I'm Hardly Working
"Are you working hard, or hardly working?" 🤔
These days, I'm hardly working.
I was subscribed and bought into the hustle culture and associated work-hard 24/7 mantras in my 20s-30s.
I didn't know any better. I was ignorant about life and purpose.
Back then, I built my identity around out-working you. I was programmed to be proud of how many "OT Hours" I crushed. There was even a time I was working three jobs, because I always wanted more income.
I sacrificed sleep, thinking it was a waste of time. For over a decade, I missed a lot of holidays and special occasions because of work. "Gotta pay the bills!" right?
My relationships struggled. Eventually my health struggled. Fortunately, I became self-aware at age 39 and this spared my mental health. I knew I had to start making some changes.
I was observing those who were further ahead of me on the career ladder, understanding it was also my forecasted trajectory.
Sure, they earned a higher salary, but they were typically unhappy with their careers. They achieved a level of income that kept them trapped and fearful of pursuing the purpose they were intended for.
Most of them took pride in working 12+ hour days. Rarely taking vacations. Robbing that time from their families. Maybe they were just using work to avoid being in an unhappy, dysfunctional home?
By age 40, I started to put purpose, peacefulness and happiness above all else. It took a few years to make those changes. Many around me didn't understand what I was doing, or why I was doing it.
Believe me when I tell you this, but you have a far greater potential than to sit at an office or jobsite 8+ hours per day. There are ways you can earn more money, but more importantly; More free time.
Most won't take the risk. A few will try, but won't last long. It's not easy. This time freedom is what I help people achieve.
-Tony
Turn Self-Doubt into Rockstar Confidence with Jonathan George - EP 376
Ready to turn your self-doubt into rockstar confidence? Hear the transformative journey of Jonathan George, who went from the music industry to becoming a personal branding expert. You’ll hear how focusing on your audience can shift anxiety to enthusiasm and learn why understanding your unique value proposition is key to showing up powerfully in the world. Jonathan shares his insights on overcoming fears, owning your uniqueness, and making a significant impact. This conversation emphasizes the need for self-awareness and clarity in personal branding, encouraging a proactive approach to achieving dreams and happiness.
Using his many years of branding expertise, Jonathan highlights the essence of authenticity and integrity in building a personal brand. Instead of just copying what other people are doing, it’s important to understand the power of embracing your unique strengths. This episode highlights how embracing your flaws and turning them into strengths can lead to remarkable success. You will gain valuable insights into building a personal brand that resonates with authenticity and impact.
Key highlights:
- Discovering Your Value Proposition and Personal Branding
- Navigating Self-Awareness and Success
- Personal Branding and Self-Improvement
Episode resources:
- Get Jonathan’s book for free: book.unleashyourrockstar.com/get-your-copy
Connect with Jonathan George:
- Website: unleashyourrockstar.com
- Instagram: @jonathangeorgee
- Facebook: Jonathan George
- LinkedIn: Jonathan George
Connect with Tony Whatley:
- Website: 365driven.com
- Instagram: @365driven
- Facebook: 365 Driven
The Common Mistake Of New Entrepreneurs
This is one of the biggest mistakes new entrepreneurs make.😮
If you're building a business, profit is what matters most. Don't fall for the guru speaking about "7-figures" in sales revenue. I've known plenty of 7-8 figure business owners that lose money each year.
7-figures, 8-figures, etc... don't mean anything if a business is barely staying in business, or bleeding cash each month.
So how do you maximize your potential to achieve more profit?
Sell expensive things.
As a business owner or hopeful entrepreneur, you've already accepted the fact that you'll have to sell something. That's business.
I see waaay too many of you wasting way too much time promoting and selling tiddlywink little knick-knack products and services that only earn a few bucks per sale.
You won't achieve financial success by focusing on selling low-buck things, unless you've mastered the tactics of generating high volume sales. That means you'll need to spend tens of thousands (maybe hundreds of thousands) per MONTH in advertising in order to generate the typical 10-15% net profit.
The only other alternative here is to have built a huge personal brand with a huge audience of willing buyers. That's great if you've achieved this, but it's not the norm. It's probably not you.
Selling is selling. It's literally the same skillset if you're good at it. It's definitely a skill you SHOULD invest in, and become great at.
It takes the same amount of effort to sell an expensive item or service, as it does to convince some cheap bastard to buy your cheap product or service.
Here's an example I figured out 20 years ago, with one of my own businesses; selling custom wheels for cars.
Back in 2003, I thought it was a good idea to carry a range of wheels, from entry level (then about $999/set) and top-level forged wheels (then about $3000/set). More products the better, right?
Wrong.
Within a year I learned I was wasting much more time on the phone and in emails with the cheap buyers. They were obviously price-shopping, and didn't care as much about service or my knowledge. They'd get info from me, and go buy elsewhere based on price.
Those $999 wheels only created about $150 in profit per sale (15%).
The expensive wheels created $750 in profit per sale (25%).
I would have to sell five sets of the cheap wheels in order to equal the profit of only one set of expensive wheels. Same amount of sales effort for both, actually more effort with the cheap buyers.
I stopped selling the cheap wheels. My business grew faster. I focused on serving only the highest quality brands and my marketing focused on service and expertise. Things high value customers respect.
If you want the potential to earn more profit, look at selling the most expensive things you can. Become an expert in those subjects. Quit competing in the bottom market, with all the others who are too lazy to specialize in a higher product level market.
To those of you with already established businesses, you are likely earning 80% of your profit from only 20% of your best products or services... while wasting time on the other 80% of your products that barely move the needle. Don't be afraid of dropping products off, especially low-performing (non profitable) ones.
-Tony
Conscious Living and Personal Growth with Jennifer Carrasco - EP 375
Can a transformative personal journey truly alter your perception of life? Tune in as Tony explores this powerful question and more in this episode with Jennifer Carrasco, a resilient entrepreneur and business coach. She shares pivotal experiences, from overcoming significant business setbacks to using ancient plant medicine for personal growth and transformation. Jennifer recounts her inspiring journey of rebuilding her business during the 2008 economic downturn and her determined pursuit of a fitness pro card, emphasizing the profound impact of mindset and perseverance on success.
Jennifer shares an experience that propelled her into further personal development through certification in EOS consulting and NLP work, empowering her to help business owners break free from limiting beliefs. This discussion touches on the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and maintaining a mindset aligned with core values for entrepreneurial success.
Jennifer and Tony also tackle the influence of media manipulation on self-perception and behavior, highlighting the importance of conscious awakening. Jennifer shares how she confronted her deep-seated fears and ancestral trauma and emphasizes seeking new knowledge as critical aspects of personal growth. With reflections on how transformative experiences shape our lives, this episode offers valuable insights into the power of mindset and the journey toward personal and professional fulfillment.
Key highlights:
- The Journey of Personal Growth
- Unpacking Past Perceptions for Growth
- Media Manipulation and Conscious Awakening
- Exploring Fear and Ancestral Healing
- Awakening to Personal Transformation
Connect with Jennifer Carrasco:
- Instagram: @jennamaral__
Connect with Tony Whatley:
- Website: 365driven.com
- Instagram: @365driven
- Facebook: 365 Driven
Balancing Business Success and Personal Health with Mauro Stara - EP 374
What if you could master the art of maintaining your fitness while excelling in your business? Tune in to this enlightening episode as Tony is joined by Mauro Stara, the dynamic CEO and Founder of Six-Pack CEO, who shares his journey from a high-achieving banker, to a fitness entrepreneur. Mauro recounts his childhood triumphs that built his confidence and the sacrifices he made in his professional life, offering a candid look at the ongoing struggle to balance work and personal health.
In the realm of business and fitness, Mauro breaks down the unique challenges faced by those over 40 and the importance of breaking free from environments that foster excuses. Discover how a dedicated fitness regimen and a supportive community can change the game for fitness enthusiasts and entrepreneurs alike. Mauro emphasizes the importance of client success, sharing invaluable lessons from industry leaders. From building client relationships to the power of referrals over social media marketing, this episode is full of strategies for sustaining business growth.
Mauro underscores the real impact of achieving fitness goals on one’s life, especially for busy professionals. He also covers marketing strategies, the pros and cons of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT), and practical tips for overcoming fitness challenges, including travel fitness hacks. Listen in for actionable advice on creating a fitness plan and the importance of tailoring your wellness journey to your health goals. This episode is full of insights for anyone looking to prioritize their health and achieve long-term success while also achieving business success.
Key highlights:
- Building Client Relationships for Success
- Effective Marketing Strategies for Success
- Selling Results, Not Fitness
- The Pros and Cons of TRT
- Overcoming Fitness Challenges and Travel Tips
- Custom Fitness Plans and Blood Tests
Connect with Mauro Stara:
- Website: 6packceo.com
- Instagram: @maurostaraofficial/
- Facebook: Mauro Stara
Connect with Tony Whatley:
- Website: 365driven.com
- Instagram: @365driven
- Facebook: 365 Driven
Evolving Trends and Future Insights in Video Marketing with Adrian Boysel - EP 373
Adrian Boysel is a marketing consultant and branding expert, and in this episode of 365 Driven, he shares his entrepreneurial journey from childhood hustles to becoming a video marketing master. His passion for video, ignited by his grandfather's video business and nurtured through high school video production classes, underscores the importance of aligning your career with personal passions and values. Adrian and Tony discuss the challenges of finding like-minded individuals and the power of facing your fears. They also highlight how admiration for certain qualities in others reflects our own potential.
This episode covers the rapidly evolving world of video marketing, from the increased standards in production quality to the transformative impact of AI advancements. Adrian shares invaluable insights into creating impactful courses that go beyond just selling and genuinely educate. This episode is packed with knowledge, offering a roadmap for anyone keen on scaling their business or navigating the dynamic digital landscape. Tune in and equip yourself with the tools to elevate your game in video marketing and beyond.
Key highlights:
- Overcoming Insecurities Through Self-Discovery
- Rapid Evolution of Video Marketing Trends
- Creating Impactful Courses for Learners
- Strategic Planning in the Oil Industry
- Embracing Technology and AI Trends
Episode resources:
- Get a free month of veuit.com with code 365DRIVEN
Connect with Adrian Boysel:
- Website: adrianboysel.com | brandbutler.ai | videomarketingvault.com | veuit.com
- YouTube: youtube.com/@adrianboysel
- Instagram: @adrianboysel
Connect with Tony Whatley:
- Website: 365driven.com
- Instagram: @365driven
- Facebook: 365 Driven