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93: Use Stress as a Strength
In today’s fast-paced world, stress seems to be as much a part of our daily diet as our morning coffee. But what if I told you that stress, rather than being the villain we’ve made it out to be, could actually be one of our greatest strengths? It’s a radical thought, but stay with me.
The story of the Biosphere 2 project in the 1980s serves as a perfect metaphor for our relationship with stress. In an attempt to create a perfect environment, scientists built a massive glass enclosure in the Arizona desert. They controlled every aspect of the environment, from the air to the water, creating what was supposed to be a utopian ecosystem. Yet, despite their efforts, the trees inside the biosphere grew to a certain height and then toppled over. The missing element? Wind. Without the stress of wind, the trees’ roots couldn’t develop the strength needed to support their growth.
This tale from the world of science perfectly illustrates how stress, in its essence, is not our enemy but a catalyst for growth and resilience. Just like those trees, we need stress to become stronger, more adaptable beings.
Embracing Stress: A Mindset Shift
Stress is inevitable. But our approach to it can make all the difference. During my time in pilot training, I learned about the concepts of eustress and distress. Eustress is a positive form of stress that motivates and energizes us, pushing us to focus and excel. Distress, on the other hand, is negative stress that can lead to anxiety, worry, and physical health problems.
The key to transforming stress into a superpower lies in how we respond to it. Here are four strategies I’ve found incredibly helpful:
1. Shift Your Mindset
When faced with a problem, ask yourself, “What can I learn from this? How can I grow?” This mindset shift, while challenging, may be the reframe you need
2. Complete Work on a Longer Timeline
Often, we’re our own worst enemies, packing our schedules and setting unrealistic deadlines. By giving ourselves more time to complete tasks, we can significantly reduce the stress we experience.
3. Navigate the Continuum of Ease and Overwhelm
Life is a balance. Too much ease, and we stagnate; too much overwhelm, and we burn out. Finding that sweet spot in the middle is crucial for managing stress effectively.
4. Control What You Can
Focusing on the aspects of a situation that we can control, rather than dwelling on what’s out of our hands, can help mitigate feelings of helplessness and reduce stress.
The Power of Stress
In the end, stress is not something to be eradicated but to be understood and harnessed. Like the trees in the biosphere, we need challenges and pressures to grow stronger and more resilient. By embracing stress as a part of life and learning to adapt our responses to it, we can unlock our true potential and turn stress into our superpower.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Time-stamped show notes:
- [00:00:30] Introduction to the topic of stress
- [00:00:46] Reminder to sign up for the newsletter
- [00:01:15] The story of the Biosphere 2 project and its lessons on stress
- [00:02:03] The distinction between eustress and distress
- [00:02:36] Strategies for transforming stress into a positive force
- [00:03:11] Mindset shift: Viewing stress as an opportunity
- [00:03:24] Completing work on a longer timeline to reduce pressure
- [00:03:54] The ease and overwhelm continuum: Finding balance
- [00:04:38] Focusing on what you can control to minimize distress
92: How to Plan an Effective Quarter
How to Plan an Effective Quarter: Lessons for Business Growth
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? If you haven’t already, it’s time to start thinking in quarters. Quarterly planning can be a game-changer, and I’m here to help you make the most of the current quarter.
I’m Jerred Moon, and in this blog post, I’ll share my experience and insights on how to plan an effective quarter. I get passionate about this stuff because I’ve seen the transformative effects firsthand in my own businesses.
But first things first – do you even have a goal for this quarter? If not, it’s time to define one! For consistent growth, I always recommend setting a revenue goal with a specific profit target.
Let’s Get into the Planning
When I first started doing quarterly planning, I’d focus on a bunch of different growth strategies at once. Guess what? It didn’t work. I felt like I was playing a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. It was exhausting and ineffective.
Here’s the strategy that changed everything, and it’s what I teach business owners to this day:
- One overarching goal: Choose a revenue goal paired with a profit target.
- Three key strategies: Choose three core strategies that align with your overarching goal. I recommend focusing on:
- Revenue Growth: Drive sales and marketing to hit your numbers.
- Business Health: Nurture customer satisfaction, maintain systems, and execute processes efficiently.
- Leadership & Culture: Develop yourself as a leader and build a strong team culture.
Under each of these three strategies, you’ll define three tactics to execute over the quarter. No more, no less. Three focused tactics per strategy give you clarity and keep you from spreading too thin.
Why Three Strategies?
You’re probably so accustomed to focusing on growth that the other two seem less important. But trust me, they are vital! When you focus on business health and leadership and culture alongside your growth strategies, you stop playing whack-a-mole with your business. It all starts to work together instead of against each other.
Ready for More?
If you want a more detailed breakdown of how to plan your quarter, I’ve got something exciting coming up for you! I’m creating a video course all about planning effective quarters, months, weeks, and even years. This will be packed with valuable content and actionable steps. Want to be the first to know when it drops? Sign up for my newsletter at jared.com.
Time to Take Action
This quarter is yours for the taking! Get clear on your goals and prioritize revenue growth, business health, and strong leadership. You got this!
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Timestamps (with 30-second intro)
- 00:30: Intro
- 01:00: Do you have a quarterly goal?
- 01:30: My early experiences with quarterly planning
- 02:35: The biggest problem I faced with my early plans
- 04:15: The key to planning an effective quarter
- 05:05: Strategy 1: Revenue Growth
- 06:20: Strategy 3: Business Health
- 07:50: Strategy 2: Leadership and Culture
- 09:45: Why you need all three strategies
- 10:10: Ready to go deeper?
- 10:35: Call to action
🛩️ Business Like a Fighter Pilot, a Bigger Future, and Book Recommendations
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91: You’re Average. Now What?
Don’t be average. Ever.
Are you living an average life? It’s a tough question to ask yourself, but it’s a question worth pondering. Most of us don’t want to think of ourselves as average. I know I don’t. However, being exceptional takes focus, effort, and a willingness to compare yourself to those who are crushing it.
I often think back to one of my favorite speeches by the famed industrialist, Andrew Carnegie. Carnegie, a true titan of industry, had a lot to say about effort and focus. He shared his insights on the secret to success. I want to read a small excerpt and break it down with you:
“It is a simple matter of honest work, ability, and concentration. There is no question about there being room at the top for exceptional men in any profession. These have not to seek patronage. The question is rather how can their services be secured? As with every profession, so in every line of business, there’s plenty of room at the top. Your problem is how to get there. The answer is simple. Conduct your business with just a little more ability than the average man in your line. If you are only above the average, your success is secured. And the degree of success is in ratio to the greater degree of ability and attention. Should you fail to ascend? The fault is not in your stars but in yourselves.”
Carnegie breaks down success so simply and eloquently. He talks about not scattering your efforts and focusing on excelling in one thing. But more importantly, he talks about being just slightly better than the average person in your line of work to secure an exceptional level of success.
Are You Above Average…Really?
Now let’s dive into the big question for today: Are you average?
The natural response for many of us is, “Of course, I’m above average!” When we compare ourselves to some vague notion of the “average American,” most of us probably do come out ahead in many areas of life.
But here’s where things get interesting. Andrew Carnegie doesn’t talk about comparing yourself to everyone. He emphasizes comparing yourself to those “in your line.” And that’s where the game changes.
What does it mean to be in your line? Your line is about the people you work with, the groups you’re part of, and your direct peers. Who cares if you’re above average compared to millions of people? The real question is, where do you stand amongst those who do what you do?
If you’re part of a high-performing team – whether as an employee, an entrepreneur, or in any other capacity – you need to re-evaluate your definition of average. Because…don’t be average. You might have always thought of yourself as above average, but now that you’re surrounded by other exceptional people, you might just be average.
It’s a humbling realization.
Shift Your Mindset: Don’t be average
Once you understand that “average” is relative to your current circle, it’s time for a mindset shift. I know it was for me, whether with my business mastermind groups or when I was selected for pilot training. Past “above average” achievements don’t matter anymore once you join a new group of high achievers.
So, how do you get above average again in this new context?
Here’s a simple exercise:
- Find Your Peers: Think about those you work with, compete with, or engage with in your field. If you don’t have a peer group, now’s the time to find or create one.
- Set a New Average: Your peer group’s habits and achievements define your new average. Notice who’s working out regularly, investing smartly, or scaling their business. That’s the new bar to clear.
- Be Slightly Better: Your goal isn’t to compare yourself to others and feel down. The goal is to rise above. If everyone wakes up at 6 AM, you wake up at 5:30 AM. If everyone reads a book a month, you read one a week.
By constantly striving to be just a little bit better than your new average, you’ll consistently elevate yourself. The key is to always be on the lookout for groups filled with people who inspire you and make you want to be more, do more, and achieve greater success.
Reject Complacency
Never think, “I’ve made it this far, so I can relax.” If you do, you’re already falling behind. Always be striving for more and finding those who can help you level up.
If you find that hard, remember: try harder.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.
Time-Stamped Show Notes:
- [00:30] Intro
- [01:00] Understanding Andrew Carnegie’s philosophy
- [03:00] Why being above the general average isn’t enough
- [04:30] Defining average based on your line of work
- [06:00] Are you really above average? A humbling exercise
- [07:00] How to strive for the new level of average
- [08:00] The importance of finding the right peer group