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The Hard Way I Learned I Suck at Management
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.
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In today's issue:
The Hard Way I Learned I Suck at Management
Scared to Offend? Then Get Ready to Be Forgotten
Why You Need a Webinar With Jason Fladlien
Think You Know Sales? Sandler Knows It Better
FROM MY WORLD
The Hard Way I Learned I Suck at Management
Tech stuff and managing people: two things that used to make me want to run away screaming.
Back in the early days of building my online empire, every time I had to deal with some complicated tech setup, I felt like I was deciphering alien code from Roswell.
And management? Oh man, I was a walking disaster zone.
Flashback: Igor's Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Manager Days
At one point, in a moment of what I can only describe as temporary insanity, I rented an office and brought my entire Israeli team together.
It wasn't some fancy corporate space—just a small apartment I converted into a workspace, because who needs all the expense and hassle of a proper office when you're running an online business, right?
But my dreams of a productivity paradise quickly turned into a nightmare.
Some people were rock-solid and laser-focused, but others? They turned the place into a social club. It felt like every 20 minutes someone was making coffee, gossiping by the water cooler, or stepping out for their fifth cigarette break before lunch.
I became a micromanaging nightmare—hovering over everyone like an overcaffeinated drone, making sure no one dared to slack off.
My own work took a nosedive. The crucial stuff I loved, like writing killer emails or launching campaigns, fell off my radar. I was too busy babysitting adults.
The stress became suffocating. I had officially built myself a prison, and I was the warden.
So I did what any sane person would do: I dismantled the office, fired a few people, and set myself free. Back to coffee shop productivity, where I could breathe again, and where no one could see me losing my mind over bad Wi-Fi.
The Big Management Epiphany
I restructured everything.
My new rule was simple: I don’t care where you work, just get it done. Whether you’re in Israel, Dallas, or hanging out in some hammock in Bali, just hit your deadlines. But even with this newfound freedom, managing people remotely still made me want to pull my hair out. Projects lagged. Things slipped through the cracks.
I had to face the ugly truth: I’m a terrible manager.
But instead of fighting that reality, I embraced it. I stopped trying to be something I’m not and hired people who thrive at what I hate. People who love spreadsheets, deadlines, and weekly check-ins.
Suddenly, I was free to focus on what I do best: launching projects and making magic happen from scratch.
Now, my team runs like a well-oiled machine, and I no longer feel like a prisoner.
I initiate. They execute. And our momentum is unstoppable.
So, all you need to is to work smarter, not harder
Here’s what I learned: Pour your energy into what makes you come alive. Outsource or partner up for the rest. It’s not just about efficiency; it’s about building a life and business you love.
And when you find someone who thrives on what you despise, your combined strengths multiply. One plus one can really equal five when the right people are in place.
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
Scared to Offend? Then Get Ready to Be Forgotten
I used to think playing it safe was the smart move.
In the early days, I’d craft emails and create content that stayed neutral, avoiding strong opinions to keep everyone happy. And guess what? It didn’t work.
People ignored me. My messages faded into the background, lost in a sea of mediocrity.
Being “vanilla”—inoffensive, non-controversial, and forgettable—is one of the biggest mistakes you can make in business.
Now, I’m all about taking clear stances.
If you ever hear me rant about social media "hustlers" or call out trends I think are a complete joke, you'll see: I’ve learned that clarity wins. You don’t have to go around offending everyone, but you do need to be unapologetic about who you are and what you stand for.
Find your audience by offending the right people
Here's the secret: To engage your audience, sometimes you have to be willing to repel the wrong crowd. Take, for example, the Daily Wire guys (you know, Ben Shapiro’s crew). They don’t mince words or try to make everyone happy. They know exactly who their audience is and cater directly to them, not worrying about the backlash from people who aren't in their camp.
The same applies to us as entrepreneurs.
Imagine you’re selling software that automates video content creation—thumbnails, editing, music, the whole shebang. If you're marketing this software, you can bet you’re not worried about upsetting those overpriced YouTube agencies that charge thousands to do the same thing.
Why? Because those agencies aren't your target market. Content creators are.
So, don’t hold back from poking fun at agencies when making your pitch—because by doing so, you’re speaking directly to the frustrations of your ideal customers.
Live with purpose, don't just exist.
I saw a video the other day that hit a nerve. Some influencer was bragging about the freedom of being single and childless. Her Saturday was all about lounging in bed, scrolling through social media, and chasing random whims like learning to make Shakshuka from scratch.
I cringed hard. Look, I love Shakshuka as much as the next guy, but wasting hours on such things feels like a painfully empty way to live.
Maybe it’s because, as an entrepreneur, even my “free” time has purpose. If I ever found myself with hours of nothing to do, I’d be learning something new, planning my next big project, or engaging with people who fuel my ambition.
And that's the point: having drive, purpose, and goals that push you forward.
When you engage with your audience, remember: People crave certainty and strong direction.
If you’re bland and “meh,” you’ll never inspire anyone. But if you take a stand, even if some disagree, you’ll attract the ones who resonate deeply with your message. And those are the people who will follow you, buy from you, and help you grow.
FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE
Why You Need a Webinar With Jason Fladlien
Webinars aren’t limited by industry; they’re a versatile powerhouse.
Whether you’re in software, agency services, or any domain, webinars wield transformative potential. Discover how webinars can redefine value propositions, showcase expertise, and lead customers toward well-informed decisions.
Tune in and discover how to wield the power of webinars to transform your business in ways you’ve never imagined. Don’t miss out—this episode is your ticket to unlocking the wizardry behind webinars and stepping into a future of endless possibilities.
CURATED READS
Think You Know Sales? Sandler Knows It Better
“You Can’t Teach a Kid to Ride a Bike at a Seminar" by David Sandler is a game-changer if you want to master selling without feeling pushy. Sandler, one of the most influential sales trainers ever, teaches a simple but powerful idea: You can’t just learn sales by watching or reading—you have to actually do it. Just like you can’t teach a kid to ride a bike in a classroom, you can’t become a top-notch salesperson without getting out there and practicing.
What’s great about Sandler’s approach is that it turns the usual sales techniques upside down. Instead of chasing prospects and feeling desperate, Sandler shows you how to make prospects want what you’re offering. In this book, you’ll learn how to qualify leads early, handle objections with ease, and close deals without feeling awkward.
Why Read It?
Because this book will change how you approach sales forever. David Sandler gives you the tools to make selling feel natural and confident, whether you’re pitching an affiliate offer or closing a client. Plus, his methods work wonders for email marketing too.
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