“The easiest way to get ahead in life is to commit to a period of skill development. 6-12 months. Pure focus for 2-4 hours a day. Learning and building. Not just binge-watching tutorials, but creating quality projects that you, others, or businesses could actually benefit from. Most people won’t do it, but those who do launch ahead of everyone else.”
That’s what Dan Koe said in one of his letters on Substack.
And it’s so true.
Because for the last 28 days, I’ve been teaching you exactly that.
It’s Day 28 of 31 and we have just 3 Days Left
We’re also 3 days away from 2026.
Let me ask you something: Where were you 28 days ago?
If you’ve been following this series, 28 days ago:
You didn’t know how to identify your valuable skill
You didn’t have a clear offer
You didn’t know how to price confidently
You didn’t have a strategy for finding clients
But today:
You know your skill is worth money
You have an offer (or you know how to build one)
You understand pricing psychology
You have a framework for finding your first 5 clients
That’s massive progress.
But here’s the hard truth: Knowledge without action is just entertainment.
You’ve spent 28 days learning. Now it’s time to execute.
The Reality Check
Most People Will Wait Until January
Here’s what’s going to happen over the next 3 days:
Most people will close this article, close their laptop, and say:
“I’ll start in January.” “I’ll reach out after the holidays.” “I’ll launch my offer in the new year.”
They’ll convince themselves that January 1st is the magic date. That somehow, when the calendar flips, they’ll suddenly have more time, more clarity, more courage.
But they won’t.
Because the same excuses they’re using now will still be there in January.
“I’m not ready yet.” “I need to prepare more.” “Let me take one more course first.”
And six months from now, they’ll be in the exact same place, wishing they had started in December.
But you? You’re not most people.
The 3-Day Challenge: Close Your First Client Before 2025
Here’s my challenge to you:
In the next 3 days, December 29, 30, and 31, I want you to do three things:
1. Send 10 Messages to People in Your Network
Not cold pitches to strangers. Warm messages to people you already know who need what you offer.
Use the framework from Day 23:
“Hey [Name], I’ve been thinking about you. I know you mentioned [specific problem] a while back. I’ve actually started helping people with exactly that. Would love to catch up and hear how things are going. No pressure, just genuinely curious.”
10 messages. 3 days. That’s ~3 messages per day.
You can do this in 30 minutes.
2. Post 3 Pieces of Content with a Clear Call to Action
Stop posting vague, inspirational content that leads nowhere.
Every post should answer three questions:
Can you help me?
How can you help me?
What’s next?
Examples:
“I help solopreneurs stuck at $2K/month break through to $10K by fixing their offer and pricing. If that’s you, DM me ‘READY’ and I’ll send you a free breakdown.”
“Just helped a client go from $0 to $3K in their first month. Here’s exactly what we did: [list]. If you want the full strategy, comment ‘STRATEGY’ below.”
“I’m opening 3 spots for new clients in January. If you’re ready to [transformation], DM me and let’s chat.”
3 posts. 3 days. One per day.
3. Follow Up with Everyone Who Said ‘Let Me Think About It’
You know those people who said:
“This sounds interesting, let me think about it.”
“Can I get back to you after the holidays?”
“I’m interested, but now’s not a great time.”
Follow up with them.
Send a simple message:
“Hey [Name], just wanted to circle back before the year ends. I know you mentioned you were thinking about [offer]. Still interested? I have a spot opening up in January if the timing works better.”
Most people don’t follow up because they’re afraid of being “pushy.” But here’s the truth: People are busy. They forget. Your follow-up is a helpful reminder, not an annoyance.
Why This Matters: The Math on Action
Let me show you the math:
If you send 10 messages:
Even if only 30% respond, that’s 3 conversations
Even if only 1 of those 3 converts, that’s 1 client
If you post 3 times with a clear CTA:
Even if only 5 people DM you, that’s 5 conversations
Even if only 1 of those 5 converts, that’s 1 client
If you follow up with 5 people:
Even if only 1 says yes, that’s 1 client
Total: 3 potential clients from 3 simple actions over 3 days.
If you charge $500: That’s $1,500. If you charge $1,000: That’s $3,000. If you charge $2,000: That’s $6,000.
From 3 days of focused action.
The Mindset Shift: You Went to 10 Job Interviews to Work for Someone Else
Here’s the reframe that changed everything for me:
You went to 10 job interviews to work for someone else. You can send 10 messages to work for yourself.
Think about it:
When you were job hunting, you probably:
Applied to dozens of jobs
Sent countless emails
Sat through multiple interviews
Followed up repeatedly
Dealt with rejection after rejection
All to work for someone else.
But now, when it comes to working for yourself, building your own income, creating your own opportunities, you hesitate?
You’re afraid to send 10 messages?
That doesn’t make sense.
You’ve already proven you can handle rejection. You’ve already proven you can put yourself out there.
Now do it for yourself.
What You Already Have (And Why You’re Ready)
Let me remind you of what you’ve learned over the last 28 days:
Week 1: Foundation & Awareness
Your messaging needs to be clear
You need to speak to a specific audience
You need to talk about your offer more than you think
You need to build trust before you pitch
Pricing is a signal of value
Week 2: Step 1 - Identify Your Valuable Skill
You already have a skill worth money
It’s probably something you think is “too easy” or “too obvious”
Digital products, content creation, and affiliate marketing are all viable income streams
You don’t need to stress about picking a niche right away
Week 3: Step 2 - Package & Price
Your skill needs to be packaged into a clear offer
Simplify to 1-2 signature offers, not 5 confusing options
Your message needs to focus on transformation, not credentials
Pricing is psychology, charge based on value, not time
Create no-brainer digital offers for passive income
Sell transformation, not features
Week 4: Step 3 - Find Your First 5 Clients
You don’t need 1,000 clients, you need 5 good ones
Your first clients are probably in your warm network
Content should answer: Can you help me? How? What’s next?
Build trust for 2 weeks, then make the offer
Discovery calls are about listening, not pitching
Follow-up is where most sales happen
You have everything you need.
The skill. The offer. The strategy.
The only thing left is action.
What’s Stopping You? (And Why It Doesn’t Matter)
Let me address the excuses I know you’re thinking:
“It’s the holidays. People are busy.”
Yes, and people are also reflecting on the year, thinking about what they want to change, and making plans for January.
Your message might be exactly what they need to hear right now.
“I’m not ready yet.”
You’ll never feel 100% ready. That’s not how this works.
You’re ready enough. You know more than the person you’re trying to help. That’s all that matters.
“What if they say no?”
Then they say no. And you move on to the next person.
Rejection is data. It’s not personal. Every no gets you closer to a yes.
“I don’t want to be pushy during the holidays.”
You’re not being pushy. You’re offering a solution to a problem they have.
If someone is struggling with something you can help with, reaching out is helpful, not pushy.
The 3-Day Action Plan (Step-by-Step)
Here’s exactly what to do:
December 29:
Morning (30 minutes):
Make a list of 20 people in your network
Identify 10 who need what you offer
Write out your message using the template
Afternoon (30 minutes):
Send 3 messages
Post 1 piece of content with a clear CTA
Evening (15 minutes):
Check responses
Reply to any messages
December 30:
Morning (30 minutes):
Send 4 more messages
Follow up with anyone who responded yesterday
Afternoon (30 minutes):
Post 1 piece of content with a clear CTA
Evening (15 minutes):
Check responses
Schedule any calls or conversations
December 31:
Morning (30 minutes):
Send the final 3 messages
Follow up with everyone who said “let me think about it”
Afternoon (30 minutes):
Post your final piece of content
Make it an invitation: “I’m opening 3 spots for January. DM me if you’re ready.”
Evening:
Celebrate. You did the work while everyone else waited.
What Happens If You Do This?
Best case scenario: You close 1-3 clients. You start 2025 with momentum and revenue.
Worst case scenario: You get practice. You start conversations. You build relationships that might convert in January or February.
Either way, you’re ahead of everyone who waited.
The Truth: Most People Won’t Do This
Here’s the reality:
Most people reading this won’t take the challenge.
They’ll close this article, feel inspired for 10 minutes, and then go back to scrolling.
They’ll tell themselves: “I’ll start in January.”
And in January, they’ll have a new excuse.
But a small percentage, maybe 5-10%, will actually do it.
They’ll send the messages. They’ll post the content. They’ll follow up.
And those people? They’ll close clients before the year ends.
They’ll start 2026 ahead of everyone else.
The question is: Which group are you in?
My Challenge to You
Here’s my challenge:
Comment “CHALLENGE” below or reply to this email right now, just to commit.
Then go do it.
Send the messages. Post the content. Follow up.
Don’t wait until January. Don’t wait until you feel ready. Don’t wait until conditions are perfect.
Act now.
Because knowledge without action is just entertainment.
And you didn’t spend 28 days learning just to stay in the same place.
Let’s Finish 2025 Ahead of Everyone Else
This is Day 28 of 31 in my skills to income series.
We have 3 days left in 2025.
You have the skill. You have the offer. You have the strategy.
The only thing left is action.
Let’s finish strong.
Comment “CHALLENGE” to commit. Then go execute.
I’ll see you tomorrow for Day 29.
Want every template, script, and framework for all 6 steps?
The Creator Cashflow Kit includes everything you need to take action: outreach templates, content frameworks, discovery call scripts, and the complete Dad Maths system. Check it out here.
CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE