2 lessons from episode 9 that still stick.

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Hey, it’s Pat!

When I recorded episode nine of the Smart Passive Income podcast back in 2010, I was still new to podcasting, and frankly, I had no idea what I was doing. It wasn’t until about episode 50 that things started to click.?

Thankfully, I hit the record button to capture some conversations with great people who did most of the heavy lifting for me — like Nicole Dean, my featured guest in episode nine.?

The Internet was a wild place back then. People subscribed to RSS feeds to read blogs from their favorite writers, podcasting was not mainstream yet, and eBooks were still weird to people. Nicole, however, taught me some important lessons in that episode — two of which I’d like to highlight today because they continue to guide me in building a successful online business.

As always, thank you for being a subscriber. Now, let’s get unstuck.

QUOTE

"Success is not about being the best. It's about always getting better."

?—Behdad Sami

THE STORY

Now, let’s dive into the two lessons that Nicole shared on the podcast that still resonate with me — and I think you’ll find them valuable, too.

Lesson #1: Embrace Your Unfair Advantage

Nicole was the first person to introduce me to the concept of an “unfair advantage,” and it completely shifted my perspective. Each of us has something unique that we bring to the table — something that sets us apart. It could be an experience, a talent, or even connections that open doors in ways others might not be able to.

For me, my “unfair advantage” was actually getting laid off. Sounds strange, right? But that experience became the cornerstone of my story as an entrepreneur. I could share that struggle with others who had lost their jobs (or wanted out of them), and it helped me connect on a deeper level. It wasn’t just a setback — it became part of my superpower.

Here’s a look at others who have tapped into their unfair advantage:

• John Lee Dumas leaned into his disciplined work ethic, shaped by his military background, to launch the first daily podcast for entrepreneurs.
• Sally Hogshead turned her deep understanding of human behavior into the Fascinate Test, a widely respected tool for understanding what makes people and brands stand out.
• Ali Abdaal's unfair advantage is his ability to take complex topics — especially around productivity, learning, and entrepreneurship — and break them down into simple, actionable, and relatable steps. While his background as a doctor adds credibility, his real edge comes from how he combines this expertise with clear, engaging storytelling.

In my Pokémon content, I leaned into storytelling and my comfort with filming in public — something many other creators were hesitant to do. It became my differentiator.

So, what’s your unfair advantage? Think about:

• What experiences have shaped who you are?
• What comes naturally to you that others might struggle with?
• What strengths can you bring into your work that might be overlooked?

Use these reflections to identify how your unique advantage can be woven into your business — it’s often what sets you apart in a crowded marketplace.

Lesson #2: Make the Internet a Better Place

Nicole also shared a simple but powerful idea: “Make the Internet a better place.” It’s a reminder to show up with the intention of contributing something positive. In a world full of distractions and noise, adding value to someone’s day — through your content, your products, or your interactions — can make all the difference.

For me, this became my guiding principle: Serve first. Whether it's creating content or growing a business, focusing on serving others ensures you’re building something meaningful.

So, I’ll leave you with this: How are you making the Internet a better place today?

You have an unfair advantage. Now, go use it to serve others.

Dad Joke of the Week???

6:30 is my favorite time of day, hands down.

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