4 Genius Concepts I Learned From Sam Ovens Even Though I Bought His Program and Never Used It
By: Phoenix Huber
Tags: Self Improvement, Life Lessons, Habit Building, Self-awareness, Personal Development

4 Genius Concepts I Learned From Sam Ovens Even Though I Bought His Program and Never Used It

We don’t have to agree to be transformed and inspired.

Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

There’s this feeling that I can’t like or learn from anyone I disagree with. The rebel in me says, “Screw that. This is limiting our intelligence. I’ll learn everything I can from everyone I ever meet — I like them all and they’re all my teachers.”

So to buck that trend, here’s somebody I previously didn’t want to mention: Sam Ovens.

He’s the alluring multimillionaire whose Facebook ads tempt you to start your own consulting business — and trust his program is the one to help you do it.

After buying, I never made it 15% though the program before bailing. I felt I’d made a mistake. I’d known I didn’t completely resonate but been desperate to finally make an impact + moolah online.

It made me not want to credit Sam as someone who helped me grow. I also was embarrassed that my social circle (filled with activists and altruists) wouldn’t agree with me liking a rich businessperson.

Then I remembered the goal of a good teacher is to teach. Not to make everyone agree with you. What Sam Ovens taught me (mainly through his youtube channel) is well worth sharing. Here are 4 lessons from him that shook my worldview and nudged me toward a better life!

1. Annihilate your daily decisions.

The way Sam lived gave profound examples of efficiency.

His habits and schedule were completely routinized around his number one goal. (For him, this was business success.)

He worked around the same basic schedule 6 days a week. A live-in chef and personal trainer automated all his meals and exercise. He wore the same outfit every day.

Instead of constantly re-deciding what to do, he decided everything ONCE. He set up systems so everything took care of itself with zero thought.

That way, his mind would be completely free to focus on his work.

Sam described the way people think of food all the time as a “tragedy.” Imagine the time and thought-energy people could free if they weren’t scratching their heads daily figuring out what’s for dinner.

“Death by a thousand cuts” were his words for the small distractions that cumulatively deplete our focus and potential.

Yet, as routine as everything was, he took a vacation every 90 days where he completely unplugged from everything. He slept 8 hours like clockwork with tricks like sleep hygiene and using an Oura Ring.

Even getting rest, relaxation, and free time away from his routine was itself made into a routine!

These days, so many of us are working independently from our computers at home — making Sam’s ideas for combatting “decision fatigue” and achieving maximum efficiency highly relevant to today’s work culture.

2. Make communication laser-efficient.

I grew up a shy, anxious introvert. I felt like a sinner for spending too much time alone. I idealized being able to talk to as many people as possible. I read communication books and hoped to become chatty with the whole world.

Sam’s message provided a counterbalance to that. He helped me embrace my introversion and pickiness as assets.

He mentioned things like not giving anyone his number and keeping the phone in a desk drawer on airplane mode most of the time. Plus, his phone had only like 5 apps on it.

He made a long video called “Communication is Inefficient,” about how excess communication within companies kills their efficiency.

His approach to consulting included talking directly to your ideal customers — and learning from the best of the best in business — while ignoring all the irrelevant noise that can’t help you, nor help you help others.

Sam practiced that “ruthless” Slytherin efficiency that doesn’t come naturally to Hufflepuffs. Part of me wants to never reject anybody and be everyone’s best friend.

But by being strict and almost “arrogant” about setting social boundaries, it could help me be more productive and make a greater difference for humanity — helping everyone in the end.

3. Behave now as you would when performing.

Of all Sam’s memorable phrases, the one I remember most is: “How you do one thing is how you do everything.”

When you’re not yet living your dream, it’s easy to feel bored by the present moment. You barely try. You tolerate being distracted and half-assed.

The problem? If you practice bad behavior with the small, boring things, you’ll be fighting those same tendencies later when you go to do the big, exciting things.

I am a (recovering) indecisive shopper. Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise you that I’m like that with writing. I overthink and overedit not just my words, but my life. When my fairy stepmother and I sprayed our house with disinfectant, she disinfected half the upper floor in less time than it took me to begin reading the instructions on the back of the spray can.

The remedy? To practice being quick, focused, and decisive with what I’m doing right now (writing), and the next now (making breakfast). Eventually, I’ll become speedy and accurate across many activities.

Don’t half-ass what you’re currently doing (reading). Instead, both-buttcheek it! The way you read is likely a reflection of your overall character and future.

Try to finish reading this article in a manner that speaks positively of your character and that trains you to be high-performing.

4. You grow when you embrace your polar opposites.

One of the most fascinating, practically spiritual ideas from Sam was about opposites.

People often resist what they think is bad, but a part of them secretly wishes they could become it. It’s like a staunch Democrat whose dark side is a Republican, or vice versa.

When people stop resisting the goblin in their closet, and go bravely explore, it often leads to great personal growth.

The thing to realize here is that you don’t have to literally do everything opposite.

If you’ve always been a very rule-abiding, gentle person, it doesn’t mean you need to go on a murderous rampage to find yourself.

Maybe you try aggressive sports and martial arts. Maybe you jaywalk and get a T-shirt with an edgy political message. Maybe you go watch some grotesque or insensitive humor and find some that you like.

Like the other concepts Sam taught me, I understood this previously to some degree. Yet, the way he taught it helped it click like never before.

Since then, I’ve been less scared of the parts of myself I find unpleasant. I read opinions I disagree with and trust they’ll sculpt me into who I want to become.

I challenge you…

Today, I want you to think of someone who taught you a lot, but whom you seldom acknowledge. Maybe you’re butt-hurt or reluctant about associating with them because of things you disagree with. Or perhaps people in your social circle would be put off.

Can you bring what you learned to the light of day? Can you be honest about who and what really helps you grow?

If we can be open and complimentary about our teachers, it might help us integrate their lessons into our lives more fully — and be better teachers ourselves. No holding back.