The Self-Employed Life

As entrepreneurs we usually try to think of the next best product people will want. We come up with an idea, make it happen, and expect to see success. We know our products are better than anyone else's on the market, and that's all we need to be the successful - right? WRONG. It's that mentality that cost Microsoft billions of dollars in research and development when they created Bing. Although it's better than Google's search engine and algorithm, it was essentially one of the largest tech flops. You can't have a mentality that marketing is for those who don't have a good product. Marketing is everything. If you want to be successful you have to be the king of your category. You can't do that by giving people something better, or by giving people a solution. You need to announce yourself, be loud and proud, and tell people what problem you are solving. That's right, you can't sell a solution. We are surrounded by solutions. You have to let the people know they have a problem, what it is, then they will naturally be attracted to your solution. On this episode of Creative Warriors, we are joined by Christopher Lochhead. Christopher is well-known in Silicon Valley, having been Chief Marketing Officer for three successful companies. He is the co-author of the book Play Bigger and host of the podcast Legends and Losers. More importantly, Christopher is a category designer, which is one of the most powerful things and entrepreneur can be. Download this episode now and learn what it means to be a category designer, and how you can dominate the market your business is in. ENTREPRENEUR WARRIOR "Position yourself or be positioned." -Christopher Lochhead Highlights - Legendary people position themselves. Most people believe the best product wins, but it's not true. You have to tell the world about the problem and the solution. Muhammed Ali was a category designer, not just a boxer. You don't have to be humble. The market is a function of our business. We identify with the first person or company that told us about a product. You have to be different, not better. Market the problem, not your product or company. A category king can be in local marketings, not just global. In business today there are too many solutions without problems. If you have an idea in your head, do it NOW. Guest Contact - Chris's Website Chris's Twitter Chris's Book Play Bigger Resources - 12 Must-Have Mindsets for Uncommon Entrepreneurs! A FREE tool for Creative Warriors to help you get clear on the ways you need to think differently to get the results you want. We've been handed a whole bunch of malarky about who we are and how business works that simply doesn't work for us. It's time to set it straight! This tool will give you the insights you need to think your way to success as a Creative Warrior and keep you on track. Check out the Creative Warriors RESOURCE page! A collection of the best companies, hand-selected, to help you succeed! You'll find vendors, services, products, and programs to help you Create, Serve, and Be Prosperous! All these companies have been used and approved by Jeffrey and most are used every day in his business. Music by Jawn

One of the most common debates in business is whether to niche or not to niche. I suppose it works for some but I believe it is counterintuitive to the Creative Warrior's natural way of being. Do one thing? For just one group of people? But we are capable of being good at many things. To say nothing of it being a smart business model in today's world is to have multiple streams of income. Listen in to how I define the New Niche and how old niche is about narrowing and New Niche is about expansion. The Talking Stick is in your hands now. Let us hear from you. Be part of the conversation - We want to hear your opinion on the topic. Let us know what you think or share a personal story. Join our community Facebook group, Creative Warriors Unite, at www.joinwarriors.com and add to the conversation. Contact Jeffrey - Website Coaching support Available for speaking Resources - 12 Must-Have Mindsets for Uncommon Entrepreneurs! A FREE tool for Creative Warriors to help you get clear on the ways you need to think differently to get the results you want. We've been handed a whole bunch of malarky about who we are and how business works that simply don't work for us. It's time to set it straight! This tool will give you the insights you need to think your way to success as a Creative Warrior and keep you on track. Check out the Creative Warriors RESOURCE page! A collection of the best companies, hand-selected, to help you succeed! You'll find vendors, services, products, and programs to help you Create, Serve, and Be Prosperous! All these companies have been used and approved by Jeffrey and most are used every day in his business. Music by Jawn

We always hear people say, "Act your age!" But what does that really mean? What is someone who is 41 supposed to act like that's different than someone who is 40? We are told we have to grow up, but that can come with some dangerous consequences. When we try to "grow up" we lose the ability to take chances. We become afraid of the world. Adults don't play in the rain, they cower under umbrellas to escape the little drops of water from falling on us. We begin to follow rules because that's what we were always told to do. There's no reason for me to wait 30 minutes after eating before I swim. It has no science behind it, and yet many people still believe it's true. We follow so many rules blindly, and it may be time to start letting it go. So many people suffer from what Jason Kotecki refers to as Adultitis. We need to stop trying so hard to be safe adults, and start living like curious children who aren't afraid to dream. No one wants to be on their deathbed and look back at all the opportunities they missed because they were too afraid. On this episode of Creative Warriors we are joined by Jason Kotecki, author of Penguins Can't Fly, to discuss the problems associated with Adultitis. He goes into deep details about how adults hold themselves back, and become too afraid to even dream about a better world. Download this episode today to see how you can change your mind frame and start to live like a child again! WARRIOR OF FAITH "To live life without fully experiencing it seems like a colossal waste of time." -Jason Kotecki Highlights - Fear of regret becomes more painful than the fear of trying something new. Life isn't a dress rehearsal. Do things for a reason, not because you've always done it. Adultitis means we lose the ability to dream and the curiosity we had as kids. There's a difference between being childish and being childlike. Look at things from a child's point of view. If a dream is realistic, it's not a dream - it's a to do. Don't be too careful or you'll never have anything awesome happen to you. Guest Contact - Jason's Website Jason's Twitter Jason's Book Penguins Can't Fly Resources - 12 Must-Have Mindsets for Uncommon Entrepreneurs! A FREE tool for Creative Warriors to help you get clear on the ways you need to think differently to get the results you want. We've been handed a whole bunch of malarky about who we are and how business works that simply doesn't work for us. It's time to set it straight! This tool will give you the insights you need to think your way to success as a Creative Warrior and keep you on track. Check out the Creative Warriors RESOURCE page! A collection of the best companies, hand-selected, to help you succeed! You'll find vendors, services, products, and programs to help you Create, Serve, and Be Prosperous! All these companies have been used and approved by Jeffrey and most are used every day in his business. Music by Jawn

When in business, we can often start following the "rules" of our industry. Thinking the way it's been done is the way it "should" be done. Of course, there also all these rules in life about proper behavior and the normal way to be in the world. Is normalcy the path to creating an outstanding life? I think not! Learn about the importance of playing by your own rules. Trusting yourself and standing out. The Talking Stick is in your hands now. Let us hear from you. Be part of the conversation - We want to hear your opinion on the topic. Let us know what you think or share a personal story. Join our community Facebook group, Creative Warriors Unite, at www.joinwarriors.com and add to the conversation. Contact Jeffrey - Website Coaching support Available for speaking Resources - 12 Must-Have Mindsets for Uncommon Entrepreneurs! A FREE tool for Creative Warriors to help you get clear on the ways you need to think differently to get the results you want. We've been handed a whole bunch of malarky about who we are and how business works that simply don't work for us. It's time to set it straight! This tool will give you the insights you need to think your way to success as a Creative Warrior and keep you on track. Check out the Creative Warriors RESOURCE page! A collection of the best companies, hand-selected, to help you succeed! You'll find vendors, services, products, and programs to help you Create, Serve, and Be Prosperous! All these companies have been used and approved by Jeffrey and most are used every day in his business. Music by Jawn

Everyone knows that nothing holds a creative back more than themselves. We all think that we're not good enough. We get jealous of others, and give up before we even try. We believe our skills just aren't good enough. STOP. You're just letting your inner critic control your brain. You need to learn to acknowledge the critic, and see what it's really telling you. You can learn a lot about yourself from your inner critic, but you can't let it control your life. There are a few things that cause an inner critic to come out and take control: Envy of other Too much self criticism Not letting go of emotions Pressure from deadlines and our environment Fear It's easy to let our mind's get wrapped up in thoughts, emotions, and fears. In fact it's something we've done our entire lives. When you first learn to accept and acknowledge the inner critic, but not let it control your emotions and life it can be very unsettling. So many people get uncomfortable without it that they end up reverting right back to their old habits. On this episode of the Creative Warrior podcast we are joined by Denise Jacobs, who teaches us the various critics we have inside of ourselves and how we can conquer them. Download this episode today to learn how you can start to change your perspective, stop holding yourself back, and get into the truly creative place you need to be in to find the success you want. WONDER WOMAN WARRIOR "Creativity and flow state comes from relaxing self-evaluation and self-judgment." -Denise Jacobs Highlights - People want more than hype, they want science and research. You have to trust yourself and relax into a situation to produce your best results. If you are having writer's block, go do something creative and fun. The self critic is not a natural state. We connect our inner critic with drama. Emotions are meant to pass through us - let them go. Name your inner critic and address it when it shows up. When you expect something negative is going to happen, you look for anything negative and make it appear. Separate the inner critic from the attacked self. The inner critic can be helpful. Look for the inner evaluator. It's easy to get wrapped up in comparisons with today's social media. Learn from and celebrate other people's success. All boats rise with the tide. Let your envy motivate you, not paralyze you. Guest Contact - Denise's Website Denise's Twitter Denise's Book Banish Your Inner Critic Resources - 12 Must-Have Mindsets for Uncommon Entrepreneurs! A FREE tool for Creative Warriors to help you get clear on the ways you need to think differently to get the results you want. We've been handed a whole bunch of malarky about who we are and how business works that simply doesn't work for us. It's time to set it straight! This tool will give you the insights you need to think your way to success as a Creative Warrior and keep you on track. Check out the Creative Warriors RESOURCE page! A collection of the best companies, hand-selected, to help you succeed! You'll find vendors, services, products, and programs to help you Create, Serve, and Be Prosperous! All these companies have been used and approved by Jeffrey and most are used every day in his business. Music by Jawn

There's this interesting phenomenon that I've experienced and have coached many clients through. It's what I call the Soul's Gatekeepers. It's the challenges, doubts, and inner conflict that shows up when you least expect it. You're proud of what you've accomplished, you're on the cusp of a major breakthrough, you know you're on track and ready to give back, and BAM! You're faced with all this stuff that holds you back. Why is that? We explore the Soul's Gatekeepers. The perfect lead into the very next episode which is about overcoming your inner critic. The Talking Stick is in your hands now. Let us hear from you. Be part of the conversation - We want to hear your opinion on the topic. Let us know what you think or share a personal story. Join our community Facebook group, Creative Warriors Unite, at www.joinwarriors.com and add to the conversation. Contact Jeffrey - Website Coaching support Available for speaking Resources - 12 Must-Have Mindsets for Uncommon Entrepreneurs! A FREE tool for Creative Warriors to help you get clear on the ways you need to think differently to get the results you want. We've been handed a whole bunch of malarky about who we are and how business works that simply don't work for us. It's time to set it straight! This tool will give you the insights you need to think your way to success as a Creative Warrior and keep you on track. Check out the Creative Warriors RESOURCE page! A collection of the best companies, hand-selected, to help you succeed! You'll find vendors, services, products, and programs to help you Create, Serve, and Be Prosperous! All these companies have been used and approved by Jeffrey and most are used every day in his business. Music by Jawn

Do you ever feel down and worry you're going to be stuck there? Don't worry, that's a common feeling and one you should let go of. Everyone's life is full of peaks and valleys. Just know that you've felt happiness before, and that you'll feel it again. Trust in your journey, and let your happiness come from the path you are on. I know it's easy to say but taking action or even truly understanding why you aren't happy can be difficult. There are typically two ways we feel down and stuck. The first is that we adapt a sense of security that holds us back. Maybe we have a steady job that pays well, but we aren't truly content there. Change is a scary thing, but if you want to be happy you have to learn to be a little more adventurous and make a leap into the world. Don't let feeling secure be the reason you're unhappy. Security is nice, but it's not worth holding yourself back. The second reason people can feel miserable is because they are trying to force an outcome. Sometimes what we think needs to happen, really doesn't. We often times work so hard to put something together, and put in more effort than we know we should, only to watch it all fall apart. Sometimes you just need to walk away and find a different path to the goals you set your eyes on. On this episode of Creative warriors we are joined by Dr. Anna Akbari, who really understands the mind of a creative. She explains in detail how people hold themselves back, and what society expects of us in order to really be successful. She emphasizes that we need to be authentic, we are being judged constantly, and at the same time we really have to change ourselves to appease the masses. Download this episode to find out more about what it will take for you to be on the path to success and happiness. WARRIOR OF PATIENCE "Permit yourself to not go down a single track." -Anna Akbari Highlights - Make time for play and enrichment. You shouldn't feel like you need to be someone different in business. We create our own authenticity. It's not possible to always be happy, there will always be valleys in your emotions. Concentrate your contentment on your journey. Trust that you've seen happiness before and it will come again. You have to be open to failure. When you go on autopilot, it will catch up with you in the future. Change is terrifying, but has to happen if you want to achieve your goals. You can't settle. You don't need to have a perfect professional life to be worthy of a personal relationship. Create your own mantra. Guest Contact - Anna's Website Anna's Twitter Anna's Book Startup Your Life: Hustle and Hack Your Way to Personal Happiness Resources - 12 Must-Have Mindsets for Uncommon Entrepreneurs! A FREE tool for Creative Warriors to help you get clear on the ways you need to think differently to get the results you want. We've been handed a whole bunch of malarky about who we are and how business works that simply doesn't work for us. It's time to set it straight! This tool will give you the insights you need to think your way to success as a Creative Warrior and keep you on track. Check out the Creative Warriors RESOURCE page! A collection of the best companies, hand-selected, to help you succeed! You'll find vendors, services, products, and programs to help you Create, Serve, and Be Prosperous! All these companies have been used and approved by Jeffrey and most are used every day in his business. Music by Jawn

As entrepreneurs and Creative Warriors, being in a funk every now and then is to be expected. It's unavoidable. Putting ourselves out there as we do, we subject ourselves to many circumstances and emotions. All of which can cause us to get in a funk now and then. But we don't want to stay there too long. It can suck the life out of us and kill our productivity. So here are some funk-buster ideas to get you moving again. And yes, dogs help. The Talking Stick is in your hands now. Let us hear from you. Be part of the conversation - We want to hear your opinion on the topic. Let us know what you think or share a personal story. Join our community Facebook group, Creative Warriors Unite, at www.joinwarriors.com and add to the conversation. Contact Jeffrey - Website Coaching support Available for speaking Resources - 12 Must-Have Mindsets for Uncommon Entrepreneurs! A FREE tool for Creative Warriors to help you get clear on the ways you need to think differently to get the results you want. We've been handed a whole bunch of malarky about who we are and how business works that simply don't work for us. It's time to set it straight! This tool will give you the insights you need to think your way to success as a Creative Warrior and keep you on track. Check out the Creative Warriors RESOURCE page! A collection of the best companies, hand-selected, to help you succeed! You'll find vendors, services, products, and programs to help you Create, Serve, and Be Prosperous! All these companies have been used and approved by Jeffrey and most are used every day in his business. Music by Jawn

We often blame outside sources for our own shortcomings. Some people blame money, others blame the economy, but very few are willing to accept responsibility. In the end, not looking internally to find the problems means you'll never be able to find a proper solution. This is commonly the reason many businesses and entrepreneurs fail. There's a level of pride and ego that stops you from seeing it as your fault. This same exact mindset is commonly seen when people need to survive, because that's exactly what a business needs to do - survive. When things start to go wrong, and they always will, people tend to panic. Some entrepreneurs begin to run around in circles, while others freeze and give up. If you really want your business to survive, you need to think like you are out in the woods after a plane crash. Always analyze what's going on around you, be ready for what could go wrong, and don't be afraid to stop and think. On this episode of Creative Warriors podcast we are joined by Jonathan David Lewis, author of the incredibly unique book Brand vs Wild. He explains ways to shift your mindset to see your business continue to be successful and not get eaten by this wild and crazy world. Download this episode today and start looking at what you can do to be ready for when things inevitably start to take a turn in your business. THE BRUCE LEE WARRIOR "Without your bearings, you WILL walk in circles." -Jonathan David Lewis Highlights - There's little difference between someone trying to survive in the wild and business men trying to tackle something in a board room. Always look outside your industry for inspiration. A lot of brands push off responsibility and blame other things, like the economy. Survival comes from internal forces, not external. Pride is death in the wilderness, and in business. The biggest lie we tell ourselves is that whatever made us successful will continue to make us successful. Innovate and change when you are at your peak, not when you've passed it. You need to worry about navigating the risk, not reduce the risk. We are in a sharing economy. Guest Contact - Jonathan's Website Jonathan's Twitter Jonathan's Book Brand vs. Wild Resources - 12 Must-Have Mindsets for Uncommon Entrepreneurs! A FREE tool for Creative Warriors to help you get clear on the ways you need to think differently to get the results you want. We've been handed a whole bunch of malarky about who we are and how business works that simply doesn't work for us. It's time to set it straight! This tool will give you the insights you need to think your way to success as a Creative Warrior and keep you on track. Check out the Creative Warriors RESOURCE page! A collection of the best companies, hand-selected, to help you succeed! You'll find vendors, services, products, and programs to help you Create, Serve, and Be Prosperous! All these companies have been used and approved by Jeffrey and most are used every day in his business. Music by Jawn

One of the biggest challenges creatives have in business is that if what we are doing or what we have created is truly unique, then people won't know to ask for it. So, on one hand, we need to be unique and stand out. On the other hand, we've been told we must be searchable. Now, this is a dilemma. Yet another example that what got us here won't get us to where we want to go. Being searchable may not be the answer. If we create our own category, we may also have to create the communication. The Talking Stick is in your hands now. Let us hear from you. Be part of the conversation - We want to hear your opinion on the topic. Let us know what you think or share a personal story. Join our community Facebook group, Creative Warriors Unite, at www.joinwarriors.com and add to the conversation. Contact Jeffrey - Website Coaching support Available for speaking Resources - 12 Must-Have Mindsets for Uncommon Entrepreneurs! A FREE tool for Creative Warriors to help you get clear on the ways you need to think differently to get the results you want. We've been handed a whole bunch of malarky about who we are and how business works that simply don't work for us. It's time to set it straight! This tool will give you the insights you need to think your way to success as a Creative Warrior and keep you on track. Check out the Creative Warriors RESOURCE page! A collection of the best companies, hand-selected, to help you succeed! You'll find vendors, services, products, and programs to help you Create, Serve, and Be Prosperous! All these companies have been used and approved by Jeffrey and most are used every day in his business. Music by Jawn