A life measured in
miles, deals, and pages.
Triathlete. Man of faith. Avid reader. NYC broker since 2009 — my own firm since 2014. Now I design, code, and ship software in the open. The journey, documented daily.
How I got here
- 2009 Licensed in New York. Manhattan residential — cold calls, open houses, a market learned block by block.
- 2014 Founded my own firm. Broker to broker-owner. The business taught discipline; the books taught the rest.
- Daily Swim. Bike. Run. Triathlon keeps everything honest. Every session on Strava, live, below.
- Always Faith and the library. Scripture, biographies, craft — where the miles and deals get their meaning.
- Now Shipping software. Vibe coder, designer, data architect — building this platform with AI, in public.
In the feed
Such a blessed Thanksgiving, one we’ll never forget! First hosting at my parents in some t
Elon Musk’s Secret Texas Empire Will Shock You 🤯 #ElonMusk #Texas #Tesla #SpaceX #Starbas
Jay-Z Just Lost BILLIONS to a Guy Voting From Zoom Hashtags: #JayZ #NYC #Casino #Queens #M
LA Just Spent $3 BILLION on This Right Before the Olympics 😳 #LA #LosAngeles #Olympics #C
We discuss the recent acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate by Compass for $1.6 billion in a
Attendees came for the kitchen or love island…
If you’ve got a backpack and dreams… pick one.
My bike wants closure and quads know this isn’t Zwift.
Live & long-form
2:29:17
Day 53 - Vibe Coding Apps & SaaS Sites + Sober Day 29
1:38:37
Day 52 - Vibe Coding A Community Of Builders (Fable 5) + Sober Day 25
2:47:56
Day 51 - Vibe Coding A Community Of Builders | Sober Day 22
1:53:16
Day 50 - Vibe Coding A Community (Opus 4.8 High) + Sober Day 15
2:42:23
Day 49 - Vibe Coding A Community (Opus 4.8 High) + Sober Day 12
2:28:23
Day 48 - Vibe Coding A Community (Opus 4.8 High) + Sober Day 8
In your ears
Vibe coder. Designer.
Data architect.
This site, its writing engine, the training feeds — designed and built by me, pairing with AI. The business side lives at Botensten, where builders learn to own their software instead of renting it.
The writing, always growing
New essays on health, money, faith, and habits publish here continuously. Free to read, no funnel.
How to Set SMART Goals: A Step-by-Step System
A SMART goal turns a wish into a plan by forcing five traits: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound — and research in the Journal of Applied Psychology found this format is 30% more effective than loose goals. Define exactly what you want, attach a number, set a deadline, then write it down. That single step of writing raises your odds of finishing by 42%.
What are SMART goals and why do they work?
SMART is an acronym: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Each letter closes a gap that sinks vague resolutions. The stakes are real — the University of Scranton's resolution research found only 8% of people keep their New Year's goals. Specific goals alone are 10-15% more likely to be reached than fuzzy ones.
Goal-setting theory, built from decades of workplace studies, holds that clear and challenging goals drive higher performance than "do your best" instructions. When you name the target, the metric, and the deadline, your brain has something concrete to act on instead of a mood. The American Psychological Association's overview of goal-setting treats this as a core skill for lasting behavior change, not a productivity trick. Set goals that stretch you slightly past your current habit; goals that are too easy bore you, and impossible ones drain you.
Articles
See all
How to Convert Community Members Into Paying Customers
Convert community members into paying customers by mapping the belonging-to-buying path: build trust, segment intent, and sell inside the community.
How to Productize a Service: Steps, Pricing, and Benefits
Learn how to productize a service: pick a repeatable offer, set fixed scope and price, and build a delivery workflow that scales revenue up to 30%.
How to Build a Community Around Your Business
Build a community around your business with one shared purpose, one platform, and rewarded early members. Community-led growth cuts CAC up to 50%.
How to Position a Product in a Crowded Market
Position a product in a crowded market by owning one specific customer and one problem. A step-by-step method, statement template, and metrics.
How to Stay Motivated When You Feel Discouraged
Discouraged? Take one small action first, use a growth mindset, and lean on purpose.
How to Become a Better Person: Habits That Build Character
Become a better person by building habits like gratitude, self-awareness, mindfulness, and resilience. Small daily actions that reshape your character.
How to Become a Minimalist: A Clear Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to become a minimalist step by step: declutter, cut digital noise, and keep only what matters. Save time, money, and mental space.
Botensten · Venture Studio
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