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"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."
- Jim Rohn.
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It's amazing how things seem to arrive at the exact moment we need them to in life. This week's shows are all about how to create a sustainable, dynamic drive. I couldn't think of a better time than the present to hear this message—and apply the timeless lessons starting today. We all know that building the right habits is key to creating and living your life to its fullest potential. If your daily habits aren't where they need to be, let this week's topic be the catalyst for you to take the first step, ultimately embodying all 7 of Molly Fletcher's steps to creating your dynamic drive.
Enjoy this edition of the 201, and let us know what you think!
- Kevin
The 411 on Habits:
- 40: Approximate percentage of our daily actions that are habit-driven, not conscious decisions.
- 66: Average number of days it takes to form a new habit.
- 92: Percentage of people who set New Year's Resolutions and fail to keep them.
- 43: Percentage more likely people are to achieve goals if they write them down.
Latest Stacking Benjamins Podcast Episodes:
How to Create a Sustainable Drive Process (SB1657)
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Climb Out of Your Rut: Molly Fletcher on Sustainable Drive (SB1658)
Listen here →
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How to Create a Sustainable Drive Process (SB1657)
Want to level up your game, without burning out? This week, we’re sitting down with Molly Fletcher, a former top sports agent who’s negotiated over $500 million in deals (yeah, she’s kind of a big deal). This week, we're breaking down her 7 Steps to Dynamic Drive — the secret sauce behind high achievers who keep winning without losing their minds.
We’ll give you the exact playbook with actionable steps you can use right now. But trust us, this is just the warm-up. Check out Monday and Wednesday's shows for the full experience, Monday's discussion leading into Wednesday's interview with Molly. Are you game? (See what I did there?)
Ever wonder how top athletes, coaches, and business leaders keep pushing forward without crashing and burning? It’s not just talent or luck. They’ve cracked the code on what Molly calls “Dynamic Drive”—a game plan for sustaining energy, focus, and success over the long haul.
The best part? You don’t need to be a pro athlete to use these strategies in your own life. Whether you’re chasing career goals, financial freedom, or just trying to stay motivated, these seven key steps will help you build unstoppable momentum.
Let’s break them down:
Put first things first
Before diving into the 7 steps, Joe and OG stress the importance of setting yourself up for success from the start. First and foremost—avoid self-sabotage!
- Live within your means. What’s the point of a great financial plan if you’re always spending more than you’re bringing in? If you're struggling with this (no shame, we've all been there...except for Mom, who we all strive to be), check out this piece from our friend Clark Howard to learn 7 ways to live within your means without feeling restricted (link)
- Create the right budget for you. "Budget" might be the eighth word on George Carlin's infamous List of 7 Words You Can't Say On TV if he were around to see all the unnecessary financial drama in today’s media. (Warning: video contains explicit language.) Learn how to create a budget that works for you with this step-by-step guide from CNBC (link). Not a fan of doing math? Check out our friend Paula Pant's simple solution: the anti-budget (link).
- Your "Ah-ha" moment. OG mentioned that looking back at the last 10 or 20 years of earnings and asking, “Where did all that money go?” can be a real eye-opener. Ready to track your own money? Visit our show sponsor Monarch Money to explore their comprehensive financial toolkit. Plus, by using our special link, you’ll get a 30-day risk-free trial and help support the show (link).
"For me, it was looking at the last period of time - 5,8,10 years - and going, 'hold on a second! How much has gone through my fingers in 10 years?!"
- OG
Kevin's special bonus resource: Want to know exactly how much you’ve earned over your working lifetime? You can access your earnings history with the Social Security Administration and find out (link).
- Achieve flow. Ever had one of those days where everything just felt effortless, like the universe was in your corner? That’s what we call "flow." To dive deeper into the science and psychology behind this optimal state, check out Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. You can borrow it from your local library, or grab your own copy while supporting the show through our Amazon Affiliate link (link)
1: Mindset
Molly says that the first step to creating your dynamic drive is adopting the right mindset.
- Make the mindset shift. If your mindset isn't in the right place, all of the tools, tricks, and tactics will amount to, as Mom says, "A hill of beans." Dive into the concept of a growth mindset and learn how to develop your growth mindset by reading the extraordinary book by Dr. Carol Dweck, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. You can borrow a copy of the book from your local library or grab your own copy and help out the show by using our Amazon Affiliate link (link).
- F.A.I.L. = "First attempt in learning." Reframe failure not as a negative experience, but as an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. To help you shift your perspective, check out three strategies to reframe failure in this piece from Forbes (link).
- Use your downtime to recharge. Joe says it's all too common to forget the essential need to rest and recharge from work. Learn how to take time to fully recharge yourself by reading this piece from Entrepreneur (link).
- Process>outcomes. Joe and OG emphasize that it’s essential to focus on the process of doing the right thing repeatedly, rather than fixating solely on the outcome. In financial nerd-speak: give compounding time to work its magic uninterrupted. Prepare to be amazed by the powerful financial calculators available; our favorite calculator is from Boldin (formerly New Retirement Calculator). Start exploring its visualization tools with a 14-day free trial and support the show by signing up through our affiliate link (link).
2. Energy
"You never feel burnout when you're working on the right stuff."
- (ChatGPT founder and CEO) Sam Altman
- Optimize your day to maximize productivity. Ever worked with OG in the evening? Let’s just say, his productivity level is about the same as Joe’s when the Spartans are playing in the Final Four. The point is, we all have peak times during the day when we're most creative and productive. Discover your own peak productivity periods and schedule your creative work during those windows. Learn how to pinpoint your most productive times by reading this insightful piece from Inc. (link).
- Fence off your peak times. When we spoke with Eric Qualmann at the beginning of 2024 (link to the episode), he shared his method of building “cowboy fences” around his peak productivity hours. Want to dive deeper into the secret of optimal focus? Check out his book, The Focus Project: The Not So Simple Art of Doing Less. Borrow it from your library or grab your own copy and support the show by using our Amazon Affiliate link (link).
3. Discipline
Joe is a big believer in automating your finances to make progress without constantly relying on willpower. By setting up smart systems, you can stay on track with minimal effort.
- Direct deposit. When starting a new job, one of the first things you should do is set up direct deposit. Pro tip: Consider directing a portion of your paycheck into a separate savings account at a different bank. This small move makes saving automatic and painless. Learn how to get started with this guide from NerdWallet (link).
- Credit card payments. Avoid late fees and protect your credit score by automating your monthly credit card payments. Whenever possible, set it up to pay the full statement balance. At the very least, ensure the minimum payment is covered. Learn how to set up autopay on your credit card by reading this piece from CNET (link).
- Investing plan/401(k). Automating your investments takes the emotion out of the equation and ensures you stick to your plan. Whether it's through your retirement account or a brokerage account, regular contributions can help you build long-term wealth. To stay on course, consider creating an Investment Policy Statement — a clear, fact-based guide aligned with your financial goals. For tips on crafting one, read our classic blog entry from 2014 (link).
4. Curiosity
Take a closer look at what you're chasing—and why. Get curious about your own motivations and habits. You might be surprised by what you uncover.
"Why do you wait for your boss to design a plan for you?"
5. Resilience
Learn to weather the storm. Staying persistent through challenges is often the key to long-term success.
"People with very high expectations have very low resilience."
- Jensen Huang, Founder & CEO of NVIDIA
"Acknowledge where you are and get on with it."
- OG
"Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right."
- Henry Ford
6. Connection
Whether you're working or enjoying retirement, building meaningful connections is like a cheat code for a healthier, more fulfilling life. Joe suggests checking out our recent show with Benjamin Brandt for a deeper dive into the power of connections. Listen here (link).
"Think partnering over transactions."
- Molly Fletcher
7. Confidence
Confidence is the key to lasting success—and it’s built by consistently following the previous six steps.
"If you struggle to stay motivated...pause after every milestone and tell yourself, 'I'm headed in the right direction.'"
- Molly Fletcher
Are YOU ready to create your dynamic drive?
If you're committed to building a sustainable, purpose-fueled drive in your life and career, grab your copy of Molly's latest hit book, Dynamic Drive: The Purpose-Fueled Formula for Sustainable Success
Mom's takeaway
You don’t have to be an athlete to play the long game. Success isn’t about going full speed 24/7—it’s about knowing when to push, when to rest, and how to stay in the game. Build the right habits, stay curious, and surround yourself with good people. Do that, and you’ll always be moving forward.
Our TikTok Minute:
Have a financial question?
Ask Joe and OG! If you're looking for expert advice, reach out to Joe and OG at 'Better Call Saul...Sehy & OG.' Simply visit THIS PAGE to leave us a voicemail.
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Today's Top Financial Question:
Stacker Alex has a question on what is the best way to instruct his broker on how to treat a withdrawal for tax purposes. Listen to the show to get our thoughts (link)!
Want More Than Just the Newsletter?
Success isn’t just about talent — it’s about mindset, energy, discipline, curiosity, resilience, connection, and confidence. Mastering these seven steps can keep you motivated and moving forward, no matter what life throws your way.
Tune in to this Friday's roundtable episode when we tackle the topic of how to apply the sustainable, dynamic drive you've created to your financial plan. You won't want to miss it!
Thanks for reading, and as always, keep stacking those Benjamins!
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