Business

Don't Listen to Comparisons

Don't listen to them. Your business doesn't have to be stressful. You don't have to work insane hours and sacrifice what truly matters to you.

Sometimes you'll see other business owners stand on their digital soapbox and try to talk down to you. They'll say things like:

"You aren't working as hard as me."
"You aren't sacrificing as much as me."
"Your business model isn't as great as mine."
"I'm better at business because I have more employees than you."
"My business is legit because I have a physical location."
"I'm better than you because I do 7-figures, 8-figures, All-the-figures."

In business, all of these lines are bullshit. They are usually sourced from their uncontrolled ego and insecurities.

I know this, because I've used a few of them in the past, when I was seeking external validation and approval. I grew up without money or social status, so I felt I had something to prove.

Back then I also mistakenly linked someone's social status and self-worth with their net worth. If they are more successful, surely they rank higher on the imaginary human status scale, right?

Some of you are thinking "I'd never do that, I'm not like that. I treat everyone as equals." But your subconscious still plays these stacking games, it's how we were taught. It's what we believe.

Need proof? When you meet someone new, there are often general questions asked.

"What's your name?"
"Where are you from?"
"What do you do?"

Although these questions seem harmless (and boring), that last question is our passive attempt to categorize someone based on status. If someone responds they are a brain surgeon, you automatically elevate them in your mind. If they respond with a lower income career, you rank them lower in your status stack-up.

Well, these entrepreneurs that hit social media with their comparison phrases are doing the exact same thing. They are making an attempt to climb to a higher (to themselves) status by downplaying those who they think do less, struggle less, and sacrifice less.

In business, we each have our own desires. No answer is correct, or better than others. Some are fulfilled earning less than six figures, where others believe they require millions.

Struggle is a choice. Sacrifice is a choice. Spending time away from your family is a choice. Feeling stressed and anxious is a choice. Wanting more employees is a choice. Not having time or location freedom is a choice.

I've built online businesses. I've built physical location businesses. I've built teams and staff businesses. I've done retail. I've done services. Each model has its pros and cons. I don't consider any of them "better" than the other. That's because "better" changes, based on what you want your life to be, in this period of your life.

Nowadays I define my idea of a successful business based on a combination of things I value. I value time the most. Minimal time, maximum net profit. Minimal stress, maximum fulfillment.

I don't care about other entrepreneurs with revenue humblebrags, because it doesn't always portray their net profit, time sacrifices, family sacrifices, mental and physical health sacrifices... and more importantly; Their sacrifice of fulfilment and happiness in life.

You don't need to justify your business choice to anyone. You simply need to decide what matters most to you, and build it for yourself.

-Tony

by Tony Whatley

The Truth About Alex Hormozi

I see a lot of you copying the caption style that Alex Hormozi uses. I hate to inform you, but your caption style isn't why your content isn't trending like his. 😭

It's a combination of several things that have placed the Hormozi's as the fastest growing business influencers in 2022.

First, he and his wife Leila Hormozi have established proven business results. The couple has exited companies in the 8-figures, and built a portfolio of joint ventures and equity partnerships up to over $100M annual revenue. People take advice from those who've achieved things.

They are also very articulate and intelligent, combined with certainty behind their message. Rather than repeating what others say, they both speak from their own personal experience.

Alex' appearance also breaks the traditional "look" of multi-millionaire business owners. He dresses like the gym bro that he's always been. He doesn't try to look like other people in the space. Plaid, muscles, tank tops, Crocs, jean jorts, and a scruffy beard. He just owns who he is, while most try to emulate others.

The other reason you perceive them as "blowing up" is because they both spend nearly $100K per month on their content creation team. They drop several videos daily, on every platform. You don't have the budget to compete at that level.

Lose the copycat captions. If that's the reason you believe your content is struggling, hopefully I saved you some time and money.

Just focus on:
1) Create measurable results and success in what you wish to be known for.
2) Be yourself. The best version of you, not some watered-down version of someone else.
3) Create content with consistency and quality, over long periods of time. This means years, not weeks.

You cannot skip steps!

-Tony

by Tony Whatley

Seeking New Opportunities

I really dislike the phrase used in the title of this article. I've used it, before.

"Seeking New Opportunities"

This phrase can be found on numerous LinkedIn profile descriptions, on any given day. Corporate roles come and go, as sure as the sunrise and sunset happen each day. Thousands of good people eventually lose their jobs. The reasons are many; Industry downturns, weak corporate leadership, mergers, or poor financial performance.

Many times, the catalyst that leaves you unemployed is something beyond your control. It was someone else's decision. You feel helpless, and cannot do anything about it.

Your response to this unfortunate event is typical. You've been here, before. Driven by desperation and anxiety, you review your resume and update it, in hopes of including some magic that will attract the eye of potential employers. You freshen up your LinkedIn account. You comb through your social media accounts, to be sure no red flags are present. You begin reaching out to people you haven't spoken to in years, feeling awkward about it, asking them for leads or possible jobs.

We hate experiencing this. Yet, so many of us keep placing ourselves into the same situation, time and time again. We keep allowing our livelihood to be controlled by other people. We are always one decision away from being jobless. We are brainwashed by society, and our peers, that this is our only option. We must "find a job" and go work for someone.

I grew up watching my dad getting laid-off a few times, during his oil industry career. I saw the pain and felt the stress levels increase within our household. I've been part of three oil downturns myself, in my 25-year career in oil. It seems that every 5-7 years, another wave of cuts comes around, and employees are forced into survival mode. It is such a terrible mindset to have to exist and operate within.

You need to start betting on yourself. You need to stop allowing your career to be someone else's decision. You've invested in yourself. You've gained experience and skills. The world needs those from you. Invest in yourself, and learn even more skills and knowledge. This is a never-ending process.

In 2001, I started my first LLC company. There were many years that my income from that side business, exceeded that of my corporate salary. In almost 20 years now, I've never had to worry about the downturns. I never had to worry about my bills being paid. I worked corporate roles because I enjoyed many aspects of it. But, I always had a parachute in the form of personal businesses.

You can do this. You need to believe in yourself. Quit focusing on building the dreams of others, and work towards your own. Life is way too short, to just pay bills and die.

Tony

by Tony Whatley