The Self-Employed Life

Do you ever wonder why things aren't working? Maybe your numbers aren't as high as you want them to be, or maybe you're not getting the response from a market you wanted. We live in a world of data, and data doesn't lie. It's like you aren't analyzing your results properly. One of the first steps you need to take in order to come up with a solid strategy is to be able to properly gather analytics look at the statistics you need. From there you can find your audience and really come up with a plan to build your brand. Branding used to be a negative thing. We used to think about it as something that only people who were sleazy salesman or very narcissistic did. That's simply not true anymore. Everyone needs a brand and it needs to represent us in the way we want to be seen. If you have a video on Instagram of you doing a keg stand it might be funny to your friends, but your potential next colleague or associate may have a different take on it. On this episode of Creative Warrior we are joined by Peter Winick, founder of Thought Leadership Leverage. Download this episode for great insights on building your personal brand, turning your ideas into results, and finding your "sizzle" to be successful. WARRIOR OF DISCIPLINE "We all need to have a little bit of sizzle, because the most scarce resource for us today is time and energy. There's a lot of noise, and in order to get attention you have to have a little sizzle." -Peter Winick Highlights - The one constant is consistency. We have more data than we know what to do with, and data won't lie. You can't market and be special to everyone: find your true market. People have to understand they won't be known for something in a short amount of time. We all have personal brands, whether we realize it or not. A healthy ego is a good thing. Why you, why now, and how are you going to do it? Always be learning and asking questions, no matter how big you get. You're not successful because you don't want to be successful. Guest Contact - Peter's Website Peter's Twitter Peter's Favorite Book Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl 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

It seems entrepreneurs don't often consider themselves to be leaders. Well, I challenge that notion. Entrepreneurs and small business owners are perfectly poised to be leaders in their communities and have a major impact on the world. I point out that leadership doesn't have to look like the stereotype corporate leader. Creative Warrior leadership is a quiet confidence that is passionate, empathetic, compassionate, and loving. Exactly what we need more of! You'll also discover how Creative Warrior leadership can help you in your business every day! 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 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

We often believe that if we throw a wide net we'll catch more fish. This mentality doesn't actually work in business. If you spread yourself too wide you won't be able to find the audience you need. You'll end up having a hard time explaining yourself and your business, and people will not trust that you can do everything you claim. We are joined on this episode of Creative Warriors by Tamsen Webster, who explains the importance of narrowing your focus. If you can describe who you are and what you do in six words or less you'll be able to really pull in the audience and customers you want. Once you have them hooked you can really sell them with your elevator pitch, and start to find the results you're really looking for. Download this episode of Creative Warriors podcast to get more insight on what you need to find your brand and build the support you need. WARRIOR OF RESILIENCE "You can't keep a good Red Thread™ down." -Tamsen Webster Highlights - It's not the story that matters; it's the meaning that transfers. No product or service is for everyone. Brands are brittle. Once you understand the problems you solve they will show up in different ways. Be able to introduce yourself in six words or less. Having your Red Thread™ will lead to your elevator pitch. You have to look for the pieces not the finished product. Know what kind of person you are, a starter or a finisher. It is critical for you to articulate what makes your contributions important. We have to be responsible for our own success. Guest Contact - Tamsen's Website Tamsen's Twitter Tamsen's Gift Be sure to check out Tamsen's Find Your Red Thread™ Worksheet! 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

This is the first time I've ever done a Talking Stick episode as a prelude to another episode. But the interview I have coming up with Tamsen Webster about finding your Red Thread™ is so important, I thought it would be helpful to provide you with some context ahead of time. What you'll discover is that there is a thread, a throughline, in all that you do. You may not be able to see it yourself yet. This so important for us Creative Warriors who often feel like we're all over the place. Finding your Red Thread™ clarifies your message. The clearer your message, the more opportunities will come your way. Listen to this episode and then follow up by listening to the very next episode with Tamsen Webster. 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 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 Tamsen contact Find Your Red Thread™ Worksheet Website

It's common for people to build a business or start a career and then see it all start to fall apart. We may begin to lose that sense of fulfillment, or our sales start to suffer. This doesn't mean we are failures or aren't good enough. You've probably just outgrown your current situation. It may be time for you or your business to pivot and find a new direction. Becoming trapped in thoughts of "what's going wrong" is something we all do. But it's just that; a trap. These points aren't crises, they are opportunities for growth and change. The best thing we can do is shift our focus to what is working, and begin to grow in that direction. Sometimes these changes can be minor, and other times they may be giant leaps. Jenny Blake joins us on this episode of Creative Warriors to discuss her book Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One. She discusses exactly what a pivot means, and the four stages you have to take in order to make a successful pivot. Don't miss out on this advice, because even if you aren't in need of a pivot right now - you will be at some point. WARRIOR OF DRAGON TAMING "There is no better time. We are all so lucky to be entrepreneurs in this technology environment that we are in." -Jenny Blake Highlights - "That which you can plan is too small for you to live" -David White Surrender and cultivate serenity. You don't wait for flow, you invite it. Have wind up and wind down rituals each day. It's surprising to see what your brain can let go of and come up with when it's free of clutter. For every moment that goes wrong, there's a moment that goes right. Pivots are the new normal in business. When an original marketing strategy is not long we working, a business has to pivot to stay alive. Pivots are not a bad thing. They are a result of our success and because we have outgrown our business. Sometimes we look too far outside of ourselves for the answers. Guest Contact - Jenny's Website Jenny's Twitter Jenny's Book Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One Jenny's Tool Kit 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

It can seem a little trite to say "change your thoughts, change your results." We've heard it too often without anything concrete to help us understand it's effectiveness. My take on this is as Creative Warriors, we do need a different way of thinking because we've been handed a bunch of mindsets that don't work for us. We are often told to act differently than what's natural for us and how other businesses work doesn't work for us either. So, it's time to get our minds in the right place. I introduce a brand new FREE tool for you, The 12 Must-Have Mindsets for Uncommon Entrepreneurs, to get you to think differently and keep you on track. 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 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

We often times ask ourselves, "How am I feeling?" When we focus on this question, we concentrate on the negatives. What we should be asking ourselves is, "How am I thinking?" You need to concentrate on your outlook and the positive aspects of the journey you are on. Michael Glauser joins us this week to discuss the discoveries he made about entrepreneurship while bicycling across the country. On this journey he discovered nine things that makes a successful entrepreneur, and we are lucky enough to hear them on this episode of Creative Warriors. Being an entrepreneur is hard on the soul and this causes many people to give up. There are many secrets to get past the hard times. You not only need to find passion in what you do, but you need to have a clearly defined purpose to keep you on track. It's also important to have a strong support team you can turn to when you need help. Download this episode of Creative Warriors to get amazing insight from Michael Glauser. WARRIOR OF TENACITY "I had a number of journalists interview me as soon as we finished that trip and they all asked me, 'What's the most important thing you learned?' What I said as an answer is that I believe anybody can do this. Anybody can build this type of business.These skills are not hard to learn, they are simple, and they really work. " Highlights - There's a technology backlash happening. People are looking for more community based businesses. You need a strong purpose to get through the difficult times. How you are thinking is more important than how you are feeling. Being an entrepreneur is a challenge to the soul. You need to launch an opportunity, not an idea. It's important to have a strong support team, it'll make you grow much faster. Maximize your resources. Know how to build a community of fans by exceeding your customer's expectations. Need to have multiple revenue streams that are all related. Guest Contact - Michael's Website Michael's Twitter Michael's Twitter Michael's Book Main Street Entrepreneur: Build Your Dream Company Doing What You Love Where You Live Resources - Do you ever wish you could get advice for your business? Does it sometimes feel like you're completely on your own? Ever wish you had help getting things done? Then join the Creative Warriors Alliance! A weekly group coaching call with Jeffrey every Tuesday 1pm-2pm. Get all the coaching you want, the support of peers, and the accountability you need to accomplish big things. 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 it's been said, entrepreneurs will work 80 hours a week for themselves to avoid working 40 hours a week for someone else. While I respect hard work, it doesn't have to be that way. In this episode, I offer 3 ways to make being in business easier in your marketing, working with the right customers, and with customer service. The best part is, these 3 ways of being are exactly what customers want from you today! 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 - Do you ever wish you could get advice for your business? Does it sometimes feel like you're completely on your own? Ever wish you had help getting things done? Then join the Creative Warriors Alliance! A weekly group coaching call with Jeffrey every Tuesday 1pm-2pm. Get all the coaching you want, the support of peers, and the accountability you need to accomplish big things. 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

What's stopping you from making money on your passions? Do you feel you're not ready yet? That your work isn't good enough? That you just don't have the time to get it all done? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the problem is you. We all strive to be perfect, or to be the best. Unfortunately, that's just not a reality. The best is in the eye of the beholder. Chances are you know plenty of people out there who are making a good amount of money even though in reality they are mediocre at best. Why should they make money, and not you? Monica Leonelle joins us this week to share her expertise about making it as a creative. She explains why you are putting too much pressure on yourself, and how chances are you are ready to start making money on your passions right now. Often times you need to unblock yourself and move forward. Monica lays out seven simple steps to getting on the path of turning what you love from a dream and hobby into a successful career. WARRIOR OF TRY and TRUST "Get something 60% ready, put it out there, and then grow it."-Monica Leonelle Highlights - Remember that there are people below average who still get paid very well. Artists always feel we have to be the best before we do this for a living. Focus on your production schedule if you want to turn "pro". Realize your work is not about you, it's for your audience. There's no reason to struggle by yourself. Find a mentor, and use their playbook. Have DAILY practices to keep your mindset on track. Get something 60% ready, put it out there, and then grow it. Produce on a regular schedule. Don't rely on a burst promotions as a path - you will lose momentum at some point. Guest Contact - Monica's Website Monica's Twitter Monica's Audio Book Resources - Do you ever wish you could get advice for your business? Does it sometimes feel like you're completely on your own? Ever wish you had help getting things done? Then join the Creative Warriors Alliance! A weekly group coaching call with Jeffrey every Tuesday 1pm-2pm. Get all the coaching you want, the support of peers, and the accountability you need to accomplish big things. 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

In this special Memorial Day episode, a day when we honor the armed forces in the U.S., I wanted to suggest that we honor our past as well. So often as we move through life, transitioning from one thing to another, we close the door on the past instead of integrating our past into the future. Instead of closing doors, I suggest every door be left open a crack so that in the words of singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen, "There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." 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 - Do you ever wish you could get advice for your business? Does it sometimes feel like you're completely on your own? Ever wish you had help getting things done? Then join the Creative Warriors Alliance! A weekly group coaching call with Jeffrey every Tuesday 1pm-2pm. Get all the coaching you want, the support of peers, and the accountability you need to accomplish big things. 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