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The WEIRD thing I do in my car that makes me more productive


Issue # 169 | November 18th, 2025

Hey there,

If you’ve seen me driving around town lately, you might think something’s wrong. No music. No podcasts. No audiobooks. Just… silence.

It’s weird, right? For years, I was the guy who always had something playing in the car. Zig Ziglar called it “Automobile University,” and I took that to heart. Every drive was a chance to cram in more learning, more information, more “productivity.”

But lately, I’ve been doing something different: I drive in silence.

And honestly? It’s been profound.

Let’s get unstuck.

Quote of the Week

"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you."

—Anne Lamott

Story of the Week

The Myth of Constant Input

We live in a world that tells us we should always be learning, always consuming, always “on.” If you’re not listening to a podcast, you’re missing out. If you’re not reading the latest book, you’re falling behind. If you’re not filling every spare moment with information, you’re wasting time.

But here’s what I’ve discovered: when you stop absorbing and start allowing yourself to just be, something magical happens.

The Power of Silence

Driving in silence felt awkward at first. I noticed every little sound my car made. My mind wanted to reach for my phone, to fill the space with something — anything.

But then, something shifted. My thoughts started to wander. I replayed conversations, connected ideas from things I’d already learned, and started seeing patterns I’d missed before. I got creative. I reflected. I decompressed.

It’s like the “shower thoughts” phenomenon — when you’re in the shower, there’s nothing to do but think. That’s when the best ideas come. Driving in silence is my new shower.

Why We Need More White Space

In this digitally filled, information-overloaded world, we rarely give ourselves time to just think. But it’s in those quiet moments that creativity happens. It’s when we process, synthesize, and make sense of everything we’ve absorbed.

If you’re always filling your mind with new input, you never give yourself a chance to connect the dots.

Your Challenge: Embrace the Silence

This week, I challenge you to try driving in silence. Or take a walk without headphones. Or just sit quietly for a few minutes each day.

Notice what comes up. Notice how your mind starts to wander, how ideas bubble to the surface, how you make connections you never would have made if you were just absorbing more and more.

You don’t always need to learn more. Sometimes, you just need to let your brain breathe.

Here’s to more white space, more creativity, and more clarity, especially during the upcoming holiday season. Try it!

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SPI News and Notes

Have you ever tried using AI to streamline your workflows, only to end up with content that sounds robotic and nothing like you? Trust me, I’ve been there. Join me and Amaanath Mumtaz for a free live workshop tomorrow, November 19th. You’ll learn how thousands of entrepreneurs (including myself) use Poppy AI to create engaging newsletters, spark new ideas, and conduct faster research — all while saving time and staying true to their authentic style. Click here to reserve your spot!

This event is hosted in the free Explore tier of the SPI Community. If you do not already have an account, you’ll be prompted to create one for free to get access.

I was wrong, and admitting it changed everything! For years, I believed that long-form content was the only real way to build a loyal audience. But here’s the twist: my short-form series has now become the number one thing I’m known for! In this episode of The Smart Passive Income Podcast, I share why consistency matters more than ever and how showing up daily might be the most powerful growth strategy we have right now. Tune in here!

Want to get an email from me every time I release a new podcast episode? Click here and I’ll make sure you never miss out!

Cheers,

Pat Flynn

Founder, SPI

Dad Joke of the Week

Sadly, I do most of my proofreading after I hit sned.

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