103: Play, Learn, Get Better

What this episode covers

Meet Sam. He’s just stepped off stage at a media leadership conference, still riding the high of a panel that went better than expected. An attendee leans in and says, “You could be a motivational speaker. You’re so good at this.” Sam smiles, but inside, those words don’t land as encouragement. They echo as doubt. He thinks, “Who am I to do that? I’m not an author. I don’t have a TED Talk. I’m not a thought leader with a massive following.” He goes back to his Monday routine, preparing someone else’s presentation instead of building his own. He tells himself maybe next year, but the quiet voice inside keeps asking: What if now is the time? In this episode, Jay is joined by Hussein Hallak, entrepreneur, writer, and startup mentor who has helped thousands of founders in 100+ countries bring bold ideas to life. Hussein’s philosophy, Play, Learn, Get Better, comes from a lifetime of saying yes first and figuring it out later, from launching businesses to fronting a rock band without knowing how to sing. Together, they explore why fear is natural, how to de-risk failure with small experiments, and why overpreparing can turn fear into fuel. Hussein shares his “million-dollar rule,” the concentric circles approach to aligning your work with what you love, and a powerful mindset shift that moves you from self-focus to service. If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to act or have felt stuck in fear of failure, this episode will inspire you to take that first step and trust you’ll get better as you go. Notable Quotes “Say yes first, then figure it out later. That’s how you play, learn, and get better.” — Hussein Hallak “Fear is natural. The key is to redirect it into preparation and practice.” — Hussein Hallak “When you show up in service of others, fear dissolves and purpose takes over.” — Jay Abbasi About Our Guest Hussein Hallak is a writer, entrepreneur, and startup mentor who has guided over 1,000 founders worldwide. He is the founder of Next Decentrum, a company focused on innovation and education in emerging technologies, and the author of The Dark Art of Life Mastery, a guide to navigating uncertainty with courage and clarity. Hussein is known for his candid storytelling, practical wisdom, and frameworks that empower people to take risks, embrace failure, and live in alignment with their true purpose. Resources and Links Hussein Hallak The Dark Art of Life Mastery book – https://geni.us/thedarkartoflifem  Website – https://www.husseinhallak.com/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/husseinhallak/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/hhdarkal/ Jay Abbasi Website – https://jayabbasi.me/ LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/ Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/ YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast Get Featured on “Unstuck” Want to have your story featured on “Unstuck”? Submit your story through the link below, and Jay may choose to highlight your story on a future episode and offer you personalized advice on how to overcome any challenge. Submit Your Story Join Us Next Time On Friday, Jay will dive deeper into his conversation with Hussein about letting go of yourself, becoming like the mango tree that gives mangoes or the sun that gives away its light and warmth. He’ll share how this theme has become the key takeaway in his own upcoming book and give you a behind-the-scenes look at the writing process. If you’ve been searching for fulfillment beyond self-focus, this episode will give you a fresh lens to live with meaning. Until then, stay bold, stay playful, and keep getting better

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