Who the High Rise Academy Is NOT For — And What It Takes to Succeed
The Short Answer
High Rise Academy is designed for people who take action. Success comes from following the Metrics → Analysis → Action (MAA) process every week. Apprentices who do the work, communicate clearly, and follow through on assignments build measurable results and real skills.
Dennis Yu emphasized during the conversation that the Academy only works for those willing to “do the thing.” As he explained, people who collect metrics but never implement improvements are “getting paid to do nothing.”
The Foundation: Taking Consistent Action
Many projects fail because people spend too much time reporting and not enough time executing. Every week should include progress—new videos published, ads launched, or landing pages improved.
Our process relies on three steps:
- Metrics: Track specific numbers tied to your work, such as video performance metrics or ad performance.
- Analysis: Identify what changed and why.
- Action: Implement the next improvement before the next report.
Jack Wendt mentioned how some participants kept producing the same weekly reports without changing a thing. He shared that those projects “looked busy on paper but delivered no new client results.” This reinforced the Academy’s focus on action, not appearance.
Dylan Haugen added that every weekly status report feeds the coaching process. “The more action they take,” he said, “the more feedback we can provide.” When students actually produce videos, launch ads, or adjust campaigns, coaches have data to work with and can give sharper guidance.
Communicating Effectively
Remote work depends on timely, organized communication. Team members are encouraged to apply the Do / Delegate / Delete framework:
- Do the next task from your checklist.
- Delegate when you hit a roadblock and need support.
- Delete low-value items that don’t advance the goal.
Jack recalled several examples where simple communication lapses caused unnecessary delays—someone waited days to ask a question instead of flagging it early. “If they’d just said something, we could’ve solved it in five minutes,” he said. Clear updates keep everyone aligned and prevent small issues from slowing progress.
Skills that Support Success
Participants who think clearly, express ideas in writing, and approach problems logically tend to perform well. The program rewards those who take ownership of their work, stay organized, and use available tools to keep improving.
Dennis highlighted that being able to reason through tasks with AI tools or team members is key to growth. “Young adults who can talk through a problem and provide context always do well,” he said. This ability to explain intent and process mirrors how top performers handle real client projects.
Follow-Through Makes the Difference
Age and credentials matter less than reliability. Students as young as fourteen have produced outstanding results through consistent follow-through.
Dennis shared one story about a 14-year-old student who completed every assignment on time, produced content weekly, and analyzed results without prompting. That consistency led to measurable growth and personal confidence. In contrast, he mentioned older participants who “have to ask a question every single time” or constantly make excuses—and they rarely advance.
To stay on track:
- Dedicate at least one hour per day to assignments.
- Complete and submit a weekly status report summarizing what you shipped, what you learned, and what comes next.
- Plan around vacations or other priorities so deadlines are met.
The goal is steady progress, not perfection.
What Success Looks Like Week to Week
Each week, successful participants:
- Publish new work such as a video, ad, or content update.
- Record clear performance metrics and note what improved.
- Decide on the next concrete action to take.
- Review targeted feedback from mentors and apply it immediately.
Dylan described one student who launched a short-form video campaign and then tracked its performance in the weekly report. “They took the feedback, adjusted the titles and tags, and doubled their watch time in a week,” he said. That’s the type of learning loop the program aims to build.
This cycle—action, reflection, improvement—builds measurable skill and momentum.
How to Prepare and Self-Assess
- Identify specific actions you can take this week.
- Choose one checklist and complete the first task today.
- Start your weekly status report document now and update it as you complete work.
- Set up a simple metric tracking sheet for your projects.
- Reserve your hour-a-day block on your calendar for the next two weeks.
These steps help you form the habits that lead to success inside the program.
High Rise Academy Works Only for Those Willing to Do the Work
High Rise Academy rewards people who act consistently, communicate clearly, and keep improving. Those habits matter more than background or prior experience. The more you build, measure, and refine, the more meaningful results you’ll achieve.
Dennis concluded the discussion by reminding parents and students that this program requires genuine interest. “We’re not here to babysit,” he said. “If they have that drive—whether it’s basketball, content creation, or entrepreneurship—they’ll thrive. If they don’t, they’ll struggle.”
