Day 75/100 Still Fighting Flu

Still Fighting Flu

Stormin’

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Introduction: What this book is and how it’s positioned

WHY YOUR GOALS ARE SH*TTY! (David DuVall) is a provocative, profanity-forward “anti-fluff” goal-setting book in the broader self-help / execution / productivity lane. Its hook is simple: most people don’t fail from laziness—they fail because their goals are poorly designed, and the fix is better goal architecture + systems rather than motivation. The book is part of DuVall’s “Tao of Success” branding, leaning into blunt, combative clarity (“stop playing small,” “goals that don’t suck,” “no-bullshit practicality”). (Amazon)

Marketplace reality check: this title appears to be very new (Oct 2025), meaning there likely isn’t a deep, stable review-history yet across major platforms. (Amazon) Some listing pages currently show no customer reviews (which is common early on, especially for indie/KDP launches). (ThriftBooks)

1) The Strengths: what sets it apart in its category

Aggressive differentiation via voice + title
- The profanity and “slap-you-awake” framing is designed to polarize on purpose—which can increase conversion among readers who hate gentle motivation talk and want something sharper. (Amazon)
Clear enemy: “motivational fluff”
- The positioning is explicit: not manifestation, not quote-therapy—systems and execution are the promise. That’s a strong, modern angle in a crowded goal-setting market. (Amazon)
Systems-over-motivation promise (high-demand theme)
- “Motivation dies” is a widely felt pain point; readers actively seek frameworks that work when energy is low—habits, feedback loops, constraints, tracking, and environment design.
Action-oriented packaging
- The description claims chapter-end exercises, frameworks, tools, diagnostics, and rebuild steps, which is what practical readers want when they buy execution books. (Amazon)
Broad appeal across multiple psychographic clusters
- Likely to resonate with:
  - “No-BS” self-improvers (anti-woo, anti-inspo)
  - Burned-out achievers who want fewer feelings and more levers
  - Problem-solvers (engineering-minded readers) drawn to systems language

2) The Weaknesses: where it could be improved (or where readers may push back)

Because review volume appears limited so far, these are high-probability friction points based on how this positioning typically performs in-market:

Profanity is a filter (and a liability in some channels)
- It will turn off a meaningful slice of readers who otherwise want goal-setting help—especially older readers, faith-based readers, educators, corporate buyers, or anyone who reads self-help in public/around family.
“Neuroscience/psychology” claims invite scrutiny
- When a book claims neuroscience, readers increasingly expect sources, precision, and restraint. If it uses “brain science” loosely, it risks credibility hits.
Potential sameness beneath the swagger
- Many “anti-fluff” books repackage familiar ideas (SMART goals, habit loops, systems, tracking) with tougher language. If the frameworks aren’t meaningfully novel, some readers will feel the title overpromised.
Tone risk: feels like being yelled at
- A “slap you awake” style can backfire if it reads as contempt for the reader rather than alliance with them.
Over-broad promise
- “Make success inevitable” language can trigger skepticism if the book doesn’t clearly address:
  - constraints (health, money, caregiving, disability)
  - mental health realities
  - structural barriers
    Readers may call it unrealistic if it doesn’t include contingency planning.

3) Why did they buy? what they likely liked / wanted

Based on the positioning and typical buyer intent for this sub-genre:

They’re sick of motivation
- They want a method that works when they don’t “feel like it.”
They suspect their goals are poorly designed
- Vague goals (“get in shape,” “make more money”) have failed them—so a goal diagnostic + rebuild is attractive.
They want structure, not inspiration
- Checklists, systems, tracking, “blueprints,” and exercises feel like a plan, not a pep talk. (Amazon)
They want permission to aim bigger
- The “stop playing small” promise sells well to readers who feel stuck in cautious, “realistic” goals. (Amazon)
They want a strong voice
- Some readers buy tone as much as content: they want a coach who sounds like a tough friend, not a therapist.

4) Why they may not buy? what they likely disliked / avoided

Title/cover embarrassment factor
- Many readers won’t buy or recommend a book with “SH*TTY” in the title—even if they’d like the content—because it’s harder to share socially or professionally.
They want calmer, kinder guidance
- A sizable audience prefers encouragement over confrontation.
They distrust “no-bullshit” branding
- Some readers interpret it as marketing posture that masks thin substance.
They’ve already read the classics
- If readers have consumed GTD, Atomic Habits, 12 Week Year, etc., they may assume this is a remix unless clearly proven otherwise.
They want specificity (their domain)
- If examples aren’t tailored (health vs money vs career vs relationships), readers can feel it’s generic.

If you’re writing a competing book: 7–10 critical elements to include (and mistakes to avoid)

1) Pick a tighter niche than “goals”

Competing books win by owning a lane:
- “Goals for burned-out high-achievers”
- “Goals for diabetics/health rebound after 60”
- “Goals for solo seniors rebuilding life”
Mistake to avoid: being “for everyone.”

2) Offer a measurable transformation with a clear timebox

Example: “Rebuild one life domain in 30 days” or “12-week execution system.”
Mistake to avoid: vague promises like “change your life” without a timetable.

3) Create a distinctive framework that’s easy to remember

A named method + diagram beats generic advice.
Include:
- Goal diagnosis
- System design
- Weekly cadence
- Tracking + review
- Reset protocol
Mistake to avoid: “here are 27 tips” with no operating system.

4) Prove it with lived-feeling examples and failure cases

Readers trust books that show:
- what didn’t work
- how the system handles relapse, sickness, chaos weeks
Mistake to avoid: only showing perfect outcomes.

5) Include “low-motivation” and “low-energy” versions

Provide “minimum viable days”:
- 5-minute plan
- 10-minute workout alternative
- bare-min tracking
Mistake to avoid: assuming constant discipline.

6) Add templates people can actually use

Checklists + worksheets + trackers:
- goal rewrite sheet
- constraint audit
- weekly review script
- obstacle pre-mortem
- habit/system map
Mistake to avoid: exercises that feel like homework with no payoff.

7) Handle burnout and pacing explicitly

Include:
- rest cycles
- sustainability rules
- “when to push / when to coast”
Mistake to avoid: hustle-only messaging.

8) Make credibility frictionless

If you mention neuroscience/psychology:
- keep claims modest
- cite responsibly (even light sourcing helps)
Mistake to avoid: “brain science” as decoration.

9) Design for shareability

DuVall’s title is polarizing; you can outcompete via:
- cleaner title
- quotable “rules”
- printable one-page system
Mistake to avoid: a title that blocks gifting/recommending.

10) Build a companion ecosystem (lightweight, not overwhelming)

A simple reader path:
- QR code to downloads
- optional email sequence
- 4-week challenge
Mistake to avoid: upsell overload that makes the book feel like a funnel.

If you want, I can also generate a competing-book concept package (title options, subtitle matrix, table of contents, positioning statement, and a “why this beats the profanity-first angle” pitch) in the same blunt/practical market style.

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Yes, you can freeze liquid whey for longer storage (3-6 months) in ice cube trays or freezer bags, but for protein powder, freezing isn’t recommended as moisture causes clumping and texture changes; store powder in a cool, dry, airtight container instead to preserve quality and mixability. Freezing powder introduces condensation that affects texture, though nutrients remain intact. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Freezing Liquid Whey (After Cheese Making)

Portion it: Freeze in ice cube trays for small amounts or large freezer bags for bigger batches.
Label: Date and label the containers to avoid mix-ups.
Thaw: Defrost in the refrigerator for best results, which usually takes less than 24 hours. [2]

Storing Whey Protein Powder (Supplement)

Best Practice: Keep in its original airtight container or a sealed zip-top bag in a cool, dry place.
Avoid: The freezer or refrigerator due to condensation, which leads to clumping and potentially spoilage.
Why: Temperature fluctuations cause moisture to enter the powder, affecting its texture and mixability, even if nutrients aren’t lost. [1, 3, 4, 6, 7]

Freezing Protein Shakes

Nutrients: Freezing a pre-mixed shake won’t destroy nutrients, but texture will change after thawing.
Preparation: For best results, blend ingredients (minus powder) and freeze, then add powder and blend fresh in the morning. [4, 8]

[1] https://freerx.com/Blog/Details?s=%09Whey-Protein-Expire%09

[2] https://missourigirlhome.com/how-to-freeze-leftover-liquid-whey/

[3] https://earthchimp.com/blogs/news/can-you-freeze-protein-powder

[4] https://www.mensjournal.com/food/does-freezing-or-cooking-protein-powder-ruin-it

[5] https://www.facebook.com/groups/InstantPotCommunity/posts/1301274056633246/

[6] https://www.gainful.com/blogs/protein/everything-you-need-to-know-for-proper-protein-powder-storage

[7] https://www.vivolife.com/blogs/news/how-to-store-protein-powder-and-shakes

[8] https://www.vivolife.com/blogs/news/freezing-meal-replacement-shakes-is-it-okay

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