Dear Reader,
This is my monthly update email. Just like companies send updates to their investors, I send updates to you. (Past updates linked)
If you are reading this, it is because I am grateful for you.
I’ve moved this to Substack for transparency, sexy-ness, and ease of use for you and me.
Right now I am sitting on my girlfriend’s flower comforter in her cozy apartment in Brooklyn, my stomach is full of stir fry and salmon, and we’ve just enjoyed the evening air in our hair on the rooftop.
The contents of this update are:
1. TLDR
2. The month in a story
3. Decisions I made
4. Actions Taken
5. Gratitudes and Reflections
7. Plans and goal for this month
8. Feedback Requests
TLDR:
I sold my car, mattress, computer set up, and moved to NYC.
UPDATE: I’ve decided that listing the events I attend or people I meet is not helpful in representing progress towards my goals. The lessons or actions that come from each will still be represented here.
Short Story
1 month ago right now I was in Austin, Texas cleaning up trash with a cardboard waiter tray I made with zipties.
That was me showing out and giving my effort to build relationships towards NYC, and it worked.
I got back to Nashville on Thursday the 19th and had some big decisions to make. My lease was ending April 9th, and although I could extend, I felt like my time had come to leave Nashville and take a risk, but how and where and when?
I gathered info, did my financials, and the path became clear. It was time.
So I sold almost everything and moved here to NYC (Looking for a place to rent as we speak).
Decisions Made
-I decided to show my heart to a guy and his team at the company Fibe. They host tech events around the country, especially in NYC.
- Decided to sell everything and move to NYC
- Decided to follow through on a commitment, and separately to visit family. (Once I am back in NYC on the 19th I am entirely focused on one goal, starting a business, or getting a job in 3 months or less in NYC)
- Potentially staying in a Co-Living place (like a long-term hostel) in Brooklyn
Actions Taken
- Put 100% effort into pulling off the volunteering at the event stunt. (Cold emails, intros, gift and letter, and volunteering at the event + follow up)
- Posted every day on LinkedIn this month (~40k impressions, avg of 200 words per post)
- Sold car and PC for 12k, plus found a family in need for the rest of my things
- Set up conversations and events for the week of the 20th to hit the ground running, plus did a content series announcing my move to NY
- Dm’ed, Emailed, and Called 50 apartment and Coliving options in the area im looking for
- Escaped an escape room in record time for a friends’ birthday
- Read 4 books (Mans search for meaning, Never Enough, Sam Waltons Biography, and Old Charlie’s Almanack | Not including the 2 i’m pre-reading)
Gratitudes and Reflections
Ever since I started exploring next steps from Nashville, and certainly since my girlfriend (9 months ago today), I have thought about moving to NYC. Now I have. There is much emotion in a leap like this, and I am grateful for that depth.
I am grateful for the freedom I enjoy in this season to read and write obsessively. (Two people even invited me to pre-read their books!)
I feel in my heart so much love from the people around me who have been apart of my journey and are now. I am grateful for those that hold me accountable, give me advice, and support me.
(I would not be here, or the man I am, without you.)
- The question I have guided myself with this month is, ‘what is my gut telling me?’
- The most personal is the most creative - Martin Scorcese
- Words are magic, and so they matter. That’s why it’s called spelling - Bruce Lee
- He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how - Niethze
This coming month
- Today or Tomorrow I move into a place in NYC
- Thursday I fly to Kansas City to do an event with a community I am helping with.
- Sunday I get back to NYC and all of my focus is finally entirely on my success here
- I will be doing events, coffee chats, stunts, and content
My goal
is that in the next email I write to you, I will have a report on whether I am starting a business or getting a job, and a specific plan on exactly how that will happen. By then I will have completed all of my commitments to pre-reading books, the community, and established a foundational routine to propel me into this bright future.
Feedback Requests
I have 8.7 months of savings at a $3,400/mo burn rate, not including tapping into some acorns I have tucked away to start a business with - Is that enough or should I fast track a job?
Is there anyone I NEED to know in NYC?
What things do you wish you did differently when you took big risks?
I feel this is my biggest stretch ever. Thank you for walking alongside me.
From my heart,
James Floyd
Past Updates:
The James Update #1
The James Update #2
The James Update #3
The James Update #4
The James Update #5
The James Update #6