Andres

As many of you know, I’m a hardcore Batman fan. In my opinion, he’s the best superhero ever created. My favorite live-action adaptations are the Nolan films.

When I first watched those films, I was mostly focused on the action—the fight scenes, the gadgets, and how Batman ultimately saves the day. I didn’t fully grasp the emotional layers, the political commentary, or the underlying adult themes baked into the story.

But revisiting them now, especially after diving into that video, I’ve realized how deeply philosophical they really are. One theme stood out to me: fear.

Fear. It can be a crushing emotional weight—but it can also be one of life’s most powerful tools.

In the Dark Knight Rises, after Bane brutally defeats Batman, he sends him to a remote prison—a pit where escape seems impossible. The only way out is to climb a massive stone wall and make a leap of faith from one ledge to another.

The legend goes that only one person ever escaped.

Batman will his strong sense of will and determination thinks that by training his body he will be able to make the escape. This has been proven to be enough in the past so many times before. Despite the warning from the elders in the prison, he tries the jump repeatedly with no success. He loses hope and deems the jump impossible. He realizes that physical strength and willpower—tools he’s always relied on—aren’t enough this time.

Rather he must look deeper in himself to truly find the answer.

An elder in the prison tells him something profound: it’s not strength or even determination that he’s missing—it’s fear. True fear. The kind that humbles the soul and awakens the spirit. To escape, the elder says he must make the jump without the rope—without a safety net.

And this is where everything shifts.

Batman realizes that his childhood fear of bats was just a surface-level fear. His real fear—the deeper one—was losing himself. His identity. His ego. And in that moment, he understands: to survive, he must let go of who he thinks he is.

True freedom comes when we let go of the ego and trust in something greater than ourselves. As Jesus instructed his disciples in Luke 17:33, “Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it will keep it.” It’s in surrender—through humility and the posture of our hearts—that we find real renewal. Relying solely on willpower can carry us far, but when we face bigger obstacles, it often falls short. That’s when we must renew our spirit. Because it’s through the spirit—not the ego (flesh) that we overcome.

Fear isn’t always a signal to stop. Sometimes, it’s a signal to go deeper. To grow. To change direction. To become more of who you’re meant to be.

Here’s how you can begin to use fear as a tool in your life:

1) Write An ‘Anti-Vision’

An anti-vision is a clear picture of the person you don’t want to become. Write a detailed note to yourself describing the pain, regret, and emptiness that would come from not pursuing your true path. Be specific: What kind of life do you want to avoid? What habits, relationships, and choices would lead you there? Let this anti-vision serve as a warning and motivator.

2) Use It As A Signal Not A Stop Sign

Carl Jung said it best, ‘Where your fear is, there is your task’. The things we procrastinate on—starting a business, asking for a raise, leaving a stagnating job—are often the things that matter most. Instead of seeing fear as a barrier, see it as a guidepost. If it scares you, it probably means you’re heading somewhere important.

3) Push Boundaries With Purpose

The more you lean into discomfort, the more you’ll grow. Use fear to stretch yourself. Build discipline, commit to the process, and be okay with failing forward. Fear, when respected and understood, becomes a compass that leads to expansion.

4) Create Spaces For Reflections

Fear can trigger overthinking and negativity. That’s why reflection is key. Take time to journal your experiences, your wins, losses, fears, and breakthroughs. This helps you stay grounded and reminds you of how far you’ve come. When you document your journey, you create a roadmap you can return to when doubt creeps in.

The trick is to listen to it, learn from it, and then act from a place of courage—with the fear, not waiting for it to go away.

I hope this helps you in your journey.

Blessings,

- Andres

After spending time on doing other projects and going through life events, I was trying out other ways to increase productivity and mindfulness.

That’s where I found out about a tried and tested option: walking.

What’s the fuss about it? Aren’t we all doing that every day? What’s so special about it?

Great questions. Allow me to paint this picture:

Growing up my mom reinforced me and my sister, the habit of walking. Not just to get the steps in but to enjoy what outdoors has to offer. It was a time to breathe fresh air and a time to enjoy a nice conversation and un-plug from work or school. Of course, I felt lazy a lot of days and preferred not to walk. However, it wasn’t until I moved to college that I was forced to walk everywhere. Sure, there were other means of transportation such as the college bus, scooters, bikes, skateboards, etc. But it never was the ‘magical’ feel as it was in my childhood.

It was until I left college where slowly I got to the same terrible habits of being lazy and neglecting walking.

As a young professional myself, most of my time is spent working behind a laptop. After working all those hours, you feel tired and just want to go back to your place and just knock out. You don’t want to do anything else other than just relax.

Now that’s the point, living a life like that became monotonous and even a reality that our society began to slowly accept as normality.

How sad of a life is that? Honestly, I cannot comprehend how this has become normal. I get it, some people have tougher jobs that require more physical output.

But I am talking about the normal day to day corporate job where you sit at an office for 8 almost 9 hours straight.

There is no room for air - no pun intended. As humans God created us to engage in physical activity.

Now why am I sharing how walking is this magical solution to your problems?

The secret of a lean body is to walk. The secret of a healthy mind is to walk. Walking drastically improves your health.

Let’s break this down.

Walking To Improve Physical Health

Did you know that walking and running the same distance burn roughly the same number of calories? It’s crazy to think but it’s true. I encourage you to look it up.

Walking is by far the best form of cardio of how easy it is and how you can manage it.

The problem with running as your main form of cardio is that it requires time to heal properly, especially from long distances.

Running also takes tolls on your knees causing nagging issues and consultations with your PT.

That’s why walking is more sustainable in the long term.

Walking also allows you to get outside, which then fills your body with the oxygen it desires from being indoors all day.

The more we are outside, the less we engage with blue light. Blue light does more harm than anything else. The best way to combat that is to get natural sunlight.

The best time to catch the sunlight is in the morning when the sunrise comes along. There’s quite a laundry list of scientific research on how effective getting this sunlight is to your body. Again, go and look at the research out there.

Walking To Improve Mental Health

There are days in our lives that simply suck, and you wish it were over. The best way to remedy that is to go on a walk.

This is because you allow your brain to breathe properly. Many times, when we face difficult situations, we are overthinking which leads to stress and anxiety. This in turn disrupts our breathing pattern.

When we walk, we let our body heal itself and release the tension and stress you endure.

Your mind begins to reflect and think more clearly. You begin to provide more thoughtfulness to your situation.

You also begin to have more creativity. Don’t take this lightly. You can get the best ideas while just casually walking.

There’s a running joke in the coding community where the software developer bangs his head while trying to solve an issue. It wasn’t until he went on a walk or did something completely different that the solution came to mind.

The same phenomenon occurs when you begin walking more frequently. You will get doses of creativity and mental clarity.

How Do You Get Into The Habit Of Walking?

Like with every habit you begin slow and in small increments and then you gradually increase the frequency and the intensity.

You never want to go in cold turkey because you will lose the fun of it and it becomes like a chore.

Think of it like this - make walking a game. Set your first goal to try to achieve 1000 steps in a day and then increase it by 100 steps each day until you get to 10,000 steps a day.

This way you see walking more as a game than a chore. And the next thing you know you will love to go on long walks.

Take advantage as well to listen to your favorite podcasts, go on the phone and talk your family, or even just listen to your favorite tracks.

Let your creativity go wild as well. The more time you spend on walking the clearer your goals and trajectory becomes.

Let’s make 2025 the year you will begin to use the most powerful tool in your toolset: walking.

Now, go out and start walking.

Blessings,

- Andres

If you want to become something greater you will need to learn a high value skill.

It’s 2024 and if you see the landscape of many countries, you observe that we are currently living through rough times. Many countries are suffering wars, economic downturns, inflation, political turmoil, and other such things.

Everything has become volatile. One great example is the stock market. In recent news, the American stock market such as the Dow Jones, and S&P 500 have had record lows for consecutive days. The Japanese markets have also been rocked hard. China has been on an economic downturn for many months now. Their banking systems are failing.

Life here in the US has drastically changed in the last four years. Inflation has been high, living expenses have increased, the labor shortages have increased. Many variables have caused major change to the society we currently live in.

You can no longer just get a job and be set. The market has changed and has placed more value on people who can offer high value skills. You need to stand out.

What are high value skills you may ask?

A high value skill is a skill that helps entities and businesses generate more value for themselves. For a high value skill to be considered as such it much have these criteria:

1) It must be dynamic/transferable.

2) It must be scalable.

3) It must be market favorable.

It must be dynamic/transferable meaning that you can apply this skill anywhere you go meaning you can apply this same skill anywhere from a coffee shop to a software startup.

The sill needs to be scalable. The skill must have the capability to be performed multiple times and even when the process is refined, it still has to deliver a favorable outcome.

Lastly, the skill needs to be market favorable. The skill needs to be coveted in the market. Businesses, people, and everything in-between see the value of the skill and are willing to pay a pretty penny for it.

What does this have anything to do with coding?

You see, coding meets all 3 criteria. It is dynamic/transferable, scalable, and market favorable.

You probably are sick of the word ‘AI’ but let me tell you one more time how it is revolutionizing today’s market. Simple lines of code have had so much impact that it changed the business landscape we live in today. OpenAI’s ChatGPT changed the playing field for so many businesses. Now every company has their own AI piece. Thanks to the advancements of AI, AI has allowed non-technical people the ability to learn how to leverage code.

Why does this matter? – it makes you more attractive to the market. You now have a high value skill that businesses and people pay a premium for.

You stand out. You will be able to leverage and have growth opportunities.

The big question is: How can I learn how to code?

The answer to this is – it depends. Do you want to become a technical person? If yes, then you will need a roadmap to achieve that goal. If the answer is no, then you can learn how to leverage code to your existing job and duties.

I will focus on the second part.

How do you leverage code?

First, you identify current issues and annoyances you currently face in your job. Once you do that you will need to then brainstorm solutions to it. Once you have a solution you will then find a way to code that solution.

Remember this: You will provide technical solutions to non-technical problems.

What resources should you use?

Well, the biggest resource you can use are the plenty of AI options such as ChatGPT, Gemini, CoPilot, and others. You can also use YouTube as an assistive tool to help you navigate code. The neat thing about AI tools is that they provide explanations to their generated code. You can expand on their explanations as well.

For example,

Let’s say you identified that you take too much time and energy on creating tasks or scheduling your calendar. You want a way to automate that process. To provide a solution for it you can use the Python programming language and create a ‘script’ to automate that whole process.

You can ask the AI tools the following. ‘Can you help me create a python script to automate my tasks from word and create calendar events on my Gmail calendar?’

The AI tool will then begin to provide you with a solution.

There you have it. You have now applied coding skills onto your current work. Once you get more practice and more experience from it you will be able to provide larger and more complex solutions which then you can sell as a service or negotiate for a raise at your job.

The point is to provide a technical solution to a non-technical problem and demonstrate how that solution is optimal.

I hope this helps you and your new interest in coding.

Blessings,

- Andres

You probably heard a similar term called ‘looksmaxxing’ – which, using context clues, means to ‘improve your looks’.

The initiative that Bismarck took on his channel FITXFEARLESS is to go live with his social media followers and provide them guidance on how to improve their lives.

If you have watched his livestream, you can clearly see how much value he pours into his social media followers. The looks on their faces when they come and tell Bismarck their shortcomings and how their faces change when they receive the wisdom is remarkable.

Sure, some of the questions his followers ask may seem silly and quite entertaining, it goes to show you how much of a need there is for mentors.

His livestreams have multiple people watching them. He averages 1000 to 2000 people watching Him and learning from his guide and direction.

He provides direction and clarity – two factors many people need to succeed in achieving goals, aspirations, and other ventures.

Bismarck is not the only one providing mentorship, there are multiple creators providing guidance, wisdom, and mentorship. They can even be separated into different categories for example:

- Benjamin Seda: His YouTube channel (formerly known as Based Zeus) provides dating coaching/mentorship.

- Alex Costa / Marcel Florus: Provide mentorship on men’s fashion and lifestyle.

- Jose Zuinga: (Teachingmensfashion) Provides guidance on business, self-help, and fashion.

- Martel Metellus: Does mentorship on entrepreneurship and personal branding.

- Dan Koe: Gives wisdom on entrepreneurship, self-help, and business.

The list goes on and on. Why is that the case? Why are there so many creators who are in the space of coaching/mentorship?

The simple answer is the NEED is there. Taking out the business aspect of it (supply and demand) you can clearly see that there is a lack of guidance. This has been enhanced with social media. Social media not only allows everyone to see what everyone else is doing, but it also allows for comparisons to happen.

Now what comes with comparison? – it’s simple. Dissatisfaction. Why dissatisfaction? It’s because when we see other people thrive, we want that for ourselves. The next question would be – How can I get there? What steps do I need to take to get there? How can I position myself to thrive?

The answer to all these questions is mentorship. See, all the greats in history have had some sort of exposure to mentorship. Look at Alexander the Great. As you may know he conquered eastern Mediterranean, Egypt, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Guess who was his tutor and mentor? – it was the great Aristotle.

Another example, Warren Buffet is one of the greatest American investors of all time. His mentor was Benjamin Graham. Benjamin Graham is regarded as ‘father of value investing’. In the technology space, Steve Jobs mentored Mark Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg owns multiple social media platforms and technology companies.

In the Bible, Moses the leader of Israel mentored Joshua to lead his people. Paul mentored Timothy in the advancement of Christianity. He did this even while being captive as well.

Mentorship programs come at a cost. But when you compare the now with your future potential self, there is no comparison to be made. Think of it as an investment.

That’s why mentorship is crucial. If you want to achieve something, you can only get so far with your own strengths. You need someone to push you harder, to guide you, and to be a support system.

The big question is: How can I find a mentor? Before I answer this question. I encourage you to dig deep and try to figure out what is your end goal. What do you want to achieve? You will have the clarity to move forward.

After you have identified what your end goal is I would recommend doing the following:

1) Research First

For example, if you want to become financially successful, then I would research who is currently successful doing that. I would research their social media accounts and see what their colleagues, work partners, or (if they provide coaching services) what testimonials they have. Make sure your research is thorough. Beware of the hundreds of scams present online.

2) Setup An Initial Consultation

Contact this person. Make sure you can set up a meeting, call, or consultation with them. You always want to make sure and ‘vet’ that the person is right, the relationship is right for the two of you, and you will reach your desired outcome with this person. This is the meeting where you will discuss what your goals are and if it makes sense to move along.

3) Establish Formality of Mentor & Mentee

Once the agreement makes sense then you will need to make an effort to be committed to this agreement. Especially if this is a paid service. You do not want to waste your time and the mentor’s time. Remember the mentor is there to help you not to hurt you.

4) Begin The Journey

Arguably, this is the hardest step. You will need to demonstrate that you are committed and that you care about what you want to become. As mentioned, in my Article on Intentionality you can read here. Once you get momentum you will never stop. The mentor will keep you accountable.

I want you to become something greater. Get a mentor as soon as you can.

I hope this helps you in your personal development journey.

Blessings,

- Andres

And that got me thinking, why is there a surge of this type of content? Is it because it’s summer over here in the US? What else is it?

Then it got me thinking even further as to the importance of traveling.

If you know me, I love everything that encompasses traveling. I enjoy the opportunity to learn new cultures, learn the history, and make international friendships. Traveling is an investment that pays off. One of the best things to do (especially as a young adult) is to invest in traveling.

I understand that traveling is a privilege and not many people have access to it. That’s why my focus will be on the act of going somewhere else that is new. - whether it is a new town, a city close by or a small road trip. Travel, even in its smallest form, is something that everyone should invest in.

But why traveling? What is so special about traveling?

Allow me to illustrate this picture:

Imagine yourself you had the opportunity to go somewhere but instead you chose to stay at the same place you started. 10 years later. You regret your decision. You keep thinking to yourself about all of the chances you had to explore, open your mind, and get out of your comfort zone. If only you took that chance to travel you would’ve learned so much about other cultures and even meet the love of your life. But at the end of the day, you decided not to. And now you face a different reality.

This reflects the lives of many adults.

After speaking and listening to their stories about their youth I soon realized that there is much value to traveling. This sentiment of not being able to take advantage of their opportunity to travel hindered their careers, business opportunities, networking opportunities, and friendships. Another observation that I have made is that people are not familiar with certain countries and cultures. - I see this prevalent in the US.

I get questions like:

“Where is Bolivia…is that in Africa?” “Do you speak ‘Bolivian’?” “What’s Bolivia?”

While questions like these give me a chuckle, they also show me that they do not have much international exposure. I also understand that the USA has the luxury of being a large country, where many times it takes 4 hours or more hours driving state to state. However, having the open-mindedness to learn and explore cultures would allow for understanding other people and their background. This is not unique to the USA but in my home country of Bolivia, many people I have talked to have an animosity towards people of international backgrounds. Understanding the situation further, traveling would allow these groups of people to open their minds to different cultures, values, and traditions.

This very reason is why traveling is important. This is what happens:

1) Cultural Exposure & Comprehension

Traveling exposes you to different cultures, traditions, and ways of life. This cultural immersion fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of diversity. Learning from cultural exposure allows you to truly understand the people you are talking to. Observing how people in other cultures approach daily life can offer fresh perspectives and alternative ways of thinking. For example, you might learn new approaches to problem-solving, community building, or even simple daily routines that can improve your own life. This learning can be practical, such as new cooking techniques, or philosophical, such as different approaches to time management and work-life balance.

2) Personal Growth & Development

Stepping out of your comfort zone and experiencing new environments challenges you in ways that promote personal growth. Travel often requires you to navigate unfamiliar environments, languages, and customs, pushing you out of your comfort zone. This can be initially challenging but ultimately rewarding as it builds confidence and self-reliance. You learn to adapt to new situations, think on your feet, and handle unexpected challenges, which are valuable skills in all areas of life. Whether traveling alone or in a group, you often need to make decisions independently and take responsibility for your own well-being. This fosters a sense of independence and self-sufficiency.

3) Education Beyond the Classroom

Travel provides hands-on learning experiences that are far more impactful than reading about a place in a book or watching a documentary. Being in a country where a different language is spoken provides an immersive environment for language learning. You can practice speaking with native speakers, understand local accents and dialects, and pick up colloquialisms and phrases that you wouldn’t encounter in a traditional classroom setting. Travel exposes you to different political and economic systems. Observing how other countries govern, their public policies, healthcare systems, and economic practices broadens your understanding of the variety of ways societies can be structured and managed.

4) Enhanced Communication Skills

Immersion in a foreign-language environment offers the best practice for language learning. You get to apply language skills in real-life situations, improving your proficiency through daily interactions with native speakers. Travel often involves meeting new people and forming connections. Whether you are traveling with friends, family, or meeting new acquaintances, these interactions help strengthen your interpersonal skills. You learn to build rapport quickly, maintain relationships, and handle conflicts constructively. Successfully navigating communication challenges in unfamiliar situations boosts your overall confidence. This confidence carries over into other areas of your life, making you more assertive and effective in your communication.

5) Mental and Emotional Well-being

Travel provides a break from the daily grind and routine, offering an escape from work, responsibilities, and stressors. This change of environment and pace can significantly reduce stress levels, allowing you to relax and rejuvenate. The anticipation and excitement of exploring new places also contribute to a positive mental state. The excitement and joy of discovering new places and experiences can boost your mood and overall happiness. Positive experiences, such as enjoying a beautiful sunset, exploring a vibrant city, or trying delicious local cuisine, release endorphins and dopamine, the body’s feel-good chemicals.

6) Broadened Perspectives

Seeing how other people live and the challenges they face can provide new perspectives on your own life. Travel exposes you to various ways of living. You observe how people in different cultures approach daily activities such as eating, working, and socializing. This exposure helps you realize that there is no single “right” way to live, broadening your understanding and acceptance of diverse lifestyles. Encountering different cultures and viewpoints challenges your assumptions and beliefs. You might find that certain ideas you held to be universal are culturally specific. This realization can lead to a more flexible and open-minded worldview. Experiencing and understanding different cultures promotes tolerance and respect for others.

7) Building Relationships and Networks

Travel provides countless opportunities to meet new people. Whether you’re staying in hostels, joining tours, or participating in local events, you can form friendships with fellow travelers and locals alike. These new connections often lead to lasting relationships and can enrich your social life. Traveling for work or attending international conferences and events allows you to meet professionals from various fields. These interactions can lead to valuable professional relationships, collaborations, and opportunities. Networking globally can open doors to new career prospects and business ventures. Establishing connections while traveling can create support systems that are valuable in times of need. Whether you need advice, assistance, or simply someone to talk to, having a network of friends and acquaintances around the world can provide a sense of security and belonging.

8) Breaking Routine and Building Memories

Breaking away from your daily routine allows your mind and body to rest and rejuvenate. The change in scenery and activities can reduce stress and prevent burnout, contributing to overall well-being and increased productivity when you return to your routine. New experiences and environments stimulate your creativity. Exploring different cultures, landscapes, and activities can inspire fresh ideas and innovative thinking. This creative boost can be beneficial in both personal and professional endeavors. Travel experiences often result in lasting memories that you can cherish for a lifetime. Whether it’s a breathtaking view, an exciting adventure, or a meaningful conversation, these memories enrich your life and provide a source of joy and nostalgia. Successfully navigating new environments and overcoming travel-related challenges builds confidence.

Now, where should you consider going?

Great question, the correct answer is wherever you are going to be pushed from your comfort zone. Whether that’s an international trip or a road trip to a different city.

The best course of action - is to take action. Now go book your next trip.

You will evolve as a human.

I hope this helps you plan your next adventure.

Blessings,

- Andres

That’s it, you did it!

Now, let’s fast forward a little bit, you already have your degree, now you landed your job.

The first few months you are excited to learn all about the company and their values and experience the work life you now have. More time has passed by, but now you noticed the 'shing object' isn't as shiny anymore. The day-to-day has become mundane and boring. All the excitement and energy you had has already worn off. Now you have become stuck. Needing the next thing.

You notice that your time doom scrolling on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube has increased.

What happened? Where did the momentum go? Where did time go? What happened to my friends? - these are all valid questions.

If you have experienced this, you are not the only one but if you haven't that's great! Keep it up! This, my friend, is what happens to many if not all recent graduates after they finish school. Let this moment not discourage you, but instead do the opposite - encourage you. This moment is pivotal since it will force you to act on it.

What do I mean by acting on this 'feeling'? I mean you either take two options:

A) You keep living your life as is and keep feeling 'stuck'.

or

B) You take a decision that can potentially change your life.

Now, keep in mind, both options have their own set of risks and rewards.

If you choose option A, that’s totally ok, but at some point you will face this again. Especially, before the next chapter of your life – being a parent. Life changes when that chapter occurs. Choose wisely.

Now, let’s go over option B. Let’s say you take that decision. Now what?

Your day-to-day will not change dramatically overnight. Instead, it will be a process. BUT, that process cannot start until you take the first step.

Allow me to introduce you a concept that was established back in the 1600s.

Sir Issac Newton, in his search for answers, developed 3 simple, yet thought-provoking concepts about the nature of physics – more specifically, motion. I want to highlight the first law – ‘An object at rest remains at rest, and an object in motion remains in motion at constant speed and in a straight line unless acted on by an unbalanced force.’ What does this mean? Let’s break this idea apart and incorporate it into our conversation.

Objects at rest stay at rest: meaning if something isn’t moving, it will not move on its own. Unless something else changes that state. For example, a book on a table will stay there until you push or pull it.

Objects in motion stay in motion: meaning If something is already moving, it will keep moving in the same direction and at the same speed unless something else makes it change. For example, a ball rolling on the ground will keep rolling until friction, a bump, or someone stops it.

Objects in motion stay in motion: meaning If something is already moving, it will keep moving in the same direction and at the same speed unless something else makes it change. For example, a ball rolling on the ground will keep rolling until friction, a bump, or someone stops it.

Unless acted upon by an unbalanced force: This means that an object’s motion (or lack of motion) will only change if something pushes or pulls on it. For example, a soccer ball won’t move unless you kick it, and once it’s moving, it will eventually stop because of friction with the ground and air resistance.

Now, what does physics have anything to do with life?

Well, a lot, actually. This simple physics concept teaches us the value of motion and rest.

Let’s dissect the first part: ‘objects at rest stay at rest’ this concept applied can be detrimental to your life. If you don’t take the initiative to change the very thing that is affecting your life nothing will occur and instead will just simply ‘stay at rest’. That’s why taking action is hard. – you are essentially making yourself go from rest to in motion. It’s in our human nature to stay a little extra in our beds, to procrastinate in completing a task (I procrastinated for 2 weeks before I delivered on this piece). While it is hard it is also rewarding. The hard things are hard because there is fulfillment at the end of it. You were able to accomplish what few people can only dream about.

Now, let’s analyze the second part: ‘objects in motion stay in motion’ this concept applied can be a powerful tool.

Once you take the initiative to change the very thing affecting your life at first nothing occurs and then everything occurs. Think of it as a ‘snowball effect’. Once you take action, sure, it might be very hard at first but then it starts to wear off little by little. You then notice that, ‘hey actually, it’s not that bad’, and the next thing leads to another and at that point you realize: ‘wow’ I just accomplished so many things in that time frame. Now remember, it’s the small actions that build up to the larger actions. You have to build momentum first.

It would be foolish to want to see results now. While it may very well be possible, a great foundation starts will small steps that lead to larger steps.

Once you are in motion, it is easy to stay in motion.

Let’s get into practical ways you can go from ‘rest’ and into ‘motion’.

3 Ways to be Intentional:

1) Reflect on Yourself.

The first order of business is to take a good 1 to 2 hours (possibly even more) to seriously be with yourself and really think about what your life is heading towards. Try to pinpoint all the problems present in your habits, in your relationships with others, and your goals. Remember this should be done in private. I recommend going out for a walk in your neighborhood or apartment complex, this can also be done in your room. Write all your thoughts down on your phone or in a dedicated journal (honestly just get a piece of paper or pen). This will help you reference back any ideas you had previously.

In this reflection you really want to get deep down in your mind. Really think through all the goals and ideas you want to achieve. Really paint the picture. You want to think about what you want to become in the future. You really want to hone into that vision. Let this time be a time where you already see yourself in that position.

Again, there is no limits here. This is your ideal reality. It can be the most bizarre thing you just have to envision it and really feel it. Whether it’s becoming the CEO of company x or becoming a music producer you just have to see it, feel it, acknowledge it, and write it down. Reflecting is not only subjected to the positives but also the negatives. Think about what is hindering you or what is limiting you from achieving that. Again, this practice is not a form of self-harm but instead a self-diagnostic. Again, it helps to get it off your chest. The point is to get it out and keep it on a physical note or a digital note. Remember you want to keep this note close to you as this will be important for the third step of the process.

2) Join an In-Person Community.

After successfully writing down all your thoughts. It’s time to get other people’s thoughts as well. Now, I don’t mean you have to tell them your deepest darkest secrets or business ideas, instead you want to hear of what others are doing. Because we live in a hyper technological society. Our phones have become a powerful tool to get information fast, and honestly in some ways have put limits on physical interactions. If you have a phone, you can simply download any social media platform and create a ‘digital’ version of yourself on the internet. This can be both harmful and powerful tool at the same time. Choose wisely on how you want to proceed with technology. And you know what’s the most intriguing thing about this? It’s that despite having technology that allows us to be interconnected, it has made us very distant at the same time.

I saw a very saddening statistic the other day, the Chamber of Commerce here in the USA have conducted a study analyzing housing data across 170 cities with populations of 150,000 coming from the Census Bureau to identify the loneliest cities in the USA. You can view the article here. Guess which city ranked the highest? – take a good guess. I’ll give you a hint it’s the nation’s capital – Washington D.C. This makes it sad since it’s home. We can get into the specifics of this and provide even my personal take but let’s save that for another blog.

The point is there is a value to having physical connections. God created us as social beings. History has shown communities and societies accomplish great things when united not isolated. Even if you are ‘introverted’ there is still value in creating connections and having someone else to talk to. With another friend, or family member you can bounce off ideas, discuss plans, vent, begin work ventures, and even push each other as encouragement. Getting plugged into a social community is hard. It’s even harder when you graduate school. School is a great and easy place to make friends. You see the same people over and over – creating those tight bonds and connections. However, once that chapter ends, now instead of it being handed down to you – it takes your own initiative to make friends. If you don’t do it no one else will do it for you.

Again, the concept of physics and motion can easily be applied here.

Sure, you can make friends from work and that’s awesome, but what if you are in a remote setting? What do you do now?

Well, allow me to give you some helpful tips for this step.

First, think about activities you like to do – personally I love to play sports, dance, and build software. Then you go and search on Instagram or TikTok for places, groups that you can attend and make friends there. Over here in DC there is a huge and I mean huge community of runners. While I am not a big fan of running, I do enjoy sports and getting involved with these running clubs is an awesome opportunity to find people and make friends. And if you are brave enough, then you can join an MMA/boxing gym. There you create great friendships and occasionally get hit in the face.

Leverage social media to provide you with key information and places to go to.

For example, here in D.C., and I stumbled upon the Instagram accounts @yourdcbestie and @devourdc, two amazing content creators showing you activities to do in DC and food places to check out in the city. I also highly encourage you to join a church that aligns with your values and beliefs as well. There you can find a great community of like-minded people.

Lastly, go serve. Serving others will drastically change your perception and it allows you to help others in need. This can be at a food bank, hospital, a church, your neighborhood, or any form of community service. Being with people and making a positive impact will give you insights and ideas to your existing plan/model. It makes you a well-rounded person. The main point here is to interact with as many people as possible while also giving and receiving value from your interactions. This will help you build a support system to help you progress in your life

3) Prioritize Brainstorming then Monetize Later.

Once you have done step 1 and 2 now it’s the time to begin crafting your plan and getting yourself into ‘motion’

If you have completed step 1 you have your notes with you with all the ideas, goals, dreams, setbacks you written. This will be your key to coming up with a plan. Creating a plan can be difficult but executing it will be by far the most difficult part. Again, you want to be wise and diligent with your goals. Remember change doesn’t happen drastically. It’s a process that takes time and effort. As the writer Dan Koe puts it ‘Nothing happens and then everything happens’.

This is absolutely true. You will get annoyed that ‘nothing’ happens or at the very least minor things happen. But time allows for those building blocks to compound and create your dream.

With your notes begin drafting a plan for how you are going to attack your goals. I recommend breaking it down by timelines. For the next 3 months, for the next 6 months, and for the next year or two. This way you can easily identify the tasks that need to be addressed sooner and the others can be addressed later. This will also give you a guide on how to track your progress as well and shift your plan if needed.

For example. Let’s say you put for the 3-month mark – ‘I plan to finish reading 2 financial literacy books.’ At the end of the month, you can evaluate whether you hit your goal or not. You can also set higher parameters such as ‘after completing each book I will also create help other by sharing the topics I read’ Or if you didn’t hit your goal then you have to re-evaluate and possibly lower your threshold, for example, ‘I’ll read 1 book and read a page a day.’ That way, you don’t burn out or leave completely. This will kill your momentum, your motion. Remember the goal is to keep in motion, as motion compounds over time.

Now that you have been intentional with surrounding yourself with a community, you can ask for them to be a support system. A support system is not only there to be with you when you are down or are failing but they are there to keep feeding you that ‘motion’ they are there to encourage you and keep you accountable. Find accountability from your community, and most importantly find a mentor.

In my recent conversation with my mother, we discussed about mentorship and about community. One of the things she said stuck with me and it was ‘mentors are there to help you ‘shine’ your skills and abilities’. What does that mean? It means that mentors are there to get the best out of you just like a shoe shiner gets the best (“shines”) out of the shoe. With a trusted mentor you can share your ideas, passions, and goals, and if they are quality mentors, they will get the best out of you.

By implementing these 3 steps you will be able to notice differences to your lifestyle. Don’t be worried if the results are not happening quickly.

That’s the whole point. These steps are to be completed continuously as you keep progressing and growing as an individual.

I hope this helps you and your journey.

Blessings,

- Andres

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