Better Human Business Podcast

The Never-Ending Game of Business Motivation

Motivation in business isn’t just about financial success or reaching a comfortable lifestyle. For many entrepreneurs, including myself, it’s about the continual challenge—the game itself. Business is an infinite game where the goal is not to win but to keep playing and improving. Simon Sinek’s concept of the infinite game resonates deeply with me; it’s about sustaining your ability to operate and thrive in business indefinitely.

The Quest for Personal Mastery

Beyond the mechanics of business, my drive is deeply personal. A favorite quote of mine posits that hell on earth is meeting the person you could have been. This notion haunts me; it’s about constantly striving to close the gap between who I am and the best version of myself I can imagine. Entrepreneurship, with all its challenges and opportunities for growth, provides a fertile ground for this personal evolution.

Why Keep Going?

If you’ve ever wondered why some entrepreneurs keep pushing despite having enough wealth to retire comfortably, it’s often about more than just money or success. For me, it’s about the game and the growth. Even if I could rearrange my life to never work another day, the truth is, I enjoy the process too much to stop.

I’m driven by the desire to see how far I can go and how much I can grow. Each day presents a new challenge, and each obstacle is an opportunity to learn and improve. This mindset keeps me motivated to pursue more ambitious goals and continue playing the game.

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 podcast and today’s theme about ongoing motivation.
• [00:01:30] Exploration of why success isn’t the end of the road and why we continue striving for more.
• [00:02:30] Discussion on the infinite game of business and why it’s about continuous play, not winning.
• [00:04:00] Reflection on personal motivation and the fear of not reaching potential.
• [00:06:30] Rethinking motivation beyond financial goals—what really drives us?
• [00:07:30] Conclusion: Understanding your ‘why’ is crucial for sustained motivation and engagement in business.

Why Deep Learning Matters in Entrepreneurship

In the entrepreneurial world, knowledge isn’t just power—it’s a survival toolkit. When I ventured into online business, a mentor challenged me to go deep, not wide, in my entrepreneurial education. This meant picking a book, like Chris Guillebeau’s “The $100 Startup” back in the day, and literally using it as a field manual. I marked it up, created action plans, and implemented the strategies step-by-step. This wasn’t casual reading; it was an intense study session aimed at real-world application.

This approach turned the daunting task of launching a business into a manageable series of actions. It wasn’t about skimming through volumes of content but mastering the essential ones that directly impacted my goals.

The Darker Side of Shallow Learning

Today’s fast-paced, digital world often rewards breadth over depth. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram encourage us to consume content at a breakneck pace, but only at a surface level. This approach might keep us informed, but it rarely makes us knowledgeable. To truly excel and outperform our competition, we must resist this trend and commit to mastering the skills that matter most to our entrepreneurial journey.

Adopting a Student Mentality in Business

Imagine approaching your professional education as rigorously as academic exams. Select one or two key books or courses each year and study them as if there was a test at the end—because, in reality, the test is the execution of these ideas in the real world. This method of learning not only enhances retention but ensures you can apply these insights effectively in real-life scenarios, thereby significantly improving your business operations and strategies.

Practical Steps to Deep Learning

1. Choose Your Resources Wisely: Pick books or courses that are highly relevant to your current business challenges or growth opportunities.
2. Engage Actively: Don’t just read or listen. Take extensive notes, make flashcards, highlight key points, and even teach the material to someone else to solidify your understanding.
3. Implement Relentlessly: Apply what you learn immediately. Theoretical knowledge gains value only when it’s put into practice.

Embrace the Depth: The journey of entrepreneurship is relentless, and so must be our approach to learning. By going deep, not wide, we set ourselves up not just to compete but to lead and innovate.

For those looking to delve deeper and transform their entrepreneurial journey through education, remember: it’s about quality, not quantity. Choose your educational battles wisely and commit fully to mastering them.

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 importance of deep learning in entrepreneurship.

[00:01:30] Discussion on the impact of intensive learning from real examples.

[00:02:30] Analysis of the pitfalls of shallow learning through modern media.

[00:04:00] Strategies for adopting a rigorous study approach in business.

[00:06:00] Conclusion and encouragement for entrepreneurs to engage deeply with educational materials.

Why Questions Matter

It’s easy to fall into asking superficial or misguided queries. In my early online business days, I found myself fixated on, “How can I turn this venture into my full-time job?” While it seemed crucial, it narrowly confined my thinking and prevented broader insights.

The Guru Scenario

Imagine you’re granted one question to an all-knowing guru atop a mountain. The pressure of this single query would push you to contemplate deeply about what you truly need to know. What would you ask? This thought experiment shows the importance of crafting significant and impactful queries.

Elevating Business Queries

In business, moving beyond straightforward questions like, “How do I increase revenue by $1,000 this month?” to more expansive ones like, “What innovative strategies can revolutionize my market presence?” can lead to transformative solutions and breakthrough thinking.

Thinking Big

Setting monumental, long-term goals compels us to pose questions that challenge our current capabilities and expand our strategic horizons. It’s about stretching our ambitions and contemplating, “What steps are necessary to drastically exceed my current expectations?”

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 importance of asking better questions.
• [00:01:30] Discussion on common pitfalls in the types of questions we often ask.
• [00:02:30] Exploration of the Guru Question thought experiment and its implications.
• [00:03:30] Insights on crafting impactful questions in business for substantial growth.
• [00:04:30] Closing thoughts on setting big-picture goals to foster innovative thinking and solutions.

What Exactly Is a Performance Professional?

A Performance Professional is not just a title but a mindset. It’s geared toward individuals dedicated to optimizing not just their personal performance but also influencing their professional environments positively. This term transcends traditional boundaries and is inclusive of various roles, from entrepreneurs to educators, who prioritize high performance in their fields.

Historically, performance optimization was the playground for elite athletes or high-income individuals. Today, it’s accessible to anyone interested in leveraging modern technology and methodologies to enhance their personal and professional life. From using wearables like Fitbit or Whoop to monitor health metrics to applying advanced psychological tools to boost mental performance, the tools and strategies available are vast and varied.

Why Focus on Performance?

The shift towards personal performance optimization reflects a broader societal shift. Individuals are increasingly interested in not just surviving but thriving in their environments. As technologies evolve, they democratize access to tools that were once exclusive, allowing more people to engage in self-improvement actively.

Join Our Community

If you’re intrigued by the idea of becoming a Performance Professional or you’re already on the path of optimizing various aspects of your life and career, consider joining our new community. It’s designed to support individuals like you, who are eager to push boundaries and redefine what personal and professional success looks like.

If you haven’t yet, head over to my personal website, jared.com, and sign up for the newsletter. You’ll receive updates on when the Performance Professional community officially launches and how you can be a part of it.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re deeply entrenched in your career or just starting out, embracing the mindset of a Performance Professional can significantly alter your approach to work and personal development. It’s about more than achieving success—it’s about redefining what success means on your terms and making the journey as impactful as the destination.

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 concept of a Performance Professional.
• [00:01:30] Explanation of how the term applies to various professional fields and its evolution.
• [00:02:30] Invitation to join the new online community and how to stay updated.
• [00:03:30] Closing thoughts on the importance of embracing a performance-focused mindset in personal and professional life.

What is Guerrilla Marketing?

Guerrilla marketing is all about leveraging unconventional, low-cost, and creative tactics to promote your product or service. It’s the art of standing out in a saturated market without breaking the bank. A classic example of guerrilla tactics success is the Blair Witch Project. The film’s marketers created a compelling backstory with fake police reports and news stories that blurred the lines between fiction and reality, massively boosting its visibility and intrigue.

Applying Guerrilla Tactics to Your Business

So, how can you apply guerrilla tactics to your business? It’s about thinking outside the standard sales funnels and processes. Here are a few strategies to consider:

1. Personalize Your Approach: Reach out personally to people who engage with your content. A like or comment on social media can be the start of a personal interaction that might lead to a deeper business relationship.
2. Create Exclusive Experiences: Offer something unique to your leads that they can’t get anywhere else. This could be in the form of personalized videos, special content, or direct interactions that make them feel valued.
3. Go Beyond Automation: While automated marketing funnels are efficient, they lack a personal touch. Identify engaged prospects and reach out personally to convert interest into sales.

Why Try Harder With Guerrilla Marketing?

In today’s skeptical market, showing that you’re genuinely invested in your customers can set you apart. Guerrilla marketing isn’t just about being different; it’s about being more human and accessible. By focusing on creative, cost-effective strategies, you can enhance your marketing efforts and connect more deeply with your audience.

Implementing Guerrilla Marketing

To start, focus on these key areas:

• Attention to Individual Interactions: Show that you care about each prospect or customer by personalizing your interactions.
• Exclusivity and Personal Engagement: Make your leads feel special with exclusive offers or personalized communications.
• Skip Impersonal Funnels: Use direct interactions to build relationships and foster trust.

Embracing guerrilla tactics requires more effort and creativity, but the potential rewards in customer loyalty and brand differentiation are immense. As you experiment with these tactics, you’ll find that stepping outside the conventional paths can lead to substantial growth and success.

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 effective marketing and guerrilla marketing strategies.
• [00:01:30] Deep dive into the definition and examples of guerrilla marketing.
• [00:03:00] Practical tips for applying guerrilla marketing tactics in your business.
• [00:04:30] The importance of personal touch in marketing and its impact on conversion.
• [00:06:00] Conclusion and encouragement to think outside the box and try harder with your marketing efforts.