PAIN to PROFIT$: The End of Google, The Fed Bets Against Banks, and #CTESPN

$TREET $MART$
You are never too Big to NOT Fail

In an infinite game, the continuous flux of market conditions, consumer preferences, technological advancements, and global economic dynamics are not seen as obstacles but as opportunities for growth, learning, and innovation. Businesses committed to playing the infinite game recognize that staying relevant requires an agile mindset, openness to change, and a commitment to a purpose beyond mere profit. This outlook helps companies navigate the complexities of the ever-changing market by focusing on long-term sustainability, resilience, and value creation.

PUL$E - Banking & Real Estate
Fed Chair Powell: I am sure there will be bank failures

Silicon Valley Bank's collapse at 40 marked a significant financial crisis, leading to the rapid withdrawal of over $42 billion and subsequent failures of five other banks, tallying the second and third-largest bank failures in U.S. history. This event triggered a loss of confidence in the banking sector, particularly impacting regional banks.

However, despite ongoing challenges, investor sentiment has since improved, with significant recoveries noted in the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund ($XLF) and the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF ($KRE). New York Community Bancorp ($NYCB) faced difficulties with its commercial real estate (CRE) portfolio, raising over $1 billion in capital to stabilize its balance sheet, highlighting resilience amidst adversity.

Warnings from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and regulatory authorities suggest potential future bank failures, mainly due to CRE risks, with the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation's "Problem Bank List" growing. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell emphasized targeted oversight on banks with significant CRE exposure, indicating expected failures but not among central banks.

The CRE sector's instability, with record-high U.S. office vacancies and potential threats to regional banks, underscores the precarious state of the financial system. Despite this, regulatory efforts aim to mitigate further distress, maintaining a cautious but optimistic outlook for the banking sector's recovery and stability amidst challenges.

PUL$E - Wealth & Money
Don't Wait; Bitcoin Soars to New All-Time Highs

According to Coin Desk, Bitcoin has seen a notable increase in value recently, reaching new highs and stirring excitement in the cryptocurrency market. The digital currency's price surged by 14% in a week, consolidating around $33,700 after hitting fresh yearly highs at $35,000, though it failed to breach this level. The broader crypto market has also been bullish, with all sectors recording gains, indicating a widespread rally across digital assets​

PUL$E - Jobs & Economy
Layoffs Surge 136% in February 2024

In February, the US experienced its highest level of job cuts since the 2009 financial crisis, with employers eliminating approximately 84.6K positions, a 9% increase from the previous year. The technology sector faced the most significant reduction, with around 28K layoffs, despite a 55% decrease from last year's figures. Financial firms were not far behind, with around 26K job losses, marking a 56% rise compared to early 2023. Despite these layoffs, the US added 275K jobs in February, though the unemployment rate edged up to a two-year high of 3.9%. The increase in jobs was largely driven by the government, education, and health sectors. However, economic experts like Ian Shepherdson of Pantheon Macroeconomics predict a forthcoming downturn in the job market, suggesting a shift towards a cooler labor climate despite the current steady job growth.

BRAND DAMAGE
Get Your Own “BrandWagon”

Disclaimer: We don’t endorse everything the person being discussed posts. It simply relevant to building a brand in 2024.

Many people are wondering how they are going to build a brand, be it for their business or the overused “personal brand.”

If you don’t embrace who you truly are, quirks and all, you don’t even have a shot.

Our latest example of this is former NFL All-Pro WR Antonio Brown who is on an epic run across social media and winning critics over with his new #CTESPN strategy.

If you follow sports or pop culture you’d know critics have had a field day with Brown over the last fews year constantly attributing his behavior to the CTE, a condition most notably associated with repeated concussions from playing football.

Well instead of trying to defend to himself against critics, Antonio Brown has gone on an impressive run of trolling sports journalists, experts, and ‘clout chasers’ with his #CTESPN tag, all the while breaking insider news from athletes before journalists know, posting DM’s of influencers attempting to hop on the “brandwagon,” and displaying the lunacy within pop culture and current events, when he is supposed to be the crazy one.

For the entrepreneur the point is this…

Embrace your past, your personality, what you’re passionate about, and learn to enjoy the process of documenting your journey, or the journey of your business.

People will pay attention if it aligns with who they are.

If not, you’ll at least have your highlight reel.

Xcelerated Performance
David Goggins: THE MINDSET OF A WINNER

David Goggins, often celebrated as "the toughest man alive," embodies a mindset that's both formidable and inspiring. His approach to life, challenges, and personal growth can be summed up in a few key principles drawn from his book, "Can't Hurt Me," and numerous public appearances and interviews.

1. Embrace the Challenge

Goggins believes in seeking out discomfort as a means to grow. He often speaks about the importance of pushing beyond your perceived limits and using challenges as opportunities to learn and strengthen oneself.

2. The Accountability Mirror

A concept Goggins frequently discusses is the "Accountability Mirror." It involves a literal and metaphorical confrontation with oneself, acknowledging personal shortcomings, and taking responsibility for one's actions and their outcomes. This practice is about honesty and self-reflection, leading to genuine self-improvement.

3. The 40% Rule

Goggins introduces the idea that most people only tap into about 40% of their potential. His experiences as a Navy SEAL, ultramarathon runner, and ultra-distance cyclist have taught him that the human body and mind are capable of surpassing unimaginable limits when pushed beyond what's comfortable.

4. Taking Souls

This mindset is about outperforming and outlasting your competitors through sheer willpower and mental toughness. Goggins uses this approach to gain a psychological edge, pushing himself harder when others are ready to quit.

5. The Cookie Jar

Goggins keeps a mental "Cookie Jar," a collection of personal triumphs and hardships he's overcome. He reaches into this jar for motivation during tough times, reminding himself of what he's already endured and that he can overcome current challenges as well.

6. Calloused Mind

Goggins advocates for building a "calloused mind" similar to how one would build calluses on their hands through physical labor. This is achieved through regular exposure to difficulties and stressors, thus making oneself mentally tougher and more resilient to future challenges.

7. No Finish Line

A key aspect of Goggins' philosophy is the belief that there's no final achievement or ultimate level of fitness or success. Life is a continuous journey of self-discovery, improvement, and overcoming new challenges.

David Goggins' winner's mindset is not about innate talent or luck; it's about relentless work ethic, mental toughness, and the unwavering belief that no obstacle is insurmountable. His life story and the principles he lives by serve as a powerful blueprint for anyone looking to transcend their limitations and achieve extraordinary goals.

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