SHS 182: I = S^D/F ➑️ the formula that blew my mind this week

Side Hustle Saturdays

October 25, 2025

SHS #182: I = S^D/F the formula that blew my mind this week

Reading time: 4 minutes

↓

FREE LinkedIn Email Course

I'm launching a 5-day LinkedIn Growth Blueprint. Now, you can get it in your inbox before everyone else πŸ˜‰

Hi friend,

I was on my Authentic Influence (my LinkedIn group coaching program) call earlier this week when Pete said something that made all of us pause.

He left us in awe! Really!

And that's what I want to talk about today.

I will tell you his exact words towards the end.

Until then, I want to help you get closer to something that has probably been your goal every year.

But you're unsure how to get there.


Why you're unable to live the life you deserve

The thing that is holding you back isn't:

  • Your environment
  • You don't know what to do
  • You are unsure how to apply it

Tell me honestly, isn't it ‡️

"What will others say?"
"What if I fail?"

You're running away from fear. From judgement - of others but primarily yourself.

You're so afraid of appearing in a certain way that instead you choose to...

live mediocre?
Not tap into your potential?
In what world does that make sense?!

Now I'm not the kind to show you a problem; I only show it if there's a solution.

Think of this instead:

  • Your ONE LIFE is literally your only shot
  • Is it worth thinking of what others think of you?
  • Does this matter to you more than a happy + successful life?
  • Do you know anyone who hasn't failed and is rich?
  • In that case, isn't failure a prerequisite?
  • Aren't you more than your work?

Don't just read it.

I want you to finish this newsletter and come back to these Qs and... actually think hard.

If you're serious about changing your life, write them down and answer them (or do it digitally, for some reason I can't think digital. I need my notebook and pen!).

If you can't take out a few minutes to do this, don't expect massive changes when you can't dedicate tiny actions towards them.


Increase your stimuli.

Not hyperstimulation from notifications, but stimulations of the world outside. As the black screen will only numb you down.


"But I have no ideas!"

So many people DM me that they want to write, but struggle with

  • consistency
  • not having ideas
  • too many ideas
  • what to write about

This gets much better when you shut your phone and your laptop.

My best ideas come from conversations, and then the content I consume.

Heck, so many of my posts are derived from things I want to say to my husband, but he isn't geeky about the same stuff 🀣

But for you, this could be different.

Whatever your path is, I can't say it yet because it's yours to find out, but I can only guide you.

Do this:

Get out of your comfort zone and move. Allow yourself to meet people or consume different content, to

  • read more
  • observe more
  • live more.

Dig deeper into what you're enjoying.

And then some more.

The greatest ideas come from deep within, where all answers to life are. But to get there, you need to switch off and get out.

Plugged into a device = plugged out of your inner self.


Why did I write this?

While I penned a few words about creativity and ideation, the thing is...

These are processes to find yourself.

That's where the true power lies.

And the sad part is that most people will live their entire lives without finding themselves. They'll live in a pre-engineered manner, and they'll get hooked on cheap dopamine.

They won't get to know the only entity that stays with them till the end of life - their soul.


The actual quote

​

Here's what Pete Dulcamara sent me when I asked him to message me the exact quote,

Hi Niharikaa - I first heard this quote in 2010 and have been applying it ever since. It comes from Doug Hall at Eureka Ranch.
​
It is I = S^D/F, which is ideation is equal to stimuli raised to the power of diversity divided by fear.
​
If you want to increase your stimuli, get outside of your comfort zone – get focused and connected externally for ideas, insights, and innovations.
​
If you want to increase diversity, get into the comfort zone of others – embrace diversity in every form; e.g. race, gender, age, ethnicity, culture, education, experience, condition, socio-economic, etc.
​
If you want to decrease fear, practice β€œthe 8th Habit” – Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs.
​
By the way, I notice you already do all three very naturally.
​
Pete

See you next week!

Love,
N

Before you go:

  1. Grow Your Brand on LinkedIn: I've opened limited slots for October and November.
    ​
  2. FREE Side Hustler Checklist: to help you kickstart your side hustle. 11,000+ superstars love it.
    ​
  3. Advertise with me: If you’re a brand or a business looking to grow, I get 3 million+ monthly views on my content. Let me help you shine bright in front of my audience.
    ​

I value your time. If you're not learning from this newsletter, I encourage you to unsubscribe so you can use this time elsewhere.

Unsubscribe | Update your profile | 113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA, 98104-2205

Niharikaa Kaur Sodhi

I write tips around side hustling, writing, and monetisation to 15,000+ superstars every Saturday.