As we begin a new year, it's popular for many bloggers and podcasters to make “predictions” about the new year. I prefer not making predictions (unless I feel inspired to do so), but I will point out 7 crucial trends to watch for in 2015.

I believe these trends represent some fundamental shifts in the way business is done online, and the way you will continue to build your platform in the new year

Other Reasons To Keep Listening

• I will reveal one of  the apps I'm using to help me meet my financial goals in 2015.
• We will tackle the question, “if God is always good, then why do bad things happen to good people?”
• I'll also share how you can get a plug or mention, or even an appearance on this show.

That's all coming up in today's episode…

Announcements:

Our Regency Mastermind Round One Membership filled up almost instantly. Stay tuned for news about round 2.

We're also working on a plan for a group mentoring plan for newbies… this will be a community that should be affordable for almost anyone. News to come soon.

I've decided to open the “insider only” invitation to our upcoming event Permission to Prosper to podcast listeners and subscribers. After all, you're insiders too! Click here for the details, but do it quickly.

Success Stories

I'm looking to share your success stories and good news. So if you've got a business triumph, spiritual victory, a story of God's miraculous intervention in your life or your business… I want to hear about it. Click this link to record a voicemail about your success story or testimony. This week's success story comes from Danna Demetre.

Tip of the Week:

I have some pretty huge financial goals for 2015. One of the main tools I am using for course corrections and double checking my progress is a free app called Personal Capital.

Using this app, I can see what is happening with all my accounts at a glance, and see an instant, up-to-date calculation of my net worth. Brilliant.

According to their website, Personal Capital provides “award-winning tools provide an in-depth view of your finances and help you eliminate excessive fees. Plus, our advanced analytics and expert advisors are on hand to give you a personalized investment strategy. So you and your money can have a little fun of your own.”

Sign up now for free.

Spiritual Foundations: If God Is Always Good, Why Do Bad Things Happen?

This is not a new question. It's been dealt with by many great theologians, and I don't count myself as one of them. But I do know this: we really have one basic decision to make. Is God good, and can he be trusted?

And it really is a decision.

If you're looking for a mathematical formula to prove it one way or another, I predict you will be disappointed.

Personally, after I decided to settle this question in my heart once and for all, everything else became very clear to me. Even the subject of “mystery.”

Here are three explanations that might help us understand why bad things happen to God's people.

1. This is not heaven. We live in a fallen world, where the influence of the enemy still creates chaos and attempts to unravel the things which God has woven into place. The victory has been one by Jesus on the cross, and we live in an era when it is slowly but implacably being enforced by us, his “kingdom of priests”.
2. We cannot see the whole picture. Put another way, we simply don't know everything. It's possible that if we did, many things that we viewed now as injustices or the failure of God to keep his promises would actually be seen as the opposite. Think of it this way: your child may not understand why you are forcing them to undergo a painful and traumatic medical procedure. You, on the other hand, know that it's necessary for the doctor to remove the child's appendix so that they might live and not be killed by the very poison that conveys their system. A crude example, but perhaps illustrative.
3. Romans 8:38 assures us that God makes all things work for the good of those who love him, and who are called according to his purposes. If you are a follower of Christ, that includes you. And please note that it doesn't mean that God is not directly causative in whatever evil may befall you, but that he can, will, and does turn what was intended for evil to ultimately prove good for you.

I understand that all these answers may feel empty in the face of a devastating problem, such as a broken marriage, a cancer diagnosis, the sudden unexpected death of a child, or some other brutal and horrible experience that you may be undergoing right now.

It is in these places that the importance of the decision I mentioned earlier becomes obvious.

The time to make the decision that God is always good, and that he can be trusted, is before the crisis occurs. The time to exercise the faith for that belief is before you desperately need it.

Feature Presentation: 7 Trends To Watch For In 2015

Don't make the mistake of letting what you know get in the way of what you need to learn.

I often tell people that classic copywriting formulas will always work, because human psychology does not change. At the basis of that statement is I believe deep truth. However it can also be misleading.

If you assume that old-fashioned headline templates, for instance will work as well today as they once did, you may be in for a rude awakening. If you believe that the old school, hard-core, hard-sell, carnival barker style of writing copy still works as well as it did even a year ago, you are definitely in for a rude awakening. As I've discovered through my own business, and working with clients on theirs, there is a new elegance required to writing powerful, persuasive copy.

This is just one example of a new trend that does not cancel out a time-tested principle, but doesn't fact require a reinterpretation of that principle through fresh linens.

You will be much better prepared for doing business in 2015 if you keep the following seven landscape changing trends in mind. Ignore them at your peril.

7 Trends To Watch For in 2015

1. The continued rise of high-quality video for the purposes of marketing and selling.
2. The meteoric, explosive growth of podcasting as a marketing channel, and the end of “old school marketing” inside podcasts.
3. The dramatically higher bar that has been set for content marketing to be successful.
4. A major shift away from “homebrew” website solutions, and the shift toward turnkey systems.
5. The crucial importance of the power of proper association.
6. The “thinning of the herd” that will eliminate the shallow, the con artists, and the opportunity seekers… and create an extraordinary advantage for those who are genuine original thinkers, strong personalities, and world changers.
7. The absolute necessity of being more than “10% better” than your competition; the absolute necessity of creating your own category.

Resources Mentioned In The Show

• Permission to Prosper Conference Limited-Time Discount Registration
• Personal Capital
• Just Get Started  book by Ray Edwards
• Money Words book by Ray Edwards
• Writing Riches book by Ray Edwards
• Danna Demetre's website

How You Can Help

Subscribe to the show in iTunes and give us a rating and review. People who have done so, and given us five-star reviews:

• Travis Greenlee, who calls the show “The best marketing and leadership training on iTunes.”
• Shari Miller says she gets “Practical, awesome, useful ideas. This is one amazing podcast!”
• Adrienne Olson says: “Listened once, fan for life!”

Go ahead and subscribe now, and give us your star rating and review on iTunes. We will definitely mention you on this show.

If you don't already get the email newsletter, sign up for that and get the new free video: “3 Keys to Change the World and Make Your Business Grow.”

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or LinkedIn.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: What are your thoughts on today's episode?  Click here to leave your comments.

Have you ever suffered from depression or anxiety? Depression is a major problem in the world today. By the year 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression will be the number two cause of “lost years of healthy life” worldwide.

This time of year feelings of depression are common. Most people suffer in silence. And in this episode I will share my own battle with depression, and give you my recipe for defeating this debilitating and deadly disease.

Tip of the Week:

Moodtracker. Enter daily a choice of three moods and have the option to input notes as well.

You can see a twoweek calendar view from the main page, or a full month view calendar from the Calendar view.

Also, export your notes to email so you can bring in your notes to your next doctor's visit or keep for your reference.

Spiritual Foundations: Depression Is Always a Spiritual Battle

Depression is always a spiritual matter at the root – but don't let condemnation creep in.

Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.
Proverbs 25:28

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12

1. Decide to use the opportunity to glorify God.
2. The deeper your depression, the more expressive your worship should be.
3. Read the Psalms until you hear your voice – then camp there for a while.

Feature Presentation: How To Overcome Depression

Depression is a major problem in the world today.

• By the year 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression will be the number two cause of “lost years of healthy life” worldwide.
• Of the estimated 17.5 million Americans who are affected by some form of depression, 9.2 million have major or clinical depression.
• Two-thirds of people suffering from depression do not seek necessary treatment.
• 80% of all people with clinical depression who have received treatment significantly improve their lives.
• The economic cost of depression is estimated at $30.4 billion a year but the cost in human suffering cannot be estimated.
• Women experience depression about twice as often as men.

People who are not depressed don't commit suicide.

I've battled depression myself, and I know it is not an easy thing to deal with. I have tried just about every solution available to fight depression. I feel it is important to resist this force, which is more than a mere “feeling” – it is an enemy that will devour your life and the lives of those around you.

But there is hope. And I'm going to share my own battle plan and recipe for overcoming depression.

First Things First: Does God Want Me To Be Depressed?

First and foremost, let me state very clearly: I don't think depression or anxiety are ever from the Lord. Ever. End of discussion.

God can and does use bad things and turns them ultimately to our good-but that is his work in redeeming an imperfect creation from the curse mankind placed it under. It is not him abusing his children in order to “teach them something”.

The theology here is very deep:

Good things come from God.

Bad things come from Satan.

Children understand this. It takes adults make it complicated.

Ray's 9-Step Anti-Depression Recipe

1. Prayer daily, as a conversation with God.
2. Practice the awareness of God's Presence.
3. Journaling daily (I use Day One, and a template of questions that I answer each day. I store the template as a TextExpander snippet).
4. Read 5 Psalms and 1 chapter of Proverbs daily (in addition to normal Bible reading/study)
5. Vigorous Exercise 6 days per week (while listening to powerful, positive UPBEAT worship music – ie, no “I've written an ode to my problems” type songs)
6. Daily declarations (speaking out loud the promises of the word, see the book above)
7. Paleo Diet to regulate blood sugar and neurochemistry
8. Supplementation (especially Vitamin D and B-Complex)
9. Tracking mood daily (use MoodTracker App)

Additional Resources For Battling Depression

Here is a list of resources that have been very useful to me.

• I Declare: 31 Promises to Speak Over Your Life – Joel Osteen
• Declarations: Unlocking Your Future – Steve Backlund
• Strengthen Yourself In The Lord – Bill Johnson
• The Power of Right Believing – Joseph Prince
• Philips goLITE BLU Light Therapy Device

Final Thoughts On Overcoming Depression

No discussion of this topic would be complete without mentioning antidepressant medications.

As a last resort, I can tell you that antidepressant medications can be useful.

But I strongly believe this is only after you have exhausted every other possible answer. There are peer-reviewed, controlled studies that demonstrate vigorous exercise is just as effective as antidepressants in most patients.

The possible exception to this rule is that you may have an actual physiological problem in your brain.

In my case, because I was been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, I have empirical evidence that my neurological systems are flawed. Specifically, the production and delivery of dopamine, which controls movement, is at the root of most Parkinson's symptoms. It just so happens that dopamine also controls mood. Thus, there may be more of a direct physiological element in my individual case. But even this is in dispute amongst experts.

I have taken anti-depressants, under the close supervision of a medical professional. So if you need to do this, please do not accept any shame or condemnation for doing so.

God always does the healing, whether through the laying on of hands by a believer… or the laying on of hands by a doctor. Or the blessing of intellect that allows the creation of medicines that heal.

The Role Of Psychology and Psychiatry In Treating Depression

If you seek counseling of any kind, I strongly recommend working with a Christian counselor, and finding one who does not have some perverse “theology of suffering”. Unless you want to suffer and believe it is “for a reason”.

I have in the past sought out professional help with depression. Even when I went to see a medical professional, I sought one who was a believer, because the baseline theological premises one begins with influence the final practical outcome conclusions one forms. Even in medicine.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: Have you ever struggled with feelings of depression?  Click here to leave your comments.

We often treat the future as if it's a mystery. As if we don't have a say in it, or any control if it. And while there is some truth  in that, there is a deeper truth also.

We get to choose how we see the future, and the choice we make has a profound influence over the outcome we experience. This episode shows you 5 powerful ways to see the road ahead.

Tip of the Week:

I may have finally found an app to replace Cardmunch – the iPhone app I previously used to process business cards I received at conferences. The new app is called Card Reader, and it's made by Full Contact. The maker claims is “the easiest way to scan business cards into Google Contacts, iPhone Contacts, & 250+ other apps.” The advantage Card Reader has over other card scanners is simple, and powerful: the business cards you scan into it are transcribed by real live humans, not by an OCR algorithm.

If you'd like to be the one-in-a-million who actually does something with all those business cards you collect, give Card Reader a try.

Plus, Full Contact will unify, synch, and keep up-to-date all the contacts in your Google, Facebook, Twitter, and Contacts.

Spiritual Foundations: Grace Is Not A Doctrine

“Grace”, to most Christians, is a doctrine. A part of the overall gospel of Jesus Christ. But that's not the case. Grace is not a “doctrine” or a “part of” the gospel. It is the gospel itself, in its entirety.

For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Romans 5:17

We tell new Christians they ” are saved by grace through faith”. That salvation is a “free gift”. Then, once they have nought our sales pitch, we begin telling them how they have to “clean up their act”.

But performance-based Christianity is a modern invention, not a biblical principle.

We don't “behave our way” into to the life of the Spirit. Many churches teach that we must stop serving the “desires of the flesh” so that we can then walk more by the Spirit… but the Bible says the exact opposite.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Galatians 5:16-18

When we walk by the Spirit, we will naturally be freed from the power of sin.

How then, do we “walk by the Spirit”? Here are some good ways to start:

1. By becoming Christ-conscious instead of sin-conscious.
2. Read the Scripture and look for Christ and His grace.
3. Recalling, meditating on, and speaking out loud the testimony of what He has done.
4. Talk to God, and listen what He says to you (through His word, other people, “coincidences”, the “still small voice”, a sense of his presence., etc.)
5. Listen to and soak up anointed teaching, preaching, and worship music.

Doing these things will help you walk by the Spirit… and your transformed behavior will flow from you naturally.

Feature Presentation: 5 Powerful Ways To See The Road Ahead

Here are 5 powerful ways to see the road ahead – transforming your thinking, and conforming it to these frameworks, can have a powerful impact on the future you actually experience.

1. Possible. Don't allow your thoughts to rehearse all the possible ways things might go wrong. Instead, meditate n great detail on exactly how things could go right.
2. Provident. Remember that the Universe is the creation of a benevolent God who wants only the best for you. and even when chaos intervenes and things go wrong, it can ultimately work in your favor (Romans 8:28).
3. Peaceful. Peace has very little to do with what is happening around us, and everything to do with what is happening within us.
4. Powerful. The agency in your life belongs to you. You are a “powerful person” – meaning you are not a victim of circumstances, bad luck, or other people's poor choices.
5. Prepared. God has prepared a specific, beneficial, fulfilling destiny for you, and you must remember this, even when you feel you can't see it. Even if you don't fancy yourself a believer, I have a suggestion. Believe your future has been prepared for you anyway. Which belief will allow you to proceed with more confidence, clarity, and control: the belief that life is a random game of chance with no rhyme or reason… or the belief that a force greater than you is looking out for you, and constantly adjusting the odds in your favor? Which believe will make you more calm, proactive, flexible, and give you access to your own personal levels of highest performance?

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: What are you looking forward to in 2015? How will you use these 5 ways of seeing the road ahead to empower your journey?  Click here to leave your comments.

This is a special episode where I'm taking the time to answer a ton of questions from listeners and readers. I really enjoy these kinds of shows, and this one is no exception.

By the way, I am looking for success stories to start sharing on every episode. If you have a success story to share, click here and record it using Speakpipe. Keep your success story short and powerful (2 minutes or less is best). We're looking for ways you've  been blessed by this show, whether is was financially, in your business or work, spiritually, or miraculous healing or provision!

Tip of the Week:

Michael Hyatt has just released his brand new course, called 5 Years To Your Best Year Ever. If you want to set goals that you actually achieve, and make resolutions that really stick… this course is the way to do it. I did last year's version, and got some astonishing results. For instance, my family paid off $103,012  in debt, and I personally lost 35.2 pounds of fat!

I'm excited to participate in this year's version of the course. I'm asking my personal Mastermind, the Regency Group, to invest in the course so we can all go through it together.

I want you to get the benefit of this course, too. Right now you can get it at the Early Bird Discount price. Don't wait – do it now, get access to the entire course, and start crafting the plan for your best year ever.

Please keep in mind, I'm a paid affiliate for this program and earn a commission if you purchase through this link. This does not affect your price. However…

If it makes you uncomfortable that I receive a commission, and you wonder about my motivations, then purchase through the link that will deny me any commission. Use that link, and I won't make a dime. I want you to benefit from this course regardless of whether I make any money.

Spiritual Foundations: The Peculiar Problem Of Doubt

Doubt is something most believers struggle with. There was the man who lacked belief, who said to Jesus, “I believe. Help my unbelief.”

Thomas doubted the resurrected Christ was real until he could press his fingers in the nail-holes left by the Lords ttorturouscrucifixion.

Peter had a clue, when he said to Jesus across the raging storm at sea, “Lord if it is you, call me to come to you.”

And because of that request, Pete walked on the water.

There are 3 steps that will help us banish the peculiar problem of doubt:

1. Acknowledge it when it is real, but refuse to feed it.
2. Like Thomas, prove the truth to ourselves. The best way is the testimony.
3. Like Peter, ask Jesus to give us faith for the impossible, and then be crazy enough to brave the waves!

Feature Presentation: Ask Me Anything

In this episode I answer a bunch of listener questions!

Next Week:  “The Road Ahead” Episode

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: Have you ever struggled with doubt? How did you overcome it? Click here to leave your comments.

It's the time of year when we all start to think about making resolutions and setting goals for the new year… and we're either happy about it, or cynical.

This week Michael Hyatt is my guest, and he offers a fresh perspective on setting goals. By the way, if you haven't seen the fabulous free video training Michael is giving away on how to make 2015 “your best year ever”, click here right now and get access to those videos!

Tip of the Week:

Blinkist is a great little app that lets you access concise book summaries on your iPhone or iPad.

Want to mentor with me in 2015? Click here to register for a pre-application Webinar Monday, December 8, at 7pm Eastern.

Spiritual Foundations: The God of Our Goals

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established..”
Proverbs 16:3

As we set goals for the coming year, it's important to include God in the process, for these 3 reasons:

1. Calling
2. Character
3. Charisma

When our Calling, Character, and Charisma are activated by the presence of God, our plans will be established indeed!

Feature Presentation: Michael Hyatt on Goal Setting and Your Best Year Ever

This is a spectacular interview with Michael Hyatt on how to set goals for the new year (or any time).

NOTE: enroll in Michael's course by clicking this link to get into the accountability group I mentioned in the episode.

Next Week:  The “Ask Me Anything” Episode

Get The Transcript

Click here for the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: How will you apply the power of copywriting in your business or career? Click here to leave your comments.

Some people think “copywriting” – the art and science of writing sales copy – is dead and gone. Killed by social media.

The truth is copywriting is alive and well. and more important than ever to you and your business. You must master this.

Tip of the Week:

For a long time, I stopped taking handwritten notes. I found it tedious, and I found I seldom referred to them again. Plus I was so worried about catching every little detail, just taking t he notes was a stressful experience. Then I discovered Sketchnotes. Now I look forward to taking notes. I highly recommend you try this, even if you think you can't draw. Get the book, and check out the website of Mike Rohde. He's the leader of the Sketchnotes movement. He did the illustrations for REWORK. You can watch a video demo of this “Sketchnoting” thing in action here. Have fun.

Spiritual Foundations: Grace For Each Day

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
Matthew 6:34

The Israelites were in the desert, and God provided food for them each morning called manna.

God commanded them to collect only enough for that day – if they took more, or kept any, the next day it was filled with worms and it stank.

The manna in the Old Testament is a picture of God's grace, and he was showing us that He gives you enough grace for today, and you can't try and save it up for tomorrow.

And that's okay, because there will always be a new supply of fresh grace every day.

Worrying about what you will do tomorrow, being afraid and anxious, ruins today and doesn't help tomorrow in the least.

Rest in the fact that God is trustworthy, and keeps his word.

Rest in the new grace God has given you today. And remember… it's always today.

Feature Presentation: 3 Reasons Why You Must Master Copywriting

There are 3 reasons why you must master the art and science of copywriting, no matter what your business or job.

1. Human psychology does not change.
2. Sales copy may look different, but it still works the same.
3. Sales copy allows you to create money-generating assets out of thin air.

Next Week:  The “Ask Me Anything” Episode

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: How will you apply the power of copywriting in your business or career? Click here to leave your comments.

Is it possible there is one “Master Skill” that trumps all others when it comes to business success? I believe it's not only possible, but that it's absolutely the truth.

In today's episode, I'll reveal what that “master skill” is, and how you can acquire it for yourself.

Tip of the Week:

The CoSchedule app for your blog. It's a “content marketing editorial calendar”… and so much more.

Spiritual Foundations: It's Not About Your Faith

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
Galatians 2:20

When you are working up your faith, trying to believe for some miracle from God… working to increase your own faith could be standing in your own way. Why?

If you are focused on your own faith, you're focused on your self.

Don't trust in your own faith, but in the faith of Jesus. His faith is perfect. And the Bible says He is the Author and the Finisher of your faith.

When you're focused on Jesus, you'll be open to receive His goodness and His grace.

The answer to all your prayers is to rest in Christ, depend on His faith, and you'll get the breakthrough you need.

Feature Presentation: The Master Skill of Business Success

So what is the “Master Skill” for business success? The skill that, when you acquire it, can actually trump and erase many, if not all, of your other shortcomings?

I believe the “Master Skill” is that of Strategic Communication. Most communication is done at the tactical level; the most powerful communication is guided by strategy.

Here are 5 keys to more strategic communication.

1. Know the difference between strategy and tactics.
2. Clearly define the strategic objective of your communications.
3. Understand and use the principle of Focused Attention.
4. Develop a framework for all your communications.
5. Practice relentlessly: results, recap, refine.

Next Week:  The Master Skill of Business Success

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: How will you apply strategic communications in your business or career? Click here to leave your comments.

You've probably heard it so much that you may even tune it out: writing and publishing a book is a good thing. But do you know why?

In today's episode, I'll give you 7 good reasons why you should write a book, even if you think you're “not a writer”.

Tip of the Week:

Speed up video to save time

• Speed up video up to 5 times faster with perfect clarity
• Zip through Flash and HTML5 videos online
• Save time and enjoy more with no audio distortion or “chipmunking”
• Works for lectures, seminars, training, speeches and even Google Voice messages

Slow down video to learn or take notes

• Slow down video as much as 3 times slower than original
• Perfect for foreign language learning, complex material, dance steps, guitar chords or more

Try Enounce MySpeed video accelerator.

Spiritual Foundations: How to Live Freely and Lightly

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28–30, THE MESSAGE

“Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” Following Jesus is not heavy or difficult. Anyone or anything that makes you tired, worn out, or beaten down by man-made religious rules… that didn't come from Jesus.

Stop trying to be perfect. You can't. God doesn't require us to be Christ-like, but invites us into the Christ-life.

God will never cause you to be sick, or worried, or stressed out. He is good, and will always stand ready to heal, to soothe, and to bring peace.

Look for the goodness of God that is already in your life, and then watch that goodness increase.

Feature Presentation: 7 Reasons Why You Should Write a Book

Here are 7 great reasons why you should consider writing and publishing a book:

1. Books help people.
2. Writing a book clarifies your own best ideas.
3. A book helps you get clients.
4. Being a published author gives you author-ity in your field.
5. It's easier to get speaking engagements if you have a book.
6. Your book can be the hub of an entire business.
7. A book is the business card nobody throws away.

Next Week:  The Master Skill of Business Success

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript now. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: Have you written a book (feel free to plug your book in these comments) – and if not, what's holding you back? Click here to leave your comments.

What if, in 2015, you could give yourself the “Ultimate Advantage” in every area of your life – faith, physical, emotional, and financial?

In today's episode, I'll share some foundational elements and practical advice on how to do just that.

Announcements

Here are a couple of immediate advantages you can give yourself in the area of learning, growing, and connections:

In just a few days from now the Platform Conference in Colorado Springs, will be in full swing, starting November 9th. If there are any seats still available, you can still save $100 when you click here and add the special code RAY to your order.  Yes, I am a featured speaker, and I am also a student. I plan to learn as much as anyone while I am there. I hope you will be there with us. As I have mentioned previously, Cliff Ravenscraft and I are hosting a special one-day event the day after the Platform Conference. This is a “Day With Cliff and Ray”, and if you're going to be in Colorado Springs for the Platform Conference, you should definitely consider joining us for this event.

The applications are piling up for the Private Personal Mastermind Group, led by me, in 2015. I've really been surprised by the response to this, as we haven't really promoted it other than a few casual mentions on the podcast. This will be a small group, and our time together  will be intentional, demanding, and designed to bring you into alignment with your personal destiny. The criteria for membership in the group will be very precise, and the investment will not be exorbitant, but neither will it be cheap. If none of that scares you off, and if in fact you are one of the people who have expressed to me how you wished I would create a group like this, please reach out to me by sending an email to support [@] rayedwards.com.

Tip of the Week:

I've been using and enjoying the newly re-designed PocketCasts app. It's a podcast player for iPhone, iPad, and Android. I find this one to be full-featured, including the all important speed control, as well as visually beautiful. It's kind of like FlipBoard for podcasts.

Spiritual Foundations: Wisdom For Your Practical Problems

Wisdom equals the Presence Of God. Wisdom is a person…

“God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself.”
1 Corinthians 1:30

Whatever your need for wisdom, God has promised to grant your request.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
James 1:5

This is not poetry or figures of speech, but literal truth:

“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 2:14-16

Feature Presentation: How To Get The “Ultimate Advantage” In 2015

What more could you need, other than the wisdom we were just speaking of, to gain the “ultimate advantage”?

Just because you have access to wisdom doesn't mean you are using it.

I believe there are 5 C's that can help bring your ultimate advantage in 2015.

1. Cultivating the increased awareness of, and being more sensitive to, the Presence of God.
2. Clarifying your purpose, mission, vision and values (these are different things).
3. Commitment to acting with integrity in each moment, at the point of choice.
4. Communicating powerfully with intention,  love, and transparency in a way that honors all involved.
5. Community that is intentionally created. Join a high-quality Mastermind Group (you can inquire about the possibility of joining mine with an email to support [@] rayedwards.com, or if you want to form your own I highly recommend Dan Miller's product on forming your own.)

Next Week:  7 Reasons You Should Write a Book

Get The Transcript

Click here for the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: How do you think the “5 C's” could impact your life in 2015, if you applied them? Click here to leave your comments.

I'm still in the mode of preparing my plans for 2015. I have some pretty big ideas about what I want to accomplish next year, and I'm sure you do as well.

In today's episode, the theme is “how to own your life”.  It includes an interview with one of my favorite people, Chris Brogan.  It also includes an opportunity to work closely with me in 2015. Keep listening for details.

Announcements

In a little over a week, I will be gathering with all the other folks who are attending the Platform Conference in Colorado Springs, starting November 9th. There are still a few seats available, and you can still save $100 when you click here and add the special code RAY to your order.  yes, I am a featured speaker, but I am also a student. I plan to learn as much as anyone while I am there. I hope you will be there with us.

We have been quietly formulating the plan for a Private Personal Mastermind Group, led by me, in 2015. This will be a small group, and our time together  will be intentional, demanding, and designed to bring you into alignment with your personal destiny. The criteria for membership in the group will be very precise, and the investment will not be exorbitant, but neither will it be cheap. If none of that scares you off, and if in fact you are one of the people who have expressed to me how you wished I would create a group like this, please reach out to me by sending an email to support [@] rayedwards.com.

Tip of the Week:

As I have mentioned previously, Cliff Ravenscraft and I are hosting a special one-day event the day after the Platform Conference. This is a “Day With Cliff and Ray”, and if you're going to be in Colorado Springs for the Platform Conference, you should definitely consider joining us for this event.

On the last day of platform, the people who are attending the “Day with Cliff and Ray” will gather together and share an evening meal. This will be very relaxed, informal, we will get to know one another on a deeper level before our intense one-day event the next morning.

Here is what we will be doing at this event, on Wednesday, November 12:

• The Deeper Connection Session:  in which our intention is to foster deep, lasting relationships between all the people in the room, so we can mutually support one another in the coming year as we all seek to take our platforms to the next level.
• The Next Level Resources Session:  in which Cliff and I will be sharing all of our most useful tools, tricks, techniques, apps, procedures, systems, and even our workflows. This is like getting in “over the shoulder” look into how we run our businesses.
• The Most Valuable Investment Session: During this session, each member of the group will be given a few moments to share what they feel has been the most beneficial investment that they have made in taking their own platform to the next level. Hearing “what has worked” for others may be just the source of inspiration that you need to get a glimpse at new possibilities.
• AMA with Cliff & Ray Session: During this “Ask Me Anything” session, you will have the opportunity to ask Cliff or Ray ANYTHING you want. Both Cliff and Ray are very willing to share anything and everything from their own experiences that may be of help to you. So just think about it. If you could ask anything of Cliff or Ray, what would it be? Write those questions down and bring it to this session.

Spiritual Foundations: God Is With You In Your Trial by Fire

“I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”
Daniel 3:25

Daniel was God's man inside a corrupt system-the government that was overrun by unbelievers, or even worse, those who believed in the powers of darkness. This corrupt system was even run by a man who would set himself up as God-King Nebuchadnezzar. When Daniel’s friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego, were thrown into a fiery furnace by Nebuchadnezzar, because they would not bow down to a foreign God, guess what happened?

The most remarkable thing: one of the Old Testament appearances of Jesus Christ. he showed up right there inside the furnace with them, preserve them in the fire, and brought them out alive and well.

The Bible tells us that “the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them” (Daniel 3:27).

Right now, you may be going through your own fiery trial. You can rest assured that God is not watching from a distance, wishing you good luck, and telling you to hang in there until the afterlife.

He is with you in the very trial. In the very flames.

The Bible says that “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

When God is with you, you can walk through the fiery furnace, and you can walk out, holding his hand, undamaged and even without the smell of smoke on you.

Feature Presentation: How to Own Your Life With Chris Brogan

Check out the podcast audio to hear the complete interview with Chris Brogan.

Next Week:  How To Create Your Own “Unfair Advantage” In 2015

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: What parts of your life do you feel you don't “own”… and what are you going to do about it? Click here to leave your comments.

It's not too early to start getting ready for 2015. In fact right now is the perfect time to assess how this year has gone, and what you'd like to see happen in 2015. In my case, 2014 started off a little “bloated” – both physically and mentally. I want 2015 to be lean & mean (in the most fun sense of that word).

That's what today's episode is all about: how to set yourself up for a lean, mean 2015.

Announcements

I am getting excited about the upcoming Platform Conference in Colorado Springs, starting November 9th. There are still a few seats available, and you can still save $100 when you click here and add the special code RAY to your order.

Tip of the Week:

Plus, Cliff Ravenscraft and I are hosting a special one-day event the day after the Platform Conference. This is a “Day With Cliff and Ray”, and if you're going to be in Colorado Springs for the Platform Conference, you should definitely consider joining us for this event.

Here is what we will be doing at this event:

• The Deeper Connection Session: During this session, every person will be given a few moments to introduce themselves. These introductions will be done in a fun and interesting way that will certainly help you get to know each of the other folks in the group on a much deeper level.
• The Next Level Resources Session: During this session, Cliff and Ray will go back and forth, in rapid fire succession, as they share their most valuable tips, tools and other resources that have helped them to achieve what is most important to them. There is no doubt that you will walk away with many valuable resources to take your own platform to the next level.
• The Most Valuable Investment Session: During this session, each member of the group will be given a few moments to share what they feel has been the most beneficial investment that they have made in taking their own platform to the next level. Hearing “what has worked” for others may be just the source of inspiration that you need to get a glimpse at new possibilities.
• AMA with Cliff & Ray Session: During this “Ask Me Anything” session, you will have the opportunity to ask Cliff or Ray ANYTHING you want. Both Cliff and Ray are very willing to share anything and everything from their own experiences that may be of help to you. So just think about it. If you could ask anything of Cliff or Ray, what would it be? Next, write that question down and bring it to this session.

Spiritual Foundations:

3 ways to hear from God today.

1. Know.
2. Expect.
3. Listen.

It's easier than you think.

Feature Presentation: How to Set Yourself Up For a Lean, Mean 2015

Here are 15 Practices I am adopting for a lean, mean, 2015:

1. Devote more time to practicing the Presence of God.
2. Evaluate all existing commitments and renegotiate or eliminate those that no longer work.
3. Get more rest (8 hours + a nap).
4. Read and eat slowly.
5. Connect more deeply with a smaller number of people.
6. Consume less, produce more.
7. Upgrade my Mastermind.
8. Schedule no more than 40% of my time.
9. Say “No thank you” to 90% of requests for my time and energy.
10. Spend 80% of my working time in the area of my Unique Ability. See Dan Sullivan's material on Unique Ability.
11. Re-commit to GTD. Check out David Allen's GTD class on Lynda.com.
12. Expand my use of templates.
13. Make better use of my main tools: OmniFocus, DragonDictate, TextExpander, Evernote, Scrivener.
14. Retire my email address and cell phone number.
15. Simplify, simplify, and then simplify.

Next Week:  Chris Brogan!

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: How do you plan to have a lean, mean 2015 – or do you? Click here to leave your comments.

The tag line in my logo says “Live with Joy, Lead with Passion, and Prosper with Purpose”. Occasionally someone asks me, “So how to do you that?”

That's what today's episode is all about: answering that question.

Announcements

I am getting excited about the upcoming Platform Conference in Colorado Springs, starting November 9th. There are still a few seats available, and you can still save $100 when you click here and add the special code RAY to your order.

Plus, Cliff Ravenscraft and I are hosting a special one-day event the day after the Platform Conference. This is a “Day With Cliff and Ray”, and if you're going to be in Colorado Springs for the Platform Conference, you should definitely consider joining us for this event.

Here is what we will be doing at this event:

The Deeper Connection Session: During this session, every person will be given a few moments to introduce themselves. These introductions will be done in a fun and interesting way that will certainly help you get to know each of the other folks in the group on a much deeper level.

The Next Level Resources Session: During this session, Cliff and Ray will go back and forth, in rapid fire succession, as they share their most valuable tips, tools and other resources that have helped them to achieve what is most important to them. There is no doubt that you will walk away with many valuable resources to take your own platform to the next level.

The Most Valuable Investment Session: During this session, each member of the group will be given a few moments to share what they feel has been the most beneficial investment that they have made in taking their own platform to the next level. Hearing “what has worked” for others may be just the source of inspiration that you need to get a glimpse at new possibilities.

AMA with Cliff & Ray Session: During this “Ask Me Anything” session, you will have the opportunity to ask Cliff or Ray ANYTHING you want. Both Cliff and Ray are very willing to share anything and everything from their own experiences that may be of help to you. So just think about it. If you could ask anything of Cliff or Ray, what would it be? Next, write that question down and bring it to this session.

Tip of the Week:

I absolutely love the Field Guides at MacSparky, which is the blog of David Sparks. Currently I'm reading his guide on Presentations, as I'm preparing for my presentation at the Platform Conference. His Field Guides are thorough, media-rich, and darn near flawless.

I also recommend the podcast he does with Katie Floyd, which is called Mac Power Users.

Bonus Tip: Dan Franks and Jared Easley are doing the Business Podcaster Summit in January. This is a great, no-travel-required event you should consider putting on your calendar.

Spiritual Foundations:

Instead of looking for something to do in God’s word, look for something to believe. Here are 5 things to believe that will change your life. Speak them and hear them.

1. My prayers are powerful and effective. (James 5:16)
2. I hear God's voice. (John 10:27)
3. Today is the best day yet. (2 Corinthians 3:18, Isaiah 9:6)
4. Everywhere I go people encounter Jesus. (2 Corinthians 2:14)
5. God is madly in love with me. (Psalm 33:18,  John 3:16-17)

Thanks to Levi Hug from Bethel Church in Redding, California for these points.

Feature Presentation: How to Live with Joy, Lead with Passion, and Prosper with Purpose

So how does one actually do what I propose in my tagline? How you do “live with joy, lead with passion, and prosper with purpose?” While I could write a book about this (and I am in fact doing just that), I want to share a shorter answer. This answer is simple, but high-leverage. It's really just 3 steps:

1. Decide
2. Connect
3. Pursue

Decide to live with joy.

• Happiness is a decision first. Be careful little brain, what you think.
• Emotion follows motion. The bet cure for depression is usually a good run.
• Protect the asset. Get proper food, exercise, and rest.

Connect your deepest passion to what you do every day.

• What do you do when you are free to do what you want?
• What did you dream about as a child?
• What do you do that makes you forget the clock?

Pursue your life's purpose.

• Know why you are here on earth.
• Let purpose drive your life.
• Make sure you stay “on purpose”.

Next Week:  Set Yourself Up For a Lean, Mean, 2015.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: How do you manage to live with joy, lead with passion, and prosper with purpose? Click here to leave your comments.

The quality of your life is directly impacted by the quality of your habits. The problem is, most of us did not consciously choose to habits we currently possess. We drifted, stumbled, or otherwise accidentally acquired most of our habits.  Not all of those habits support the outcomes we truly want for ourselves or the ones we love.

In today's episode, we will examine five common habits that will completely wreck your life and how to get rid of them.

Tip of the Week:

Maybe you read The Four Hour Workweek and tried to outsource different parts of your job or business. Maybe that even worked well for you. And maybe, just maybe, you are still kind of stressed out. Perry Marshall suggested something to me once that was actually life-changing. It's one of those “tiny hinges that swing big doors”. It's a twist on the idea of outsourcing.

What if, instead of outsourcing high-level tasks at your job or business, you outsourced tasks in your personal life? You may scoff at first, but think about it: if you could outsource things like your laundry, yard maintenance, shopping, cooking, cleaning, mail pickup and drop-off, etc… how much time and energy would that free up for you?

Perry's suggestion to me was that it's better to start by outsourcing those things to clear out space in my life so that I could have time for critical thinking. This gives me margin so that I can spend time on creating ideas, reading, making connections, and generally performing the kind of alchemy that entrepreneurs get paid for.

I've been experimenting with this idea in a serious way recently, and my latest find came to me through my friend Stu McLaren, who turned me on to Fancy Hands. Basically, Fancy Hands will do anything for you that can be done in 15 minutes or less. So far I've had them:

• Research a long list of inspirational quotes for an upcoming presentation.
• Find me the best deal on a Keurig coffee maker.
• Proof some blog posts.
• Find and recommend a list of local people who might be available to do some personal assistant work for me (like the things I listed above).

One of the things I really like about their service is they calculate how much time you've saved by having them do this stuff for you. So far, I've invested about 10 minutes typing up the tasks I wanted them to work on: they estimate they saved me 1.4 hours. I think that's about right.

Currently, I plan to have them proofread all my blog posts, which I estimate should save me anywhere from 4 to 6 hours per month. Not that I spent that much time proofreading my blog posts, mind you…that estimate comes from the number of emails I get from people who say things like, “Do you realize what a goofy typo you made in this blog post?”

For the record, I had them proof this post. How did they do?

This is a very easy service to try, and if you decide to stick with them it's cheap. And there's no contract. Click here to check out Fancy Hands now.

Spiritual Foundations:

Are you worried, anxious, stressed out, overwhelmed? If you are troubled about a lot of different things today, I have an answer for you.

You've heard me talk about a book called The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. And that is indeed a good book. You've also heard me talk about a book called Essentialism, By Greg McKeown. That is also a good book.

But in truth, there is really only a single “one thing” that is essential to a fulfilled and peaceful life. And you'll find that story in a different good book-the Bible.

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10, we read the story of Jesus visiting the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. Martha was fluttering around the house working hard at being “the hostess with the mostest”. She wanted everything to be just right. Mary, on the other hand was sitting at Jesus's feet, soaking up everything he had to say. It didn't take very long for Martha to get angry, and she apparently felt angry enough that she rebuked Jesus! She said to him, “Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work? Tell her to help me!”

Technically, Martha was correct in her assessment. In that culture, and at that time, it was considered improper for a woman to be sitting at the feet of the teacher. And it was also considered good manners to prepare food and serve your guests.

Jesus was gentle, but he came down on the side of Mary.

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42

The emphasis on “one thing” is mine.

So what is the “one thing” that Mary chose? It was to sit at the feet of Jesus, and listen to what he had to say.

If you have a lot on your mind today, the one thing you need to do is to sit at the feet of Jesus and soak up his words. He has an unlimited supply of grace, wisdom, and peace.

We tend to get busy doing things when we are anxious. We often transfer that into our spiritual life, thinking if we can just serve God at some higher level then he will bless us. That's exactly what Martha was doing-and it wasn't working.

That's not to say that serving God is a bad thing. In fact, it's worth noticing that Jesus did not rebuke Martha for the service; he gently corrected her for being “worried and troubled about many things.”

 You might say, “Ray, how can I sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to his words now that he's no longer on the earth?”

Two things to consider:

1. First, we as believers are the “body of Christ” on the earth. Jesus resides in your brothers and sisters who follow him. He can speak to you through them: through their words, through their prayers, and their acts of service.
2. Second, Jesus recorded his words for us through the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. And of course, all Scripture is inspired by God, so the entire Bible is his word. You can have it with you all the time-even on your smart phone!

The next time you are “worried about many things”, why not try doing “the one thing that is necessary” and listen to the words of your Savior?

Feature Presentation: Five Bad Habits That Will Wreck Your Life

The forces that shape our lives are usually more glacial than catastrophic. Meaning, they work over time like the ancient glaciers that carved out the mountains, moving inch by inch over the span of years.

The glacial power of life change is often contained in the habits we form-the things we routinely do without thinking about it, over and over again, year after year.

“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”
~ Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Here are five bad habits that are virtually guaranteed to wreck your life.

1. The habit of reactivity.
2. The habit of poor association.
3. The habit of procrastination.
4. The habit of instant gratification.
5. The habit of victimhood.

Of course, I'm not going to leave you hanging. Once you've decided to get rid of these bad habits, you need to replace them with good ones. These are five good habits that will enhance your life. They are the antithesis of the bad habits we just discussed.

1. The habit of proactivity.
2. The habit of intentional association.
3. The habit of advance preparation, and the power of the compound affect.
4. The habit of delayed gratification.
5. The habit of the victorious mindset.

Cultivate these habits for 30 days and I guarantee you will see a dramatic change in the quality of your life. Commit to them for six months and I believe your results in life will be almost unrecognizably good.

Next Week:  How to Live with Joy, Lead with Passion, And Prosper with Purpose.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: Have you overcome any of these bad habits in the past, and if so how did you do it? Click here to leave your comments.

Many people in our modern society are prisoners. Prisoners of a job they hate, of a profession they despise, or even of a business that owns them (instead of the other way around.) It doesn't have to be this way.

Today's podcast is devoted to the idea that you can break free of that prison. That you can escape your “day job” and start living in the reality of your “dream job.”

Feature Presentation: Interview with Author Kary Oberbrunner…

Author, life coach, and speaker Kary Oberbrunner shows people how to launch their dream jobs and experience the freedom to go as they please, earn as they wish, and live as they like. His nine proven steps will help readers “jailbreak” from their day jobs without relying on an MBA, investors, or a lucky break. In this interview you'll discover how to:

• Overcome self-limiting beliefs that sabotage success
• Start lean and stay lean by ignoring conventional thinking
• Build a dream team of experts committed to their cause
• Carve out a niche and get noticed in a noisy world
• Market beforehand to create critical momentum
• Monetize a message to its full potential
• Achieve personal clarity, competence, and confidence
• Earn greater influence, impact, and income in the marketplace

Through sharing his own story and the success of others who have followed his process, Kary shows us that anyone can turn their passion into a full-time gig.

Kary Oberbrunner Links

Kary Oberbrunner's main website.

The Day Job To Dream Job website.

Order Kary's book on Amazon.com.

Next Week: Five Bad Habits That Can Wreck Your Life. For real this time.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: Why do you want to move from “day job” to “dream job”? Click here to leave your comments.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “If you don't have your health, you don't have anything”? I think this is a stupid thing to say, and in today's episode I will explain why – and what to say instead.

And for those who don't have your health, I've got a newsflash: you also don't have a free pass to whine, complain, and make excuses.

Tip of the Week:

The LoseIt! app makes tracking your nutrition, hydration, and exercise easy and fun.

Lumosity offers a great way yo keep your brain sharp – by playing games!

HabitList helps you cultivate habits you want to develop and keep track of your streaks.

Spiritual Foundations:

If you are busy, stretched and stressed to the max, and need every minute of a 14 hour day to keep your head above water – the best thing you cando is set aside plenty of time to read God's word. The Bible. Why would I say that?

My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.“

Proverbs 4:20-22

I have certainly found the source of peace in stressful times to be taking refuge in the Word. And it's not just my experience.

I read an article recently by Pastor Joseph Prince about George Müller, who in the 1800's ran five orphanages, and oversaw the care of more than 2,000 orphans. Müller was not wealthy, and the funding of these orphanages depended solely on donations. Every day, Müller set aside time to study the scriptures.

Prince wrote:

Once, Müller was talking with a man who worked between 14 and 16 hours every day. He told the man, “You are destroying your health. You don’t have time for your family and, most importantly, you don’t have time to nourish your inner man with the Word of God.”

The man replied, “I hear you, but I can’t see how I can cut down my working hours and spend time in the Word because even with the 14 to 16 hours I put in each day, I still can’t put enough bread on the table for my family.”

As the man walked away, Müller said, “He doesn’t believe that if he gives time to God’s Word first, God will take care of all his needs.”

Whatever your needs, stresses or responsibilities, take time each day to read God's Word and nourish your spirit.

Feature Presentation: If You Don't Have Your Health…

I think it's time we stopped saying, “If you don't have your health, you don't have anything.” Here are 5 reasons why:

1. It's not true. You have life, God, family, friends, and a chance to make meaning each day.
2. It's a disempowering belief.
3. Repetition is the mother of belief.
4. It robs people of their destiny.
5. It makes people into victim thinkers.

I propose we say instead, “If you don't have your health, you still have everything.” And here are five reasons why that is true:

1. Everything in this world is temporary anyway.
2. God can and does restore health to the hopeless every day.
3. Intentionally changing what we say begins to change our beliefs.
4. We all have a fatal disease called life, and nobody survives it.
5. There are countless examples of people with horrific health problems who accomplished incredible feats.

What's Your Excuse?

Here are people whose problems could have been used as an excuse, but who achieved greatness in spite of, or perhaps even because of, the health challenges they face.

1. Stephen Hawking. Even though he is totally disabled by ALS, has revolutionized physics.
2. Franklin D. Roosevelt. The only US President to server more than two terms, and generally recognized as on e of the best US Presidents ever. Roosevelt was paralyzed from the waist down by polio. Yet he still led the USA during two of her most trying times – the Great Depression and World War II.
3. Michael J Fox. His Fox Foundation has accelerated Parkinson's research by decades, and million of dollars. And he continues to act, earning awards for his current roles.
4. Marlee Matlin. Emmy winning actress, deaf since she was 18 months old.
5. Helen Keller. Both blind and deaf, she graduated college and became an advocate for women's rights.
6. Ludwig Van Beethoven. Lost most of his hearing by the age of 20. Composed some of his greatest works by feeling the vibration of the notes from the piano.

So… what's your excuse?

Next Week: Five Bad Habits That Can Wreck Your Life.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: Have you changed any limiting beliefs as a result of this episode? Click here to leave your comments.

This week I have my good friend Cliff Ravenscraft on the show – yes, the Podcast Answer Man himself will join us and we'll discuss the future of podcasting and what it means for those building a platform.

I know you were expecting Five Destructive Habits That Will Wreck Your Life, but this is a good programming change. Trust me. We have a BIG announcement, and I'll get you those Five Destructive Habits That Will Wreck Your Life in a couple of weeks!

Feature Presentation: Cliff Ravenscraft, The Podcast Answer Man

An interview with the leader of Podcasting.

Click here to find the details about the live workshop Cliff and I are conducting in November.

Next Week: If You Don't Have Your Health…

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: What are you doing to build your platform? Click here to leave your comments.

We are busy. Too busy, it seems; if I ask ten friends what their biggest challenge is, five will answer with some variation of, “I'm just too busy.”

In this episode I will share 10 specific tactics to help un-busy yourself.

Tip of the Week:

My favorite new meeting tool is Zoom.us. I like it better than Skype or GoToMeeting for the following reasons:

1. Smoother video streaming.
2. Ease of use.
3. Simple screen sharing.
4. Easy recordings.
5. Less expensive than other alternatives.

Spiritual Foundations:

Should we be working harder to be better Christians? No. All our “working” and striving will only make us feel guiltier and dirtier than before we started.

…you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Cor 1:30

Your righteousness is not measured by what you do or don't do; it is measured by what Jesus already did.

Feature Presentation: Ten Ways To Un-Busy Yourself This Week

We are too busy. We need to slow down, so we can get more meaningful work done. Here are 10 specific tactics to help un-busy yourself.

1. Start work an hour later.
2. Quit work an hour earlier.
3. Don't take any lunch meetings.
4. Work four days instead of five this week.
5. Don't take any incoming phone calls.
6. Eliminate all shopping (online and offline).
7. Stop watching TV, listening to the radio, and reading the newspaper.
8. Meditate twice a day.
9. Cancel all recurring meetings.
10. Cancel all social and volunteer activities.

Even picking a few of these ten will free up space in your mind, help you get more centered, and perhaps bring you a renewed sense of peace, power, and purpose.

Next Week: Five Destructive Habits That Will Wreck Your Life

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Question: Which un-busying practices will you adopt this week? Click here to leave your comments.

For the longest time, when asked how quickly I can turnaround a writing project, my answer has been: “I can write better than anybody who can write faster, and I can write faster than anybody who can write better.”

I recently discovered the person who originally penned that phrase: American journalist A.J. Liebling, who wrote primarily for The New Yorker. The reason I think this  quote rings true for many writers is actually a secret of the trade. Writing faster makes you a better writer.

Tip of the Week:

You know by now I'm a big fan of Scrivener. today I'd like to introduce you to the best training I've found on how to use Scrivener effectively: Learn Scrivener Fast.

Spiritual Foundations:

Is God judging us? Is his judgment the source of the scary things we hear in the news?

1. God is love. (1 John 4:8)
2. There is no fear in love. (1 John 4:18)
3. How we can “test the spirits”. (1 John 4)

Don't be deceived by ministries of fear.

Feature Presentation: Write Faster, Write Better

Here are 5 reasons why writing faster can make you a better writer.

1. You'll write more.
2. Your skill level will improve.
3. Writing fast turns off the self-editor and inner critic.
4. The 10,000 hour rule works in your favor.
5. Imperfect practice is better than perfect intentions.

What level of output are you truly capable of as a writer?

Next Week: Ten Ways To Un-Busy Yourself!

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: How fast do you write? Click here to leave your comments.

The power of momentum is hard to overestimate. A productive person is likely to remain productive, and the opposite is also true. We can intervene in our own lives.

What if there was a way to turn yourself into self-propelled productivity machine?

Tip of the Week:

This week I;m going to encourage you to “Slack”. It just might make you more productive. Try the Slack app now.

Spiritual Foundations:

Here's a question I get from readers and listeners every now and then: “If God's will is always healing, why am I still sick?”

The short answer is I don't know. There are many explanations that sound good, and yet for every one there is a scripture that seems to disprove it. Think you don't have enough faith? Then what do you do with the man who didn't even believe Jesus could help his son… and then Jesus just healed the boy, despite the father's lack of faith? Think you have sin in your life that you have to get cleaned up first? Then what about the woman who was caught in the very act of adultery, whom Jesus forgave and spared from physical death?

Then there are interesting passages like the one where Jesus prays for a blind man, and the man is not instantly healed. He reports to the Lord that he can “see men like trees,” implying that he could see a little, but imperfectly. So what did the Lord do? He prayed again! If that formula is good enough for Jesus, it's good enough for me. And I am not so arrogant as to assume I might not need to pray more than twice.

In short, this is an area of mystery. I believe we must be comfortable living with mystery. I know that God's promise is that he will heal every one of us. I also know that it seems that some of us (myself included) have not yet been healed. The danger lies in becoming bitter or angry with God, distorting or maligning his personality because he won't do what we want, or even presuming that we know what he should do and when. The danger on the other side lies in just deciding that God is not going to heal, and that contrary to his word, it must not be his will.

Here's the shocking truth: not everything that happens in this world is God's will. That may freak you out a little, but it's true, and I can prove it. The Bible says that God is not willing that any one should perish. But people perish every day. Therefore, it is clear that not everything that happens is God's will.

Since I am not able to answer this question with any authority, I return to my “short” answer: I don't have an opinion on this, and I can't be forced to express an opinion I don't possess.

Feature Presentation: Self-Propelled Productivity

You can set up your productivity routine to work just like a self-propelled mower – a lot of grass gets cut without a lot of pushing required. Here are a few suggestions to give your productivity its own momentum.

1. Wake up earlier than most people and accomplish your most difficult  or dreaded tasks before others are even awake.
2. Block out the first 3-4 hours of your day as your un-interruptible “productivity zone”.
3. Refuse all inputs until after Noon.
4. Learn your own weaknesses and “trick” yourself into succeeding (gym clothes ready for next morning, working out first thing, setting my clock intentionally fast.)
5. Find someone to kick your rear end for you. (Rick Raddatz story)

Get The Transcript

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Question: Do you use any tricks to automatically make yourself more productive? Click here to leave your comments.

If you're always plugged in to the Internet, you might just be unplugging from some of the most important relationships in your life.

Today I'll discuss 5 reasons why you might not want to take your laptop to bed.

Tip of the Week:

Simplify your writing with the new downloadable Hemingway app.

Spiritual Foundations:

“Hey Ray, are you a ‘greasy grace' guy?” The question comes to my email inbox every now and then. Here's my answer.

1. There is no such thing as “greasy grace” – there is only the Gospel, and the Gospel is grace.
2. Grace is a gift, so all your working at it won't help you. You can't ever deserve it – the word actually means “unmerited favor”.
3. The #1 accusation hurled at Paul was that he proposed too much grace, and too much freedom. If we're not accused of the same things Paul was accused of, are we preaching the same thing he preached?

Feature Presentation: Don't Take Your Laptop To Bed

Having a laptop, iPad or iPhone sure makes it easy to stay plugged in – even where we should be unplugged. Here are 5 reasons why taking your gadgets to bed with you might not be such a great idea.

1. If you're married, taking your laptop to bed with you robs your spouse of your presence and sends the signal that your gadget is more important them.
2. That softly glowing light actually interferes with your ability to sleep well, even after you turn it off.
3. The mental stimuli are also damaging  the quality of your sleep.
4. Communicating with the world and your co-workers during all hours sends the message that you have no boundaries, and they will respond accordingly.
5. You're teaching your subconscious mind that even your bedroom is not a place of rest.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: Do you take your laptop, or other connected device, to bed with you? Do you think that has a positive or negative effect on your life? Click here to leave your comments.

If you give away free content as part of a “Content Marketing” strategy, it's important to know wthat you should not give away everything. If you give away the wrong stuff, you'll never make any money.

In today's episode I you get the “5 Fatal Flaws Of Free Content” – and how to avoid them.

Tip of the Week:

The best way to manage all your passwords: Dashlane.

Spiritual Foundations:

“Does the Holy Spirit convict us of sin?” My answer may surprise you.

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”

John 16:8-11

Feature Presentation: 5 Fatal Flaws Of Free Content

Content marketing is a great tactic – as long as you don't give away the wrong stuff. Doing that will kill your hope of making any sales. Here are the 5 biggest “fatal flaws” I see people make with free content as a marketing strategy…

1. Fails to move the reader progressively toward a decision
2. Assumes too much about what the new reader already knows.
3. Gives away the thing readers are most likely to pay for.
4. Gives away all the “how to”. (Only give away the “what to”)
5. Closes all the “open loops” in the readers mind.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: What experience (good or bad) have you had with giving away free content as a marketing strategy? Click here to leave your comments.

Have you ever known anyone who just never seems to get what they want in life? They make lots of plans but things never seen to pan out well? I believe there are 5 requirements for getting successful outcomes in any area.

In today's episode I will share the 5 Requirements, and explain how you can put them to work starting today.

Announcements:

• Thanks for the 5-star reviews on iTunes from Brian Knight of SuccessForNurses.com, and Cheri Fields at CreationScience4kids.com,  If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes.
• I'm speaking at the Platform Conference in November. Register using this link, and as you check out enter the promo code RAY to save $100 on your ticket.

Tip of the Week:

Ever wish you had a better way to stand your iPad or iPhone upright? Try the Stump at StumpStore.com.

Spiritual Foundations:

What is the Kingdom, and how do we know we're in it?

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 14:17

We are instructed to seek first the Kingdom of God every day (Matthew 6:33). But what is the Kingdom of God? Is it good works? Being sinless? Bible reading?

In Romans 14:17 Paul writes that the Kingdom of God isn't something outside you flowing in — “the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking”. It's something inside you flowing out — “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”.

So how do we experience this practically? How do we “seek first God’s kingdom”?

We must be flowing with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Righteousness is not something you can work for, because it's not based on what you do. This righteousness is actually His righteousness, and it is a gift. (Romans 5:17; 1 Corinthians 1:30) We need to be grounded in the truth that you are the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

The debt for your sin has been paid, so God says He has cleansed our conscience. We have peace with God and we also have the peace of God.

So where does the joy come from? The same place it came from for the disciples. They were filled with joy when they saw Jesus, His hands and His side. (John 20:20)

So here's what to do:  every day, practice seeing yourself righteous in Christ. This means don't be conscious of your sins – but rather be conscious of your righteousness.

You may be listening to worship music, or to preaching or teaching, but whatever you are feeding yourself on should help you see Jesus, with His pierced hands and side, the same evidence of his finished work that gave the disciples joy. See all your sins forgiven, and you will experience peace and joy. This is exactly how to seek the kingdom of God!

Feature Presentation: The 5 Requirements For Success In Anything

1. Clarity
2. Confidence
3. Character
4. Consistency
5. Commitment

Get The Transcript

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Question: How have these 5 Requirements helped you to succeed – or how has their absence caused less than ideal results? Click here to leave your comments.

So what books have you read that changed you? This show is about my list of some of the life-changing books I have read.

Some of them may surprise you.

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes.
• I'm speaking at the Platform Conference in November. Register using this link, and as you check out enter the promo code RAY to save $100 on your ticket.

Tip of the Week:

I discovered a neat little device that easily lets you clip you iPhone to the AC vent in your car. Surprisingly simple. It's the Kenu Airframe – Portable Smartphone Car Mount.

Spiritual Foundations:

How many times have you tried to lose weight, or quit smoking, or change some bad habit? Did you use willpower? How did that work out?

Most will end up going overboard and binging on food cigarettes, sex, or whatever their “bad habit” was. Often you end up worse off that you were to start with. The reason is: you tried to do it on your own. God's promise is that he works in you both to do and will for his good pleasure.

Repeat after me: “God, I can't do this, but you can!”Feature Segment: How to Write Emails That Get Response

Feature Presentation: The Secret Book List That Changed My Life

“You will be the same person in five years as you are today except for the people you meet and the books you read.”
Charlie “Tremendous” Jones

1. Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola
2. Destined to Reign by Joseph Prince
3. Unmerited Favor by Joseph Prince
4. Business For The Glory Of God by Wayne Grudem
5. 80/20 Sales and Marketing by Perry Marshall
6. The Alchemist Paulo Coelho
7. The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
8. The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren
9. Do the Work by Steven Pressfield
10. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
11. Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield
12. Platform by Michael Hyatt
13. Accidental Genius: Using Wiring to Generate Your Best Ideas, Insight, and Content by Mark Levy
14. Secrets of Dynamic Communications: Prepare With Focus, Deliver with Clarity, Speak with Power by Ken Davis
15. The Stormlight Chronicles by Brandon Sanderson (Way of Kings, Words of Radiance)
16. The Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher
17. The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss (The Name of the Wind, The Wise Man's Fear)

Get The Transcript

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Question: So how about you? What books are on your list? Click here to leave your comments.

I hear this complaint a lot: “People don’t respond to emails anymore. It’s like they don’t read them, or don’t have enough courtesy to write back.” Usually the person doing the complaining will then expand on how Western society is crumbling around our ears.

Rather than spend our time complaining about how inconsiderate people have become, I suggest learning how to write emails that demand a response.

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes.
• I'm speaking at the Platform Conference in November. Register using this link, and as you check out enter the promo code RAY to save $100 on your ticket.

Tip of the Week:

Use the Parcel App to track your packages. This is a handy little app that lets you track all your packages on your iPad or iPhone, without having to log into a website.

Spiritual Foundations:

Don't let “Christian Stress” trip you up.

Feature Segment: How to Write Emails That Get Response

There are really two challenges here: first, to make sure people read your emails. Second, to make sure they answer your email while the message is still fresh. Here are five keys to doing both:

1. Make your subject line attention-getting. The subject line of your email should be riveting, like a newspaper headline. The subject line’s job is to get the recipient to read the actual email. One way to do this is simply make your request in the subject line itself: “Can you come to dinner with me Thursday night at 7 PM?” Or, for example, “Do you have a copy of Michael’s PowerPoint slides?”
2. Clearly ask for what you want. Don’t write a vague, rambling narrative, and then expect the recipient to figure out what you want. Get right to the point, and make your request clear: ask them to “deliver the report before 5 PM”… or to “bring the extra projector to the meeting room”… whatever it is you need, clearly make the request in the email itself.
3. Let them know if you even require a response. If you need a response to your email, say so, and make it clear what the response should be. If you don’t need a response, you can simply in the email with, “no response required.”
4. Keep your email short. Nobody is excited to see a novella show up in their inbox. Keep your email shorter than a page. Most email communications can be conveyed in five sentences or less. In fact, you might want to give this service a try.
5. Only one subject per email. You’ll get a quicker response to your email messages if you only address one subject in each email. This makes it much easier for the recipient to get you the information or answers  you need. Your response won’t be held up by the recipient, as she tries to find an answer to just one of the seven questions you asked.

What To Do Now

1. Grab the Parcel App to track your packages.
2. Use the above tips to write an email that gets a response!
3. Forgo the “Christian Stress” in your life.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: How did you get better response to your emails? Click here to leave your comments.

Last week we focused on writing powerful, persuasive copy. This week I'm bringing you an interview with a leader in the direct response marketing world – and the guy who has hired almost all the great living direct response copywriters.

This is a rare interview with Brian Kurtz of Boardroom, Inc.

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes.
• I'm speaking at the Platform Conference in November. Register using this link, and as you check out enter the promo code RAY to save $100 on your ticket.

Feature Segment: Interview With Brian Kurtz

What To Do Now

Claim your $2,500 bonus (1 hour of consultation with yours truly) by doing the following:

1. Register for the Titans of Direct Response Marketing using this link.
2. After you have registered, send a copy of your receipt to my support team here.
3. We'll get on the phone and arrange your consultation.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: Have you ever hired a great copywriter, or used the power of copy to sell your products or services? Click here to leave your comments.

One of the most important skills you can develop is the skill of writing persuasive copy. Copy that sells products and services.

There is a formula for writing such copy, and in today's episode, I will share it. You can start using it today..

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. A big thanks to Camilla-NoMoreHamsterWheel, and DayneDad,  for giving us a review on iTunes in the last last week.
• I'm speaking at the Platform Conference in November. Register using this link, and as you check out enter the promo code RAY to save $100 on your ticket.

Tip Of The Week 

Split-test your life. In direct response marketing, we  test different elements of our marketing, honing on on the most effective variation. This process allows you to be constantly improve the outcomes you are achieving. It occurred to me that I could do the same in my personal life. Here are some routines and habits I am split testing in my own life:

• Doing my quiet time/”hour of power” each morning first vs. doing my most important work task first each morning.
• Exercising in the early morning hours vs. exercising in the afternoons.
• Recording my podcasts weekly vs. recording them 6 weeks in advance
• Caffeine intake vs. no caffeine intake.
• Naps each day vs. no  naps each day.

The possibilities are endless. What can you split test in your personal life?

Spiritual Foundations

If you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, overworked, and anxious – there is rest and peace for you. The Lord wants you to enter into His rest. Now, in the Kingom, everything is upside down. He who wants to be lifted up must bow down, those who want to rule must serve. and those would wish to be first must be last.

To achieve God's rest does not mean that we are inactive. It means we understand that while we may labor with God, the outcome is up to Him, not to us.

It is in vain that you rise up early
    and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
    for he gives to his beloved sleep.

Psalm 127:2

So go ahead, and do what needs to be done – but rest. And when you have done all you can do, then stand. Leave the outcome to God.

Feature Segment: How to Write Web Copy That Sells

Here is the formula for writing web copy that sells your products and services.

• First: why it's necessary.
• People don't take any action initially.
• They don't know you, like you, or trust you.

Copy fills in the gap.

Why it's so long.

We need to answer all the objections ahead of time.

Better for us to raise and answer all the questions first.

It's time for a new paradigm.

To Sell More, P.A.S.T.O.R. Your Customers

A Five-Part Framework For Better Sales Copy

If you want to sell more of your products and services, or even simply sell more people on your ideas, you must learn the basics of the art of copywriting. But what is copywriting, really? One of my favorite definitions was given by a man named John E. Kennedy, back in 1904. Kennedy defined advertising (and copywriting) as: “salesmanship in print.”

If you can write effective sales copy, you can literally write your own paycheck. There really should be no such thing as a “broke copywriter”. By definition, good copywriters can create money out of thin air. So why does copy so often fail?

Copywriting Fails When You Ignore Universal Principles

There are universal psychological triggers that help you sell more effectively. The problem is, the field of copywriting is strewn with misleading, manipulative, and even in some cases malicious techniques.

You can hardly “swing a cat” without hitting a copywriter who has a “formula” for writing copy. Most of these formulas are actually quite good.  Many however, are based on tricks of manipulation and psychology that are more than a bit morally wonky.

The framework I’m going to share with you today, though, is intentionally based on universal principles that are focused on doing good, and helping people make decisions that are in their own best interest.

To Sell More, P.A.S.T.O.R. Your Customers

Most people associate the term “pastor” with the preacher at church. While this is certainly true in most cases, the original meaning of the word “pastor” was actually “to shepherd”. And what does the shepherd do? He or she cares for, feeds, and protects the flock.

Now, before we go any further, I should address the habit that some marketers have of referring to their customers as their “herd”. It seems to paint an unflattering picture. This kind of imagery is not what I am invoking here. The actual role of a shepherd is a loving, caring, and protective one. In fact, Jesus, who called himself the “good Shepherd”, actually laid down his life for his flock.

I am not suggesting any religious overtones for your copy: what I am suggesting is that you adopt the same loving, caring, and protective role as you write copy for your prospects and customers.

And, as you might’ve guessed, P.A.S.T.O.R. is also an acronym for the major sections of your copy. Here is the explanation:

“P” is for PROBLEM

You must begin by identifying  the problem that you are solving. The simplest, most effective way to do this is to describe the problem in great detail. It’s a psychological principle: the more accurately you can describe your reader’s problem in terms they relate to, the more they instinctively feel that you must have an answer to that problem. Use the reader’s own language, the very words and phrases they use to describe the problem they want to solve.

For instance, if you are writing about fitness and weight loss, you might begin by describing their current situation this way: “You've tried every fad diet that’s come along. You’ve started and stopped a dozen different exercise programs, perhaps joined several different gyms, but the truth is you just can’t seem to take the weight off (or keep it off.) Perhaps you’re even feeling a little disgusted with yourself and your inability to control your eating and your weight. You feel like no matter what you try, it’s not going to work.”

Remember, you’re not judging their behavior, rather you are describing their experience as it currently is. This means you have to understand their experience as it currently is. You have to know your audience and what they are thinking. As the great copywriting legend Robert Collier said, you have to “join the conversation that is already taking place in the reader’s mind.”

“A” is for AMPLIFY

The next step is to amplify the consequences of not solving the problem. This is really the key to making sales, and it is probably the most neglected step in the process. What will motivate people to buy your product, invest in your service, or accept your idea is usually not the beautiful outcome framed in a positive light. It is rather, realizing the cost of not attaining that outcome. In other words: what is it costing them to not solve this problem?

When I’m writing copy about a business improvement program, for instance, I may have the reader walk through a simple exercise like this: 

“Write down your average monthly income over the last 12 months. Then write down what you want your average monthly income to be. Let’s say that your average income is $5000 per month, and your goal is actually to make $15,000 per month in your business. That means the “gap” between where you are and where you want to be is $10,000 per month. You’re paying a cost of $10,000 every month you don’t solve this problem.”

“S” is for STORY and SOLUTION

 Once you have described the problem, and amplified the consequences of not solving it, it’s time to share the story of how the problem can be solved. This will be different depending on your situation. It might be the story of how you yourself finally solved this persistent problem.

It might be the story of how you helped a client or customer discover the solution on their own.

It does need to be more than simply a description of what the solution is: telling the story of Bob, the frustrated business owner who was on the edge of bankruptcy, whose family had lost faith in him, and who, out of desperation tried one last idea that saved his business… is infinitely more powerful than simply saying, “One day, Bob figured out the answer.”

It should go without saying, but I will say it just in case: the story must absolutely be true. Don’t make these things up. And if you’re thinking, “But what if there is no story?” I would suggest you just haven’t looked closely enough. There is always a story to tell.

“T” is for TRANSFORMATION and TESTIMONY

The next key step in writing your copy is to remember that whatever you’re selling, whether it’s a home study program, a book, a seminar, your consulting services… anything at all… what people are buying is not the “stuff”, it’s the transformation.

When people buy the P90X workout program, they did not wake up one morning and say to themselves, “I sure hope today somebody tries to sell me a bunch of DVDs and a wall chart.” 

Those things (the DVD’s, charts, etc) are the “stuff”.

What buyers of P90X are actually purchasing is that lean, healthy, youthful physique they want for themselves. The transformation.

It’s also important that you offer testimony, real-life stories of people who have made the transformation that you are teaching, and who have done so successfully. Study the most successful infomercials, and you'll discover that they consist of about 70% testimonials.

And while most of us will not be writing infomercials, it’s important to remember there are three questions people are asking when you sell them coaching, consulting, or instruction about anything. The questions are:

Has this person been able to do what they are describing for themselves?

Has this person been able to teach other people to achieve the results they are describing?

Will this person be able to teach me how to achieve these results?

“O” is for OFFER

So far, you have defined the problem, clarified the cost of not solving it, told the story of the solution, and helped your reader visualize the transformation through testimonials from others just like themselves. Now is the time to describe exactly what you are offering for sale.

This is the section of your copy where you lay out your offer. You can even create a subheading for the section called something clever like, “Here’s Exactly What You Get”.

Make certain that you focus 80% of your copy on the transformation itself. You do have to talk about the deliverables (the class schedule, the DVDs, etc.), but that should only occupy about 20% of your copy in this section. Just remember that as you describe the deliverables in the offer section, you must keep tying them back to the transformation and benefits your buyers will receive. 

So instead of simply writing that the buyer will receive “8 DVDs, each containing a 45 minute workout session”, you might instead write that they will receive “8 DVDs that each contain a body-sculpting, fat-burning transformational work out that will help you craft the lean muscle you really want.”

“R” is for RESPONSE

This is one of the areas where copy tends to often be the weakest: the response request. We are asking the customer to buy. At this point, you should not be shy about making this request. You should tell the customer exactly what to do in order to get your program, your consulting, your book, etc. You should remind them why it’s important o do so.

I often write copy similar to this: “You're at the point of decision. You can either continue down the path of least resistance, the path you have already been traveling, or you can choose the road less traveled. The path of least resistance will probably result in you getting the same outcomes you’ve always received. But if you want something different to happen, if you want to change the direction of your health (or your relationships, or your finances, etc.) you’re going to have to do something different. Make a new choice, and pursue your new outcome.”

And then I will write very specific, directive copy telling them exactly what to do next: “Click the button below, fill out the order form, and we will immediately ship your entire package to you. It will contain everything you need to get started.”

Some people shy away from strong language like this, but the fact is, if you truly believe that you have a solution that will solve a problem for people, why on earth would you not be as direct as possible in telling them how to get that solution? In fact, aren’t you doing them a disservice by not making the strongest case possible?

My suggestion is that you use this framework to write or rewrite your sales copy. The key to making this approach to writing sales copy successful is the having the mindset of being a “pastor”.

If you apply the principles of being a shepherd to your readers, and you follow the sequence of the P.A.S.T.O.R formula, my prediction is you will experience more sales, more profits, and more happy customers… more often. 

What To Do Now

Steps you can take to put this week's episode content to work for you:

1. Split-test elements of your daily life and habits.
2. Sign up for the free webinar training on how to write a book in 30 days or less.
3. Run your sales copy through the P.A.S.T.O.R. framework.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: What one action will you take from today's podcast that will move you toward the success you seek? Click here to leave your comments.

Most small businesses will fail. According to StatisticBrain.com, 25% of businesses will fail in year one, by year five the failure rate is 55%, by year ten it's 71%. Why does this happen? There are many explanations being offered, from industry changes to economic environment.

My strong belief is that most of these so-called reasons are excuses. And when we get right down to the real reasons most businesses fail, it turns out the top 10 reasons are all within your control. In this episode I will explain what the 10 true reasons are, and how to control them and increase your odds of success.

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. A big thanks to Phil Conrad, Chris Michalowski, Kent Julian, for giving us a review on iTunes in the last last week.
• I'm speaking at the Platform Conference in November. Register using this link, and as you check out enter the promo code RAY to save $100 on your ticket.

Tip Of The Week 

Did  you ever sit squirming in the movie theater, because you needed to run to the restroom but didn't want to miss an important scene?

Now there's an app to help you out. It's called RunPee! RunPee lets you call up the movie you're watching and the app will tell you when is a good time to go to the restroom, how long you have, and even tell you what happens while you're gone.

It has silent alarms you can set up, letting you know when it's safe to go to the bathroom, so you don't have to take out your phone in the dark theater.

The best part is… it's free!

Click here to get the RunPee app.

Spiritual Foundations

Following Jesus can be confusing sometimes. First of all, Jesus himself said some of the most puzzling things. And now, 2,000 years after he rose from the dead, there are many conflicting opinions about what he said and did.

How do you know who is telling the truth? Who really represents the Spirit of god, and who is a false teacher or false prophet? I think there are 5 distinguishing characteristics that should be warning signals of false teachers or doctrines. (For further reading, see 1 John.)

1. Claims to be the “one true way”.
2. Promotes an “us against them” mindset.
3. Sets up one person as the “ultimate authority” who must be blindly obeyed.
4. Over-emphasizes one doctrine or scripture in a weird way.
5. Uses fear and manipulation to control followers.

Remember what Jesus himself said: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

Feature Segment: The 10 True Real Reasons Your Business Will Probably Fail

Most businesses do not close because of competition, the economy, regulation, or any of the other excuses businesses owners use to explain their failure. Most businesses that fail do so because of preventable mistakes on the part of the business owner. The most common reasons are:

1. Mediocre product, customer service.
2. No employee training system.
3. No marketing system.
4. No investment in business/staff improvement.
5. No clear objectives.
6. No testing and tracking.
7. Inefficiency.
8. Laziness.
9. No advisors.
10. No cash.

In the audio, I explore each of these in depth, and provide solutions to each of these problems.

What To Do Now

Steps you can take to put this week's episode content to work for you:

1. Get your business or web site promoted on my show by givings us a review in iTunes!
2. Review the list of the 10 reasons businesses fail and ask yourself: could I improve in any of these areas?
3. Do what it takes to correct any of the mistakes you or your company might be making right now.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: What action will you take this week to strengthen your own business? Click here to leave your comments.

“How do I really start my own online business?” This is a question I hear pretty often. Recently I found myself saying, “Well, it's pretty simple. You just need to…” and then I heard myself spewing out a long list of stuff that was anything but simple.

Clearly I needed a simpler, more cohesive answer to this question. That's what this episode is all about.

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. A big thanks to Ben Wally and Matt McWilliams for giving us a review on iTunes last week.
• I'm speaking at the Platform Conference in November. Register using this link, and as you check out enter the promo code RAY to save $100 on your ticket.

Tip Of The Week 

This week I'm recommending another book, Ryan Holiday's The Obstacle Is The Way. 

In life we are often frustrated by the obstacles we face. Throughout history, there has been a different way of viewing obstacles. A way that was familiar to John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs. A belief that the obstacle is not in the way, but that it is the way.

The philosophy behind this belief was articulated by the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, who struggled to define the way of excellence in any circumstance. In this book, Holiday spells out in simple language that very philosophy.

“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” — Marcus Aurelius

Spiritual Foundations

What do you trust God with? Over the last few weeks, my life has been deeply impacted by an insight I received from my wife Lynn. In this section of the show, I explain the insight and how to put it to work in your own life.

Feature Segment: How To Really Build An Online Business

1. The Right Mindset. This is the crucial foundation you must build on if you want a sustainable business.
2. Something To Say Or Sell (Book & Speech). You must find your own Unique Wisdom Message, and distill that into a Signature Book, Signature Speech, and Signature Product Line.
3. “Platform” Website. These days we don't wait to be invited to the platform, we build our own.
4. Email List. Your most important asset is your email list, and the relationship you cultivate with those people.
5. Social Media System. It's crucial to find a way to market with Social Media without allowing it to consume your time.
6. Content. The currency of marketplace preeminence is the creation and distribution of valuable content that solves a problem people actually have.
7. Traffic. A store with no people in the door is a store that soon will be no more.
8. Conversion. You must convert browsers into buyers if you want to produce profits.
9. Cash Register. The simple but vital matter of how you will be paid.

In the audio, I explore each of these in depth, and provide the actual resources I use and recommend for each part of the system.

Here are links to the products and services I mentioned in this episode.

Content Creation and Other Training

• Rapid Writing System. Our training program that teaches you how to write and publish your book in 30 days or less.
• How to Profit From What You Already Know. Our comprehensive course on building a business based on your knowledge, experience, and wisdom.
• 3-Day Live Intensive. Our 3-day seminar where I share the very latest tactics and tool that are working right now, today.
• Dreamstorm Workshop. Currently our most exclusive training, where I personally help you discover your Unique Wisdom Message, and turn that into a book, speech, and integrated product suite. (Limited seats available for the July 8-10 event, click here to apply. Acceptance not guaranteed.)
• Platform. The book by Michael Hyatt that is a must-read.
• Platform University. A highly recommended membership community.

Website Building

• WordPress. Framework for building your web site. Just use it.
• Bluehost. This is our recommended hosting company.
• Get Noticed! Theme. The WordPress theme I currently use and recommend.
• Studiopress. Very reliable, highly recommended themes for WordPress.

Email Marketing

• Aweber. Email marketing software service.
• Mailchimp. Email marketing software service, free for the first 2,000 subscribers.
• InfusionSoft. Handles your email marketing, customer relationship management, and commerce (shopping cart).

Conversion and Cash Register

• Rapid Copywriting. Our course that teaches how to write sales copy fast & easy, including templates.
• Writing Riches. My book about sales copy.
• Wishlist. Plugin that turns your WordPress site into a members download area, or full-fledged membership site.
• LeadPages. Easy software for making landing pages of all kinds.
• Paypal. Take payments online.
• PowerPay. Accept credit cards directly on your site.

Other Recommended Sites

• Michael Hyatt
• Amy Porterfield
• Cliff Ravenscraft
• Stu McLaren

What To Do Now

Here are some steps you can take to put this week's episode content to work for you:

1. Review my 9-item checklist for building your online business and determine what you're still missing.
2. Decide what the next logical step is you can take to fill in your first gap – and take that action immediately.
3. Schedule the remaining actions over the next 90 days.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: What part of the system do you still need to fill in to make your business complete? Click here to leave your comments.

Have you ever noticed that over the years, you tend to do pretty much the same things? What I mean is, if you’re a reader you remain one, if you’re a writer you tend to write, if you’re a procrastinator you tend to keep procrastinating, and so forth. The key to being productive, profitable, and happy is not in changing your nature. It's in learning to turn your nature to your advantage.

In this week's episode, I'll share some ideas on how to do just that.

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. A big thanks to Brian Holmes, Nick Alexander, Tim, Rick Stevens, and John Stolpe  for giving us a review on iTunes this week.

Tip Of The Week 

Essentialism by Greg McKeown. This book is a great clarifying breath of fresh air. In an age where we are continually sold the idea that more is better, McKeown recommends “the disciplined pursuit of less.” From the book:

The Way of the Essentialist isn’t about getting more done in less time. It’s about getting only the right things done.  It is not  a time management strategy, or a productivity technique. It is a systematic discipline for discerning what is absolutely essential, then eliminating everything that is not, so we can make the highest possible contribution towards the things that really matter.  

By forcing us to apply a more selective criteria for what is Essential, the disciplined pursuit of less empowers us to reclaim control of our own choices about where to spend our precious time and energy – instead of giving others the implicit permission to choose for us.

Essentialism is not one more thing – it’s a whole new way of doing everything. It’s about doing less, but better, in every area of our lives. “

Spiritual Foundations

There should be no such thing as a Christian who is perpetually unhappy.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:17

For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:17

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21

Feature Segment: How To Be Productive, Profitable, and Happy

I think one of the real tricks of success is to simply recognize these things you tend to do, and then find ways to make these tendencies support your success. In fact, I think most people are miserable because they fail to do just that. Instead of working with their tendencies in order to succeed (almost effortlessly), they identify their tendencies as the problem and vow to change.

That, my friend, is called swimming against the river. And while you may get credit for working your tail off while doing it, you’re not going to make much progress relative to the shoreline.

Case in point: for the longest time I was worried about my information “addiction”.

Just this morning, I read an entire business book. Read part of a novel. Checked out a few hundred new items in Feedly.  And later I will sort through some 200 emails waiting for me.

I have dozens of PDFs in my “To Read” folder on my Macbook Air. I have dozens more videos and audios to go through in my “To Listen” and “To Watch” folders.

And once upon a time I thought something was wrong with me because of this kind of behavior. So I struggled against it. I read books about it. I read articles about it. I listened to self-help material about it. Is anyone other than me seeing the irony yet?

One day I stumbled across an article by Dan Kennedy in which he detailed his working habits… and I was shocked to discover they were nearly identical to mine (at least when it came to info-consumption)! And Dan saw it not as a weakness to be changed… but rather as a strength to be nurtured.

That was life-changing for me.

It gave me a way to stop struggling against my natural tendencies, and to embrace the way God made me. That tendency to process large quantities of unrelated information allows me to form connections between ideas, concepts, and methods that I would not possess if I limited my information intake. So now I structure my work and my routine in such a way that my behavior in this regard in strengthened, reinforced, and nurtured — and then put to profitable use in my writing.

I look for ways to channel that stream of information so that it’s not wasted.

So what does this all mean to you?

In my experience, it means that if you find yourself fighting the same old battles (chronic lateness, procrastination, forgetfullness), you’ve probably unwittingly been holding yourself back by resisting your own gifts.

If you have trouble with authority, why work in a job when it’s clear you’d be happier as an entrepreneur?

If you are always late for appointments — why not just stop making appointments (Arnold Shwarzenneger reportedly refuses to make appointments with anyone, and he seems to be doing okay running the state of California).

And if you have tendencies that are frowned upon by others — for instance, sleeping during the day and staying up all night — why not look for a way to turn the tendency into an asset (for instance, by working via Internet with clients or companies in a different time zone… where suddenly YOU are the early riser!)?

Just because certain tendencies, behaviors and attitudes are not “acceptable” in one context does not mean those qualities are “bad”. It simply means — at least in my experience — you need to find a different context! And that decision — how you live your life — is (for most of us) entirely a choice.

(And to ward off the inevitable objections to my premise: yes, I recognize that there are behaviors and “tendencies” that are illegal, immoral, and unethical. That’s not what we’re talking about here, okay? Anything that falls into those three categories should be jettisoned from your life. ‘Nuff said on that.)

Now take a moment to think about this…

In what ways could your “limiting tendencies” become strengths?

How could your re-arrange your life to make it so?

If you can find positive, proactive ways to answer those questions, you just might find yourself more productive, profitable, and happy.

What To Do Now

Here are some steps you can take to put this week's episode content to work for you:

1. Get the book, Essentialism.
2. Journal some ideas on what parts of your nature you have sought to suppress that might actually be a strength,.
3. Brainstorm some ideas on how you might channel your natural tendencies in a way that is more beneficial, and hat might even be an asset..

Get The Transcript

The transcript for this show will be available soon. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed. Question: What natural tendency do you have that some view as a weakness or liability, but you have turned into a strength or asset? Click here to leave your comments.

There's a saying: “The customer is always right.” But what about customers who are abusive, dishonest, and bullying? Are they always right? I think not. And you must protect yourself and your staff from these bullies.

In this week's episode, I share 7 tips for handling abusive or “problem” customers.

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. A big thanks to Dr. Brad Miller, jself93, Chris Pilon, Roger Carr, Astanc, Clean Colleen, and Chef52,  for giving us a review on iTunes this week.
• We're holding a contest this month. FIRST… everyone who gives us a review in iTunes will get a FREE copy of two of my books – MoneyWords and Just Get Started! Then, out of all the entries, we will draw one winner at random of our $797 training we just completed called, “How to Profit From What You Already Know”. To enter, you need to (1) subscribe to the podcast in iTunes and (2) give us an honest rating. Be sure you either put your website URL in your review, so we can contact you… or email us AFTER you have published your rating. That way if we draw your name we can contact you and let you know you won. You can also enter by leaving us a voicemail (at the bottom of this post, or click here.) We will have the drawing on June 15th.

Tip Of The Week 

I really like a habit tracking app called Habit List. From their website: “Habit List includes everything you need to reach your goals, wrapped in a beautiful and intuitive interface. It motivates you, helps you stay focused, and keeps you on track. It’s for all the little things that make a big difference.” I like that you can track streaks, be reminded what is due today, and track your trends.

Spiritual Foundations

Our job as Christians is not to hide out in the church building – it's to launch out into the world.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Feature Segment: How To Deal With Abusive Customers

Sometimes customers are dishonest, abusive, and even psychopathic bullies. You need to protect yourself and your staff from these people. Here are 7 tips for dealing with abusive customers.

1. Have clear policies in place regarding the most common questions your customers may have.
2. Establish a procedure for processing feedback.
3. Respond quickly and decisively.
4. Identify bullies quickly, and disengage politely and quickly.
5. Know when to fire a customer, and do it sooner rather than later.
6. Realize that sometimes the relationship is just not right, and end it.
7. Never engage in a public debate with a customer.

By the way, not all customer complaints are bullying or abusive. Most complaints are poorly communicated requests. When you make a mistake, admit it and correct it immediately.

As hard as it may be, don't let the crazy antics of a few troublemakers distort your perception of your customers, or yourself. If you get 99% positive feedback, and 1% irrational criticism, recognize that the problem is likely not on your end.

What To Do Now

Here are some steps you can take to put this week's episode content to work for you:

1. Ask yourself how, as a follower of Christ, you can exert more influence for his Kingdom in your so-called ordinary life.
2. Review the list of actions for dealing with abusive customers, and start putting this into place immediately.
3. Review your customer records and ask yourself if there are a few stinkers you need to get rid of.

Get The Transcript

Get the transcript for this show by clicking here. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: Have you ever had to deal with a “crazy customer”? How did you handle it? (NO NAMES, PLEASE!) Click here to leave your comments.

There is one online business teacher whose students have created over half a BILLION dollars in sales, using his methods. He also happens to be one of the most graceful people I know. Now, he has written a book that distills down the core elements of his training, and it's just been released.

In this week's episode, I spend some time talking with my friend Jeff Walker about his new book, Launch (as of this writing, if you click here you can get the book for free… no joke.)

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. A big thanks to Barak Strickland, Jself93, WaterForShepherds, Nathan Hale, Darin Sargent, Sponz, and lahokie,  for giving us a review on iTunes this week.
• We're holding a contest this month. FIRST… everyone who gives us a review in iTunes will get a FREE copy of two of my books – MoneyWords and Just Get Started! Then, out of all the entries, we will draw one winner at random of our $797 training we just completed called, “How to Profit From What You Already Know”. To enter, you need to (1) subscribe to the podcast in iTunes and (2) give us an honest rating. Be sure you either put your website URL in your review, so we can contact you… or email us AFTER you have published your rating. That way if we draw your name we can contact you and let you know you won. You can also enter by leaving us a voicemail (at the bottom of this post, or click here.) We will have the drawing on June 15th.

Tip Of The Week 

I just got a new strap for my Nikon D5200 camera. It's actually a sling, called the BlackRapid RS-5.

It attaches to the bottom of the camera, by screwing into the tripod mount. This makes for an easier way to carry the camera. I really like this strap so far, for the following reasons:

• Fits over the shoulder, instead of looped around the back of your neck. This makes it more secure.
• It's easier on my back and shoulders.
• It helps me protect the lens from being accidentally banged into something.
• The camera is ready to shoot in a split second.

Spiritual Foundations

Last year I was at a healing conference in Redding, California. Ironically I was in extraordinary levels of back pain. At one point in the conference, people began praying for one another, and I admitted to those around me I was in a great deal of pain. As they spoke God's word over my back, specifically “by His strips we are healed”, my back pain miraculously dranied away. I was healed!

A couple of years before that a friend of mine called to tell me goodbye. He had cancer and his doctor told him to say his goodbyes! I spoke God's grace and healing word over that situation, as did many others. My friend's cancer was healed!

When you speak God's word over your life and your situation, the entire universe bends to bring it about.

So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11

If the words you confess are God's words – and you confess them in faith – God will move to bring His word to pass! Sometimes we even forget words we confesses in faith long ago. But God does not forget!

Feature Segment:  Jeff Walker, Product Launch Formula, And A Life Of Grace

This week's show is an interview with Jeff Walker, author of the new book, Launch.

Resources mentioned in the interview with Jeff:

RelaxMelodies.com

The Alchemist, by Paolo Coehlo

Launch, by Jeff Walker

What To Do Now

Here are some steps you can take to put this week's episode content to work for you:

1. Click here to request your copy of Jeff Walker's new book, Launch, for free..
2. Rate and review the show on iTunes to have a chance at winning our $797 training for free.

Get The Transcript

Click here to get the transcript of this show. Transcripts provided by SuccessTranscripts – a great solution if you need your podcast, sermon, speech, or other audio transcribed.

Question: What do you most want to know about launching a business online? Click here to leave your comments.

When I was 14 years old, I was inspired to get into radio because I loved listening to “American Top 40”. It was a countdown show of the 40 most popular songs on the radio each week, hosted by Casey Casum. This week, I'm sharing the top 40 podcasts I listen to, with a little explanation of why you might want to check them out.

I will also identify the podcasts I absolutely do not miss, ever. And I'll share the 3 very popular podcasts I instantly did NOT like. Plus, here are some additional reasons to keep listening…

• How to get Jeff Walker's new book, Launch, for free!
• An interview with Strategic Living Podcast host Brian Holmes.
• Contest where you can win our recent $797 training for FREE…

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. A big thanks to Christopher Reid and Jeff Payne for giving us a review on iTunes this week.
• We're holding a contest this month. Out of all the entries, we will draw one winner at random of our $797 training we just completed called, “How to Profit From What You Already Know”. To enter, you need to (1) subscribe to the podcast in iTunes and (2) give us an honest rating. Be sure you either put your website URL in your review, so we can contact you… or email us AFTER you have published your rating. That way if we draw your name we can contact you and let you know you won. You can also enter by leaving us a voicemail (at the bottom of this post, or click here.) We will have the drawing on June 15th.

Tip Of The Week 

You can get Jeff Walker's new book, Launch, for free right now. This is a limited time offer, as he is… er… LAUNCHING his book! You get some very valuable bonus materials just for requesting a free copy. You do have to pay the shipping fee (it's less than $7.) Click here to get Jeff Walker's book for free.

Spiritual Foundations

This week's Spiritual Foundations segment is an interview with Brian Holmes, the host of the Strategic Living Podcast.

Feature Segment:  Ray Edwards' Top 40 Podcast Countdown

These are my Top 20 Podcasts. This list is entirely subjective, and it will undoubtedly change. Every week I am trying out new podcasts, so every week a few may drop off this list and a few new ones may rise up. But the top 5-7 have remained remarkably stable, with one notable exception.

1. This Is Your Life by Michael Hyatt.
2. Podcast Answerman by Cliff Ravenscraft.
3. 48 Days by Dan Miller.
4. Smart Passive Income by Pat Flynn.
5. The Portfolio Life with Jeff Goins.
6. Online Marketing Made Easy by Amy Porterfield.
7. Converge by Dane Sanders.
8. Christ Is All by Frank Viola.
9. The Charged Life by Brendon Burchard.
10. Beyond The To Do List by Erik Fisher.
11. The Tim Ferriss Show by Tim Ferriss.
12. The Joseph Prince Podcast
13. Bethel Sermon of the Week
14. Social Media Marketing Podcast by Michael Stelzner
15. Social Triggers Insider with Derek Halpern
16. The Lede by Copyblogger Media
17. Internet Business Mastery with Jeremy Frandsen and Jason Van Orden
18. Rise to the Top with David Siteman Garland
19. Mixergy with Andrew Warner
20. Lighten Up! with Ken Davis
21. The Fizzle Show with Corbett Barr, Chase Reeves, and Caleb Wojcik
22. Ask Pat with Pat Flynn
23. Read to Lead Podcast by Jeff Brown
24. The Robert Plank Show by Robert Plank.
25. Radiolab from WNYC.
26. This Week In Tech by Leo Laporte.
27. The Tech Guy by Leo Laporte.
28. The Strategic Living Podcast with Brian Holmes.
29. Eventual Millionaire by Jaime Tardy.
30. The God Journey by Wayne Jacobsen
31. Entrepreneur On Fire by John Lee Dumas
32. The Joel Comm Show by Joel Comm
33. Starve the Doubts by Jared Easley.
34. The Audacity to Podcast byDaniel J Lewis
35. The Dave Ramsey Show.
36. 99% Invisible by Roman Mars.
37. TED Radio Hour.
38. The 5AM Miracle Podcast by Jeff Sanders.
39. Conversion Cast by LeadPages.net
40. New Rainmaker by Brian Clark

The 10 Podcasts I Never Miss

1. This Is Your Life by Michael Hyatt.
2. Podcast Answerman by Cliff Ravenscraft.
3. 48 Days by Dan Miller.
4. Smart Passive Income by Pat Flynn.
5. The Portfolio Life with Jeff Goins.
6. Online Marketing Made Easy by Amy Porterfield.
7. The Tim Ferriss Show by Tim Ferriss.
8. Converge by Dane Sanders.
9. Christ Is All by Frank Viola
10. Radiolab from WNYC.

The 3 Podcasts I Instantly Disliked… And Later Changed My Mind

1. The Tim Ferriss Show by Tim Ferriss.
2. The Charged Life by Brendon Burchard.
3. Entrepreneur On Fire by John Lee Dumas

Listener Questions

1. Jon D Harrison asks about how to start fresh with a new direction.
2. Bill Thomas had some comments about Podcast Episode 113.
3. Jevonnah Ellison had nice things to say about the show.

What To Do Now

Here are some steps you can take to put this week's episode content to work for you:

1. Click here to request your copy of Jeff Walker's new book, Launch, for free.
2. Check out some fresh new podcasts to renew your thinking.
3. Rate and review the show on iTunes to have a chance at winning our $797 training for free.

Question: What are podcasts do you never miss? Click here to leave your comments.

What if you could automate success? What if you would set a few things in motion that, if not guaranteeing your success, would automatically increase the likelihood of success … in all areas of your life?

In today's episode I share how controlling 5 “environments” greatly increases the odds of your success. Plus, here are some additional reasons to keep listening…

• A proven way to turn your blog into a business, and a powerful strategy for writing posts that go viral.
• What do we do when God seems silent?
• Contest where you can win our recent $797 training for FREE…

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. A big thanks to Andrew Gommesen of the Speaking4Him Podcast, Stephen Shell from StephensWeightLoss.com, ArbMan85, Jonathan Harrison, Vincente Cotto, Jamison from Creative Church Leadership, TodMon26, and Bryan from Engaging Missions for giving us a review on iTunes this week. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.
• We're holding a contest this month. Out of all the entries, we will draw one winner at random of our $797 training we just completed called, “How to Profit From What You Already Know”. To enter, you need to (1) subscribe to the podcast in iTunes and (2) give us an honest rating. Be sure you either put your website URL in your review, so we can contact you… or email us AFTER you have published your rating. That way if we draw your name we can contact you and let you know you won. You can also enter by leaving us a voicemail (at the bottom of this post, or click here.) We will have the drawing on June 15th.

Tip Of The Week 

If you would like some very practical help building up your blog as a business, you should consider attending the Buzz Seminar, which is hosted by my friends Frank Viola and Mike Morrel. In this show, I interview these two, and Frank gives away a very powerful tip on writing blog posts that go viral (and he certainly knows how to do that!)

Spiritual Foundations

What do we do when it seems God has gone silent, and we're not hearing his voice?

Many have suggested you should look for some hidden sin in your life, that explains why you have been “cut off” from God. I have a different idea about what is going on, and how you can re-establish communication with your Father in Heaven.

1. Have you fallen victim to the lies of the Accuser, and are you wallowing in self-condemnation?
2. What was the last thing God did say to you?
3. Have you actually been taking time to listen?

Feature Segment:  The 5 Environments That Automate Success

What if you could automate your own success? While that is not totally possible, you can indeed set up your life os that your odds of success are greatly improved. You do this by intentionally controlling 5 major “environments”.

The importance of the environments you operate in cannot be over-emphasized. In the show audio, I explain why this is true. The 5 Environments are:

1. Physical Environment
2. Mental Environment
3. Emotional Environment
4. Financial Environment
5. Transportation Environment

When you consciously engineer your 5 Environments to support patterns and states that lead to success, you will enjoy more success than before… automatically.

Listener Questions

1. Roger Whitney asks about how I choose my topics for the podcast, and how far in advance I know what the topic will be.

2. David wants to know how a successful real estate appraiser could transfer their knowledge into an online, passive income business.

What To Do Now

Here are some steps you can take to put this week's episode content to work for you:

1. Enter our contest by subscribing and rating the show in iTunes… or by asking a question using our voicemail system (look below).
2. Consider attending Frank and Mike's live training seminar in Florida over the July 4th holiday.
3. Make a written plan for one step you can take to shape each of your 5 Environments.

Question: What elements in your current Environments are not supporting you, and how will you change those elements? Click here to leave your comments.

We entrepreneurial types tend to be graded starting things and leaving other people to clean up the details. Our staff, virtual assistants, and colleagues may find it difficult to deal with us.

There's nothing wrong with you, you just need to realize what you're good at, what other people are good at, and how to negotiate the handling of tasks so that both of you are operating in your “zone”. So today, I'll explain to you how to work with other people without driving them crazy. Plus, here are some additional reasons to keep listening…

• One of the best books on selling I've ever read.
• How to stop “spiritual sweat disorder”.
• What to do with the information in this episode…

Tip Of The Week

I'm a little behind the party on this one, but I just got a fantastic new book called To Sell Is Human by Daniel H. Pink. Pink gives a brand-new look at the art and science of selling. His insights go against what most of us have been taught about selling, but he has a lot of social science to back them up. This is a practical book, not just pie-in-the-sky theory. Pink has no less than six alternatives to the classic “elevator pitch”, and gives specific tips on how to perform other functions of the sales process in a more persuasive, more humane, and more profitable way.

Spiritual Foundations

Don't be fooled by the “work ethic” that demands you pour out the sweat before you get the reward. Earning your living by the “sweat of your brow” was actually part of the curse!

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Matthew 6:26

Feature Segment:  How To Work With Other People Without Making Them Crazy

Entrepreneurs possess certain personality traits that make us hard for other people to understand, and sometimes make it even harder for other people to work with us. In their perception, we create a lot of chaos, take a lot of risks, and behave capriciously. Our codebook for how to communicate and succeed is different from the codebook they are using.

If you've taken any of the personality type assessments, you may have discovered that you, as an entrepreneur, tend to be a Starter, and not so much a Finisher. I've known this about myself for quite some time, and the remedy is to surround yourself with people who are good Finishers, people who are good at doing the details and follow-up… and then letting them do that without micromanaging or driving them nuts.

That last part has been hard for me. I have found my interaction with other workers in my business, especially outsourcers, to be frustrating at best (with a few notable exceptions, among them being my stellar Assistant Kathy!). When things were not working so well, their work came in late, or not done correctly, or they disappeared on me when I needed them again. I read about a method of communication that, as far as I know, was developed by Rob Berkeley. It's called the Circle of Commitment, and has made a huge difference in the way I work with people.

1. Request: you make a request of someone else, asking them to do a particular task or job.
2. Negotiation: you mutually arrive at an agreement on what the completed work will look like, and when it will be done.
3. Performance: the employee, or outsourcer, does what they agreed to do and delivers it to you.
4. Acceptance: you communicate whether the job they did was satisfactory, and if it is you congratulate them, and if it is not you explain what needs to be done in order to complete the task. Rinse and repeat until the job is finished.

This may not seem like a big deal, but it has really revolutionized my life and eliminated a lot of stress for me. Probably for the people who do work for me as well. Because after reading about this in Perry Marshall's Renaissance Club Newsletter, I realized I was pretty horrible at every step except the first one. I was good at asking what I wanted done, not very clear when I was negotiating exactly what would be delivered, mostly oblivious to the performance of the task, and once the deliverables showed up I did an abysmal job of communicating that I had received the work and what my evaluation of it might've been. Not pretty.

Since becoming conscious of these four steps and using them as I work with others, I've become laser-accurate in my communications. I even received feedback from one of my writers, who expressed, with a great deal of relief, how exciting it was that I was finally letting them know that I had received the pieces he had written for me. I always assumed that he knew my silence meant everything was fine. Woops.

Just being clear in these four steps will make a huge difference in how you work with other people

What To Do Now

So here's your assignment that will help you turn this week show into profits, put the tips and action, and make your life better in the process.

1. If you've never taken an assessment of your personality, such as the Kolbe A,  do so. And then get every member of your team to take the same assessment. Make sure you've got the right people doing the right jobs, and that you're not out of balance somewhere or missing a key personality type.
2. Post the Circle of Commitment somewhere prominent so that you will remember to practice it diligently.
3. Whenever you negotiate and agree upon work to be done by someone else, make a note in your calendar or planning system so that you can follow through on the Acceptance step.

Question:  How do you ensure better communication with your team members? Click here to leave your comments.

Many a professional, and many a freelancer, find themselves asking, “How can I get more clients?” May I suggest this is the wrong question?  in fact, it is precisely the wrong question.

A better question to ask would be, “how can I build a business where clients come looking for me?” We will explore the construction of such a scenario in today's episode. Plus, here are some additional reasons to keep listening…

• The greatest headset I've ever used for doing tele-seminars.
• The very first thing you should do every day.
• And how to turn this episode into money…

Announcements:

If you’re tired of not making any money with your online business and you’d like to finally just get things jumpstarted… I’m getting together with a small group of serious entrepreneurs here in Spokane in July. Were going to spend three days and just build your business from the ground up. Or rebuilt it if what you’re doing is not working. It’s not cheap, and the only way to get in is to pass through and ” interview”  with me personally. We have 12 seats, two of them are already spoken for, and I promise you every single one will be filled. I do not promise to ever do this again. If you think you would like to be part of this group, to finally stop “talking” a big game and asked a start PLAYING the big game, click here and fill out this application in full. If your application seems to merit further consideration, my assistant will set up a call between you and me.

Tip Of The Week 

I just got a new wireless headset for use with my telephone, and I absolutely love it. It has crystal clear sound, a noise canceling microphone, 10 hours of battery life, and incredible range. It's the Plantronics Savi 740.

Spiritual Foundations

Living a life of joy and peace is not difficult.

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Matthew 6:31-33

Feature Segment:  Stop Trying To Find Clients

Constructing a business so that clients seek you instead of vice versa is a lot like farming. First you have till the soil, then you have to sow the seeds, and then you cultivate the rows. Only then can you begin to see the harvest. At every year you must repeat the cycle, because the year you don't, there will surely be no harvest.

Think in terms of three different crops. The crops each take a different amount of time to bear fruit.

1. The short-term crop: you can plant and harvest in the next 30 to 60 days. Of course the still takes time, and you may be hungry today in which case you have to resort to hunting instead of agriculture. I get that. But if you spend all your time hunting and no time planting, you will never harvested crop. So hunt today if you must, and also each day be busy about working on that short-term harvest.
2. The medium-term crop: this is where your thinking and 1 to 3 year harvest times. It's the result of consistently doing a podcast like this one, writing guest posts on high-profile blogs, publishing books and speaking at seminars and workshops. It may be hard to see, but you definitely can do work today that will pay you until three years from now.
3. Long-term crop: this is 3 to 5 years or more in the future. Work you did, people you worked with, project she worked on, relationships you've built, have a progressive momentum. Those were all dominoes that were tipped in the past, and each domino is a little bigger, and one day five years later what started as a tiny handheld domino is you knocking over a massive victory the size of a small skyscraper. It's the famous client, the multimillion dollar product launch, the New York Times bestseller, etc. that never would've happened without you plugging away for five years or more. Won't feed you today, but may feed you for the rest of your life.

What To Do Now

1. Grab three calendars, or three different-colored markers for one calendar, or whatever floats your boat. You're going to make three timelines.
2. For each of the three different crops, put an activity every week on the calendar for that specific crop: short-term, medium-term, and long-term. Make these action items that you can do, measure, and point to and say, “that is done.”
3. Do two activities every week in the short-term and medium-term timelines. That will put more income in the pipeline for you over the next six months, and give you capital to finance the long-term campaign.
4. And finally, a rule of thumb: on the farm, there is no such thing as “a day off”. While I do believe we need free days, where we can rest and recuperate every week, make it a point each day of the week to either (a) do something or (b) make sure something is being done that cultivates future business. Every day. Without fail.

If you do as I recommended, you will very quickly find yourself no longer hunting for clients. Clients will be hunting for you.

Question:   What activities will you commit to in each of the three different time frames? Click here to leave your comments.

Recently I was working with a client on an advertising campaign. We had been running a particular ad in a variety of online media  (mainly solo mailings to email newsletters), and the ad was barely breaking even. We decided to test different subject lines.  Basically, we changed seven words.

Immediately upon our next mailing, our “Return on Ad Spend” or ROAS  Went from around 80% to a startling 150%. Seven words. There's a saying in the direct response marketing business: “tiny hinges swing big doors”. In this episode, I will introduce you to five such “tiny hinges” that can “swing big doors” in your business. Small changes you can make that might mean the difference between meteoric success or humiliating bankruptcy. Plus, here are some additional reasons to keep listening…

• A nearly miraculous way to get rid of all the physical junk mail that clogs your mailbox.
• Why you should give up on working hard enough to earn God's favor.
• And a new feature, how to turn this episode into action and profits…

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. A big thanks to todmon26 and bdentzy for giving us a review on iTunes this week. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.
• I know many of you are waiting for details about the affordable mastermind, and we are still ironing out how and if we're going to do that. Thanks for your patience.
• Finally, and this is definitely not for everyone, but if you're tired of not making any money with your online business and you'd like to finally just get things jumpstarted… I'm getting together with a small group of serious entrepreneurs here in Spokane in July. Were going to spend three days and just build your business from the ground up. Or rebuilt it if what you're doing is not working. It's not cheap, and the only way to get in is to pass through and ” interview”  with me personally. We have 12 seats, two of them are already spoken for, and I promise you every single one will be filled. I do not promise to ever do this again. If you think you would like to be part of this group, to finally stop “talking” a big game and asked a start PLAYING the big game, click here and fill out this application in full. If your application seems to merit further consideration, my assistant will set up a call between you and me.

Tip Of The Week 

Every day I go to my mailbox-my real world, physical mailbox, looking forward to getting something fun. A good sales piece, for me, is a treasure. Issues of my favorite newsletters, also a treasure. Books, cards from readers and listeners, the occasional gift. All great stuff in good fun. Then there is the “junk”. Now what many people consider junk I actually look forward to-a good sales letter, a magalog or bookalog,  or the weekly direct-mail piece from James Malinchack.  

Everyone's got their own definition of junk, but those things to me are treasures. Junk, to me is all the poorly executed direct mail that I get. The stuff that so bad that it's a total waste of ink and paper. Stuff that's completely irrelevant to me, my business, my family. How do you get those folks to stop sending you mail? Why, there is an app for that of course. It's called Paperkarma. It's free. Using this app, you simply take a picture of the offending junk mail, click a button, and the folks at Paperkarma make your junk mail go away.

I'll be darned if I know how they make any money doing this, but I'll keep using them as long as they manage to stay in business.  They are not 100% successful, by the way, and getting everybody to stop sending your junk mail. And if the mail happens to be addressed to “occupant” or to someone who used to live in your address, or if it's just a ZIP-Code-carpet-bomb mailing, this app is not going to help. But it's a great little tool, and can dramatically reduce the amount of stuff you have to recycle every week.

Spiritual Foundations

Do you find yourself working hard to get God to fulfill your prayers?

I know people who have an illness and who run from healing evangelist superstar to healing evangelist superstar, practice the Daniel fast, anoint themselves with oil, repeat special prayers, and do their best to be 100% sinless and perfect and holy in their behavior. In other words, they are always looking for the right “magic ritual”  or “good behavior” that will get God to heal them.

But God has already supplied all our needs, and promised us that we don't need to worry or work so hard. There's a beautiful story in the gospel of John that shows us why this does not work, and why in fact we should stop working so hard to get God to give us what he is already promised.

When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

Now that day was the Sabbath.”

John 5:6-9

This man encountered the one who was greater than the Angels, and who did not need a special supernatural event to deliver his promise This man encountered Jesus. Notice a couple of things: Jesus didn't ask the man to do anything until after he was healed… And the healing took place on the Sabbath. The day of rest.

Rest easy in God's promises, and believe that he always keeps them. Our job is to simply rest on his assurances, and trust that he knows when, where, and how to give us his very best.

Whether the answer you're seeking has to do with your family finances, a relationship, and illness, or some mental torment that you currently are enduring, just rest. Jesus will take care of you. God's delays are not God's denials.

Feature Segment:  Tiny Hinges That Swing Big Doors

Here are five “tiny hinges that swing big doors”. Five small leverage points that can turn your business around, multiply your productivity, and skyrocket your profitability. As my friend Michael Hyatt likes to say, get all your numbers going “up and to the right.”

1. Headlines. This includes the headline for your sales letter, for your space ad, the subject line for your emails, the title of your blog post, or the first sentence of your radio spot.  The job of the headline is to get the reader interested so that they will pay attention to the rest of the ad, post, or spot. Many times you can change the headline and no other copy, yet see a dramatic increase in sales.
2. Media. Last year, a client I work with experienced a dramatic downturn in the response they were getting from their online media buys. We took the same messaging and started buying radio commercials. Radical increase in profits, and a whole lot less work. If you've been making a lot of money and newspaper in that goes south on you, just try moving your media budget or redistributing it to include different media. Simple.
3. Audience. Dan Kennedy famously said, “it's easier to get a new audience than to write a new speech.” If your response rates are flagging, maybe it's because this audience has heard you give the speech 100 times already. Just go find a new audience. In other words, by your ads in different magazines, or on different websites, or send email ads to different lists.
4. Preframing. what people see or know about you before they see your ad can make an astounding difference in the response you get to that at. So think carefully through this: what do people see immediately before they see your copy? Is it an email? A banner ad? Do they hear a mention on a tele-seminar? Carefully craft and control the frame in which you are presented, and you can dramatically affect the outcome.
5. Format. I'm continually amazed that this escapes so many. Not everyone likes to read sales letters. Some people will never sit down and watch a video. Others will only listen to your message if they can literally do so-as in sticking earbuds in their ears while they're on the treadmill. And other people are not interested in any of those things, they want to look you in the eye and see how you conduct yourself with other people, So the best way to reach them is either in person sales presentation or at a seminar or workshop. I just described the basic modalities in which people experience life: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. If you are not presenting your message in all the available formats, you could be missing out on the one format that could dramatically increase your results.

What To Do Now

As always, I want you to leave the podcast by taking some action. So here's how to turn this episode into real-world value:

• Get a copy of the free Paperkarma app, and banish the junk mail from your life.
• Give yourself a break, and stop thinking you can work hard enough to earn God's favor. Just receive it.
• And take the list of those five “tiny hinges”, and put them to work in your business today. Make a small change in your headlines, try different media, look for a new audience, reengineer the way you are framed before people see your ad copy, and present your case in as many different formats as possible… Audio, video, text on paper, in live seminars and workshops.
• Finally, if you experience any success as a result of something you've learned or heard on this show, I want to feature your success story and congratulate you. Leave me a voicemail at the link below, or post your story in the comments.

Question:   Have you ever had an experience where a tiny hinge swung a big door for you? Click here to leave your comments.

Recently, my life fell apart. At least that's how it felt emotionally. From the outside, everything looked great.  I was an in demand speaker, making lots of money, with a lot of projects in the works, and the field of possibility ahead of me. The truth was another matter. My calendar was overscheduled, my time was overcommitted, I had agreed to too many meetings and too many projects, and my health deteriorated dramatically.  Somehow, I had managed to get off track. Way off track.

Then I had an epiphany. It didn't instantly solve all my problems, but it did show me the solution to all my problems, and the path I needed to walk to get back on track. Interestingly, I believe this same solution can work for you when you get off track, and I'll share a simple set of steps you can file away from when you need them. Plus, here are some additional reasons to keep listening…

• One iPhone case to rule them all.
• Why happiness really is the truth.
• An update on the “affordable online mastermind”…

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. A big thanks to AmGram, Kevin Anthony Williams,  and Mark Henson for giving us a review on iTunes this week. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.
• We are definitely moving forward with the affordable mastermind I've been talking about starting. We are still mapping out the plan for what will be most helpful, but it will probably look something like this: provide some basic training materials on building an online business, and having a monthly Q&A call where you could talk with me. Would love your ideas, thoughts, and suggestions. Put them in the comments at the end of this post.

Tip Of The Week 

A friend of mine showed me his Speck iPhone Wallet Case, and I was immediately smitten. For a long time I've been using the Duluth Trading Company's Smallet, which is a near-razor-thin wallet that holds only a few cards. But in my search for evermore minimalistic living, it bothered me that I had to carry both a wallet and my iPhone in my pocket. Now, with the new Speck  case, I carry only one item. The challenges it only holds three cards-so right now I'm carrying is my phone, my drivers license, a business debit card, and my personal debit card (because at the Edwards household, we don't do credit cards).

There are a few other cards that I normally carry with me-health insurance card, Costco card, Barnes & Noble membership card, library card, etc. So I came up with the very clever idea of simply taking pictures of those cards with my iPhone and keeping them in a special photo album on the phone itself. I'll keep you posted on how this works out.

Spiritual Foundations

There's a very popular song  with the refrain “clap your hands if you know happiness is the truth.” It just so happens I do know that. As followers of Jesus, we are supposed to be happy. How do I know this?

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17

Feature Segment:  How to Get Back On Track

From the outside, everything looked great.  I was an in demand speaker, making lots of money, with a lot of projects in the works, and the field of possibility ahead of me. The truth was another matter. My calendar was overscheduled, my time was overcommitted, I had agreed to too many meetings and too many projects, and my health deteriorated dramatically.  Somehow, I had managed to get off track. Way off track.

Then I had an epiphany. It didn't instantly solve all my problems, but it did show me the solution to all my problems, and the path I needed to walk to get back on track. Interestingly, I believe this same solution can work for you when you get off track, and I'll share a simple set of steps you can file away from when you need them.

Here's the epiphany: 99% of all the results I'm experiencing in my life are 100% appropriate. Let me elaborate…

• I weigh exactly what I'm supposed away… based on what I eat and how much I exercise.
• I get exactly the amount of sleep I should be getting… based on how much caffeine and sugar I consume, what time I eat my evening meal, and how I choose to stimulate or not stimulate my brain in the few hours before going to bed.
• My income, expenses, and profits for my business are precisely what they should be… based on what work I do, who I choose to work with, how I invest my time in building the business, and the choices I make about expenditures

The point I'm trying to make is this: our lives are closed systems. They have a beginning, a middle, and an end. What happens between the beginning and the end is largely up to us. I say that 99% of all of our results are 100% appropriate, in that 1% are things that are actually outside of our control: an unexpected genetic defect causes the disease or deformity, market forces we had no chance of influencing diminish the value of our investments, a tornado demolishes the house we live in, etc. but despite the impression that may be given by the disaster-fascinated media, these events are definitely the minority.

We don't get fat because the “big food industry” is out to get us. We get fat because we chose to have a big Mac and a chocolate shake for dinner last night, instead of a salad and a lean steak.

This epiphany came to me as a result of reading three books, in succession: Living Buddha Living Christ, by Thich Nhat Hanh,  The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, and Work the System by Sam Carpenter.

Sidebar for my Christian brothers and sisters…

…there were many things in Hanh's book I could simply not agree with, and he clearly does not understand fully what it means to be a follower of Christ. I am very clear that Jesus is the only way to heaven and life with the Father. That being said, I found some valuable and powerful truths contained in Han's  the book; but I don't want anyone to be confused about what I believe or what I perceive as the truth. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

I will be publishing a full review of Sam Carpenter's book next week. But the primary distinction I got from that book was that all of life is a system; and each part of our lives is a subsystem, consisting of many other subsystems. Take for example your health: is a system contained within your body. Subsystems include the system of what you eat, the system of how you use and maintain the physical framework of your body, the system of what thoughts you permit to enter and remain in your mind, the system of how much rest and sleep you get, the system of the environment in which you keep your body most of the time, etc

The point of all this is simply that getting back on track is not about considering a broad sweeping wholesale change in your life. It is about adjusting the component subsystems where you got off track. For instance, when it comes to my speaking schedule, the processes of the system that make up my speaking business are roughly something like this:

1. I write and publish blog posts, podcasts, guest articles, etc.
2. Potential meeting planners, here the podcasts, get a word-of-mouth recommendation about having me speak at your event.
3. Meeting planners contact my office and we negotiate a fee and agreement.
4. I accept the speaking engagement, and get paid my retainer.
5. I show up on the appointed date, give a speech, get the balance of my payment.
6. I go home.

What had gone awry in the system of my speaking business over the past few months was that I performed step number 4 too many times and without enough discretion. I said “yes” to far too many people. This resulted in my calendar being overscheduled, and also bled over into the other subsystems of my life, affecting my sleep, and ultimately my physical health.

But it gets even more interesting.

Because of the squeeze on my schedule, I had to work overtime during the hours I was home to complete client projects, work on my own products and trainings, get my podcast completed, etc. this disrupted the system that I call “family time”. It also disrupted the system that I call “exercise”, and the system that I call “sleep”. In those three cases, I simply didn't get enough family time, exercise, or sleep. So, in its wisdom, my body did what it sometimes does to force me to pay attention to it: it got sick.

The implication at the beginning of this podcast was that I did in fact get back on track, that I can show you how to do the same. In the spirit of transparency, I am just now emerging from the rubble of this massive system disruption, but things are much much better, and I realize I have been here before. So I feel relatively confident in helping you in your own quest to get back on track. Here are the steps.

7 Steps For Getting Back on Track

1. First, you must acknowledge that you have gotten off track, and have that same moment of realization that I did that the blueprint you have for what life is supposed to be like does not match the snapshot of what  life actually is like currently.
2. Forget the big picture, look for the simple mechanical problems in the small subsystems of your life that have gone wrong.
3. Isolate and identify those malfunctioning systems and subsystems.
4. Discover the procedures that could've prevented or at least lessened the problem you are currently experiencing in this particular system or subsystem.
5. Write down the new system of procedures you will use to prevent this one small isolated problem
6. Make it easy for yourself to follow your new procedure: remember the metaphor of the elephant, the rider, and the path.
7. Go through this same process with each system or subsystem that is malfunctioning to any degree.

When you correct the small variances in the tiniest of subsystems, the next level of systems above becomes smoother and less chaotic, allowing you to move your corrections up one level. Eventually the “big picture” takes care of itself.

What I Personally Have Done

I identified a few primary systems that needed better working procedures to solve some of the problems that were cropping up. So I developed step-by-step procedures for:

• Evaluating speaking opportunities.
• Evaluating possible new projects.
• Working with junior copywriters.
• Evaluating possible new clients.
• Marketing my company's products and services.
• Selling my company's products and services (yes, this is different than the above).
• My physical health, diet, and exercise.
• Simplifying and beautifying my physical environment.

I began making adjustments and every one of these systems, and began to instantly see a decrease in chaos and disorder… And more evidence of righteousness peace and joy. I'm definitely back on track. And you can be too.

One final note. Sam Carpenter said something deeply profound in his book that is worth repeating. I don't have to like the steps needed to correct my malfunctioning systems-but I do have to take them if I want to see change.

The result is the reward.

Question:   Have you ever had the experience of getting off track, and if so how did you get back on the path? Click here to leave your comments.

I was recently on the phone with someone, and they were talking. Something they said sparked a reaction in me, and I began thinking about how is going to respond. As they continue to talk, I constructed an elegant argument in my head to counter what they had just told me. Then they spoke words that struck fear into my heart: “Do you think I should've done that?” I had no idea what they were talking about.

You might think the skills and I'm urging you to master is listening. That is an effect of mastering this skill, but not the skill itself. Mastering this mysterious skill will make you a better listener, more focused, less distracted, and a better thinker. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Plus, here are some additional reasons to keep listening…

• The best way to master your email challenge. If you feel overwhelmed by email, this one is for you.
• A fun and exciting way to sharpen your mind.
• What your life would look like if God wrote the script.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. A big thanks to Mark Noldy and Deanna Gillingham for giving us a review on iTunes this week. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.
• I've received a lot of questions about the affordable mastermind I've been thinking about starting. In the show, I explain more of what I was considering, now that is changed based on some responses I received. In a nutshell, it seems like what would be useful to folks is to provide some basic training materials and building an online business, and having a monthly Q&A call where you could talk with me. Interested? Would love your thoughts. Put them in the comments at the end of this post.

Tip Of The Week 

Tip #1: Crash Course is an educational YouTube channel started by Hank Green and John Green, also known as the VlogBrothers. Crash Course was one of the 100 initial channels of YouTube's $100 million original channel initiative. Having finished earlier courses on Biology, World History, Ecology, English Literature, Chemistry, and United States History, Hank and John Green now teach, respectively, Psychology and Literature. Crash Course launched a preview on December 2, 2011. As of April 6, 2014, the CrashCourse YouTube channel has earned over 1.5 million subscribers and over 90 million video views.

Tip #2: How and why you might declare email bankruptcy…

Spiritual Foundations

The Fifth Gospel, and God's will for your life. What would your life look like if God wrote your biography in advance? Well, He has already done so. Here's what that means:

1. You were alive before you were born.
2. You have the DNA of Christ.
3. You have a new kind of life, fueled by the nature of God.
4. You have received new superpowers.
5. You have a new mission in life.

Feature Segment:  Master This Skill To Change Your Life

The skill that will change your life is mindfulness. Awareness. Being right here, right now.

This is not as easy as it may sound at first. Our mind loves to play a hilarious trick on us, and causes us to live either in the past or in the future, impishly avoiding the present.

Being mindful makes you aware of God's presence, of what is happening right in front of you. This will make you a better listener, a better communicator, more skilled in your work, or successful, happier, at peace, and bring your greater depth of fulfillment.

So how do you become more mindful? How do you master this skill that I guarantee will change your life? As silly as this may sound, the easiest way to begin is to mentally, or even out loud, speak what you are noticing right now. It might sound like this:

“I am standing on my deck, drinking this cup of coffee. I am breathing in. There is a bird sitting on the wire that stretches across my backyard. It is a Robin. I breathe out. A soft wind is blowing across my skin.”

This takes practice. It is more difficult than you think, and it is also easier than you think. There is no trick to it, other than being aware of what is happening in this moment.

When you're having a conversation with someone, being mindful of what they are saying will bring you a shocking new awareness in your relationships. Nobody will say to you, “hey, you seem more mindful now.” But they will sense that you are actually listening to them, paying attention to them, valuing what they have to say. They will feel heard by you, and this is one of the most basic human needs.

“Right now, he is telling me about his work, and I sense by the expression on his face in the tone of his voice that he is anxious and worried about something there. Now he is explaining a conflict with his boss. This situation makes him both fearful and angry.”

You speak out loud: “That must make you anxious and angry at the same time.”

It's important that you understand this is not a technique meant to help you manipulate other people, or “push their buttons”. The most valuable possession you have is the present. All I'm suggesting is that you in fact value it, notice it, experience it.

The temptation you will have at this point is to write this off as either too flighty, or impractical, or blindingly obvious. If that's how you're feeling, I simply challenge you to occasionally be aware of the present moment as you go about your life. Notice what you've been missing.

What To Do Now

Question:  what have you noticed about the importance of being present and mindful? Click here to leave your comments.

It occurred to me recently I often run my business from a backpack. In my backpack I carry my Nikon, some lenses, my iPad, and my MacBook air. If I can find an Internet connection, that's about all I need to run my business from virtually anywhere.  In this episode, you get five essential keys to running a backpack business.

Plus, here are some additional reasons to keep listening…

• I will share a seldom used function on your iPhone that can change your life.
• Stu McLaren with the Lifestyle Business Report.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

•  I'm considering the formation of an affordable, entry-level Mastermind Group. This would be a true mastermind group, led by me, with personal interaction available. Would you be interested? Let me know in the comments on this post.

Tip Of The Week 

The  mysterious function on your iPhone that hardly anyone ever uses, but can dramatically improve your life. It's called the “off” switch.

Lifestyle Business Segment 

With Stu McLaren

Spiritual Foundations

Usually, the reason we cannot hear God's voice is we are too busy listening to other voices.

Feature Segment:  How to Have a Backpack Business

1. Get a backpack (seriously.)
2. Avoid limiting structures (like offices.)
3. Become a hard-core simplitist.
4.  Get a little help (but not too much.)
5. Get out there and do something. Take your backpack.

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question:  Do you have a backpack business, and if so, how do you do it? Click here to leave your comments.

Ever reach the end of a workday, and wonder where the hours went? Sometimes it seems there's just too much to do, and not enough time to do it all. In this episode, I'll share 5 “tricks” that will help you get more done in less time.

Plus, here are some additional reasons to keep listening…

• I will share an app that helps you make great-looking  portraits on your iPhone.
• Stu McLaren with the Lifestyle Business Report.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

• Thanks to all who have left a review of the Ray Edwards Show in iTunes. Including  Johnny Lee Phillips, Cynthia Charleen, and Kevin Anthony Williams.
•  I'm considering the formation of an affordable, entry-level Mastermind Group. This would be a true mastermind group, led by me, with personal interaction available. Would you be interested? Let me know in the comments on this post.

Tip Of The Week 

The Facetune app helps you create pictures showing people in their best light.

Lifestyle Business Segment 

With Stu McLaren

Spiritual Foundations

Why do followers of Jesus experience tough times? Keep these 3 things in mind:

1. We don't see what God sees.
2. We don't know what God knows.
3. Nothing surprises God!

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Psalm 37:23

“Either God is doing a work in you, or He is using you to do a work in someone else.” Joel Osteen

Feature Segment:  5 Tricks To Get More Done In Less Time

1. Refuse any input (email, Facebook, voicemail, phone calls, chat, etc.) until you complete your “One Thing” for the day.
2. Do your most important work next, still refusing inputs.
3. Work in focus blocks, punctuated by short bursts of physical activity.
4. Shorten your workweek and your workday with “hard stops.”
5. Do things faster.

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question:     How do you  Get more done in less time? Click here to leave your comments.

Sometimes it seems difficult to keep creating content, doesn't it? And for a lot of people it's difficult to even get started.

In today's show, I will show you how to D.A.R.E.  to create great content that sells. Also coming up…

• The app  for recording great audio on your iPhone.
• Stu McLaren with the Lifestyle Business Report.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

• Thanks to all who have left a review of the Ray Edwards Show in iTunes. Including Mike Kim, Christy Largent, and Mike Skiff!
• For more info about the one-day mastermind with me and 11 other people, where we make radical progress in your business… is on. Click this link to make your deposit and application.

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• Social Media Marketing World, March 26-28, 2014, San Diego, CA
• SCORRE Conference May 5-8, Orlando, FL

Tip Of The Week 

The Griffin iTalk App makes it easy to capture great audio on your iPhone.

Lifestyle Business Segment 

With Stu McLaren

Spiritual Foundations

To receive the benefits of following Jesus, we must practice His presence.

 “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

Feature Segment:  D.A.R.E. to Create Great Content

1. Desire–based
2. Aspirational
3. Results-focused
4. Experience

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question:     How do you create great content? Click here to leave your comments.

One week from today, Social Media Marketing World opens in San Diego. It's the biggest physical event in the Social Media Marketing space, and I am privileged to be one of the speakers.

In today's show, I will share what I expect from the event… and what I expect from any conference I attend. Also coming up…

• The  coach that lives on your iPad.
• Stu McLaren with the Lifestyle Business Report.
• A free video training series for you.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

• Thanks to all who have left a review of the Ray Edwards Show in iTunes. Including Dennis McIntee, Mike Morrell, and Larry Bloomquist!
• For more info about the one-day mastermind with me and 11 other people, where we make radical progress in your business… is on. Click this link to make your deposit and application.

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• Social Media Marketing World, March 26-28, 2014, San Diego, CA
• SCORRE Conference May 5-8, Orlando, FL

Tip Of The Week 

The Unstuck app for iPad makes it easy to get on-demand coaching whenever you need it.

Lifestyle Business Segment 

With Stu McLaren

Free Video Training Series

This FREE training video has nothing for sale. I just show you how to turn your knowledge and experience into products people buy. This video includes…

• The 7 Levels of Content. Why most people who create Knowledge Products get stuck at Level 5, and how you can become un-duplicatable by moving to levels 6 and 7.
• The Ultimate Content Outline. This simple outline helps you create any piece of content (email, blog post, video, book, etc) and know exactly what to say.
• How to know what your “topic” should be. Decide with clarity what topic you are going to focus on.

Click here to get full access to all three training videos.

Spiritual Foundations

Under the new covenant, God promises to do three things:

• Lead us—“I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts.” (Hebrews 8:10)
• Work miracles for us—“I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” (Hebrews 8:10)
• Help us to know Him—“…all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.” (Hebrews 8:11)

How do we experience this? By remembering…

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

Hebrews 8:12

Feature Segment:  What I Expect From Social Media Marketing World

Every conference I attend has the potential to yield multiples of whatever I invested to be there. This is especially true of Social Media Marketing World, which is coming up next week. Here's what I expect from any conference I attend, and what I expect specifically from Social Media Marketing World.

5 Things I Expect from Any Conference

1. A major disruption in my schedule.
2. The opportunity to reflect, recharge, and refocus.
3. To learn something new, or learn something old from a new perspective.
4. To be challenged in some way.
5. To meet new people, and to reconnect with friends.

5 Things I Expect from Social Media Marketing World

1. To discover the best social media marketing techniques from the world's top experts. Some are my friends, like Mari Smith,  Michael Hyatt, Amy Porterfield, Michael Stelzner, Joel Comm,  and Cliff Ravenscraft.  Some are mentors that I have never met, but hope to at this conference, such as Jay Baer, Chris Brogan, John Jantsch, and many others.
2. To be challenged in my thinking about social media marketing, and online business models.
3. The best networking experience I've ever had.
4. The opportunity to reflect, recharge, and refocus.
5. To contribute to a great panel discussion with my fellow panelists, Erik Fisher, Cliff Ravenscraft and John Lee Dumas.

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question:    What do you expect from SMMW (or any conference)? Click here to leave your comments.

Two years ago this week, I did the very first episode of this podcast. I didn't realize I was making a commitment to cranking out show every week, but that's what happened. It hasn't always been easy.

I took this photo with my new Nikon D5200.

In this episode, I  am taking some time to review the lessons I've learned after doing 104 episodes, week after week. I will also talk about a very important decision I've made-whether to continue doing the show or not. Also coming up…

• The best way to get clean audio recordings of your speeches on your iPhone.
• Stu McLaren with the Lifestyle Business Report.
• A free video training series for you.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

• Thanks to all who have left a review of the Ray Edwards Show in iTunes. Including Noble Crawford, Kim Tester, and “Chef52”!
• For more info about the one-day mastermind with me and 11 other people, where we make radical progress in your business… is on. Click this link to make your deposit and application.

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• Social Media Marketing World, March 26-28, 2014, San Diego, CA
• SCORRE Conference May 5-8, Orlando, FL

Tip Of The Week 

The Rode Smartlav Lavalier Microphone for iPhone and Smartphones is a professional-grade wearable microphone designed for use in a wide range of film, television and broadcast scenarios, or wherever professional quality audio is required in a discreet, portable format without the complication and expense of additional wireless equipment.

Lifestyle Business Segment 

With Stu McLaren

Free Video Training Series

This FREE training video has nothing for sale. I just show you how to turn your knowledge and experience into products people buy. This video includes…

• The 7 Levels of Content. Why most people who create Knowledge Products get stuck at Level 5, and how you can become un-duplicatable by moving to levels 6 and 7.
• The Ultimate Content Outline. This simple outline helps you create any piece of content (email, blog post, video, book, etc) and know exactly what to say.
• How to know what your “topic” should be. Decide with clarity what topic you are going to focus on.

Click here to get full access to all three training videos.

Spiritual Foundations

Whether we like it or not, God provides for all the things that we need. How do we know this? And how do we gain access to it?

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?^{[a] 28} And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

³⁴ “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:25-34

Feature Segment:  What I Learned From 2 Years of Doing This Podcast

For two years-24 months-I have been doing this show every single week. I have learned a lot of lessons along the way. Here are 24 of the most important lessons I learned, one for each month that I've been doing the show.

1. Prior preparation prevents poor performance.
2. Perfectionism is the mask procrastination wears to hide fear.
3. The harvest never comes before tilling, planting, and cultivating.
4. It is better to give than to receive, yet giving often results in receiving.
5. The human voice is the most intimate of all communication media.
6. The power of the podcast for business has been greatly undersold.
7. Discipline means doing what needs to be done, even when you don't feel like doing it.
8. Experience is the best teacher, and often the most expensive one; the highest leverage teaching is other people's experience.
9. You have not because you ask not.
10. Every project seems to reach the pinnacle of difficulty right before the point of breakthrough.
11. Your commitment to excellence is reflected in what you ship.
12. Mistakes in business can be setbacks, but are seldom fatal.
13. Every adversity contains within it the seed for an equal or greater benefit.
14. The warrior trains for battle, but the victory is the Lords.
15. It's okay to switch horses, especially if the one you are riding is tired.
16. Successful people see problems as challenges to be overcome; unsuccessful people see problems as an excuse to quit.
17. One of the most valuable things you can learn is how to gracefully say no.
18. You will either pour most of your efforts into building your own dream, or inevitably pour them into building someone else's.
19. If you are not investing in your own education and program of improvement, you have decided to stop growing.
20. Most people are the average of the five people they spend the most time with.
21. You can use the power of the peer group to raise your level of performance and manifestation-you simply choose your peer group intentionally.
22. Your own tongue contains the power of life and death over you, your family, and your business.
23. The reason showing up is 90% of the battle is that most people simply failed to do it.
24. The most powerful skill you can master is the practice of presence.

Will I continue the show?

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question:    What will you get done this week as a result of this podcast? Click here to leave your comments.

Ever feel like you just need to get more stuff done? I think we all feel that way at some point.

In this episode, I interview Robert Plank on getting things done. Also coming up…

• The app that prevents long-windedness.
• Stu McLaren with the Lifestyle Business Report.
• The one-word Copywriting shift you can make today
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

• Thanks to all who have left a review of the Ray Edwards Show in iTunes. Including Ray Massie, Joshua Rivers, Lisa R, Stever, Robert Pieto!
• For more info about the one-day mastermind with me and 11 other people, where we make radical progress in your business… is on. Click this link to make your deposit and application.

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• Social Media Marketing World, March 26-28, 2014, San Diego, CA
• The Launch Conference, April 7-10, 2014, Orlando, FL
• SCORRE Conference May 5-8, Orlando, FL

Tip Of The Week 

The pClock app that keeps you from blowing past your time limits when speaking.

Lifestyle Business Segment 

With Stu McLaren

Copywriting Corner

The one word shift that you can make that amps up your persuasion power.

Spiritual Foundations

When you see yourself the way God sees you, you won't be “full of yourself”… you will be your full self.

Feature Segment:  Interview With Robert Plank

In the episode I we hear from Robert Plank on:

• How to stay out of overwhelm.
• How to avoid having a lot if half-finished products and projects.
• The secrets of single-minded focus.
• A simple philosophy of copywriting… or any process!
• The magic of the “3 Day Rule” and the power of having just “4 Daily Tasks”.

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question:    What will you get done this week as a result of this podcast? Click here to leave your comments.

My “one word” for this year is: simplify. Why did I choose that word, and what does it mean to you?

In this episode, I will share five good reasons why you should consider simplifying, too. Also coming up…

• How to write like Hemingway.
• Stu McLaren with the Lifestyle Business Report.
• The One Copywriting Rule That You Must Follow.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

• Thanks to all who have left a review of the Ray Edwards Show in iTunes.
• For more info about the one-day mastermind with me and 11 other people, where we make radical progress in your business… is on. Click this link to make your deposit and application.

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• Social Media Marketing World, March 26-28, 2014, San Diego, CA
• The Launch Conference, April 7-10, 2014, Orlando, FL
• SCORRE Conference May 5-8, Orlando, FL

Tip Of The Week 

The app that helps you write like Hemingway.

Lifestyle Business Segment 

With Stu McLaren

Copywriting Corner

This week I share  “The One Copywriting Rule You Must Follow”. I explain how to use the Rule on today's show.

Spiritual Foundations

It's not necessary to debate people into the Kingdom.

“Christ is all in all.”— Colossians 3:11

In the end, a debate about salvation, the existence of God, or who Jesus is, will be fruitless. Only a direct revelation, illuminated by the Holy Spirit, brings people into the Kingdom.

And inside the church, all our focus on leadership programs, small groups, building programs, social justice, church growth initiatives, etc. miss the mark. We have,  when we focus on these things, abandon our first love. A good test: simply count the number of times a pastor (or a book, or teaching series) references the name Jesus.

“Christ is all I need. You can strip away everything else from me, and I would still be left with Christ. Take away my gifts and my ministry; take away signs and wonders; take away the sense of His presence; take away my ability to read; take away every spiritual and religious pursuit I have, and I will still have Christ. And having Him, I have everything.”
~  Jesus Manifesto by Frank Viola and Leonard Sweet

Feature Segment:  5 Good Reasons To Simplify

The word I chose to guide 2014 was simplify. In this episode, I explain why I chose it, and five reasons why you should consider simplifying too.

1. Simplifying your possessions and give you clarity, energy, and peace.
2. Complexity in any area of your life weighs you down.
3. Simplicity is the best preparation for the future.
4. Simplicity gives you the broadest range of choices in any decision.
5. Simplicity creates margin.

In the episode I talk about my  journey toward simplification, where it will lead, and how you can benefit.

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question:    Do you feel you would benefit from simplifying? How will you start? Click here to leave your comments.

I believe the way you start your day determines how it will end; productive and happy, or frustrated and fruitless.  That's why I put so much focus on my morning routine,  which is the foundation of my personal “Productivity Protocol”.  My morning routine is an intentional set of activities designed to set me up for the best possible day. With the right routine in place, I believe we can make our best days better, and perhaps even salvage what might have been a “bad day.”

If you are familiar with my work, I have written about this before. But my routine has changed , and I have refined my process. On today's show, I will pull back the curtain on my newly re-engineered morning routine. Also coming up…

• The Post-It Note ToDo System.
• Stu McLaren returns.
• A super-simple copy outline.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

• Thanks to all who have left a review of the Ray Edwards Show in iTunes.
• For more info about the one-day mastermind with me and 11 other people, where we make radical progress in your business… is on. Click this link to make your deposit and application.

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• Social Media Marketing World, March 26-28, 2014, San Diego, CA
• The Launch Conference, April 7-10, 2014, Orlando, FL
• SCORRE Conference May 5-8, Orlando, FL

Tip Of The Week 

The Post-It Note Planning System.

Lifestyle Business Segment 

With Stu McLaren

Copywriting Corner

This week I share a “super simple copywriting outline”. It goes like this:

1. Headline: How to Get the Thing You Want, In Three Easy Steps
2. Here's the problem, and what happens if you don't solve it…
3. I solved the problem, and here's how…
4. Who the heck am I, and why should you believe me?
5. Introducing my Fancy New Problem-Solving System
6. It's worked for me, for my other customers, and it will work for you…
7. Here's exactly what you get
8. How much it costs, and why it's worth 10 times more
9. I will take all the risk
10. Here's exactly what to do now

Sure, there are lots of nuances to writing great copy. But this basic outline will help you quickly write a sales message. I flesh out the process and explain how to use the outline on today's show.

Spiritual Foundations

I have been accused of being a “hyper grace teacher”. According to this accusation, I have overemphasized the importance of the grace of Jesus Christ at the expense of his Lordship. Of course, I vehemently disagree with this criticism.

I recently had a discussion about this for a topic with my friend Frank Viola, and I asked him if he would be willing to join us on the show so we could talk about the controversy over so-called “greasy grace”. To hear this fascinating interview, you'll need to listen to the audio of this week's show.

You can find the course Frank mentioned by clicking here.

Feature Segment: Create A Morning Routine That Sets You Up For Success

The purpose of creating an intentional morning routine is to develop an habitual set of activities to start each day. The way you start the day sets the tone for the way you will finish out the rest of the day. A good routine in the morning will give you momentum for the rest the day, that increases the likelihood for productivity and success.

My own routine has gone through considerable evolution over the last few years. Recently, I found my previous routine had become stale and somewhat out of alignment with my current priorities. So I've decided to reengineer it. This new routine will also undoubtedly evolve over time, but this is what I'm doing now, and what seems to be working for me.

1. Get up early. I don't use an alarm clock, but I tend to naturally awaken between 4 and 5 AM. Most days, my day starts at 5 AM.
2. Drink 24 ounces of water. Most of us live in a constant state of mild dehydration. This is bad for your body, and bad for your brain. I intentionally hydrate first thing in the morning. Especially considering the next part of my routine…
3. Drink a cup of Bulletproof Coffee.  This is a blend of organic coffee, high quality MCT oil, and butter, blended into a delightful, flavorful, and creamy beverage. It tastes better than a latte, and  supports the healthy functioning of your brain.  there is a great deal of research about the benefits of Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT), especially for preventing or alleviating the symptoms of conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. The best part, though, is that drinking Bulletproof Coffee gives me a great jolt of energy and mental clarity and focus.
4. Prayer and mindfulness. This is where, in the words of Brother Lawrence, I “practice the presence” of Jesus. I'm listening for what he has to say to me today.
5. Execute the Morning Reading Process. I'm currently reading nine books simultaneously, and I have written about this process recently. If you'd like to know more about how I managed to read as many as 40 books in a week, refer to this post. Quickly, though, I start by reading the Bible, then a devotional, and follow that up with some kind of theological work. Then I read a chapter in each of the other books I'm currently working through.
6.  Write in my journal. I use the journaling app Day One, a template for each station journal entry that I adapted from one Michael Hyatt wrote about his blog, and usually spend only about 15 minutes journaling. The template is key. Before, whenever I attempted to Journal, I felt as though it was some sort of “artsy crafty” thing and really couldn't get into it. Having a template gives me an intentional set of data and/or thoughts that I want to record each day, and makes the journaling process as easy as filling in the blanks. It also means that later in life, when I refer back to this journal, it will have context and meaning.
7. Plan my day. I still plan my day the night before. Planning tomorrow is the last activity I will do today. However, I have found it is extremely useful to review that plan at this step in my morning routine. I often end up changing the plan, because I have a fresh perspective on the day. While I am a big proponent of David Allen's GTD methodology, I'm afraid I still use a daily task list. I know GTD devotees will be disappointed to hear this, but this is what works for me. Years ago, I learned the “6 Most Important Things” to-do list method from Earl Nightingale (if memory serves correctly.) Robert Plank and Lance Tamashiro teach a system they call “4 Daily Tasks”, which I think is a better refinement of Nightingale's original idea. I simply make a list of “5 Things”. Each day, I have 5 things I want to accomplish, no matter what else happens. I start with number 1 and don't work on anything else until that is done. Then I move to number 2, and so on until I get to number 5. Once I've completed number 5, I am free to do whatever I want for the rest of the day. The key to making the system work is to make sure that they really are 5 “things”, and not 5 “projects”.
8. Exercise.  By this time it is around 8 AM. At least four days out of the week, but ideally seven, I either go to the gym or hit the road for 40 minutes of physical exercise. It's good for your body,  it's good for your brain, and it's good for your emotional well-being. If I don't do it at this point in my day, it becomes much less likely that I will do it at all.
9. Start working on my “5 Things.” Once upon a time, I wrote my 5 Things on a whiteboard, and at the end of the day would take a photo with my iPhone of the 5 Things crossed out. These days I use the Post-it note system I described in the Tip of the Week. I admit that I still cross off the items… but I don't take a picture. I just throw the Post-Its away.
10.  Stop working at 3 PM. This is more of a goal than it is a reality as of this writing. This represents a big change in my modus operandi. But having a hard stop at the end of the day, and making it this early, give me the freedom to engage in other activities that are important to me that otherwise get shortchanged by work.

That's my morning routine, and how transitions into the rest of my productivity protocol for the day. It's a new revision, I just started working this routine, and I will update you let you know how it's going somewhere down the line (if you're interested.)

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question:   What is your morning routine, and is it time to reengineer it? Click here to leave your comments.

This is episode 100… 100 weeks in a row, we've cranked out a new show. While Episode 104 will mark the 2-year anniversary of the show, I felt we had to do something special for #100… so that's what we're doing.

And on today's episode I'm going to do  our usual segments, but the feature presentation segment will be exclusively your questions. Also coming up…

• How to know what your market wants.
• How to not waste your life.
• One of the most powerful copy secrets I know.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

• Thanks to all who have left a review of the Ray Edwards Show in iTunes.
• For more info about the one-day mastermind with me and 11 other people, where we make radical progress in your business… is on. You can get the full story here.

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• Social Media Marketing World, March 26-28, 2014, San Diego, CA
• The Launch Conference, April 7-10, 2014, Orlando, FL
• JV Alert: The Perfect Game April 24-27, Denver, CO
• SCORRE Conference May 5-8, Orlando, FL

Tip Of The Week 

Survey your customers!

Copywriting Corner

The power of “reason why”.

Spiritual Foundations

Don't waste your life.

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

The good news is that includes being an entrepreneur!

Feature Segment: Nothin' But “Q&A With Ray”

With questions from:

1. Michael Hyatt
2. Cliff Ravenscraft
3. Dr. Kenny Handelman
4. Kirk Bowman
5. Dan Miller
6. Alejandro Reyes
7. Frank Viola
8. Annett Bone
9. Martin Howey
10. Jeff Sanders
11. Ian Bone
12. Jason Nicholas
13. Joel Comm
14. Ken McArthur
15. Tracy Childers
16. Ryan Eidson
17. Mike McMahon
18. Marshall Bone
19. Phil Drysdale
20. Tor Constantino
21. Stu McLaren

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question:  What are your big questions about how to monetize your message? Click here to leave your comments.

I'm pleased to have Michael Stelzner as my guest on today's show. If you don't know who Michael is… well in the words of Ron Burgundy, he's “kind of a big deal.” Don't act like you're not impressed.

The Networking Party that kicks off this year's Social Media Marketing World in San Diego will happen on the deck of the USS Midway!

We'll get to Michael's interview in a few minutes, but first I want to tell you about the upcoming celebration, and a few other reasons to keep listening, such as…

• The most compressive goal-setting and tracking software I have found.
• The number 166.
• One of my NEW top Copywriting book recommedations.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

• Thanks to all who have left a review of the podcast in iTunes. This week I would like to thank:  Kirk Bowman, Eric Dingler, “Lady J” Jevonnah Ellison.
• It looks like the one-day mastermind with me and 11 other people, where we make radical progress in your business… is on. You can get the full story here.
• Next week's show is number 100, and we will be devoting it exclusively to listener questions. I'm turning the microphone over to you.

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• NAMS 11 February 7-9, 2014, Atlanta, GA
• Social Media Marketing World, March 26-28, 2014, San Diego, CA
• The Launch Conference, April 7-10, 2014, Orlando, FL
• JV Alert: The Perfect Game April 24-27, Denver, CO
• SCORRE Conference May 5-8, Orlando, FL

Tip Of The Week 

I have been experimenting with a number of different goal-setting apps, and so far the most full-featured of the bunch is GoalsOnTrack.

Things I like about GoalsOnTrack:

• It has a great little iPhone app.
• It syncs my due dates with Google Calendar.
• It's hierarchical, so it works like an outline.
• I can track my goal, the purpose that drives the goal, the start and end dates… and most importantly, the habits and action plans needed to support the goal.

I do wish they offered a native iPad app, but other than those two points I love GoalsOnTrack.

Copywriting Corner

Accidental Genius: Using Writing to Generate Your Best Ideas, Insight, and Content

One of the problems I see in the world of copywriting and marketing today is a lack of original ideas. Look, folks, John Caples and David Ogilvy did not achieve their greatness by using somebody else's “swipe file”. They got their breakthrough ideas by dipping into a deeper well, where they probably found ideas swimming around that grew out of reading books (you remember those, stories like Moby Dick, Huckleberry Finn, The Stand, Fahrenheit 451, Etc.?)

I suggest you dip into those wells for yourself.

The best copy, in my humble but accurate opinion, is between the covers of the best novels. But, I digress.

Would you like a shortcut to writing better copy?

This great book was recommended to me by my friend Andy Traub. In the book, Levy teaches a concept and technique he calls freewriting. His claim is that it helps you produce breakthrough ideas and solve problems in minutes. This book has literally changed my writing process. I'm using the freewriting technique to generate material for my blog posts, podcasts, books, seminars, and products.

What I was shocked to discover is that even if we consider ourselves creative, we tend to hold ourselves back. Inside each of us lives The Editor. Her job (yes, I'm afraid it's always a her) is to tell us that our writing is not perfect, that we need to go back and revise it, that we need to make sure we never sound stupid. Heaven forbid if anybody thought we were crazy.

What results from that kind of limiting belief is limited thinking. Careful thinking. Thinking that wants to make sure we fit in. Thinking that keeps us stuck.

Free writing, on the other hand, starts with you writing as fast as you can, for as long as you can, about something that's important to you and ignoring the standard rules of grammar and spelling and what you learned in English class and what your mother might think and what the Ladies' Society For Literary Decency might think.

I freewrote that last sentence. Notice that it was longer than most of my more controlled writing. It also, I think, had a little sparkle. I'm not going to polish it fix it, I'm going to leave it here as an example that perhaps will tease you into buying this book.

I've only scratched the surface of Levy's work. He has six big “secrets” that help render your Editor unconscious and let your genius run around for a while, naked and free. There are also a score of other exercises and techniques. And yes, he does teach you how to refine your free writing into something that you would share with somebody without fear or embarrassment.

Spiritual Foundations

2 hours.

That's the amount of time each week the average businessperson, manager, or entrepreneur spends  inside of church. If you've done the math already you realize that there are only 168 hours in a week. That means that 166 hours are spent outside the church for most modern Christians.

There's nothing wrong with that. In fact, that's my point in this week's Spiritual Foundations. Jesus never told us, “go to church.” In fact, he said something quite opposite:

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15

Most modern Christians act as if “ministry” is a job title that preachers have. But according to the Bible, the job of the preacher is to equip the saints for the work of the ministry. The saints (that's you and me) are the ones doing the ministry.

As a minister in the marketplace, you are quite literally going “into all the world.”

In future episodes, we're going to focus a lot more intently on what it means to do marketplace ministry without being preachy or repulsive to other people. We're going to focus on how you show the love of Christ to others in such a way they are changed by it… they are changed by him.

For now, I leave you with something to think about. Just like Jesus,  your meant to be out there, doing your father's business. So how's business?

Feature Segment: Social Media Marketing With Michael Stelzner

Michael Stelzner is the founder of Social Media Examiner, the world’s largest online social media magazine. Michael is also the author of the books Launch and Writing White Papers… and the man behind some large events, such as Social Media Marketing World (the most influential physical event in the industry, and I am thrilled to be speaking there next month), and Social Media Success Summit, the largest online conference. He is also host of the Social Media Marketing podcast show.

Get your tickets by clicking here. 

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question:  What are your big questions about how to monetize your message? Click here to leave your comments.

Do you have a message you'd like to get out the world, and you wonder if it's possible to get paid for it? It is possible, and it does take work, but not as much as you might think.

And on today's episode I'm going to show you  seven simple steps to monetizing your message. Also coming up…

• A travel app that I consider must-have.
• How to know who is a real follower of Jesus, and who is not.
• How to write blockbuster copy in 45 minutes.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

• Thanks to all who have left a review of the podcast in iTunes.  I'm going to start publicly acknowledging those who have done so, if I can identify you (sometimes the usernames in iTunes make that difficult.) This week I would like to thank:  Doug 9999, Tom Page, Joe Taylor, Walter G, Wesley Wiley, ChurchBoy 77, “frequent listener”.
• Every person who submits an audio question for the podcast will receive a free gift (if, and only if, we use your question on the podcast). Click here to submit your audio question.
• Meanwhile, if you would be interested in the possible one-day mastermind with me and 11 other people, where we make radical progress in your business… And if you're not just “interested” but you already know you want to do it,  fill in this form. If it looks like you would be a good fit, I will call you myself.  (If you just want the “details”, listen to the podcast. I explain all the “details”.)

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• NAMS 11 February 7-9, 2014, Atlanta, GA
• Social Media Marketing World, March 26-28, 2014, San Diego, CA
• The Launch Conference, April 7-10, 2014, Orlando, FL
• JV Alert: The Perfect Game April 24-27, Denver, CO
• SCORRE Conference May 5-8, Orlando, FL

Tip Of The Week 

My top must-have travel app, Tripit.  There are lots of travel apps available, and I have tried most of them. But this one is the hands-down winner that I was willing to pay money for. Here are three reasons why I really love this app:

1. No more cutting and pasting. Automatically create itineraries by forwarding confirmation emails to a special email address.
2. Custom itineraries. Add maps and directions, travel notes, photos, recommendations and more.
3. Easy access, 24/7. Access your itinerary any time online, via mobile device, calendar feeds or social sites.
4. Sharing. Share itineraries with family, friends, and co-workers to keep them in the know and connect with them on the road.
5. Mobile alerts. Get mobile alerts or emails about flight delays, cancellations, and gate changes.

Copywriting Corner

Do you want to know the magic formula for writing copy that sells? Me too. The fact is, there is no such formula. There are frameworks, and I teach those. What's more, I use them. But the truth is the best copy comes from inspiration and creativity. Where do those things come from? That is the subject of this week's Copywriting Corner. John Cleese has famously said he doesn't know where great ideas come from, but he's certain they don't come from our laptops. I believe it's important to be open to, and fill up on, stimulating, exciting, interesting, moving, and varied experiences. To live life. To give your brain a chance to get away from your projects, so it can do your work. My best copy has never come from following a template or formula. It is come from a flurry of white hot inspired ideation. Yours can too. In the audio version of this show, I expand a bit on these concepts, but for the benefit of you text a files, here are some tips

1. Give yourself plenty of creative input for your brain to work with (TV, movies, real world experiences, books, and especially things that are outside your normal range of experience.)
2. Carry a notebook and a pen!
3. When one of those lightning strike idea moments happens, stop everything else and capture the inspiration in what I call “the vomit draft”.

Spiritual Foundations

How do we know who's a true follower of Jesus? Well, first of all, there is no “litmus test” they can tell us for sure if another person is “saved” or not. Only the Holy Spirit himself knows that for sure. So how do we know, with all the various opinions and doctrines and expressions of Christianity, who the true followers of Christ really are? I think Jesus himself gave us the answer. He said:

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 15:35

Feature Segment: How To Monetize Your Message

By far, the most frequent question I am asked is some variation of, “Ray, how do I start a business of my own on the Internet? Can I really make enough money to get by? Or is it just a scam?”

It definitely is not a scam. I know plenty of people who have made this transition. Of course some of them are quite well known, and have been clients of mine. Some are my friends, and I've been privileged to know a few who are household names. But more impressive, I think, are the people you may have never heard of who have done exactly this. People who do things as varied as teaching massage therapists how to run a business, or teaching how to grow your own medicinal herbs, or unique brand of artful photography, or even dog training… It is definitely possible to take your knowledge and experience, what you already know, in turn that into money.

In fact, I'm teaching a brand-new webinar on this very subject tomorrow night (Thursday, January 30, 2014.) You can register for that webinar by clicking here. It's free.

Meanwhile, here are seven simple steps that will help you move closer to learning how to monetize your message.

1. First, you must decide that it's okay to actually do this.
2. Identify your “tribe”.
3. Hone your message.
4. Package your message properly.
5. Promote your message.
6. Profit from your message.
7. Ask, “what's next?”

We are at a significant point in history, unique and exciting. Every person is a media company if they want to be. For less than $100, you can have your own mini media empire. So the question is no longer access to distribution. The question is what will you do with it?

Listener Questions

Barak: How do you grow your audience?

Corbin Links:  How do you overcome a bad book review on an influential site?

Dan Tredo:  How do you overcome technical problems when building information business?

Todd Liles: Where do you find good Infusionsoft campaign templates?

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question:  What are your big questions about how to monetize your message? Click here to leave your comments.

Have you broken your New Year's resolutions yet? Most people have-my estimate is that over 90% have. So what do you do now? I'd say it's time to get serious about planning your year.

And on today's episode I'm going to show you how to do it in less than one hour. Also coming up…

• My top three productivity apps for 2014.
• Why what you say has spiritual power.
• Your invitation to a one-day mastermind with me.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

• Thanks to all who have left a review of the podcast in iTunes.  I'm going to start publicly acknowledging those who have done so, if I can identify you (sometimes the usernames in iTunes make that difficult.) This week I would like to thank:  Kingsley, Hope Dispenser… Cindy Bidar… Missouri Broker… Corbin 111… Jim Munchbach… Phil Drysdale… Robert Plank… Ernie Lansford… Carmen Manrique… Nick Douglas… Jeff Brown… Jeff Sanders… Rick Butts… Ryan Eidson… John Tiller… Liz Dugger… Todd Brown… Chad Meisinger… Bob Shoe… Rob Metras…  and Eric Graham.
• Every person who submits an audio question for the podcast will receive a free gift (if, and only if, we use your question on the podcast). Click here to submit your audio question.
• Meanwhile, if you would be interested in the possible one-day mastermind with me and 11 other people, where we make radical progress in your business… And if you're not just “interested” but you already know you want to do it,  fill in this form. If it looks like you would be a good fit, I will call you myself.  (If you just want the “details”, listen to the podcast. I explain all the “details”.)

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• NAMS 11 February 7-9, 2014, Atlanta, GA
• Social Media Marketing World, March 26-28, 2014, San Diego, CA
• JV Alert: The Perfect Game April 24-27, Denver, CO
• SCORRE Conference May 5-8, Orlando, FL

Tip Of The Week 

My top three productivity apps probably will not come as much of a surprise. But I have made a shift, so here they are:

1. Evernote. I think of Evernote as my “magical filing cabinet/notebook/backup brain”. I really couldn't function the way I do without it.
2. Nozbe. It took a strong recommendation from Michael Hyatt to finally get me to try a different task management system. I had been using OmniFocus for years.  Now, after just a couple of weeks, I can't imagine going back.
3. Dragon Dictate.  I have finally taken the time to learn the nuances (pun intended) of using the software. I don't know of anyone who can type faster than they can talk. Other than dictating and having your words recorded by transcriptionist, this is the fastest way I know to write.

Copywriting Corner

If you ever get stuck writing copy, and find yourself staring at a blank page, here's a quick tip that will get the copy flowing again. Just start writing up the offer. Describe the “stuff” you'll be selling. If even that requires too much creativity, try just writing up the guarantee. In other words, write what I call “the stupid parts”. I don't mean that these parts the copy are unimportant, or that you should be careless about the final draft of these sections. What I do mean is that you can write this kind of copy even if you are in a “stupid state”. I usually find that fairly soon the creativity starts to flow again, and I can start writing “the smart parts”. And yes, I also go back and rewrite the parts I started with, because all of your copy needs to be “smart parts”.

Spiritual Foundations

I believe that as followers of Christ, we have the very Spirit of God living inside of us. I believe because of this, the words we speak have power. Thus, saying negative things (“I can't do this”… “Why does this always happen to me”… “It always turns out like this”… and so on) can have a powerful adverse impact on our lives. By the same token, saying positive things brings about good things in our life. This is not “positive thinking”. It is absolutely not “The Secret”, which is a new age religion not compatible with following Christ.

Some people wonder if my belief in “positive declarations” is Biblical. It certainly is. And here are 3 biblical reasons why you should only declare good things about yourself, your loved ones, and your life.

1. When we speak or hear life-giving declarations, grace is imparted. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29)
2. The words we speak can either bless or curse our lives. “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37)
3. Perhaps the most powerful Scripture on this topic is also the simplest: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21).

Feature Segment: How To Plan Your Year In Just 1 Hour

By now it's likely your  New Year's resolutions are broken. Most people's are. I believe the reason behind this is the same force that was behind my experience while hiking recently.  I got so focused on the length and height of the mountain we were trying to climb, I wanted to give up.  It was only when I learned to focus on short-term and intermediate points on the path that I found the strength to continue the hike. (For the full hiking story,  you need to listen to the show!)

This is the problem with New Year's resolutions. I have a different plan in mind for you. Here's how to plan your entire year in an hour or less, and it matches up a lot more closely with what you already do naturally anyway.

First, plan your days off. 52 weeks means 52 Saturdays and Sundays… Which really should be 104 days free from work. Add in 10 days for actual vacation, and 10 more days for holidays, and you have a minimum of 124 free days. Put those in your calendar, and protect them like the treasure they are.

Next, plan the important personal events that you simply must attend. Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and family reunions come to mind. I would also include here any important church or mission functions.

Now, plan any seminars, conferences, or other learning events you are going to attend. Don't fool yourself; you have a limited number of these events you can attend. You probably know the most important ones already so plug them into the calendar. Any weekends or other free days that get eaten up by these events must be replaced somewhere else in your calendar.

At this point, in my own planning I realized I had only about 165 days left before I even started the year. That means out of the entire year, I only had 23 weeks to “work”… less than half the weeks in the year. This is a powerful realization, because the things that I have listed above are going to happen to you… whether you put them on the calendar or not. The only exception might be that, because of a lack of planning, you sacrifice your “free days”… meaning you are sacrificing time with family, time recharging and resting, time to re-create. Big mistake.

So what do you do when youre remaining 23 weeks (or whatever number you came up with)? First of all, I don't recommend working 12-15 hours a day to try and make up the difference. In fact, I recommend you limit your work day to about six hours. That's all the productive time you're going to get out of the day anyhow, whether you admit it or not. This leads us to a very important realization… we can now calculate the value of an hour of our work. Here's how to do that…

• Decide how much money you want to make this year. Let's say, just for the sake of example, your target income is $200,000.
• You have 165 days to work,  And I think it's pretty fair to say that a third of those days will be spent doing administrative and preparatory work (in other words, not the actual stuff your paid for).
• This leaves you with about 110 full “workdays”-days when you perform the actual work that gets you paid.
• Let's suppose you're going to work seven hours per day (and if you can actually squeeze seven productive hours out of a day, you are performing at a higher level than 95% of everyone else on earth… congratulations.)
• Seven hours per day times 110 days yields 770 hours. Which means you're being paid $259.74 per hour in order to make your $200,000 this year.

So what's the point? I haven't describe anything unrealistic. In fact, I may have just given you the first realistic picture of what your year actually looks like you've ever seen. Perhaps right now you're having a revelation of why you never made the money you want to make, or achieved the things you want to achieve. It's because you have less time available to work than you think you do. This is not bad news. It simply means your primary question should be: “Is what I'm doing right now worth $259.74 per hour?” If the answer is no… stop it.

You're probably already ahead of me. You're probably thinking about all the other things I haven't plugged into your schedule… doctor appointments, unexpected illnesses, pleasant surprises… even the possibility that you want to make more money than what I mentioned.

My point isn't even that you need to have a perfect plan. It's that you need to put the big pieces of the puzzle in your calendar first, the ones you know that are beyond choosing, the ones you know that are important (like those free days), and the ones you know you have little control over. It means you need to get a realistic view of how many hours you actually have available to you this year to accomplish your goals, to be intentional about how you use them, and most importantly… to not be surprised at the end of the year, when you could've planned a different outcome.

I suppose if I had a summary message it would be this: I believe you can do almost anything you want this year, but you almost certainly cannot do everything you want.

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question: how do you plan your year? Click here to leave your comments.

This week we will continue with listener questions. As you may remember, we just completed our first ever Annual Reader/Listener Survey for this site (and podcast). We got some interesting and surprising results in that survey…  and lots of feedback, comments, and questions.

We will answer more questions and comment on more comments. Also on today's episode…

• Tip of the Week
• I address the overreaction to my comments about “radical grace”.
• Would you like to be in a mastermind with me?
• And the always award-winning, much much more.

Announcements:

• Looking for a copywriting gig? Send me a one sheet “sales letter” on why you would be a perfect copywriter for me to hire. 800 words maximum. Also send along any samples you think would convince me you are brilliant. Make the subject line of your email say only: “Blue Fondue”. Send that email to the address I provided in the podcast, and listen to the podcast audio for instructions about what happens next. If you email me with questions, I have not listened to the podcast instructions, I won't be able to answer you.
• Starting this week, every person who submits an audio question for the podcast will receive a free gift (if, and only if, we use your question on the podcast). Click here to submit your audio question.
• Meanwhile, if you would be interested in the possible one-day mastermind with me and 11 other people, where we make radical progress in your business… And if you're not just “interested” but you already know you want to do it,  fill in this form. If it looks like you would be a good fit, I will call you myself.  (If you just want the “details”, listen to the podcast. I explain all the “details”.)

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• Strategic Influence Jan 14-16, 2014, Phoenix, AZ
• NAMS 11 February 7-9, 2014, Atlanta, GA
• Social Media Marketing World, March 26-28, 2014, San Diego, CA
• JV Alert: The Perfect Game April 24-27, Denver, CO
• SCORRE Conference May 5-8, Orlando, FL

Tip Of The Week 

 Stuck In Customs

Copywriting Corner

This is the official kickoff of one of your suggestions from our listener survey: that I include a copywriting tip in each episode.  Each week I will include a tip on how to improve the power and persuasiveness of your copy. In other words, I will help you write copy that moves people to action, whether that action be to buy a product, to opt into a list, or to adopt an idea you are “selling” to them.

This week's tip: the easiest and fastest way to influence anyone is by using what is already influencing them.

This is a restatement of Robert Colliers classic advice: you must enter the conversation that is already taking place in the mind of the reader.

But how do you do this? To get into the mind of your prospect, you need to have tea.  No, it's not a beverage. It's a visualization exercise, for which I have coined the term The Empathy Amplifier (T.E.A.). Here's how to do it:

• Gather all the actual data you have about your prospects (the people to whom you are writing).
• Get into a quiet place. Perhaps even have an actual cup of tea.
• Now visualize yourself stepping into the body and life of your prospect. (This is not some form of demonic astral projection, it simply you using your sanctified imagination to understand another person's life better.)
• Walk through every detail of their day that you can imagine: when they wake up, how they wake up, what they see/hear/smell/feel… What they have for breakfast, the kind of car they drive to work, the neighborhood they drive through, the waiter greeted at the office, the emotional state they feel throughout the day… Right up to the moment they walk through the door of home at the end of the workday and collapse onto the sofa to watch TV. Or whatever they do.
• Take your time. Do this exercise thoroughly. Think about what their fears, frustrations, and anxieties are. What is their dominant driving emotion, most of the time?
• When you have bathed yourself in the wash of their experience… Now you can start writing some copy.

Try it.

In fact, I would love to share some reader examples with everyone else. So if you do this exercise, and write a paragraph or two of copy, and you know there is a difference-send me that copy! I'll share with the world!

Spiritual Foundations

Last week I talked about those who resist a “radical grace” approach to the gospel. I mentioned that some people are afraid this is an error, and refer to it as “cheap grace” or “greasy grace”.  Their concern is that this teaching that Jesus has already paid the price for our sins… past, present, and future, is a perversion of the gospel. That it gives people license to sin, and makes them bitter, arrogant, and prideful.  I said that Grace is not a license to sin. It is what empowers us to overcome sin.

I also knowledge to that some use the word “grace” as an excuse for their sin. But we don't know (a) whether that person IS or IS NOT a true believer… and (B) how and/or when that person will be overcome by God's Grace and led out of a life of sin.

Let me assure you that I got the same objections from more than one person. So if you objected, and you are hearing this, please understand that I am not directing this only at you. I am, in the best way I know, lovingly offering you a different way of considering this issue. I reached my conclusions on these matters based solely on Scripture. I can defend them based solely on Scripture. But that would take an entire podcast to even begin to scratch the surface. So let me summarize this quickly, and perhaps allow some people to rest easy, by saying this:

The grace that Jesus Christ offers lets you completely off the hook for sin. It settles your sin problem once and for all. Past, present, and future. It is not necessary for you to beg for forgiveness every time you cross the line in sin. Even if you do it willfully. Grace is much more powerful than that, and creates within you a new heart that makes it more and more impossible for you to sin.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. Titus 2:11-12, NIV

Grace does not increase the desire to sin. Preaching this radical grace does not cause people to sin more. What causes that is the very spirit of “religion” which so desperately wants to bind people to rules and regulations. It is this religious spirit that causes well-meaning believers say things like, “Yes, grace is wonderful, but you got to be careful… you've got to make sure you balance that teaching with an emphasis on holiness…  and following God's commandments.”

I humbly disagree. We are not under the law, but under grace.

Let's see what the New Testament has to say about the Law.

    Acts

•     The law is an unbearable yoke. (Acts 15:10)

Romans

•     The law reveals sin but cannot fix it. (Romans 3:20)
•     If the law worked then faith would be irrelevant. (Romans 4:14)
•     The law brings wrath upon those who follow it. (Romans 4:15)
•     The purpose of the law was to increase sin. (Romans 5:20)
•     Christians are not under the law. (Romans 6:14)
•     Christians have been delivered from the law. (Romans 7:1-6)
•     The law is good, perfect, and holy but cannot help you be good, perfect, or holy. (Romans 7:7-12)
•     The law which promises life only brings death through sin. (Romans 7:10)
•     The law makes you sinful beyond measure. (Romans 7:13)
•     The law is weak. (Romans 8:2-3)

1 Corinthians

•     The strength of sin is the law. (1 Corinthians 15:56)

2 Corinthians

•     The law is a ministry of death. (2 Corinthians 3:7)
•     The law is a ministry of condemnation. (2 Corinthians 3:9)
•     The law has no glory at all in comparison with the New Covenant. (2 Corinthians 3:10)
•     The law is fading away. (2 Corinthians 3:11)
•     Anywhere the law is preached it produces a mind-hardening and a heart-hardening veil. (2 Corinthians 3:14-15)

Galatians

•     The law justifies nobody. (Galatians 2:16)
•     Christians are dead to the law. (Galatians 2:19)
•     The law frustrates grace. (Galatians 2:21)
•     To go back to the law after embracing faith is “stupid.” (Galatians 3:1)
•     The law curses all who practice it and fail to do it perfectly. (Galatians 3:10)
•     The law has nothing to do with faith. (Galatians 3:11-12)
•     The law was a curse that Christ redeemed us from. (Galatians 3:13)
•     The law functioned in God's purpose as a temporary covenant from Moses till John the Baptist announced Christ. (Galatians 3:16 & 19, also see Matthew 11:12-13, Luke 16:16)
•     If the law worked God would have used it to save us. (Galatians 3:21)
•     The law was our prison. (Galatians 3:23)
•     The law makes you a slave like Hagar. (Galatians 4:24)

Ephesians

•     Christ has abolished the law which was a wall of hostility. (Ephesians 2:15)

Philippians

•     Paul considered everything the law gained him as “skybalon” which is Greek for “poop.” (Philippians 3:4-8)

1 Timothy

•     The law is only good if used in the right context. (1Timothy 1:8 – see next verse for the context)
•     The law was made for the unrighteous but not for the righteous. (1 Timothy 1:9-10)

Hebrews

•     The law is weak, useless, and makes nothing perfect. (Hebrews 7:18-19)
•     (As an aside – that's some fighting talk – no wonder the author of Hebrews remains anonymous to this day!)
•     God has found fault with it and created a better covenant, enacted on better promises. (Hebrews 8:7-8)
•     It is obsolete, growing old, and ready to vanish. (Hebrews 8:13)
•     It is only a shadow of good things to come and will never make someone perfect. (Hebrews 10:1)

This list of scripture, and the commentary, was supplied by my good friend Phil Drysdale. I recommend you read Phil's blog at PhilDrysdale.com

Let me answer clearly this accusation that there is such a thing as “greasy grace”: no, no, no! Grace does not cause disregard for holiness-your religion does.

As a final thought on this subject, I will quote the well-respected Bible commentator Martyn Lloyd Jones, who wrote the following  in his Commentary on Romans 6:

The true preaching of the gospel of salvation by grace alone always leads to the possibility of this charge being brought against it. There is no better test as to whether a man is really preaching the New Testament gospel of salvation than this, that some people might misunderstand it and misinterpret it to mean that it really amounts to this, that because you are saved by grace alone it does not matter at all what you do; you can go on sinning as much as you like because it will redound all the more to the glory of grace. If my preaching and presentation of the gospel of salvation does not express it to that misunderstanding, then it is not the true gospel.”

Your Further Comments

1. More emphasis on selecting niches and keywords. This is my biggest problem.
2. I prefer to read the transcription of a podcast.
3. Broadcast listener questions
4. I like the short format the best.
5. I really like the podcast. It would be nice if all blog post were able to be listened to.

Your Further Questions

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question: how are you doing on your goals and resolutions so far in the new year? Click here to leave your comments.

I promised this week would be about the most important subject I've ever covered. That subject is… you. We just completed our first ever Annual Reader/Listener Survey for this site (and podcast). Boy, did we get some interesting and surprising results in that survey…  and it's all about you.

I also received a ton of comments and questions. Many of them flattering, some of them not so much. On this weeks podcast I'm sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly. Also on today's episode…

• December's comment contest winners.
• Status of the updated copywriting course.
• Gadget recommendation: the perfect digital camera.
• Does teaching “radical grace” give people license to sin?
• Would you like to be in a mastermind with me?
• And the always award-winning, much much more.

Announcements:

• The winners of access to the updated copywriting course are:
  •  Dan Black (37)
  •  Eric Dingler (7)
  •  Todd Liles (7)
  •  Paul Jolicoeur (6)
  •  Adam Collier (4)
• The copywriting course itself is going to be released a bit later than originally planned. Stay tuned to find out why.
• Looking for a copywriting gig? Send me a one sheet “sales letter” on why you would be a perfect copywriter for me to hire. 800 words maximum. Also send along any samples you think would convince me you are brilliant. Make the subject line of your email say only: “Blue Fondue”. Send that email to the address I provided in the podcast, and listen to the podcast audio for instructions about what happens next. If you email me with questions, I have not listened to the podcast instructions, I won't be able to answer you.
• Starting next week, every person who submits an audio question for the podcast will receive a free gift (if, and only if, we use your question on the podcast). Click here to submit your audio question.
• “Permission to Prosper” event originally scheduled for April has been postponed… Mainly because I haven't finished the companion book yet! We will update you soon.
• Meanwhile, if you would be interested in the possible one-day mastermind with me and 11 other people, where we make radical progress in your business… And if you're not just “interested” but you already know you want to do it,  fill in this form. If it looks like you would be a good fit, I will call you myself.  (If you just want the “details”, listen to the podcast. I explain all the “details”.)

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• Strategic Influence Jan 14-16, 2014, Phoenix, AZ
• NAMS 11 February 7-9, 2014, Atlanta, GA
• Social Media Marketing World, March 26-28, 2014, San Diego, CA

Tip Of The Week 

As you may know, I have taken a deep interest in digital photography. After extensive research, reading many reviews, and looking at many, many cameras, I settled on the Sony NEX-7. the main reasons I decided on this camera are:

• Digital SLR's are on the way out, and mirrorless compact cameras are the future of digital photography.
• This camera is about five times lighter than the equivalent DSLR.
• While megapixels are not everything, the NEX-7  is a 24 megapixel camera, and also has a relatively large sensor (which is more important than the number of megapixels)
• There are not as many lenses available for this camera as for others, but pretty much all the lenses I would ever need are available.
• It's about half the cost of equivalently powerful DSLR.
• I find the electronic menu system quite easy and intuitive to use.
• This camera shoots fantastic video, and shoots it at 60 frames per second (wow!)

If you're interested in knowing more, check out this review by Trey Ratcliffe.

If you want to buy a Sony NEX-7, get the best deal here at Amazon.

Spiritual Foundations

When we talk about the radical grace of Jesus, some people become concerned that this will encourage others to sin freely. This is not the case. Grace is not a license to sin. It is what empowers us to overcome sin.

Do some use “grace” as an excuse for their sin? So it seems. But we don't know (a) whether that person IS or IS NOT a true believer… and (B) how and/or when that person will be overcome by God's Grace and led out of a life of sin.

Resist the temptation to judge people, and resist the temptation to diminish the power of the Gospel. For that is what we do when we throw around terms like “cheap grace” or “greasy grace”. There's no such thing. God's grace covers all of our sin. ALL.

You won't win people to the Kingdom by bearing them over the head with the 10 Commandments. You win them by showing them the grace of Christ.

“Just as I am, without one plea,
But that thy blood was shed for me…”

 Survey Results And Listener Questions

The votes are in, the polls are closed, and this is what I learned (thank you for sharing).

• 77 % of you are 40 or older.
• 44.87% have a Bachelor’s Degree; 31.03% have a Masters or Doctorate
• 82.14% of you make over $50,000 per year; 48.21% make over $100,00!
• 87.5% of you are Christians, and 96.43% say your faith is either “Important” or “Very Important” to you.
• 69.64% say I write and talk just the right amount about faith; 25% say you wish I would talk more about faith.
• 81.9% of you are business owners, entrepreneurs, or corporate leaders.
• More of you prefer the podcast to the blog (this was a shocker!)
• The most popular topics you want to hear more about from me are (in order of popularity): making an income online, productivity, copywriting, and spiritual topics.

That’s a topline selection of some of the most significant data we collected. Were still sifting through some of the open-ended responses.

The Most Surprising Result

We did ask a follow-up question about what product or training you would most like me to create for you next, and frankly I was shocked by the results. I felt certain the number one choice would be a new, revised copywriting course. I felt so certain, in fact, we had already started working on this. But…

By a healthy 3-to-1 margin, the most desired training is “how to package, promote, and profit from what you already know”. The people have spoken, and I have listened. We are working on this very training right now… more to come on this soon. (Never fear… The copywriting course will be next on the agenda!)

So what does all this data mean, anyway? How will it affect the content we publish going forward?

What We Plan to Do

First and foremost, I want to make this blog more useful for you. A better investment of your time. More helpful to you.

Let me be clear: even if you never do business with my company, even if you never buy a single thing we have to offer, I want to make sure we offer value to you.

Based on what we learned in the survey, here are some things we plan to do:

• Take a bolder stance for being disciples of Jesus in the marketplace. The spiritual foundations of success will take an even more central role. Clearly, we have not been hiding this one “under a bushel”, but the hunger for guidance in this area was made clear by the many comments we received. I plan to respond to this need as a top priority, because that’s what you told me you wanted.
• Focus more on the topics you are most interested in. That means you’ll be getting more podcasts and articles on how to create your own online business, how to be more productive, how to write more powerful copy, and the spiritual foundations of business success.
• Provide more tutorials and “how to” pieces. It’s clear most of you would like more “how to” and tutorial material. We plan to provide this, much of it for free, in the coming year.
• Develop a community. If one thing has become obvious to me, it is that you (the readers of this blog, and the listeners of this podcast) are a powerful, connected, talented, and gifted group of people. I believe one of the greatest gifts I could give you is to connect you to one another. We are exploring exactly how would be the best way to develop a  community where we can make that happen.
• Offer practical help for simplifying complex lives. I was pleased to see that so many of you are well educated, already-successful entrepreneurs and professionals. I have also realized, through reading the free-form questions and comments, that those of us in this position facing unique set of challenges. We have to juggle many responsibilities: family, children (and grandchildren), employees, business partners, etc. Many of us don’t feel completely free to make radical changes in our lives without carefully weighing the consequences and ramifications for other people who depend upon us. I plan to spend more time focusing on solutions to these problems.

Your Comments

1. Add a copywriting tip to each episode. You have a skill that so many want. This would be tremendously helpful.
2. Would love more blog content apart from the podcast notes, but the podcast is soooo good that it's enough to keep me hooked!
3. i liked it longer – you were able to delve deeper into concepts…!
4. Consistency in what day(s) you will post articles to blog. Seems that each week/month is different. And don't need too many articles: 1-2 articles besides podcast/week is sufficient.
5. I love the current format of the podcast, but perhaps you would consider more frequent blog posts?

Your Questions

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question: how will YOU engage un more of a conversation with your customers this year? Click here to leave your comments.

Michael Hyatt is my guest on the first podcast of 2014, and we discuss how to set effective goals for the new year.

What To Do Now

Click here to get Michael's Goal-Setting Videos, and I will invite you to a small, private, “Mastermind call.”

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the podcast. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question:   What goals will you set for the New Year? Click here to leave your comments.