top of page
Search

Daily Self Improvement Journey - December 26, 2025

Every day, I strive to get better and learn something new. As I pursue a career in the commercial real estate industry, it is important I am keeping updated and constantly learning. My daily goals start by quickly going over the 10-point from the WSJ.

 

Then they are to read one real estate focused article and one broader economy article. I will write about each article – what I learned, my opinion or a takeaway.

 

Next, I will shift away from finance, building off of “three-minute takeaways.” I will summarize one podcast where I will learn something that improves my life. Whether its communication, mindset, etc.

 

Lastly, I will master one random question from a Finance Interview Guide.


 

Real Estate

             This article by GlobeSt summarizes the historical multifamily investors approach that as apartment rents and the job market had a pretty direct correlation. Which historically makes sense. But recent studies suggest that there are more factors and the correlation isn’t as apples to apples. It still is very much a factor, but new market dynamics like supply and demand, immigration, and sustainability are also playing a stronger role on market rents.

 

Economy

             This article by the WSJ highlights that the “Economic Divide Between Big and Small Companies is Growing.” My biggest takeaway is that the biggest reasons for this growing divide is tariffs and the decline in immigration. Big companies have a lot more capital to work with to avoid the bottom-line costs that come from these two factors. For example, a big company can move its production to a different country or even build a factory in the US to mitigate the effects from tariffs. But small companies don’t have that flexibility. So, they have to find other ways to keep the company afloat. And the article points out that a common way is by firing employees and leadership positions taking on more of that labor. Which relates to the other major factor: a decreasing immigrant population. The current political policies are scaring many of the immigrants who would commonly be used for labor from both small and big companies. But the small companies are the ones feeling the impact from this change. Immigrants were more willing to take on certain jobs. And as immigration patterns continue to change, the labor force will continue to take a hit.

 



Three Minute Takeaway

 

Mastering the Art of Confidence: Lessons from Matt Abrahams on the Huberman Lab


 

Have you ever stood in front of a group—or even just a intimidating boss—and felt your heart hammering against your ribs like a trapped bird? You’re not alone. In a recent episode of the Huberman Lab podcast, host Andrew Huberman sat down with Matt Abrahams, a communication expert from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, to dissect exactly why we get so nervous and how we can flip the switch from panicked to powerful.

 

At Three Minute Takeaways, we know you're busy, so we’ve distilled this deep dive into the essentials you can use today to speak clearly and confidently.

 

Why We Fear the Spotlight

 

Matt Abrahams explains that our fear of public speaking isn't just "in our heads"—it’s in our DNA. Evolutionarily, our status within a small tribe of 150 people was everything. If you said something foolish, you risked losing your status, which meant losing access to food, shelter, and protection. Today, that same survival instinct kicks in whether you're on a TED stage or just sharing an idea in a Zoom meeting. Understanding that this fear is a biological protective mechanism can help you stop judging yourself for being nervous.

 

Stop Memorizing, Start Structuring

 

One of the most surprising takeaways from Abrahams is his stance on memorization: Never do it. When you memorize a script, you create a massive "cognitive load." Your brain spends all its energy comparing what you’re currently saying to the "perfect" version in your head. If you miss one word, the whole house of cards collapses.

 

Instead, Abrahams suggests using a structure. Our brains are wired for narrative, not lists. A favorite tool of his is the "What, So What, Now What" framework:

 

1. What: State the fact or idea.

2. So What: Explain why it matters to your audience.

3. Now What: Define the next steps or the takeaway.

 

The "Action Movie" Opening

 

Most people start presentations by listing their credentials. Abrahams calls for an end to this. Think about how an action movie starts—usually with a car chase or a high-stakes scene. You should do the same. Hook your audience immediately with a provocative question, a startling statistic, or a compelling story. You earn your "Costco credibility" by giving the audience a high-value sample of your ideas right away, rather than showing them your resume first.

 

The Power of "Tell Me More"

 

Effective communication isn't just about what you say; it’s about how you engage others. Abrahams shares a tip from his mother-in-law, whom he calls a "black belt in small talk." Her secret? The three simple words: "Tell me more." By leading with questions and giving people space to respond, you draw them out and find "hooks" to build a real connection.

 

Quick Fixes for Real-Time Anxiety

 

If you feel the "heat" of anxiety rising, Abrahams offers a clever physiological hack: hold something cold.Holding a cold bottle of water or an ice pack can lower your body temperature and reduce blushing or perspiring.

 

If you lose your train of thought while speaking, don't panic. You can distract the audience with a question.Ask them, "How would you apply this concept to your own life?" While they are busy thinking about their answer, you get a precious few seconds to find your place on your mental roadmap.

 

The Goal: Connection, Not Perfection

 

Ultimately, the best communicators are those who focus on their audience rather than their own performance. When you stop monitoring yourself for "ums" and "likes" and start focusing on how to be of service to your listeners, the confidence follows naturally.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Easy Takeaway: Ditch the memorized scripts and use the "What, So What, Now What" structure for everything from emails to big presentations. It reduces your mental burden and makes your message stick.

 

Favorite Quote: "I'm on a personal mission to stop presentations and meetings from starting with people just giving their credentials... Get us hooked. It's like an action movie." — Matt Abrahams

 

Relevant Question: The next time you’re in a conversation, instead of waiting for your turn to speak, can you ask one follow-up question that starts with "Tell me more"?

 

Source: How to Speak Clearly & With Confidence | Matt Abrahams, Huberman Lab Podcast. [Passages 1-154]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEO Title: How to Speak with Confidence: Top Tips from Matt Abrahams & Huberman Lab

Meta Description: Master public speaking with Matt Abrahams’ expert tips from the Huberman Lab. Learn the "What, So What, Now What" framework and how to beat stage fright instantly.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 Interview Question

 

"Would you rather invest in a property with 1 tenant or 20 tenants? Why?"

 

            There are different approaches to this question. But generally, I would rather invest in a property with 20 tenants. This is because the NOI doesn’t rely on just one tenant. If two spaces are vacant, you are still collecting rent from 18 other tenants. And there shouldn’t be any months were no rent is collected due to tenant turnover and bad debt. The possible exception to this approach is if the one tenant is very credible and the lease is for a long time. For example, Amazon is the tenant and signed a 15-year lease in an industrial property. There might even be some built in lease terms where Amazon renews after 15 years.

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page