Curious with Calvin Wayman

What if you could gain control in the exact moment you feel like you’re losing control? COVID-19 is still in full swing. What we are dealing with is unprecedented. Chances are, while you’re reading this, you’re under quarantine. There are still many questions left unanswered which can lead to many feelings of uncertainty. With that uncertainty, taking care of yourself has never been more important—specifically, taking care of your mental health during this pandemic. Amidst the uncertainty, if we can find a sense of personal control, forward progress, and a clear headspace, we’ll be setting ourselves up for a huge advantage once this storm clears. Below are 5 books to help you do just that.    1. Barking Up The Wrong Tree by Eric Barker - The surprising science behind why everything you know about success is (mostly) wrong This is my favorite book I’ve ever read on success. It’s straight-talk. It’s to the point. It’s nuanced. It’s well researched. And it’s entertaining. It puts you in a powerful frame of mind and puts you in control. My favorite takeaway: “Self compassion is better than self confidence.” Learning to have compassion for yourself is one of the greatest skills you could ever develop.   2. Ultralearning by Scott H. Young - master hard skills, outsmart the competition, and accelerate your career What if you could become fluent in a new language in less than 3 months? Or learn how to paint like a pro in less than 30 days, or even build your own video-game? In Ultralearning, you’ll discover you can do just that. Scott H. Young not only shows that you can master very difficult skills, but provides the framework to become an “ultralearner.” (PS, I’m practicing the techniques in the book right now to learn how to play Fur Elise on the piano—even though I’ve never taken piano lessons and I don’t know how to read notes) My favorite takeaway: The quickest and most effective way to learn is through “directness”—being in the game. Getting on the court. And being okay with messing up.    3. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield - break through the blocks and win your inner creative battles For any creative-type, this book is a MUST read. It helps you break past the limiting beliefs and BS your brain sneaks into your head space. The core concept Steve Pressfield talks about that holds us back from getting our work done is a little thing known as “resistance.” Resistance is what gets in the way of our most important things, and you break it by “turning pro.”  My favorite takeaway: The professional knows that success, like happiness, comes as a byproduct of work. Do the work for the sake of the work itself. And let the success (or not) come of its own accord.    4. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer Stone by JK Rowling Yes, I just barely dropped Harry Potter in a list of nonfiction books. But trust me on this, it is deliberate. Through stressful times, I think it’s important to have some sort of release valve. Harry Potter could represent any fiction, but, particularly, I love how Harry is the underdog through so much of the story and how he gets many uncertain situations. My favorite takeaway: At a meta-level, the writing in Harry Potter is so freaking fantastic! The opening of this book is my favorite opening of any book I’ve ever read. Just read the first page and see how much information JK Rolling is able to portray in a few sentences. It’s incredible.   5. Feeling Good by David D. Burns As I asked at the beginning, what if you could gain control in the exact moment you feel like you’re losing control? This book is for just that. Feeling Good has had more impact on my mood than any other book I’ve read in years. It is an amazingly practical book for feeling, well, “good,” regardless of the wild external stimuli we deal with (aka, the things that come from “life”). It is filled with tools and techniques to help you stay mentally and emotionally sharp.  My favorite takeaway: The key to changing the negative self-talk isn’t through forcing positive thoughts, it’s in first recognizing the thought, and then practicing talking back. It’s not just in “thinking happy thoughts.” It’s noticing the thought, and then literally calling it out. Recognizing why it’s BS.   In times of uncertainty, health (both physically and mentally) is more important than ever. I hope one or all of these books help you a ton. In closing, what amazing books have you read recently? What book would you add to the list?

"Put your reps in." This is the central advice Amy Landino gives me in this episode of Curious, where we talk about how to get out of obscurity as a speaker and be recognized as one of the best and brightest. Amy, who has built a career as one of the most popular productivity and lifestyle Youtubers for over a decade, has now went on to write "Good Morning, Good Life: 5 Simple Habits to Master Your Mornings and Upgrade Your Life" and "How to Vlog Like a Boss", as well as becoming part of VaynerSpeakers with Gary Vee. She's easily one of the most successful speakers and vloggers in her sphere, and she's here to share with us some highly effective tips on how to build your own career as a speaker in 2020: consistency, content, writing emails to speaking agencies and events organizers, and many many more. Are you looking to start your career as a speaker? Or an up-and-comer looking to expand your reach in the industry? Give this episode a try, and #StayCurious.

What was one of your toughest lessons from 2019? Last year was, for some people, quite a challenging one. Not just for me, but for many others too. In this episode, I jam with Mike Sczcesniak. We talk about some of the hardest challenges 2019 dished out, and how we overcame each low point and turned them into growth. We talk about disappointment, missed goals, vulnerability, and never settling for lowering our targets just because we failed to hit them the first time. We also talk about the #75Hard Program by Andy Frisella, which we're starting this January! If you want to join the group, just head to calvinwayman.com/75hard. If you’ve ever felt like life has kicked you in the teeth, this is worth a listen. The great news is, we can turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones, and make way for a brand new year (and a new DECADE) of growth!

And just like that, we’re are at episode 250!! Can you believe it??   It’s been such a fun journey up to this point. Podcasting has been an amazing avenue to learn about amazing topics and people, and even a place to explore myself more.   With that said, there are major changes coming to the show! I talk about them in today’s episode.    If you’re someone that’s listened to even 1 episode, I just want to say “THANKS!”   Now, it’s time to take things even deeper in the quest to making the best podcast ever.   #StayCurious 

How do you go about losing 50 pounds, or running 50 miles, or removing $50k in debt?   Or even doing something like getting paid to speak, or publishing your first book?   The answer is simpler than you think. If you’re a BIG dreamer, and now you’re just wondering how to make it happen, this episode is for YOU!   #StayCurious

Have you ever felt like quitting?   When you’re at the end of your rope, how do you bounce back?    On today’s show, I’m speaking with Mike Young, host of the Made Over podcast.    Mike has his fair share of experiences with hitting road blocks. But what’s been super inspiring is seeing how he not only hit into those obstacles, but also find the light at the end of the tunnel.   He’s documented his “way out,” and also inspires others to do the same.    If you’ve ever felt unsure of yourself or how to get through, this episode is for you!   #StayCurious

Have you ever wanted to write a book?    Most people do.    What’s also true, is most people never will.   Why?    Simply, they don’t know where to start.   On today’s show, I’m going to share how you could make your dream a reality—how to publish your book in under 2 months!   #StayCurious

Did you know that 92% of goal-setters FAIL?!   Yup.    Change of subject. Have you ever gone after something, only to eventually lose steam?   Well, that’s why 3 years ago I wrote Fish Out of Water: The Guide To Achieving Breakthrough and Permanently Transforming Into The New You!   And on today’s episode, I’m calling it “Give Day Friday!” because to celebrate the 3-year anniversary, I’m giving Fish Out of Water for FREE! Yup. Strings attached? Zero. There are other cool prizes too! Just my way of having fun with this book over the past several years. I hope you enjoy!   #StayCurious

How do you go from broke to multi-six figures, and even into seven figures?    That’s what Chad Thibodeaux and I talk about on today’s show. This episode is JAM PACKED with valuable takeaways from beginning to end.    If you’re looking to “make it” in business, this is your episode.   Enjoy the show!   #StayCurious

This episode is pulling back the curtain a bit—something I’ve never done.   I actually didn’t know if I for sure was going to make this an actual episode, but here you go.    Do you ever wish you could be a “fly on the wall” in real business situation?   On today’s episode, it’s a real conversation with my coaching client Carrie Paxton on brainstorming ideas for “lead magnets” that she can create for her business.   I think it’s a cool view into how the creative process looks. I hope you enjoy.   #StayCurious

The biggest opportunity in my business over the past year is getting better at marketing.   That’s a fancy of way of saying, historically, I’ve sucked at marketing.   At least, I haven’t been up to par with what I know is possible.   The good news is, I’ve become obsessed with understanding marketing better over this year, and on today’s show, I’m distilling it down to 3 super simple ideas that has helped me understand marketing in a completely deeper way.   No matter what business you’re in, if you want to grow, marketing is one of those “80/20” activities that helps many other things fall into place.    Enjoy the show!   #StayCurious  

“You’ll never meet your destiny in your comfort zone.”    That line gives the perfect taste of today’s episode.   I’m speaking with Chance Cessna. She’s someone who din’t start off with the best of circumstances. But in her homelessness, to being in debt, depression, and a mountain of other things, she still managed to use her rock bottoms as a platform to build upon.   She declared that she would go from the “pit the palace.” The story is remarkable. She shares not only how she did it, but how others can, too. And the solution might be simpler this you think. This is an episode you don’t want to miss.    #StayCurious

On today’s show, I’m in San Diego hanging out with two entrepreneurs—Dustin Heiner and Sagi Shrieber.    The topic? Money.    We go deep in thinking of money in more of a positive light, but also how coming from a place of “giving” dramatically increases abundance in your life.    #StayCurious

How do you find your “next step?”   This is a question I get all the time, especially when it comes to people trying to find their passion.   But on today’s short episode, I have the answer (and a challenge) and it might be easier than you think. Let’s dive in :)   #StayCurious

“Making money online is so hard!”   Or is it?    Several people seemed to have cracked the code. What’s even more badass is when those people have a giving heart and want to share the goodness with others.   Enter Anik Singal, CEO of Lurn—the future of entrepreneur incubation.   On today’s show, Anik and I get more detailed than I ever have on the under belly that makes an online campaign work. Specifically, we talk about YouTube advertising, and how simple it can be to start a YouTube ad from your cellphone and make real money into your business.   Making money online doesn’t have to be rocket science. If that’s something you want to do, then this episode is specifically for you.   #StayCurious

How did a 20 year old kid,   With no prior country music experience, DELIBERATELY go viral and break all the records for a new “country song?”    We’re talking about Lil Nas X, and his insanely big hit song, Old Town Road.    This is something that most singers and song writers for their entire careers will never taste.   And yet, this guy pulled it off—on purpose!   How? How? How? How?   That’s what we’ll dissect. Let’s dive in!   #StayCurious 

4 years ago, I quit my day-job cold turkey to pursue my dream of going full-time into entrepreneurship.    The first thing I did was start knocking door-to-door to sell solar.   One of the people that made that opportunity possible was a guy named Bryan Jackson—the founder of Solcius, the solar company I was partnered with.   On today’s show, we talk how Bryan went from starting a company where he was so poor that he rode his bicycle to work—45 miles each way!—to building one of the largest installers of solar in all of the US.   It’s a purely awesome entrepreneurial conversation. I hope you enjoy!   #StayCurious

It’s one of the oldest professions in the world.    (And no, not that—get your mind out of the gutter)   It’s something that is needed for every single company to survive.   If you are a parent, you need this to help your kids be awesome AND think it was their idea.   It’s the one skill that even in a recession, if you’re a pro, you will be irreplaceable. What skill is that?   Sales.   Yup, sales. No matter what you do for a living, if you interact with other human beings, you are in sales.    But how do you actually get better at it?    On today’s episode, I’m chatting with sales ninja Nikolas Elliot, and we are breaking down everything sales.   It is packed full of gold nuggets that will help you tremendously. I hope you check it out!   #StayCurious

What holds people back from going after their dreams?    Why do we sometimes sabotage our own success?   One little F-word (and no, it’s not fuck).    Fear.   Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will.   But is it possible to beat it?    One-MILLION-percent! But it’s not how you might think.   On today’s show, I’m answering Fan Questions and sharing how high achievers beat fear, and how you can, too.   #StayCurious

Are creatives born, or made?    How do you find your passion? Is that even “a thing?”    How do you get yourself to go do the things you want to do? How do you face the fear?    This and more is the conversation today with Tyler Babin (@Babin) on the podcast.   If you’re curious about creativity and finding your mark on the world, this is for you.    #StayCurious