Wed Sep 20 2023

Sourcing EA Talent:

• Working with an agency like Athena or Shepard is recommended for sourcing EAs.
• Upwork is another option for finding talent directly, but it requires more overhead and may be cheaper.
• Consider the time zone difference when working with overseas EAs.

Onboarding and Assessing Performance:

• Onboarding is crucial for successful integration of EAs into the team.
• Clear expectations should be set early on, and processes should be established.
• Proactivity is an important trait to look for in EAs.
• The playback method can be used to assess understanding and ensure tasks are performed correctly.

Use of Tools:

• Loom is a valuable tool for recording screens and asynchronous communication.
• Notion databases are useful for organizing tasks and creating subviews based on related tasks.
• Recording workflows can help train EAs on specific tasks, allowing them to replicate patterns accurately.

New Sobriety:

• New sobriety refers to avoiding news consumption in order to reduce anxiety and focus on more meaningful information sources.
• Social apps are often removed from the phone, or access may be delegated to an EA while maintaining control over posting content.
• Semi-automation can be used for managing social media accounts by having an EA propose actions before they are taken.

Calendly:

• Calendly is a time-saving tool that syncs with Google calendar.
• It allows you to set your availability and lets others schedule meetings or appointments based on your availability.
• Some people may be offended by the use of Calendly, but it can be helpful in managing your time more efficiently.

Processing Email:

• Sam aims for inbox zero at least once a week.
• He uses Superhuman as an email client and utilizes hotkeys to increase productivity.
• His EAs help clear his inbox by moving non-important emails to a separate category called "not important."
• Sam also uses snippets for pre-drafted messages, which saves time when responding to common inquiries.

Salon Dinners:

• Sam hosts salon dinners on various intellectual topics.
• The format involves having one conversation at the table with about 8 to 10 guests.
• Moderation is key in keeping the conversation focused and engaging.
• Attendees are selected based on their diverse perspectives and experiences related to the topic.

Using Four EAs:

• Sam has four assistants who help with various tasks, including sending out invitations for salon dinners and managing his email inbox.
• They compile lists of potential attendees, send follow-up emails, and make sure everyone is informed about upcoming events.

Theology:

• The speaker grew up with secular and atheist parents but became interested in religion after realizing that many intelligent people he knew were religious.
• He studied theology to gain a deeper understanding of different religions and their values.
• Through his studies, he gained an appreciation for the positive aspects of religion and recognized the separation between community ritual and deep spiritual belief.

Network Theory:

• The speaker set a goal to keep up with 1,000 people each quarter.
• He learned about eigenvector centrality, which emphasizes the importance of weak ties in networks.
• Weak ties can provide more opportunities and serendipitous introductions compared to strong ties within dense networks.
• The speaker believes that building a diverse network is valuable professionally and personally.

Impact of Study:

• The study of theology led to a deeper respect for religion and its positive aspects.
• The study of network theory influenced the way the speaker builds relationships and prioritizes connections outside of his immediate network.

Introvert:

• Sam Corcos describes himself as a deep introvert
• He mentions being protective of only doing things that give him energy
• His superpower is stamina; he can work long hours without feeling bothered

Metabolic health:

• Levels shows how food affects health using biosensors like continuous glucose monitors
• The diabetes rate has increased from 10% to 13% in the past four years
• There are currently 90 million pre-diabetics in the US, with an estimated 70% becoming diabetic within 10 years
• Wearing a biosensor allows individuals to make their own decisions about what they eat based on real-time data

Juice cart moment:

• Before starting the company, Sam and his friend Josh went to an investor meeting with juice from a juice cart
• During the meeting, Josh drank the juice and had his glucose levels tested using continuous glucose monitoring
• His glucose levels spiked over 200 milligrams per deciliter, surprising both Sam and the investors
• This moment highlighted the power of feedback loops and the importance of understanding how certain foods impact health

Minimalism:

• Sam practices physical minimalism due to practicality rather than philosophy
• He used to be a digital nomad and found having less stuff to be more convenient
• He carries very few items in his backpack, including one pair of pants, three shirts, toiletries, cables, focus goggles (to block out distractions), passport, and a copy of the constitution

Organizational design:

• Sam finds inspiration for organizational design in systems such as checks and balances outlined in the US Constitution
• He believes that treating people like adults in a company aligns incentives better than creating complex structures for managing bad actors