Welcome to another issue of the no-BS newsletter dedicated to demystifying the world of passive income, where we share practical, reliable strategies to build and sustain income streams that work for you.

If you want to help someone else make money while they sleep, forward this email to them.

In today's issue:

• If I’d Known How Hard This Was Going to Be, I Wouldn’t Have Done It.

• Death by a Thousand Choices

• How To Write Email Copy That Sells With Jon Benson

• 100 Ways to Write Like a Pro

FROM MY WORLD

If I’d Known How Hard This Was Going to Be, I Wouldn’t Have Done It.

Today, let’s talk about a little secret in the coaching world. I’d call it ‘the art of oversimplifying.’ 

It’s a tool every mentor, every guru—even Kiyosaki, Les Brown—has used at some point. And before you raise an eyebrow, there’s a good reason why.

Picture this: an eager new client signs up for my coaching program. He’s fresh, motivated, and buying into the idea that success online is possible. 

Now, I know firsthand that making it in this business takes time, grit, and probably a few sleepless nights. But do I tell him that right away? Not exactly. 

Instead, I’ll show him the big picture, the three main steps, and let him go from there. 

Why? Because if I bombard him with every micro-step and every roadblock from the start, he’s likely to run for the hills before he even begins.

I’ll never forget a story that sums this up. 

I had a client who came in with zero online experience. He was juggling a failing business, learning a whole new skill set, and, not to mention, raising a kid. But he believed in the process and got to work. After eight months, this guy had a $20,000-per-month operation. Impressive, right? But on a follow-up call, he told me point-blank, “Igor, if I’d known how hard this was going to be, I wouldn’t have done it.” Yet, he admitted he was thrilled he stuck it out.

It reminds me of something Robert Kiyosaki shared in one of our interviews. He talked about how, early in his career, he ended up living in his car for a while, paying off employees from a dead business venture. 

He called it one of the most impactful experiences of his life, a pivotal moment. But would he do it again? “Absolutely not.” And that’s the funny thing—some of the most life-altering, successful paths are the very ones we’d avoid if we knew just how tough they’d be.

But here’s the big question: Does simplifying the path make me a villain? I’d argue no, because I’m giving people the shot to get started, to dip their toes in and gain real-world experience before they decide whether to dive deeper.

If I threw out every hard truth on day one, most people would never even try. And that would be the real tragedy—missing out on a chance for success over fear of the challenge.

So yes, I keep things simple. Because once you’re in, once you’ve got your first taste of success, the hard work doesn’t scare you off; it fires you up.

MY GIFT FOR YOU

I Want To Ship You a Copy of My Book

As our way of saying thanks for subscribing to the newsletter, we’d like to ship you a free copy of the Amazon best-seller List Building Lifestyle: Confessions of an Email Millionaire. This book shows how to build a scalable passive income online even if you’ve got no previous experience.

Claim your no cost copy by texting the word BOOK to +1 833-259-7282

You can also just click the button below if you’re reading this on your mobile device.

This book costs $20 on Amazon, but if you text the word BOOK to +1 833-259-7282, you’ll receive a special link allowing you to get a free copy of the book plus $3,251.88 in bonuses (just chip in on S&H).

MINDSET MAKEOVER

Death by a Thousand Choices

If you’re feeling stuck right now, ask yourself this: Is there a decision you’ve been avoiding? 

Because here’s the truth: indecision is just as dangerous as flat-out quitting. It’s a sneaky trap that keeps you in a cycle of “almost starting” and “almost succeeding,” all while life passes by.

When people shift from employee to entrepreneur, indecision tends to creep in because they’re suddenly in the driver’s seat—no boss, no deadlines, no structure forcing them to act. 

You’re your own boss now, and you need to get comfortable making calls. And yes, there’s risk involved. Decisions mean committing to a path without knowing every detail. 

But here’s what I tell my students: indecision is a decision too—it’s just the one that life makes for you.

This challenge isn’t just about big choices, like launching a new product or going all-in on a business idea. It can be as simple as choosing between two marketing strategies or deciding how much time to spend learning vs. doing.

But every time you waffle on a decision, you waste mental energy. You’re like a computer with too many tabs open, each one draining power, slowing you down, and burning out your drive.

So, here’s a quick gut-check exercise for you: Think about one choice you’ve been putting off. Set a 10-minute timer, write down your options, pick one, and commit. 

I promise, the relief will feel like hitting a reset button on your energy.

In the end, the best gift you can give yourself is a commitment. Choose, act, and keep moving. Because while no one can predict the outcome of every decision, you control the action. 

And that’s how you reclaim your power as an entrepreneur.

FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE

How To Write Email Copy That Sells With Jon Benson

Jon Benson is the father of the VSL and one of the world’s top copywriters. He is the author of Open Click Buy and about a gazillion best-selling books on fitness. From relationships to sanity to subject lines – Jon Benson is raw & uncut on List Building Lifestyle

CURATED READS

100 Ways to Write Like a Pro

If you want your emails to stand out and sell, this book is pure gold. 

Gary Provost’s “100 Ways to Improve Your Writing” skips the fluff and gets right to practical tips you can use today. From making your headlines pop to tightening every sentence, Provost offers short, actionable advice that’s perfect for marketers who want their words to drive results.

It’s a fast read, packed with the kind of no-nonsense strategies that can take your copy from average to irresistible. Read it once, then keep it nearby—this is the kind of book you’ll reach for again and again.

RIDDLE ME THIS

Can You Crack The Code?

I make you pay for clicks that aren’t real,

Draining your budget with a fake appeal.

I look like traffic, but don’t be deceived—

I’m empty clicks, just out to mislead.

What am I?

Think you've cracked the code? Reply to this email with your guess and see if you're right!