Erich Stauffer

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  • From Starting Over to Building Forward: 2025 and Beyond

    From Starting Over to Building Forward: 2025 and Beyond

    A year of learning to stay instead of restart

    The Pattern I Finally Saw

    For most of my adult life, I’ve been addicted to a very specific dopamine hit: the thrill of getting back to zero, but going forward I want to go from zero to one.

    Minus World

    In the past, I would start projects, relationships, businesses—pour energy into them until they showed promise—then abandon them just as they entered a phase of maintenance and growth. I’d then start something new, feel the rush of novelty, and repeat the cycle.

    • In business: I’d launch initiatives, see early traction, then pivot to the next shiny idea before harvesting the first one.
    • In relationships: I’d date someone, feel the intensity of new connection, then sabotage it when it required sustained commitment and vulnerability.
    • In creative work: I’d start blogs, YouTube channels, music projects—each with genuine enthusiasm—only to let them go dormant when the “messy middle” set in.

    I wasn’t failing. I was resetting. And resetting felt like progress because it gave me the emotional payoff of recovery without the sustained effort of growth, but I wasn’t actually going anywhere.

    This pattern became undeniable in 2023 when a long-term relationship ended—not because it had to, but because I couldn’t stay. We dated for a year and a half (the longest relationship I’d had outside of my 18-year marriage) and when she said she just wanted to be friends, it wasn’t just a breakup. It was an identity death.

    Because the narrative I’d been living—the one where I find a wife, build a home together, and create a new life—ended mid-sentence, I found myself in this “liminal space” between who I thought I was going to be and who I actually was.

    In April of 2025, I drew a hard boundary. That version of me—the one seeking confirmation through relationships, building my identity around someone else’s yes or no—was no longer allowed to run my future.

    I moved from La Crosse, Wisconsin to Viroqua, Wisconsin—a small town an hour south—into what I call “the blue house with white shutters.” Not because it was the house I wanted to own, but because I needed physical distance from the old patterns. I needed a space where I could hear myself again.

    This past year has been about learning a new way: to stay, to maintain, to leverage what already works instead of constantly starting over.

    And in 2025, for the first time, I practiced staying.

    What I Built in 2025

    In previous years, I would have abandoned half of this list to chase something new. This year, I practiced staying.

    Creative Output

    I played my first open mic. On January 18, 2025, I performed at the Listening Room in Viroqua. I’ve been writing music for years, recording albums in my bedroom, posting them on YouTube where almost no one listens. But I’d never performed live. Standing in front of people with just my guitar and my voice—no edits, no retakes—was terrifying. And I did it.

    I published two books. One fiction, one non-fiction. I’ve started many books over the years, but this year, I finished two and published them on Amazon – not because I think they’ll be bestsellers – but because finishing them worked a muscle I needed to strengthen.

    I released two musical albums on YouTube – home recordings, but the point wasn’t fame – the point was: I made the work and I shared it. I didn’t let perfectionism or audience size stop me from completing what I started.

    I continued vlogging. I’ve been making them since June of 2019. These aren’t just content. They’re a visual archive for my six kids and I to look back on years from now. Some things aren’t for algorithms. These are for legacy.

    My two oldest are in college and don’t see me as much anymore. The two middle boys are in high school—one texts me daily on TikTok to keep the streak going. The two youngest girls and my younger son hang out with me on weekends. As they age, I’m transitioning from being their “father” in the protective, providing sense to being their friend and guide. The vlog is part of that—showing them not just who I was when they were young, but who I was becoming in the years they might not fully remember.

    Professional Momentum

    Another year at Anatta. I work as a business analyst at an ecommerce consultancy, leading discovery and delivery for enterprise Shopify Plus replatforms—the kind with 3 million+ SKUs, complex integrations, and high-stakes clients. I serve as the primary liaison between C-suite stakeholders and cross-functional teams of designers, developers, and QA. I document functional and technical requirements, co-create solution designs, oversee sprint planning, and facilitate UAT.

    This was my second year there. In the past, I would have gotten restless and looked for the next thing. The title “business analyst” would have felt limiting. I would have convinced myself I’d learned all I could and needed a bigger stage. But this year, I stayed. And in staying, I deepened my expertise, mentored junior analysts, and became the person others come to for the hard problems—the ambiguous client situations, the complex integrations, the politically sensitive stakeholder conversations.

    I also started recognizing something important about the nature of the work I was actually doing.

    When a client with 500,000 products needed a marketing feed that wouldn’t require reprocessing all SKUs every time a single price changed, I wasn’t just “making a feed.” I was designing a sustainable operational mechanism—exploring API delta approaches, segmentation by category, building a system that could scale without breaking. That’s not requirements gathering. That’s system stabilization.

    When we ran enterprise Shopify go-lives, I built and maintained the go-live checklists across design, configuration, marketing integrations, privacy compliance, SEO, analytics—using them as an operating system to reduce chaos and missed dependencies. Not just documenting what needed to happen, but creating the control structure that made it repeatable across projects. That’s launch governance.

    On a project integrating Shopify and WooCommerce with Business Central OMS, Salsify, complex bundle logic, and multi-warehouse fulfillment, I drove standardization of definitions and flows so partner integrations could test and validate consistently. Fewer edge-case fires. More predictable throughput. That’s operational stabilization.

    I consistently operated as the bridge between C-suite stakeholders and delivery teams—translating executive intent into requirements, facilitating discovery sessions, aligning designers/developers/QA around shared understanding, managing UAT readiness. I coordinated external vendors getting testing access, understanding validation steps, aligning milestones to staggered go-live dates.

    For one enterprise client, I captured and organized a deeply complex integration ecosystem—NetSuite, Akeneo, Workato, Algolia, Segment, Klaviyo, Avalara, ShipHawk, and more—into a shared understanding the team could actually act on, then drove systematic follow-up question development. That’s not documentation. That’s coordination of complexity into an executable plan.

    I created implementation-ready tickets for wholesale versus allopathic navigation and journey changes, including flow logic for “Request Samples” and where data lands in the system. I made structural product decisions: who sees what, when, and how requests get operationalized.

    And across multiple clients, I kept pushing the same thesis: execution fails because structure fails first. Not tools. Not platforms. Structure. Roles, incentives, decision-making frameworks. I was choosing organizational and operating-model design as the primary lever, not just technology swaps.

    This is when I realized: I’ve been doing COO-level work just without the title: systems thinking across tech, people, and process; cross-functional coordination; and internal change initiatives. I’ve been acting as a bridge between business strategy and technical execution. The skills are there. I just don’t have the title…yet. But staying at Anatta gives me something crucial: stable income, enterprise-level case studies, and health insurance.

    Another year running Market Jack. My independent ecommerce consulting company. I’ve consulting on the side for years, but I used to treat it like a hobby—something I’d work on when I felt like it, then neglect when something shinier appeared. I’d take on clients, deliver good work, then let the pipeline dry up because I was chasing the next idea instead of serving the clients I already had.

    This year, I treated it like a business. I served my existing clients well. I didn’t chase new ventures. I just showed up consistently for what already worked. And something shifted: my existing clients started referring me to others. The work became steadier, not because I was hustling harder, but because I was staying longer and doing better work for the people who already trusted me.

    Framework Development

    I created the 4-Year U. framework. This is my life-architecture system—a way of thinking about long-term goals, seasonal rhythms, and sustainable growth without burnout. I’ve been living by this framework since my divorce, using it to rebuild after that identity collapse in 2020, but in 2025 I formalized it. I wrote it down. I structured it. I made it teachable.

    The 4-Year U. isn’t a productivity system or a motivational program. It’s life architecture. It’s designed to help people make progress on long-term goals without burning out, restarting, or losing hope. It highlights how to leverage over time—something I was teaching others but only inconsistently doing myself.

    The framework is built on four-year arcs (not one-year sprints or ten-year dreams), seasonal rhythms (winter for rest, spring for preparation, summer for execution, fall for harvest), and the idea that life unfolds best when you align with God’s design of cyclical growth instead of forcing linear urgency.

    Ironically, I built a system about leverage and staying power while still struggling to do it myself. But that’s the work of 2025—practicing what I’ve been preaching.

    I published my first two digital products for 4-Year U. A Life Planning Guide and a Debt Reset Planner. Small products, humble sales. I’m not making significant money from them yet, and that’s okay. The goal right now isn’t revenue—it’s practice. Practice creating page-by-page instead of launching big and then abandoning. Practice maintaining something over time. Practice building 0 to 1 instead of constantly resetting to zero.

    Each product took weeks to create. Not because they’re complicated, but because I worked on them slowly, deliberately, consistently. A page here. A section there. Building the muscle of staying with something through the boring middle when the novelty has worn off and the finish line still feels far away.

    And you know what? It worked. I finished them. I published them. They exist in the world now, generating small amounts of revenue and helping a few people structure their lives better. That’s not nothing. That’s everything.

    The Themes That Emerged

    As I look back on 2025, seven themes stand out—not as goals I set, but as patterns that revealed themselves through the work of staying.

    1. Integration and Synergy

    For years, I’ve kept parts of myself separate. Professional Erich (the business analyst, the consultant) stayed in one box. Personal Erich (the musician, the writer, the father) stayed in another. Creative Erich, spiritual Erich, broken Erich—all in separate compartments.

    This year, I started letting them integrate. My professional work in ecommerce—helping companies transition from chaos to structure, from reactive to strategic, from short-term sprints to long-term arcs—is the same work I’ve been doing in my personal life. The 4-Year U. framework I built to help me rebuild after identity collapse is the same framework that helps companies build sustainably.

    I’m not separate people. I’m one person with one way of seeing the world. And in 2025, I started letting that coherence show.

    2. Leverage Over Novelty

    The dopamine hit of “new” is seductive. New relationship, new business idea, new creative project. But novelty doesn’t build anything. It just resets the clock.

    This year, I practiced a different kind of dopamine: the satisfaction of small, incremental improvements over time. In Minecraft, I built the same world day after day instead of starting new worlds. In the 4-Year U., I created products page-by-page instead of launching a flashy website. In my social media channels, I posted simple videos to existing accounts instead of starting new ones.

    I trained my brain to get the reward from maintaining instead of starting. And I discovered something: maintenance is leverage. Consistency compounds. Staying with something long enough to see it mature creates value that restarting never can.

    3. Long Arcs, Short Actions

    The 4-Year U. philosophy is built on this: life unfolds best in long arcs, not short sprints. Not one-year goals that burn you out. Not ten-year dreams so distant they feel meaningless. Four-year cycles that mirror natural seasons—long enough to build something real, short enough to stay connected to the outcome.

    But long arcs only work if you take short actions consistently. Daily habits. Weekly rhythms. Monthly check-ins. Small steps that don’t feel dramatic but accumulate into transformation over time.

    This year, I lived this. Not just taught it—lived it. Paid down debt month by month. Worked on digital products page by page. Attended men’s group week by week. None of it felt heroic. All of it mattered.

    4. Identity-Work Alignment

    I used to think my work was just how I paid bills. My real self—the creative, the thinker, the builder—existed somewhere outside of business hours.

    But this year I realized: my professional work is who I am. I help companies and clients build structure from ambiguity. I guide them through transformation. I mentor others. I see patterns across systems—people, process, technology—and help integrate them.

    That’s not separate from my personal identity as a “sage-builder,” a guide for others. It’s the same thing. And when I stopped trying to keep them separate, both got stronger.

    5. Revenue Up, Expenses Down

    I’m building what I call “The Storehouse”—a financial foundation that creates optionality for whatever comes next. Whether that’s marriage, a family crisis, helping my kids, or seizing a professional opportunity, I want to be ready.

    Right now, I earn a stable income from Anatta and supplement it with independent consulting through Market Jack. I have monthly obligations including child support and housing costs, plus outstanding debt that I’m systematically paying down.

    My goal for 2026: significantly grow my Market Jack revenue, eliminate my highest-interest debt, and reduce my housing costs. By the end of 2027, I want to be debt-free except for student loans. By the end of 2028, I want to be positioned to buy a house.

    This isn’t about getting rich. It’s about building breathing room—financial and psychological—so I can say yes to the right opportunities instead of being constrained by monthly obligations.

    6. Contextual Work

    Not all work serves the same purpose. Some work is for income. Some is for regulation. Some is for legacy. Some is for learning.

    I used to feel guilty about my multiple creative channels—vlogging, music, ASMR breakfast videos, chess recordings, comedy experiments. I thought I should “focus” and pick one. But this year I realized: they serve different needs. The vlog is legacy for my kids. Music is emotional regulation. ASMR breakfast is a way to feel less alone. Chess is strategic practice.

    None of them need to “become something.” They’re already serving their purpose.

    The work that needs to grow and leverage is Market Jack and the 4-Year U.—those are my professional identity. Everything else can remain what it is: practices that keep me regulated, creative, and human.

    7. Emotional Regulation in Work and Personal Life

    Personal growth and professional growth are the same thing.

    When I’m emotionally dysregulated—anxious, resentful, obsessing over a past relationship—my work suffers. When I’m financially stressed, my relationships suffer. When I’m neglecting my body, my creativity dries up.

    This year, I started treating emotional regulation as infrastructure, not luxury. Daily prayer and Bible reading. Regular exercise. Intentional time with my kids. Therapy when needed. Boundaries around dating. Practices that keep me grounded.

    And I noticed: when I’m regulated internally, everything external flows better. Clients trust me more. My work improves. My creativity returns. Emotional regulation isn’t separate from success. It’s foundational to it.

    2026: Leverage and Activation

    My theme for 2026 is Leverage and Activation.

    In 2025, I learned to stay. In 2026, I activate what I’ve built.

    Here’s what that means practically:

    Professionally:

    • Maintain Anatta as my stable financial base (steady income, health insurance, enterprise experience)
    • Significantly grow Market Jack by doubling down on existing skills and network—no new ventures, just better execution on what already works
    • Position Market Jack as fractional COO services for ecommerce companies, built on 4-Year U. principles of sustainable growth
    • Create or acquire one income-producing asset that generates passive income by the end of the year

    Financially:

    • Eliminate highest-interest debt by December 31, 2026
    • Reduce housing costs significantly when my current lease ends in April 2026
    • Build an emergency fund
    • Start saving for a house down payment

    Physically:

    • Achieve and maintain a measurable standard of physical capability
    • Become physically reliable—a fit body that supports long-term goals, not just short-term aesthetics

    Relationally:

    • Operate from clarity and integrity in all relationships
    • Show up socially as a grounded man with a full life, not someone auditioning for rescue
    • Create intentional memories with my six kids on our regular custody schedule
    • Remain open to a serious relationship, but only pursue depth when my foundation is solid

    Spiritually:

    • Practice daily alignment practices that strengthen attention, discipline, and peace
    • Live from order and obedience—not performance or shame, but genuine alignment with what I believe

    Creatively:

    • Continue vlogging and posting for creative reasons, not metrics
    • Look for opportunities to create content that supports my identity or financial goals (Market Jack, 4-Year U.)
    • Let other creative channels remain regulatory practices without pressure to monetize

    Building 10 Feet Tall

    For years, I’ve struggled with a tension: I have the desire to build something “10 feet tall” instead of “10 things 1 foot tall.” But I’ve been afraid to choose one thing to focus on—caught between the dopamine trap of novelty and the paralysis of not wanting to choose wrong.

    This year, I’m making a choice.

    My one thing is: Fractional COO services for ecommerce companies, built on 4-Year U. principles of sustainable growth.

    This integrates everything:

    • My 20 years of ecommerce, business analysis, and operations experience
    • My 4-Year U. framework for long-arc thinking
    • My identity as a sage-builder who helps others build what they couldn’t build alone
    • My financial goal of growing Market Jack into a sustainable primary income source

    Everything else—the vlog, the music, the ASMR breakfast videos, the chess recordings, the comedy experiments—remains as regulatory practice. I’m not abandoning them. I’m just not asking them to become something they’re not meant to be.

    This is what integration looks like. Not forcing everything into one brand, but knowing what serves which purpose and letting each thing be what it is.

    The Long View: Beyond 2026

    This is a four-year arc. Not a one-year sprint.

    By the end of 2027:

    • Significantly reduced debt burden
    • Market Jack consistently generating substantial supplemental income
    • Positioned for a COO role (either fractional or full-time)
    • Moved back to La Crosse area, closer to my kids

    By the end of 2028:

    • Remaining debt paid off
    • Down payment saved, ready to buy a house
    • Financially and emotionally ready for marriage if the right person appears
    • Living the blue house with white shutters vision—not the literal house yet, but the identity it represents

    By the mid-2030s:

    • Debt-free, house-owning, with the option to scale Market Jack, take a full-time COO role, or build something new from a place of stability instead of desperation

    This isn’t about rushing. It’s about building properly. One season at a time. One year at a time. One day at a time.

    A Question for You

    If you’ve read this far, thank you. Seriously. This is long, personal, and probably more introspective than most year-end posts you’ll read.

    But I’m curious: What arcs or patterns do you see in your own life?

    Are you addicted to starting over instead of building forward?

    Are you keeping parts of yourself in separate boxes instead of integrating them?

    Are you chasing novelty instead of leveraging what already works?

    Are you rushing to the next chapter to avoid sitting in the liminal space?

    I don’t have all the answers. I’m figuring this out in real time, same as you. But I do know this: the work of staying—of maintaining, of leveraging, of building 0 to 1 instead of constantly resetting to zero—is harder than it looks. And more rewarding than I ever imagined.

    If this resonates with you and you want to follow along:

    • For ecommerce consulting or fractional COO services: marketjack.com
    • For life-architecture frameworks and digital products: 4yearu.com
    • For personal updates, vlogs, and reflections: Subscribe to this blog

    Here’s to 2026. Not as a year of reinvention, but as a year of leverage and activation.

    Not starting over. Just building forward.

  • Build a Life You’re Proud Of with the 4-Year U. System

    Build a Life You’re Proud Of with the 4-Year U. System

    Most people plan their lives in one of two ways—too short or too vague. They either make a New Year’s resolution and abandon it by spring, or they dream in decades without a clear path for how to get there. That’s where the 4-Year U. system comes in.

    4-Year U. is a life-planning framework that helps you grow in alignment with how real change happens: in cycles. Just like nature has seasons, your life has rhythms of rest, preparation, action, and reflection. The system breaks your long-term goals into four-year arcs—like a college program—so you can make tangible progress in the areas that matter most: financial, physical, spiritual, creative, and relational growth.

    Each “year” of the system represents a stage of transformation. Each “season” represents a shift in focus—from dreaming and planning to building and harvesting. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress, guided by a clear structure that keeps you grounded and moving forward.

    Introducing the Seasonal Quadrant Planner

    To make it easier to live this out, Frankie and I created the Seasonal Quadrant Planner—a printable life-planning guide designed to help you apply the 4-Year U. principles in your daily and seasonal rhythm.

    Inside the guide, you’ll find:

    • Seasonal worksheets that align your goals with your current phase of growth
    • Quarterly and monthly review pages to keep you on track and reflective
    • Prompts for planning and prayer to bring God’s timing into your goals
    • Space for creative thinking and future dreaming—because structure should make room for inspiration

    We made this guide for people who feel like they’re stuck in the middle—too busy to dream, yet too unsatisfied to stay still. It’s a tool to help you think long-term again, without losing sight of what matters today.

    Start Your Next Four Years Today

    If you’re ready to step into a more intentional, purpose-driven life, download the Seasonal Quadrant Planner and start your first 4-Year U. cycle. It’s time to stop drifting and start designing a life that feels aligned—with your faith, your goals, and your seasons of growth.

    Download the Planner at 4YearU.com

  • 75 Best

    What Is 75 Best? A Realistic, Soul-First Alternative to 75 Hard

    If you’ve ever tried 75 Hard, you know it’s… a lot. Intense rules. Zero flexibility. All-or-nothing discipline. But what if you could pursue personal growth, discipline, and embodiment without burning out or beating yourself up?

    That’s where 75 Best comes in.

    What Is 75 Best?

    75 Best is a 75-day self-development challenge created by TikTok creator @discussionswithmyself. It draws inspiration from 75 Hard but swaps the rigidity for something more human, joyful, and intuitive.

    It’s not about following a strict set of rules.

    It’s about embodying your best self every single day—mind, body, and soul.

    Instead of ticking off hardline tasks, you focus on living as your highest self and becoming her (or him or them) through small, intentional acts.

    How Does 75 Best Work?

    There’s no official checklist, but the pattern is clear. Each day is a container for transformation, centered around these core habits:

    1. Embodiment First Thing in the Morning

    Start each day by visualizing and feeling into your best self—who they are, how they feel, how they move, think, and speak. This often includes:

    • Grounding exercises
    • Breathwork
    • Affirmations
    • Looking at your vision board
    • No phone for at least an hour after waking up

    This isn’t just mindset work—it’s identity work.

    2. Present Eating

    Slow. Intentional. No distractions. Your best self honors their body and their meals. And yes, this one’s surprisingly hard. But it’s about awareness, not perfection.

    3. Meditation

    Every day. Doesn’t have to be long or fancy. Just a chance to connect, detach from the noise, and “tap into the quantum field,” as the creator says (shout out to Dr. Joe Dispenza, whose book Becoming Supernatural is her constant companion).

    4. Hype Walks (a.k.a. Self-Love on the Move)

    Rollerblading, walking, biking—it doesn’t matter. What matters is talking to yourself with love and power. Say affirmations. Thank your body. Get loud about how awesome you are.

    5. Something for Your Body, Mind, and Soul

    Every day, do something intentional for each:

    • Body: Move how you feel—lift, stretch, swim, rollerblade, bike, hike, or just rest.
    • Mind: Read. Listen to an audiobook. Learn something. (She’s rereading The Alchemist throughout.)
    • Soul: Paint, cook, spend time with family, try something new, or play like your inner child would.

    6. Nighttime Routine

    Before bed, the routine is gentle and reflective:

    • Write a gratitude list
    • Do a brief daily check-in (“What the fuck is up?”)
    • Write the alphabet (she’s learning to be ambidextrous)
    • Look at your vision board
    • No phone for at least an hour before sleep

    What Happens When You Fall Short?

    You keep going.

    There are days she feels awful. Days she doesn’t check every box. Days where life gets in the way. And it’s fine. Because the mission isn’t perfection—it’s becoming.

    It’s about consistency over intensity. Grace over grind. And tuning in instead of checking out.

    Why 75 Best Might Be Right for You

    • You want to change your life without shaming yourself.
    • You’re tired of burnout culture and hustle worship.
    • You want to rebuild your relationship with yourself—gently, daily, and holistically.
    • You want a challenge that honors your energy and your humanity.

    How to Start

    1. Define your best self in writing. Who are they? What do they do each day? How do they feel?
    2. Create a vision board that reflects the life you’re building.
    3. Pick 1-3 daily practices in each category (mind, body, soul) that you can realistically do.
    4. Wake up, embody, and begin.
    5. Repeat for 75 days. Adjust with compassion. Show up anyway.
  • Unlocking eCommerce Growth with AI-Powered Strategies

    Unlocking eCommerce Growth with AI-Powered Strategies

    In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, staying ahead means harnessing the right technology and applying it strategically. I’m Erich Stauffer, an AI-driven eCommerce consultant, Shopify expert, and marketing strategist. Over the past two decades, I’ve helped businesses navigate complex challenges in IT, marketing, and eCommerce. Now, I’m combining that experience with artificial intelligence to deliver solutions that drive real results.

    Why AI Matters for Online Retail

    Artificial intelligence and machine learning aren’t just buzzwords anymore. They’ve become essential tools for businesses that want to compete at scale. Here’s why embracing AI is a game-changer:

    • Data-Backed Decisions – Traditional marketing tactics rely on intuition and fragmented data. AI changes that by analyzing vast datasets—past sales, customer behavior, traffic sources, and more—and turning them into clear insights. When you understand who your customers really are and what they want, you stop guessing. You start making decisions based on evidence.
    • Automation to Save Time and Money – Managing product catalogs, synchronizing inventory, and keeping your store updated can eat up hours each week. AI-powered automation tackles repetitive tasks—updating stock levels, pushing new product launches, and even tagging items correctly—so you and your team can focus on higher-value work. Automation isn’t about removing people; it’s about freeing them from tedious tasks.
    • Personalization That Converts – Generic email blasts and one-size-fits-all landing pages won’t cut it anymore. Personalization elevates the shopping experience by showing customers products they’re most likely to buy, at the moment they’re ready to buy. AI-driven segmentation and recommendation engines turn your site into a personalized storefront that adapts to each visitor in real time. The result is higher click-through rates, more cart completions, and ultimately, increased revenue.

    My Approach: Clarity, Collaboration, and Action

    I get asked all the time what sets my services apart. Here’s the short answer: I don’t just deliver recommendations—I provide clear, step-by-step guidance to implement them. Whether you’re launching a new product or optimizing an existing store, my approach follows three principles:

    1. Diagnose the Core Issue – Every business has unique challenges. Instead of applying generic solutions, I start by mapping out your current workflows, data sources, and pain points. Do inventory counts take days? Are your marketing campaigns underperforming? We get specific about what needs to change.
    2. Design AI-Enhanced Processes – Once we’ve identified the bottlenecks, I architect solutions that leverage AI where it matters most. For example, we might implement a predictive pricing model that adjusts product prices automatically based on competitor moves and seasonal demand. Or we could set up a machine-learning algorithm to forecast inventory needs so you never run out of best-sellers—or overstock items that don’t sell.
    3. Implement with Precision – Ideas mean nothing without execution. I work alongside your in-house team (or serve as your team, if needed) to integrate AI tools, configure Shopify apps, and set up automated workflows. I provide documentation, training, and hands-on support so your team can maintain and adapt these solutions on their own. No vague recommendations—everything is delivered with clear instructions, timelines, and measurable milestones.

    Key Services I Offer

    • Data-Backed eCommerce Marketing Strategies – By combining historical sales data from Shopify with website analytics, I build machine-learning models to segment customers and predict their lifetime value. You’ll know exactly which segments to target, which channels drive the best ROI, and which products to promote at any given time.
    • Automated Product Management & Inventory Workflows – From syncing inventory across sales channels to dynamically adjusting stock levels, I implement AI-powered inventory tools that reduce stockouts and overstock situations. This ensures that you maximize sales without tying up capital in excess inventory.
    • Personalized Customer Experiences – Using recommendation engines and predictive analytics, I help Shopify stores present personalized product recommendations, dynamic landing pages, and targeted email campaigns. This level of personalization leads to higher conversion rates, better customer retention, and increased average order values.
    • Chatbots & AI Customer Support – Customer questions don’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule. AI chatbots can handle routine inquiries—order status, shipping questions, simple troubleshooting—so your support team can focus on complex issues. I’ll configure chatbot platforms that integrate seamlessly with Shopify and your CRM, ensuring every customer interaction is smooth and productive.
    • Predictive Analytics for Pricing & Promotions – Setting sale prices, running promotions, and discounting products can be a guessing game. I build predictive pricing models that analyze competitor pricing, seasonal demand curves, and historical sales performance. This approach lets you set strategic prices and run promotions that drive urgency without eroding margins.

    Why Work with Me

    • Two Decades of Experience – I’ve seen the evolution of eCommerce from early storefronts to modern AI-powered platforms. I know what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
    • Integrated Skill Set – As a former product manager and business analyst, I bridge technical implementation and business strategy. You get solutions that are not just technically sound but also aligned with your overall goals.
    • Straightforward Communication – No fluff. I tell it like it is. If something won’t work or if it’s not cost-effective, I’ll say so. At the same time, I give clear, encouraging guidance on how to move forward.
    • Forward-Thinking Mindset – AI is not a one-and-done solution. It evolves. I stay on top of the latest advancements to ensure your store remains competitive in the years ahead.

    Let’s Take Your Store to the Next Level

    If you’re ready to stop guessing and start growing with data-backed, AI-driven strategies, let’s talk. Whether you need to overhaul your Shopify store, implement intelligent automation, or launch a cutting-edge marketing campaign, I’ll help you map out a pragmatic, forward-looking plan. Contact me to schedule a free discovery call. Let’s build the future of your eCommerce business—together.

  • What Happens in Your Brain When You Think a Thought?

    A Deep Dive Into Neural Processing

    Have you ever wondered what actually happens in your brain when you think a thought, hear a sound, or recall a memory? We throw around phrases like “processing information” or “making a decision,” but under the hood, your brain is orchestrating a staggeringly complex dance of electrical impulses, chemical signals, and synchronized network activity.

    This post breaks down that process into six major stages—tracking how a sound becomes a conscious thought and how that thought is shaped by memory, emotion, and attention.

    This system of distributed, dynamic thought processing in the brain—where concepts are not static but reenacted through multiple sensory and associative systems—directly supports the foundation of innovation. It’s not just about storing ideas but being able to recombine them in novel ways. This is the cognitive groundwork behind what Cal Newport, drawing from Steven Johnson and Stuart Kauffman, calls the adjacent possible. Just as a thought in the brain forms by connecting distant neural assemblies, so too do groundbreaking ideas form by linking once-unrelated concepts at the edges of our understanding. When your brain lights up in multiple regions simultaneously, it’s not noise—it’s the birth of potential. To see how this plays out at the frontier of innovation, intelligence, and idea synthesis, read this post on The Adjacent Possible, Intelligence, and the Logic of Innovation.

    Synapse-Level Mechanics: Where Thought Begins

    At the most fundamental level, thoughts are patterns of electrical activity between neurons. These spikes, called action potentials, travel down axons and arrive at synapses, where they trigger the release of neurotransmitters. These chemicals cross the synaptic gap and influence whether the next neuron fires or stays silent.

    Repeated activation strengthens these synaptic connections (long-term potentiation), while disuse weakens them (long-term depression). These dynamic links form the “cell assemblies” that encode everything from your name to your favorite song.

    The way your brain handles thoughts—through distributed networks, sensory reenactments, and dynamic integration—forms the biological basis of heuristic thinking. Heuristics aren’t just mental shortcuts; they’re efficiency strategies that reflect how the brain actually operates when navigating complexity. Instead of computing every possibility, your brain selects the most salient patterns, prioritizes action, and leans on past associations—all through rapid-fire synaptic processing. Whether you’re using trial and error, working backward, or relying on a gut instinct, you’re leveraging the same systems that enable neurons to fire in coordinated patterns to create meaning from ambiguity. For a breakdown of practical, proven heuristic strategies your brain is likely already using, check out this post on heuristic thinking and mental models.

    From Air Vibrations to Cortical Code: Tagging the Sound with Meaning

    Take sound, for example. Vibrations in the air reach your ears and stimulate hair cells in the cochlea, converting physical motion into nerve impulses. These signals travel up to the brainstem, then to the thalamus, and finally to the primary auditory cortex (A1), where they’re mapped based on frequency. Your brain essentially builds a 2D “sound map” using spatially-organized neurons.

    Once the auditory signal reaches the cortex, the hippocampus jumps in. This region acts like an index system—it links the new sensory input with existing memory, emotion, and knowledge stored in other brain regions. If you hear a song from your childhood, it’s the hippocampus that ties the music to your memories, emotions, and even the smell of your childhood home.

    These associations are built by co-activating neuron assemblies and binding them through synaptic plasticity. When one part of the network lights up later, the rest can be reactivated too—this is how recall works.

    Why Multiple Regions Light Up at Once

    A thought rarely involves just one part of the brain. Your brain uses synchronized oscillations—bursts of activity in specific frequency ranges (like gamma waves)—to let distant brain regions communicate. It’s a bit like tuning into the same radio frequency across the cortex.

    This synchronization allows visual areas, auditory regions, emotional centers, and memory stores to coordinate, building a unified experience out of fragmented data.

    Selecting What Matters: The Gatekeeper System

    With so much happening at once, how does the brain choose what becomes conscious thought?

    That job falls to a trio: the prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus. These areas filter and prioritize neural activity, amplifying what’s important and suppressing the rest. Dopamine plays a key role here, signaling what’s rewarding, novel, or worth your attention.

    The “winning” signals are broadcast across the global workspace—a network that’s believed to be the basis of conscious awareness. Competing thoughts or sensory data are suppressed. Only one signal gets through at a time.

    Weaving It Into a Narrative

    Once a thought makes it into the workspace, it doesn’t just float in isolation. The default mode network (DMN), which is active during introspection and daydreaming, steps in to stitch that thought into your ongoing mental narrative. This is where meaning, self-relevance, and memory encoding take place.

    The DMN ensures that your thoughts are not just abstract data but part of a coherent story—you.

    The neural mechanics behind thought formation—where cues activate sensory networks, processes unfold across distributed circuits, and outcomes are reinforced—map almost perfectly to what Charles Duhigg calls the habit loop: cue, process, reward. At the synaptic level, your brain favors efficiency. Repeated patterns become default pathways not because they’re optimal, but because they’re fast and familiar—this is the essence of habit formation. What Duhigg describes on the organizational level as “keystone habits” mirrors how the brain streamlines complex activity into automatic routines. In both cases, it’s not about removing the habit (or network), but rewiring the middle: swapping in a new process while keeping the same cue and reward. To explore how this applies to individuals, companies, and culture, check out this post on The Power of Habit and organizational behavior.

    Just as your brain coordinates countless inputs across multiple networks to form a single thought, organizations also rely on complex information systems to collect, process, and synthesize data into actionable insight. In both cases, the value lies not only in storing information, but in how that information is retrieved, prioritized, and made meaningful within a broader context. The brain’s “global workspace” mirrors what a well-structured Management Information System (MIS) does for a business: integrating disparate data sources, filtering noise from signal, and surfacing the most relevant information for decision-making. To explore how this same principle scales up from neurons to networks, read this related post on Information Systems and MIS and how they function as the cognitive backbone of modern enterprises.

    Final Thoughts

    A single thought is not a “thing” stored somewhere in the brain. It’s a dynamic event—a flash of electrical and chemical activity spread across a network, shaped by memory, filtered by attention, and bound together through rhythms. It’s messy, beautiful, and efficient. And it’s happening thousands of times a second.

    If you want to shape what you think and remember, focus on attention, repetition, and meaning. Your brain will do the rest.

  • The Douglas Accords

    The Douglas Accords

    Recently, I asked ChatGPT to do something different.

    I didn’t want tips or comfort. I didn’t want affirmation. I wanted confrontation. So I gave it a prompt:

    “Act like a no-fluff transformational coach. Help me get brutally clear about who the best version of me really is—not some fantasy, but the grounded, embodied version of me that shows up in all areas of life with purpose and power. Ask me these questions one at a time. Press me. Challenge my excuses. Hold up the mirror. I want clarity, not comfort.”

    And it did.

    What followed was not a back-and-forth. It was a mirror being held up to my face and a fire being lit under my feet.

    The process began with relationships. I told ChatGPT I wanted to live shame-free, confident, self-assured, and intentional in my romantic life, my family, and my friendships. But that wasn’t enough. It pressed:

    “What does that look like? What does the movie scene look like?”

    So I described it:

    • I tell my partner, “That was a long time ago—I don’t do that anymore. I’m focused on the future.”
    • When family crosses a boundary, I say, “Thank you, but I don’t accept that. I know who I am.”
    • When a friend repeats the same cycle, I say, “This is what you want. This is what you’ve practiced. This is what you got.”

    That was just the start.

    Then we moved into finances.

    I told it I believed money flows to me because I provide value. I budget. I plan. I build systems and income streams. I’m not just hustling—I’m stewarding.

    But again, it pressed:

    “What are the receipts? What would the best version of you do with money?”

    I laid it out:

    • I’ve built multiple income streams.
    • I net around $10k/month.
    • I give to church and causes.
    • I automate investments.

    And yet—I had no runway. That’s where the gap was.

    Then came health.

    I said I walk 10,000 steps a day. I train. I eat high protein, low carb. I pray, breathe, and reflect when I’m anxious. But when chaos hits?

    “I break my diet. Then my boundaries. Then my fitness.”

    That was a gut punch. But it was real. And that truth mattered.

    It reminded me: if I want to perform under pressure, I must strain when things are calm. I’m training for purpose, not performance. Fitness is spiritual.

    And then we got to purpose.

    I explained that I build systems that make things more efficient and help people. I create communities. I write. I consult. I make content. But ChatGPT pressed again:

    “What kingdom dies if you stay silent?”

    That shook me.

    I realized: I help business owners, ecommerce leaders, and people stuck in careers or relationships. I create spaces where people feel seen and heard. I’m the tide that raises all boats.

    And then came the dagger:

    “Where are you playing small?”

    I confessed: I dilute my message. I play around on social media, hiding the real work behind entertainment. I spread myself across channels to stay safe, not great. I’ve been fragmenting my power.

    From there, I declared what I refuse to do anymore:

    • I refuse to be afraid of the internet’s opinions.
    • I refuse to numb out and self-sabotage.
    • I refuse to pretend I’m not built to lead.

    And I remembered the code I’ve lived by, but never written out:

    The Douglas Accords: I will continue to be me even when no one is watching. I will continue to build even when no one is clapping. I will continue to connect even if I never get reciprocation. Because I am a lover, a fighter, a businessman, and a creative.

    Finally, ChatGPT asked:

    “If you stepped into that version of yourself today—how would you walk, speak, think, decide, and love differently?”

    And I answered:

    • I would sit up straight.
    • I would work with intention.
    • I would use my time wisely.
    • I would build systems and habits that serve me.
    • I would be a good steward.
    • I would love deeply, forgive completely, focus on the present, and move forward with intention.

    This wasn’t a chat. It was a personal revival.

    So I’m sharing it here, not as a proclamation of achievement, but as a line in the sand.

    The Douglas Accords are my declaration. This is how I live now.

    Because the world doesn’t need more content. It needs more men who know who they are.

    And I do.

    I am Erich Douglas Stauffer. And I’m showing up with everything I’ve got.

    Summary: The Best Version of Erich

    Relationships

    • Anchored in truth, not ego.
    • Leads with presence. Speaks with clarity.
    • Shows up consistent—behind doors and in the open.

    Finances

    • Diversified. Disciplined. Strategic.
    • Builds runway and automates growth.
    • Gives with joy and intention.

    Health

    • Trains like a warrior preparing for battle.
    • Treats the body as sacred, not ornamental.
    • Spiritual habits are non-negotiable.

    Purpose / Work

    • Builds systems that transform people and businesses.
    • Speaks with authority. Creates for impact.
    • Refuses to fragment focus or play small.

    Core Beliefs & Disciplines

    • Follows the Douglas Accords.
    • Chooses action over applause.
    • Practices stewardship in secret.

    My 5 “I Am” Mantras

    1. I am a grounded, loving leader who speaks truth and shows up with unwavering presence.
    2. I am a powerful creator of value, building wealth with strategy, purpose, and generosity.
    3. I am a disciplined steward of my body, emotions, and spirit—trained for trials, prepared for peace.
    4. I am a system builder and visionary who multiplies impact through structure and service.
    5. I am Erich Douglas Stauffer—lover, fighter, businessman, and creative—living my calling out loud.

    Learn how I’m helping others live epic lives @4YearU.

  • The Customer-Focused Approach to Building a Brand and Business

    When it comes to launching a product or starting an e-commerce business, most people take an overly analytical approach. They look at trending products on Alibaba, source them, throw them on Amazon, and hope PPC ads drive sales. But this approach misses 99% of what it takes to build a real brand and business.

    I follow a different method—one that aligns with the teachings of Alex Hormozi, Eric Ries, and Steve Blank. It’s a customer-first approach to product development. Instead of starting with a product and hoping people buy it, I start by identifying a customer group and uncovering their problems. Then, I find or create products that solve those problems. This way, I’m not just selling a product—I’m providing value.

    The Process: From Customer Problems to Profitable Products

    1. Identify the Customer and Their Problems

    The first step is understanding who you want to serve. Are they fitness enthusiasts? Busy professionals? Parents? Once you’ve chosen a group, the next step is to research their biggest pain points and desires. The best businesses are built around solving real problems.

    2. Match Problems with Potential Products

    Here’s where the magic happens. The key is to go back and forth—customer problems ⇄ potential products—until you find a strong match. You can source products in several ways:

    • Finding a supplier (Alibaba, domestic manufacturers, wholesalers)
    • Creating your own product
    • Drop shipping

    Market demand should guide this process. If people are already searching for something, it’s easier to sell. Some of my favorite tools for trend analysis include:

    • Exploding Topics – Aggregates rising trends before they hit the mainstream
    • TikTok Search – Shows what products and topics are gaining traction
    • Google Trends – Helps identify long-term search trends

    3. Craft a Compelling Offer

    A product alone isn’t enough—you need an offer. The offer is simply what the customer gets for the price they pay. It should communicate value, differentiation, and urgency. If your offer isn’t converting, it’s often because:

    • The price doesn’t match perceived value
    • The messaging isn’t clear
    • The product doesn’t address an urgent pain point

    4. Get the Offer in Front of Customers

    Now it’s time for marketing. You have two main options:

    • Organic marketing – Content creation on TikTok, YouTube, blogs, social media
    • Paid advertising – Facebook Ads, Google Ads, influencer partnerships

    TikTok has revolutionized social commerce, making it essential to think about virality and engagement. A winning product on TikTok typically:

    • Is visually demonstrative (you can see why it’s useful)
    • Solves a problem people immediately relate to
    • Fits within a trend or cultural movement

    Iterating for Success

    Once everything is in place, you need to analyze what’s working (and what’s not). If you’re not getting traction, don’t scrap everything—adjust one thing at a time.

    1. First, adjust the marketing and messaging – Improve ad copy, change the angle, or test different visuals.
    2. Next, refine the offer – Experiment with pricing, bundles, or bonuses.
    3. If nothing works, re-evaluate the product or customer group – Maybe the problem wasn’t as urgent as you thought, or the audience isn’t a good fit.

    From Strategy to Execution: Making It Work

    The ultimate goal of this process isn’t just to find a quick win—it’s to build a sustainable brand. That means focusing on long-term customer value, creating a loyal audience, and continuously refining your approach.

    As I discussed in a recent conversation, there’s a lot of noise in e-commerce. People chase trends, buy courses, and hope for overnight success. But real success comes from doing the deep work—understanding who you’re serving, what they need, and how you can provide it in the best way possible.

    Whether you’re launching a TikTok Shop or starting an Amazon brand, this process ensures that every decision is backed by customer insight, market demand, and real value creation. And that’s how you build a brand that lasts. Read more on Market Jack about How to Find Profitable Products to Maximize Sales.

  • Eat that Frog! Plan Every Day in Advance

    If you’re like me, you’ve probably experienced the chaos of waking up and diving headfirst into a day without a clear plan. The hours slip away, tasks pile up, and suddenly, you’re wondering where the day went. Brian Tracy’s Eat That Frog! (affiliate link) offers a solution to this all-too-common scenario in its second chapter, aptly titled, “Plan Every Day in Advance.”

    At its core, this chapter emphasizes a simple truth: planning pays dividends. Tracy introduces a compelling concept—spend 10% of your time planning, and you’ll save 90% of the time that would have been wasted through disorganization or inefficiency. This principle might sound straightforward, but it’s profoundly transformative when applied consistently.

    The Power of Planning

    Research supports this approach. People who plan—even with something as simple as a numbered list—are three times more likely to achieve their goals than those who don’t. Why? Because planning transforms vague ambitions into actionable steps. It provides clarity and momentum.

    Tracy compares this process to a quirky example from pop culture—the “underpants gnomes” from South Park. These gnomes have a three-step plan:

    1. Steal underpants.
    2. ????
    3. Profit!

    While the humor lies in the nonsensical middle step, it highlights a real-world truth: without a clear and actionable plan, even the most ambitious goals remain out of reach. Tracy’s message is clear: define your steps, eliminate the question marks, and your path to success becomes achievable.

    How to Plan Effectively

    To make the most of your day, Tracy suggests these actionable tips:

    1. Write It Down: Begin each evening by listing everything you want to accomplish the following day. Putting it on paper or in a digital planner helps you externalize your thoughts, freeing up mental energy.
    2. Prioritize: Identify your “frog” for the day—the most challenging and impactful task. Rank your tasks in order of importance, focusing on what will move the needle.
    3. Chunk Your Time: Allocate specific time blocks for your most critical tasks. This minimizes distractions and ensures you tackle your priorities when your energy is at its peak.
    4. Visualize Success: Picture yourself completing your tasks. Visualization primes your brain for action, reducing resistance and increasing motivation.

    My Takeaways

    As someone deeply interested in time management and personal growth, this chapter resonated with me on multiple levels. It aligns closely with my approach to projects like my book, Think Again. Without a clear outline and actionable steps, writing such a comprehensive book would feel overwhelming. But breaking it into smaller, manageable pieces makes the process not only possible but also enjoyable.

    I’ve also noticed that when I fail to plan—whether it’s my day, a project, or even my fitness routine—I fall into the trap of reacting to whatever seems urgent instead of focusing on what’s important. Tracy’s emphasis on planning reaffirms the importance of being proactive rather than reactive.

    The 10% Rule

    One of the most valuable takeaways from this chapter is the 10% rule: the small investment of time spent planning your day can lead to exponential savings in productivity. It’s a reminder that slowing down to think through your priorities isn’t a waste of time—it’s a superpower.

    So, as you look ahead to tomorrow, take a moment to pause and plan. Write down your tasks, identify your “frog,” and allocate your time intentionally. That small effort could be the difference between a day that feels aimless and one that feels purposeful and productive.

    As Brian Tracy reminds us: “Every minute spent in planning saves as many as ten minutes in execution.”

    What will you plan today?

  • Eat That Frog! Set the Table

    One of the books that has had a profound impact on how I approach challenges and productivity is Brian Tracy’s Eat That Frog! (affiliate link). The book is a powerhouse of practical advice, and its very first chapter, Set the Table, sets the tone with a message about clarity and preparation.

    The concept of “setting the table” is simple yet transformative. It’s about defining what problem you’re solving before diving in. It’s a principle I’ve come to embrace not only in my work but also in my broader life, where clarity is often the bridge between overwhelming inaction and purposeful progress.

    The STAIR Framework: A New Lens on Problem-Solving

    While reflecting on this chapter, I was reminded of a method I once heard from a professor: the STAIR framework. It’s a five-step acronym that can help you break down any problem into manageable steps. Here’s what it looks like:

    1. S – State the Problem: Clearly define what you’re trying to solve. Avoid ambiguity and zero in on the issue.
    2. T – Tools Available: Identify the resources and tools you already have at your disposal to tackle the problem.
    3. A – Algorithm: Map out the process or sequence of steps you’ll need to follow to solve the problem.
    4. I – Implementation: Take action. Execute your plan step by step.
    5. R – Revision: Evaluate the outcome. Ask yourself if the solution worked, and if not, go back and tweak earlier steps.

    This process is a game-changer when it comes to clarity. It’s simple enough to apply to everything, from daily tasks to major life goals.

    A Peanut Butter and Jelly Example

    To make this framework more tangible, let’s use something as simple as making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

    1. State the Problem: How do I make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?
    2. Tools Available: Bread, peanut butter, jelly, knife, spoon, countertop.
    3. Algorithm: Toast the bread, spread peanut butter on one slice, jelly on the other, and combine them.
    4. Implementation: Follow the steps you outlined.
    5. Revision: Taste the sandwich—did it meet your expectations? If not, rethink the process.

    Now imagine scaling this process up to something bigger—like launching a product, improving personal habits, or planning an outdoor community event. The beauty of the STAIR method is its versatility and scientific approach to achieving clarity and results.

    Why Clarity Matters

    In my life and projects, I’ve noticed that a lack of clarity often creates a kind of mental inertia, leaving me stuck at the starting line. What Set the Table and the STAIR framework emphasize is that once the problem is clear and the steps are outlined, the daunting task often becomes approachable, even exciting.

    It’s about knowing your “why” and being intentional with your “how.” For me, this lesson resonates deeply, especially as I pursue long-term goals like creating outdoor-focused content, growing my consulting business, and developing a life management system through 4-Year U.

    Applying This in Everyday Life

    The next time you’re stuck or procrastinating, try setting your own table. Define the problem. Identify your tools. Lay out the steps. Then take action, knowing you can revise and improve as you go. Whether it’s deciding how to tackle a work project, building a business idea, or even deciding what to prioritize in a busy day, this simple approach can create a sense of control and momentum.

    Brian Tracy’s reminder to “set the table” isn’t just about productivity—it’s about living with intention. And for me, it’s a daily practice of clarity, faith, and action, step by step, one frog at a time.