The Good Grow Great Podcast

Find out how to turn an idea into a reality, find money for it, and create something you’re proud of. Nalin Chuapetcharasopon, CEO of CrushCrowdfunding, shared how she raised $7+ million dollars. Now more than ever, imagine seeing something you invented in stores everywhere. Find out: (07:09) What to do if you’re suddenly out of a stable job. (13:30) The real difference between Kickstarter v. Shopify v. Squarespace. (15:00) Ownership pros and cons: angel investors v. crowdfunding. (18:50) Can you turn ideas into reality if you’re already working 9-5? (21:30) When to start growing a team. (26:40) The abundance mentality that kills competition overwhelm. Find Nalin Chuapetcharasopon, CEO of Crushcrowdfunding on www.crushcrowdfunding.com. ----  For a 5,300-word free Ultimate Guide on how to leave a remarkable impression go to www.goodgrowgreat.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Maskill, CEO and founder of The Ultimate Freedom mastermind talks pitfalls you should avoid if you’re starting or growing a business (so that you still have the time to do whatever you want). Now more than ever, many people are looking to make massive waves. Paul talks how to get your life back while earning a handsome living: (02:07) How doing things that no one else is willing to do can get you ahead, but not much further. (04:10) How to start creating a business that runs on auto without you (05:30) Three different ways to make money: 1) self-employment v.; 2) running a business v.; 3) having the business run for you. (08:08) How to create a plan B and safety net when starting up by doing the majority of the work in advance. (11:56) How to stay cost-lean when starting out to make sure your business survive. (13:03) How to build a 12-month reserve fund to give yourself runway to start. (13:57) How to decide: is there a market for your idea? (14:30) How to get your business running automatically by creating the right systems (even before you felt ready). (15:45) How to get clear on what your business should do for you, instead of the other way around. (17:10) How to start building a team and share video/audio instructions. (17:49) How to look at: 1) lead generation 2) sales 3) customer support 4) service/product provision, and 5) back-end or administrative—to see where your money is best made. (21:09) How to measure your time-value-money to get massive wins. (21:54) How anyone can start today to create automation systems. (22:26) How to perfect, automate, delegate anything to get your business running for you. (24:11) How to start hiring and getting the right people onboard and why personality matters more than being technically capable. (25:11) How to get the best people to help you. (26:50) How to grab attention and secure a job/sale when you reach out to companies, clients, or future opportunity. (31:53) How to take care of yourself while taking care of others. (33:55) How to lean on other people to make sure you take care of yourself. Find Paul on https://www.paulmaskill.com/mastermind     ----  For a 5,300-word free Ultimate Guide on how to get more clients by leaving a remarkable impression go to www.goodgrowgreat.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re an introvert like me, I’m sure you’ve been in situations, a party, a giant conference, or a get-together, when you look at your best friend, or brother and sister, or colleague and mouthed from across the room, “Help me get out of this conversation! Please”. Usually it has nothing to do with the people who were there. It was just that you’re tapped out.  And the thought of a quiet night with your favorite book or show, sounds pretty sweet. What’s interesting, though, is that even with COVID, one of my students told me recently: “It’s weird. I feel like we’re supposed to be doing less, meeting up with less people, and all. But how come it feels like I’m doing even more now and I’m talking to even MORE people these days!?” It’s because even though we’re not actually around as many people as usual, we are STILL constantly having conversations. Which means that one thing in your life is still totally crammed.  And that is your headspace. I always look at this, and whatever it is that occupies your mind, to be almost like the ceiling height in your house. If it’s too low and there’s not enough headspace, you’re constantly trying to look for a way out. Usually AFTER your neck and back are screaming: GET ME OUT! The thing is, the more determined you are to get ahead in life and grow your business, usually the more noise there will be. And with that, you’ll have even LESS time to yourself to do the things that really matter, like being with people you care about, or even just spending more time taking care of yourself. It gets more and more difficult, to ‘get out’ of the noise. But if you ARE able to close your ears to ‘conversations’ that you know is not good for you, all the ‘news’ that only distract you, or even the vocal few people in your life who doubted you ... You will become unstoppable. THIS is what I’ve seen sets apart the 1% from the 99%: the ability to have clarity, peace in knowing their direction, and graceful execution. So then the question becomes, how DO you do this if you’re in a personal, work, or business relationship that is—challenging? Or how do you do it if you’re on your own, especially during COVID-19? And how do you bounce from all this? --- Before we keep going, be sure to not miss a beat and hit the FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE button. --- This week, we’re diving into this topic as I sit down with Wendy Sterling, a relationship and divorce expert. It’s been a while since I take a hard look at how relationship affects life, business, and entrepreneurship. But the ‘not-so-secret’ secret is that we know that it definitely plays a HUGE part in our success. This is true especially when we need to have difficult conversations with your client, boss, spouse, or even a family member. “A person's success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have.” - Tim Ferris Growth Solvers, let’s take a listen as we find out: 5:43 How to get unstuck when worrying too much. 6:19 What intuition can actually tell you about your relationships 7:21 What the realization of the need to live for yourself look like. 7:43 What the difference between façade perfect family versus closed-doors reality can do to open up new possibilities. 8:40 How to leave a successful career if you are unhappy. 9:48 How to face the truth and have an extremely difficult conversation. 12:07 What followed a panic attack when a relationship goes awry. 12:57 How to read the signs of something going wrong in a relationship. 14:50 How to start having conversations you know need to happen sooner or later. 15:55 Why sometimes you can have an amazing communication at work, but are lagging behind in communicating with the people who are most important in your lives. 18:21 Why understanding yours and other people’s defense mechanism can help. 20:18 Why NOT ignoring your gut feeling is useful in your relationships, business, and work. 21:33 What to do if you’re trying NOT to burn any bridges and save a relationship. 23:24 How to give yourself a time limit to work on salvaging a broken relationship. 25:39 The real reason why you are still sometimes stuck in some things that are not good for you. --- Growth solvers, FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE and join me in supporting you to live a meaningful life that you deserve! You GOT this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I get a ton of questions lately about working from home and growing passive income. What’s great is that I see a whole range of questions, like: Thalia, how do you stay motivated? How do I keep my kids from driving me insane? How am I supposed to set goals when I don’t know what’s going to happen? How can I possibly get everything done at home? What’s the best way to earn money on the side? I love all these questions. It’s funny though, isn’t it? How we’re doing similar things we did pre-COVID and just going about in our lives, but because everything’s changed now, we’re much more aware of the things that we like and don’t like. It’s like someone just plugged a speaker phone into all our activities and it screams back, “Hey, this is just NOT working!” Everything feels bigger in smaller quarters. And because of this, you may feel like things are just running on a loop and happiness is like a one-off privilege that you have to keep fighting for. What I discover about work and business, though, is that they will likely suffer when you’re out of sorts, and definitely when you’re unhappy.  So how DO you stay sane, successful, AND happy at home while getting ahead and growing your business?   Spend a ton of time on the things that give you happiness and meaning, and a timed amount on the things that don’t. The odd thing about working from home, is that no one ever talks about treating your day like there’s an external time-table that runs the whole show (even though life DOES keep moving on)! It’s YOUR show. You get to decide. Of course, there are things that are not always fun to do but needs to get done (like brushing your teeth and looking at how you did in your business). AND on the things that make you feel like you’re on vacation! Whether that’s one hour or one week on a particular goal, it’s your call.   Find ways to love the progress first, BEFORE you find the profit. I think we’ve done ourselves a disservice whenever people throw around things like, “Love what you do, THEN you’ll be happy”. First of all, I think this is super confusing. It makes us chase that momentary high that we associate with loving something. And it focuses on already loving or hating something, versus cultivating that appreciation for what you’re meant to do. In reality, you won’t always love everything WHILE you’re at it. For instance, I love my kids, but I honestly just don’t like what comes with parenting. Love is not the same as like. I love working out as a whole. But I don’t always like waking up to it. So if you want to crush your work and business goals, or even earn more, find ways to make the long days … easier, lighter, or more fun.   Know that passive income IS possible, after targeted activity. There’s a misconception being thrown around right now that passive income is … all just about sitting back in your PJs and watching things roll in. Um … sorry, but that’s not (never has been and never will be) the case. And this misconception drives many entrepreneurs into misery, thinking, “Why is it not working?” Yes, passive income is possible, but only AFTER you’ve put in the appropriate amount of activity, investment, and energy and time upfront. What this means is that if your income or business is still going nowhere, the things you’ve done upfront might need some tweaking. This is true for both offline and online income. I’ll talk about mistakes to avoid when you’re creating passive income streams in the upcoming months. --- Before we keep going, be sure to not miss a beat and hit the FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE button. --- Which is why today I want to bring you a whole range of experience from multiple women business owners who have found amazing ways to: Work from home while making authentic work relationships. Confidently be introverted and be OK with it. Successfully switch from a prestigious job and follow their calling. Master how to say no to the things they know is not good for them, and Crush the fear of having to be in the public eye. --- Find out:   WORK-FROM-HOME STRATEGIES 7:18 How Jennifer Tamborski ended up working from home and why it took a lot of the pressure off. 7:59 How to grow a multiple 6-figure business even if you’re an introvert. 9:12 How to work from home as an introvert and parent for 14 years. 10:23 How to connect virtually with just about anyone from home. 11:01 What coffee has anything to do with growing with your business Learn more about Jennifer Tamborski.   WAYS TO GETTING UNSTUCK 11:12 How Else Johnson overcome her shyness. 11:37 The internal dialog that made introversion work against you. 11:53 The coping mechanism that helps you get unstuck. 12:10 How being fully present gets you ahead. 12:58 Why introversion is a strength. Learn more about Else Johnson.   HOW TO WIN YOUR TIME BACK 15:37 Why fully expressing yourself win you your time back. 17:00 Get massive wins carving out time to create ways to take care of yourself. 18:10 The real secrets of saying no to things that eat up your energy. 19:29 Creating criteria in your life so that you’re not getting pulled all over the place. 20:02 How to evaluate your relationships to protect your time, day, and sanity. Learn more about Mong Sai.   WHY PRESTIGE DOESN’T EQUAL PROGRESS 21:24 How to decide whether to quit or to keep going. 21:46 The five value system you can use to make a decision. 22:00 Identifying when you’ve lived two conflicting lives. 22:43 How to be OK even if you’re facing obstacles. 23:15 How to use increments to balance when you’re consuming versus creating. Learn more about Megan Brehman.   LIFE-CHANGING WAYS TO FACE YOUR FEARS 25:45 How to crush even your biggest challenge in your business. 26:20 How making other people seen and heard can change your life. 26:46 Major types of introversion you need to know. 27:18 What’s actually your greatest gift. 28:08 How to use your Achilles Heel to make massive changes. Learn more about Rebecca Shaw.   --- Growth solvers, FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE and join me in supporting you to live a meaningful life that you deserve! You GOT this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I remember a time when I was sitting in a meeting with three other guys in suits in a room with grey concrete walls. The meeting was going on and on and everyone was starting to get fidgety. The door opened and in came the top dog’s secretary, who said that so and so was there to meet him. Five minutes later, she came back in to give him another note. Seven minutes go by, and again she came with yet another thing, this time waving her hand and pointing at her watch while looking at him urgently. After the meeting wrapped, I asked this CEO, who started and grew a billion dollar company from scratch but still has his marriage intact, his kids away from drugs, and his employees raving about him, “You seemed busy. How do you do it all?” He looked up at me and without missing a beat he said, “It’s simple. Focus on the small things”. Wait. What do you mean? There has GOT to be more to it! He saw the disbelief in my face. And quickly added, “I know. Seems too easy. But simple things are actually harder to do. Because it requires that you rewrite things other people have made you believe.” He’s right. After years working with people and businesses of all kinds, I realized that masterpieces have one thing in common: They’re not about the grandiose actions.   They’re about creating a big difference with small, yet meaningful steps.   Think of your favorite song. It’s probably not complicated or very long at all. Think of your favorite food. I’m willing to bet that it’s not a micro scallop served on an oversized plate with paprika sprinkled all over. And, Think of your favorite person. It’s likely someone you know and love, who makes you smile, laugh, cry, or even inspired. That’s all! And yet, we’re taught that to be successful, everything needs to be giant, huge, and this big pie in the sky. Why else is everyone in the world obsessed with follower counts? You know how many followers most millionaires and billionaires that I personally know have on their social media accounts? Around 100. Yep. What they’ve known all along, is that the small things matter ... BIG time! They know that a small knife can kill a big cow. They also realize that the sun, though powerful, is still a small speck in the big, dark space. Yet they know that this ‘small’ sun, can still wipe out darkness in a matter of seconds.   When light meets darkness, light always wins.   So how do you swim in the big ocean if you’re a small fish? The secret, of course, is to find small, yet powerful things that can give you massive wins. Here are some of my favorite “small” yet big levers: Use the Rule of 3, NOT 13. Find the top 1-3 things that you see have given you massive progress, and make that your top priorities every day. Most of us have 10-20 things that we never finish each day that just makes us feel defeated at the end of the day. I talked about all things productivity, goals, and systemizing lists on this week’s podcast.    Double down on the few things that work, THEN delegate. If you find that exercising really gives you a boost at work, don’t skip it. If you learned that a 1-hour Netflix binge is all that you need to unwind, make that a priority. Yes, I said it! And THEN, apply the same principle with your work. Did you do something that make your buyers and clients happy? Do more of that.   Focus on ways to repeat wins, NOT redo. Life is a long So is your happiness and meaning. You don’t want to find yourself still grinding away in misery like it’s your first year doing this—five years from now. As you grow, be sure to work in time to create ways to make your days easier. That can be with a checklist, an automated system, or by growing your team and partnerships.   Business—should have a long life. Breathe life into it. To make this possible, this time I want to dive into how you can get big wins with small changes, including how you look at your goals, how to put them together, and create a well-oiled system that helps you buy back time. In this episode, you’ll take home: How to let the calendar do the heavy work and buy back time. The hybrid online/offline productivity approach that kills frustration. How leaving town/house/room can finally get you your goals and plans. --- Growth solvers, FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE and join me in supporting you to live a meaningful life that you deserve! You GOT this. --- Specifically:   5:04 How wanting to get away with computers can create an amazing business 5:24 Why home office is more important than you think. 7:04 Top mistakes and problems about working from home. 8:09 Why being productive is more than just getting organized. 8:40 The top 4 areas of your home office that you can’t ignore in order to be productive. 9:30 How to kill overwhelm and decided what is most important that can create massive wins. 10:07 What open floor plan and our mobile devices have anything to do with getting things done. 10:48 The life-changing power of paperless. 14:39 How to create systems that run for you, instead of you running for your business. 15:22 Why you fall off the wagon and how to prevent walking away from amazing systems you create. 16:54 How to keep a balance mindset for the shiny object syndrome. 18:27 How to get an all-in-one way to organize things and get things done, and what to do if you can’t have one thing organize everything. 19:35 Top mistakes to avoid if you want to stay productive. 20:52 How to pull massive levers on your progress by reviewing. 23:23 The secrets of adapting and adopting new ways to stay productive with a new lifestyle. 25:20 What personal time off and retreats can do to create massive changes in your life. Learn more about Laura on Eliminate Chaos.   Growth solvers, don’t forget to FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE!   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I want to talk about some favorite books of mine that have changed my life. I believe in investing in yourself in any way possible, including sitting down and reading from great minds in the world. Besides, that’s how the greats did it—by learning from other people as well. If you are hitting a ceiling and you feel a bit stuck, here are my top 3 books that created massive changes in the way I look at how to work, live, and run a business. Note: I don’t get paid from these, I just happen to love these books. --- Before we dive in, hit the FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE button. ---               2:29 Where to start if you feel like you just can’t do it all. When everyone is preaching to not care about what’s going on around you, one book taught a different philosophy, originated by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius: that it doesn’t matter how difficult the challenge might be. There is always opportunity in an obstacle to rise and become better. This book has changed my life in drastic ways, and I’ve shared this with Business Insider’s millions of readers here. This book that changed my life is called the Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday. From this book, I’ve learned: How to not let your situation make decisions for you. How to overcome ANY challenge. How to use obstacles as a Launchpad, the idea of turning weakness into strength   7:24 The real reasons why we procrastinate If you’ve ever procrastinated, felt guilty about it, and wondered how to battle it—you might want to think twice. One special book talks about how many original and creative ideas and inventions came about because the inventor waited until the very last minute. Turns out, there’s a scientific reason for this. This is not a free-for-all invitation to never get anything done, of course. On the contrary, it allows you to do things like eat something fatty for a change and kick back WHILE calibrating your next steps. Oh, and don’t forget to get back to it once you’re ready! Get all the juicy details of Originals by Adam Grant and: Why FAST is not always better (letting your brain percolate is a way to spark creativity). Why Original ideas usually come from a level of procrastination. And, Why it’s OK to postpone and not everything has the same degree of importance.   14:00 How to break records that you think was impossible to break. The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler is a deep dive into what it takes to continue to break records and a study of why endurance athletes of all kinds seem to do the impossible. I love this book because it gives us comfort in knowing that you only have to pick up pieces and clues left by success stories before you, to create your own massive success and surpass all expectations set by you AND those people who never believed that you can do it. The successes of your predecessors need to be celebrated, emulated, and improved upon. Records are meant to be broken. We’re not getting better and people are turning into super humans. We’ve just found better and better ways to do something. And it’s built upon previous successes, whether that’s yours or someone else’s.   19:41 How multiple trips to the hospital can show you a surprising fact about your work. If you feel exhausted because you’ve run out of fuel, Essentialism by Greg McKeown, is the book for you. It’s about how VERY few things are actually that essential, and how you should focus on really just a few smart decisions that can make a big impact. As you know, I teach this to all my students as well. It’s also the reason why I’m HUGE on encouraging you to take the smallest, most meaningful steps, to create the biggest difference possible (while staying sane)! What you’ll learn in this book, is that: You don’t need to do everything. You only need to do a FEW important things. Most things, if you really look at it, are not essential. Why sustainable work is better than speedy work.   27:58 How a single piece of your work can be passed around from one generation to another. You can learn this from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. OK, OK. This IS a kids’ book. But there’s a reason why this simple story has lasted for generations and will likely continue. What a beautiful reminder that: Something so small can change so many people’s lives and formed so many people’s outlook on life. And that, IF you do the right things and learn from the right people when building your business, your work will come back to you tenfold for YEARS to come. Imagine doing that with your product, your service, your business, or even just your words! --- Be sure to hit the FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE button. --- Sources: The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday   Originals by Adam Grant The Rise of Superman by Steven Kotler Essentialism by Greg McKeown Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl       Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recently, I was given the opportunity to traverse through some river rapids. Before outdoor adventure became one of my favorite things to do, I thought there’s only ONE way to do it. As in, if you’re in the water, it’s just plain dangerous. I had NO idea that there were levels of danger, and the corresponding skill sets you must have. It’s like the difference between cooking at home and cooking professionally. There are a lot of in-between areas that few will explain to you. Over the years, I’ve found that this is totally true if you want to earn more as well. There are a lot of people who give you what I call “front-door” advice. But not a lot of people will share with you the side-doors, the alternate routes, or hidden yet meaningful ways you can get to the same destination and beyond. Which is why when it comes to passive income, it can get overwhelming to figure out how you can get beyond just your first year of making your idea a reality, particularly if the stuff you see out there just isn’t working for you. Today's episode will focus on the side of side income that people often neglect, but shouldn't. We will draw from multiple people's experiences. At the end of the episode, you'll learn a bunch of things, including: How to get to $2M in revenue by standing up for what you believe in. How to organically persuade people in your life to help you get what you want. Why starting the bar high is not always not the best way to start anything. Why you can still be miserable even if you get paid well. --- Before we begin, be sure to hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE. --- Today's guests, we have: Brandy Lawson is a consultant who started her journey as a business major who, took a C++ computer programming class. After working in corporate America for 14 years, including in software companies, she finally took the leap and created Fiery FX, where she helped people with digital marketing channels. Brandy will talk about the value of making time for and prioritizing yourself. PLUS: 5:15 How to productively start creating a side income if you’re working from home. 6:14 Why carving out space for yourself and getting multiple pieces together helps. 7:10 Why trial and errors are necessary in getting rid of distractions and finally getting things done. 7:35 What ultimately kills your chances of getting things done and start your side income. 8:35 How to persuade people in your life to help you get what you want.   Jeanie Chang is the National Director of Self-Care and Wellness by National Association of Asian American Professionals. She started her career in journalism with the Associated Press, and she’s a mental health specialist for student organizations for Duke University and UNC among a few. Here, Jeanie Chang shares why getting paid well can STILL make you miserable and the lessons she's learned working with Associated Press, and: 11: 02 How to convince others, including your family, about a new career or path you want to take. 11:57 How you can still be miserable even if you get paid well and why it’s important to prioritize relationships, including with yourself. 13:23 Why sometimes it takes multiple attempts, degrees, and paths to finally figure out what you wanted to do. 14:10 Ways that your previous experiences and challenges can make your new path, new business, and side hustle stand out. 15:10 Why age shouldn’t be used as an excuse to not move forward.   Rhonda Smith is an award-winning psychotherapist, a graduate of the University of Southern California with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. She also holds a Masters of Social Welfare degree. Her advice has been featured in Oprah, Martha Stewart Weddings, US Weekly Magazine, BravoTV, Ebony Magazine, Teen Vogue and Glamour Magazine. Rhonda talks the value of understanding your own biological clock and what works for you on a daily basis so that you can do things on your own terms. Also, don't miss: 17:00 How to juggle pandemic parenting and deal with zoom fatigue. 19:02 How to take time away from technology and lean on quiet time. 19:20 Ways that stopping what you’re doing can actually level up your performance. 20:30 Why you tend to neglect habits that you know are good for you. 22:12 Why starting the bar high is not always not the best way to start anything.   Tyler King is the CEO of Less Annoying CRM. He founded his company with his brother and funded the startup entirely by themselves. They chose not to work with investors specifically so that they don’t have to make short-sighted decisions you often see in Wall Street. Tyler King chats about why sticking to what you believe in and saying no to what traditionally would be ‘home-run’ can be the best decision you’ll ever make, and: 24:05: Why it’s important to first figure out what’s important or you rather than the profit. 24:40: How to bootstrap and get your side income to be fully successful. 25:30 Why scaling as fast as possible isn’t always the best way to create a side income. 26:53 The unusual path to get $2+ Million revenue in your business.   --- Don't forget to FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE. --- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many times have you heard people say to you, “work hard” or “hustle harder”? Plenty probably. But as your life changes, you might start to realize that those old rules are not something you can (or care to) keep up with. If you get to fast forward your life in 10-20 years, would you honestly want still be doing the grind? So then the question now becomes, is it at all possible to still be super successful AND do things your way? YES. Turns out, though, it has little to do with the hustle, but more to do with your relationships—with yourself AND with others. And no, I’m not talking necessarily about your family or loved ones (though those are definitely important). I want to look at hidden aspects of our lives that actually compound, affect your work, and matter more than you realize. In today’s episode, you’ll learn: How top performers like Morgan Freeman differentiate themselves from the rest, as experienced during his VISA ads recording for the Olympics. The little known reasons why Mark Cuban became a billionaire. How to limit what you follow, watch, and listen to keep important things a priority. Ways to stay in control in a high-pressured or chaotic situation. How to have the right amount of social activities during social distancing. The proper attitude for creating a new personal and business relationship. --- First, hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE. --- In this episode, we’ll be talking to: Andi Lew Andi Lew is a best-selling author and a wellness and relationship expert. She’s been featured on Good Day New York, CBS Los Angeles, and the Today Show among many others. Andi talks the value of being upfront when going into a new relationship—personal or business, PLUS: 4:32 Why we should take control of our health and not just accept what’s given to us, including: 5:16 Why relationship with yourself should be a priority, even if it hasn’t been in the past. 6:20 How to have the right amount of social activities during social distancing. 7:03 What listening has anything to do with calming the chaos that’s happening outside. 10:20 The proper attitude for creating a new personal and business relationship.   Javier Mercedes Javier Mercedes is an audio and video engineer and the creator of the Passion in Progress Podcast. He is an Adobe PRO expert and has worked with the likes of Mark Cuban, Shark Tank and Dallas Mavericks owner. Javier shares what Cuban did to him in the time that he was in the same room, including: 11:50 His experience of working on Jimmy Carter’s audiobook, Jason Bateman, Morgan Freeman, and Federal Reserve. 12:45 How the top performer like Morgan Freeman differentiate themselves from the rest, as experienced during his VISA Ads recording for the Olympics. 14:54 The fine line that top performers tread, that you can also emulate. 16:13 How to 2x your fee, up to hundreds of dollars, by not wasting other people’s time.   16:52 Little known reasons why Mark Cuban became a billionaire.   Anim Aweh Anim Aweh is the founder of Aweh Supports, LLC and she specializes in helping people of color to overcome physical and mental health barriers and get out of depression and anxiety. She encourages people to have difficult yet important conversations. Anim gets on the podcast to chat about how you can get unstuck while working from home, and. 19:50 The sneaky ways that anxiety can affect you without you realizing it. 21:00 Why health is more important than ever to keep you charging towards success. 22:25 Why work-from-home isn’t always easier and how to stay mentally strong. 23:18 How movement and walks can really help you. 24:13 How to limit what you follow, watch, and listen to keep important things a priority.   Megan Rafuse Megan Rafuse is the owner of the Shift Collab in Toronto, Canada and she is passionate about linking people who are looking to get unstuck with professionals who can help, training, and workshop that can get you the results you’re looking for. Megan sits down to talk about the value of treating yourself like you would your own best friend. And, 26:12 The compound effects that can change your business success for worse or better. 27:08 How to deal with a lot of unknowns, uncertainties, and how to get control back to your business. 28:02 How to deal with unprecedented stress, and frustration. 29:25 How to create a new normal that would work for you. 30:01 Ways to stay in control in a high-pressured or chaotic situation.   --- Don't forget to FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE. --- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve known me for a long time, you know that I used to be super shy, quiet, and would avoid conversations that I know I needed to have. I don’t know where this came from. It might’ve been the playground insults that happened whenever I tried to raise my hand and said something. Yeah, I was that little Asian kid who just stayed out of trouble most times. In some ways this followed me to this day.  And it just made difficult conversations all the more difficult for me. You know, the ones you know you needed to have with your boss, your colleagues, your friends, family, or even your clients and employees.  And it wasn’t until I was well into my professional life do I truly realize what I’ve been missing out. Turns out, difficult conversations are a wealth of opportunities, not obstacles. It’s about being all ears and in turn discovering something that supports other people, which then somehow fills you up with relief or even gladness. This opportunity of discovery comes in many shapes. But from what I can see, there are at least 3 types of difficult conversations that we need to know (and have), to create the massive impact that we wanted to make. -- Before we dive in, be sure to hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE. --- Bearing bad news to someone you respect. Ever been SO terrified of breaking bad news to someone you respect that you avoid them for as long as you can?  Years ago when I used to work in corporate America, I used to do this whenever something went sideways. Particularly if I had to share it with someone I admire, respect, or even fear. This often happens if a boss or anyone who has a high stake in you is watching.  It’s mortifying.  But here’s the weird part about it. Delaying the difficult conversation will make it WORSE. SO much worse. The few times I’ve put off sharing bad news, I regretted it.  Whenever there’s bad news that you have to share, share it as soon as possible. Being upfront with a peer. You know, sometimes telling someone the truth is not always that simple.  In the past, I was surprised to find that someone who was quite close to me, would just refuse to tell me their thoughts. And I had to hear from other people MONTHS after I first learned that they had been talking behind my back. And it could very well be that they never did confront the matter because they were afraid that I would look at them differently.  If you’ve ever felt this way about something or someone, there is this concept of Black Swan. The Black Swan is essentially a deep seated motivator and reason behind people’s actions—which former FBI Chris Voss talks about in his book. I dived into this concept some more in this week’s podcast. If you have to face difficult conversations with a peer or colleague, discovering their hidden motivator, which they themselves might not even know, is a HUGE service not just to them, but also to you.  And NOT trying to discover it, is actually a disservice to your relationship. Being all ears for the people around you. It goes without saying that listening is something we all need to do more.  But what most people don’t talk about, is that sometimes, all there is left to do, is simply to listen, and NOT talk. Particularly if you have people under your wings whom you’re in charge of. Sometimes the best way to support them is to be all ears. I saw this happen right before my eyes recently when I went on an excursion with a guide. I had the BEST time ever. Hannah wasn’t only great at sharing her knowledge, she was also highly in tune with how everyone is feeling. She didn’t bulldoze everyone with her agenda.  She listened.  We felt safe.  And I gave her a big fat tip as a way to thank her for something only few people cared to do. The secret, as it turns out, to success, has less to do with the hustle bravado mentality that’s being paraded out there. It’s more to do with who cares enough to raise their hands and have conversations that needed to happen.  This is true in business, and in life as well. Tell me, what other types of difficult conversations out there should I add to this list? --- DON’T FORGET TO HIT FOLLOW OR SUBSCRIBE --- In this episode, you will take home: The three different types of conversations every successful people know to have. The people you will need to support to have these conversations. And, Ways to have these challenging conversations. Here are the show notes to help you listen and get the most out of this episode: 3:43 Why difficult conversations are a place of opportunity to be impactful. 4:25 The skill that few have developed that are actually critical. 5:03 The source of some of my biggest professional milestones. 6:00 The part of the morning that most adults fear, that you didn’t know you also have. 6:45 What Tim Ferris, New York Times best-selling author, said about successful people. 7:45 Why you should have difficult conversations sooner rather than later. 8:06 The time I connected with someone I haven’t connected with a long time. 9:15 The real difference between having challenging conversations earlier rather than later. 10:29 The time that I messed up royally and I didn’t want to have a conversation that I should have. 12:02 What your mentors, boss, people you respect, would’ve done if you have difficult conversations with them sooner rather than later. 12:25 The secret to having a difficult conversation with someone you respect. 14:35 Why having difficult conversations with your peers or colleague is important. 16:34 The time I was on the receiving end of a difficult conversation that should’ve (but never did) happen. 19:09 What hostage negotiator for FBI and author of Never Split the Difference, Chris Voss said every person HAS to know before you walk into any difficult conversation. 20:16 The real reason why someone does things that you never expect or that you don’t understand. 23:09 What we tend to do in difficult conversations that we should avoid. 24:44 The conversation you shouldn’t overlook if you have employees, clients, or people looking up to you. 25:35 How to balance your work life, and taking care of people in your charge. 26:30 The time I felt so safe that any conflict or conversation is never impossible to bring up. 27:57 The type of environment you should create for people in your charge if you want to be great at what you do. 30:25 The one common thread across all difficult conversations, that you should not ignore if you want successful conversations. --- Don’t forget to hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE. 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Growth Solvers, I’m doing it. In the last BONUS episode #44, I touched on how I walked barefoot in Las Vegas. Today, I’ll share with you the full story. In this episode, you’ll get to find out: The behind-the-scenes of walking barefoot in Vegas What it taught me about creating a wealth of opportunities The challenge that can help you finish the year strong --- Hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE before we dive in. --- Today, you'll get to hear about: 4:01 The time I went on a business trip and hung out in my hotel room. 5:20 The time a well-known leader texted me on my personal phone. 6:15 The life-changing message that I didn’t expect to get. 7:20 The decision-making process that opened a wealth of opportunities. 8:00 What feeling like something is extremely out of reach will do if you believe it. 9:00 What I bring in my carry-on on work trips. 10:31 Why I took off my shoes and walked across Las Vegas. 11:05 How top performers throw a get-together. 12:35 Why I followed someone through the backside of a restaurant and ended up in a private insider gathering. 15:51 The opportunity that wouldn’t have come if I hadn’t had the courage to do the right thing. 17:55 What Russell Conwell meant by the concept of Acres of Diamonds and what it meant for you when you’re trying to create opportunities. 18:50 What we often forget about our situation and how we can turn weakness into strength. 19:41 How you can skyrocket your impact with what you have. 20:05 Why looking for opportunities is not enough, and why regeneration is important. 20:58 Why getting a mentor is so difficult and what to do about it. 22:23 Why the old networking way is not the best way to start getting big leaps. 23:35 The massively overrated advice about getting ahead that you should avoid. 24:50 What 2020 had done and how you can STILL own the year before it owns you. 25:35 The unspoken mindset that people overlook on their way to living courageously at work, in business, and in life. 26:34 The Good Grow Great podcast’s behind the scenes plan for the next few months. 27:35 What 2021 has in store for the Good Grow Great podcast and what you’ll get. 27:56 The 60-days of Growth challenge you won’t want to miss. 28:41 The resources that you can get so that your business runs for you. 29:07 How to find out the ways so that you don’t have to explain all the time to other people why they need you. 30:41 How NOT to get left behind while everyone around you becomes an overnight success. 31:25 How you can join the 60-day Grow Challenge. 33:35 How you can start planning for survival and thriving in 2021. --- Don't forget to hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE ---       Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I don’t know if you’ve seen the video of a cougar who followed a hiker outdoors recently. But it’s been making the rounds among a lot of my friends who regularly spend time outside. If you haven’t seen it, it basically shows how a cougar decided to follow a hiker because he had accidentally encountered one of her cubs. She followed him for a good six minutes while making sudden movements here and there to make sure the hiker is far enough from her babies—before she finally turned around. Aside from the obvious fear of having this gorgeous and terrifying animal follow you around, the real questions are: What should you do if you’re faced with a high-stakes situation? Can both seemingly opposite sides mutually benefit from the encounter? And, How can you make the impossible seem possible? Things can seem like a hopeless cause if you’re faced with an impossible decision—at work and in life.  And yet: Running for your life is not always the best answer. Cougar or otherwise, all experienced adventurers (and business owners) I’ve talked to, always talk about not making any sudden moves. Doing exactly what they’re doing and returning their moves can get you killed—literally and figuratively. And, Doing the hard things, like walking slowly and taking things minute by minute, is even harder when you’re faced with your fears. I talked about this recently when Authority Magazine interviewed me to chat how to survive stressful situations. If we’re honest, these are things that happen to us all the time—in big and small ways. It might be that: We had a busy week and you had to go into an important call or meeting that you had little or no time to prepare. We made a mistake and someone called us out on your mistake. We've done all we can but some haters still share scathing words about you and everything you’ve worked so hard on. What WOULD you do then? And I talk even more deeply on this episode about: The steps to take when you’re totally unprepared for something. The 3 things you need to think about when faced with opposition. Ways you can clear your head before you face your fears. How to find ways to survive impossibly difficult conversations on-the-go. And, Hidden ways to do things your way without ruining your chances. Listen to the podcast for the full breakdown and be sure to hit FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You know what’s sometimes really weird about trying to find a solution to our problems? Is that we tend to hear the same things over and over again. I felt this way once when I was really looking for ways that I could get more things done without simply adding more things to my day. I realized that I wasn’t making time for important people in my life as I should. It was really a wake-up call when my daughter said to me at dinner one day, “Mommy, why are you working all the time?” Truth be told, I was eating my spaghetti while thinking about the list of things that I still had to do when she said that. I wasn’t really paying attention to her chipper chatter about the 12th drawing she made this week. And I knew it was a matter of time for her to notice. Worse, I felt like I was only half-heartedly clocking in BOTH my work and parenting. Which means that NEITHER of the two things get proper attention. And yet, when I look for ways to get out of this cycle, I keep hearing people say things like: Do a checklist, a pros and cons list, and scratch them off. Are we building a grocery list or trying to create an impact in the world? Create a calendar, stick to it, and set reminders. Done that, and let’s face it—it never works. Always add value at every turn. But who’s got the time!? Wake up at 4:30 AM then meditate 3 times a day. Again … where can I find the time? Follow famous people’s morning routines. Yeah, you mean I need to buy a $40 coffee to get jazzed up? No, thanks. To be fair, I’m not saying no to all of these. I believe they have a time and place. But to rely on them to create massive changes in our lives is a bit unrealistic. Take the Value-Add advice you keep hearing. The exhausting thing about this is that no one answers how we can possibly have enough time to keep adding value? Plus, when our focus is on adding, and not on taking things off of the shoulders of others (and our own)—we’ve already lost. To time. And in doing so, we’ve lost our own time. Which is why I talk about finding ways to become invaluable, to get massive leaps, and make a big difference in this world—with small steps. There are some ways that you can get more done TODAY even if you don’t always feel like it.  Think in terms of legacies. Not lists. Yes, even when you’re looking at your day. Ask, what is the ONE thing you want to leave behind when you’re done with your day? And focus on that ONE thing. Of course it’s great if you get more things done. But if you think of some of the great public figures you follow, usually you know them for ONE memorable, impactful things. Not one hundred. Look for what can fly first. Then the figures will follow. Before I started my business, watching talented people give up on their dreams, as I always say, feels very much like watching your favorite character in a story die an unnecessary death. It’s painful to watch. Surprisingly, this tends to happen when you’re not finding small wins that can help you fly and you’re focusing instead on the figures. Part of living an extraordinarily meaningful life in ordinary ways is to lean on something totally underrated: momentum. Find ways to fly first, catch momentum, and other things will follow. Say no early and yes later. This is HUGE. People always think of opportunities in the context of getting to YES fast. Anyone who has had massive success know that this is not always the case. But when you intentionally say yes and no for the right reasons, you’ve gifted yourself hours and hours of time to do things your way. And do this once you’ve decided that it’s not for you. This will bring you peace of mind earlier and help you sleep better at night.  Listen to the episode and don't forget to FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So my kids used to go to sleep kicking and crying. They’d throw a hissy fit for over an hour, and I’d try everything in my might not to make them even more upset—often with little success. Of course, this meant that I wasn’t sleeping much either. Everyone hated it. Then one day as I was driving my newborn to the store to grab something, I dozed off at the wheel for a couple of seconds. Luckily nothing happened. But it was a close call. So close that I realized, Hang on a second. This is NOT good. I was SO worried about upsetting them that I didn’t do what’s actually good for them: getting some shut-eye so that they can grow properly! That was when I knew that this whole thing needs to stop. I put together a plan on how to encourage better sleep, and after some trial and errors—it worked! They slept. I slept. AHH … the sweet sound of a full eight hours of sleep! Turns out, my relationship with the internal monologue of ‘not wanting to upset’ them, was hurting not just me, but themselves! It was a disservice for them. If we’re completely honest, we’ve all done this with our work AND our business. How many times have you avoided a difficult conversation because you didn’t want to feel like you’re pushing in? I certainly have. But instead of getting thanks from people for not sharing my offerings, sometimes I got some surprising responses that left my mouth wide open. Here are other responses that other people have got as well in the past.       “I felt mad. I really wanted it. I don’t want to wait anymore.”       “How come you didn’t tell me? I wish that you would.”       “I can’t believe I missed it. This would’ve been really great for me.”       “I guess now I have to go back to that job that I hate and live the same s**t life”.       “I’m so pi**ed. Why didn’t you tell me?” Weird, isn’t it? The reactions here are almost guttural. Probably no different than if your kids grew up hating you because you didn’t teach them certain things because, um … they kept fighting it? And YET … they actually needed it. So how can you convince someone that they need something that they didn’t yet know they need? Remember that what you have can actually change not just their day, or their year. It can change their LIFE. Years ago, I came to this country because my home country of Indonesia got too dangerous for me to live in (full story here). And when I found myself halfway around the world from everything I knew, speaking a language I didn’t know, with people who don’t look like me, it was bad. Find out what the worse part of it all. Accept that great leaders eat last. Find out how great leaders know how to stand by someone’s side and support them—with what you have to offer. This is especially true if you want to earn handsomely doing what you do. Find things that are actually worth a thousand words. You might just find that what you’ve been saying to them is NOT what rings true to them. If you’re curious what other things you can say or do to convince them that they need what you’re offering, take a listen. After all, I believe in taking small and meaningful steps to create the biggest possible difference. Take steps toward being your best, true self while still confidently convince other people of what you believe in.   Listen to the episode now and FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to the show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of my students came up to me once and asked me, “Thalia, how do you know when to go for the ask?” Whether this is about asking for a job, or asking for someone to buy what you have--this is probably as tricky as protocols on asking someone to move in with you or deciding how not to offend the neighbor who has been WAY too loud at night. It’s like walking on eggshells. But does it have to be? Because think of a time you just clicked with someone you just met. Or the time when you walked into a restaurant, knew exactly what to get, and smacked your lips as you tuck into your meal. Or even the time when you picked up a book and you were like, “OMG, this is exactly what I need right now!” Being able to read anyone in a deeper way so that both sides share this amazing experience, especially when you own a business, is SO important. And reading anyone is actually MUCH more than just about the things you’ve heard before: body language or even psychology—though they do play some role. Those are just the tip of the iceberg. On a deeper level, I dive into how to read other anyone and talk: 5 mistakes to avoid when you’re trying to read someone. How not to embarrass yourself when asking for what you want. Things that most charismatic leaders know about reading anyone. What reading someone else has to do with reading yourself. Ways you can read anyone TODAY. Signs that they are ready to move forward. And much more. This is useful if you’re looking to get more business, get a new job, earn more, have better relationships, or just plain old do things that matter while being successful at it. Listen to the episode and don't forget to FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I remember years ago, I had gone back to my hometown to visit my family. They wanted to throw this huge party and feast to celebrate. It had been a long time since I saw my grade school friends and people that I knew. Years, actually. So when the time came for everyone to hang out, I was a bit embarrassed. I was super jet-lagged. The time difference was an ungodly 11 hours! So you can only imagine that by the time everyone was knocking on the door with huge bright smiles on their faces, I looked like I’ve pulled an all-nighter with a newborn. Then there’s the case of me not remembering some friends’ names whom I haven’t seen in 20 something years! I pulled my mom to the side and asked her why she didn’t tell me who was coming. She just smiled. Before I finished the huddle with my mom, a lady came up to me and said, “Thalia! It’s been years …” She smiled and reached out for a handshake. I stared at her for a few long seconds before suddenly realizing who it was. It was one of my teachers—Ms. Ani. I remembered her name. And with her name, I remembered everything: The firm walk she’d take across the classroom to write notes on the board. The little tough-love things she did with her faces to show us that she’s disappointed. And even what she said when I took too long working on a problem and made the whole class miss recess, “Kid, you may not mind the consequences of your own actions. But you need to always mind the impact of your actions on other people”. I remember her legacy. And it took me seconds to remember it, even after decades of not seeing her or even hearing about her. We have a clear choice every day: To do everything like we are part of a machine. OR To run the machine so that it can leave behind something we’re proud of. When you feel exhausted because you have to go through the grind and put yourself out there all the time, I talk about are some questions you can ask yourself to find your north star again and get out of a rut and start living in ways that you're proud to be remembered by. Listen to the podcast and FOLLOW/SUBSCRIBE   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we are nearing the VERY end of this year, here's #3 of the top 3 conversations the Good Grow Great podcast has had this year. Tyler King talks about how he grew his company from scratch, and even said no to investors so that he can earn on his own term Listen and find out how you can do the same, and get control back of your life. Drop a review and tell us what's your takeaway! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you have resolutions, or just ANY goal, and really want to finish strong, this one is for you. This is #2 of the top 3 conversations the Good Grow Great podcast has had this year. Don't forget to subscribe or follow to listen to new episodes coming out in the next year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join listeners in 60+ countries worldwide. This is for you if you want to create a massive impact - and yet often feel small. If you're new here, I'm Thalia Toha, CEO and Entrepreneur magazine author. Every week, I'll share with you: (1) Growth Amplifiers: Meaningful ways you can turn obstacles into opportunities, so that you won't get stuck in the hustle bravado and value-add race.   (2) Six Degrees of Greatness: Conversations between 2-3 people from a vast range of backgrounds, where their stories can help you replicate their success and avoid pitfalls they've already tried. (3) Great Lengths: Deep dives into the brains of someone who had started to create the life they wanted (and how you can do the same). Hit subscribe or follow if you want to join listeners in 60+ countries and become unstoppable - in your own way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if you can STILL be yourself AND earn handsomely, while doing what you love and conquering COVID-19? I wanted to share with you the full story of how one person did exactly that. She did what she felt called to do - DURING a pandemic, while crushing the starving artist stigma and staying true to what feels right for her. Don't forget to hit Follow or Subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if you always seem to get stuck? Would you google a how to article to find out what's the best way to do things? Would you ask a friend? And what if the situation is even MORE serious, and you're out on your own ... and suddenly things take a turn for the worse. What started out as a fun outing turned into a life and death situation. More importantly, what can we learn from something THIS extreme about life, work, living fully, and accomplishing things that are meaningful? In today’s episode of Six Degrees of Greatness, we’ll revisit the time when we've unpacked: How you can also go from NOT being at the top of class to working with Boeing and becoming a success for 20+ years like Tom Langeland. The 2 hidden ways to grab anyone’s attention with your message, story, and writing, as taught by Standford graduate Lyn Hawks. How you can also survive broken bones and work with 5,000 people, like Liz Gallo, author of Surfing on Rocks. Join listeners in 60+ countries, take a listen, and find hidden ways to living a fulfilling life on your own terms. -- Our episodes typically does NOT eat up your phone data or minutes if you download them in advance. Be sure to save and download episodes so that you do not miss out on life-changing strategies from this podcast. And hit FOLLOW, SUBSCRIBE, thumbs up, add or collect. -- For an Exclusive Guide to Finishing First, download your free 1,500+ word guide by clicking here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.