To quote Chris Duck(ah), this Solopreneur Hour episode is packed with more value bombs than you can shake a stick at.  Mike Johnston has been on the show multiple times, and every time I listen to it I end up with my head spinning, more motivated than before!  And this epi is no exception.

Learning how to make your weakness into your strength is how this episode started, but there’s so much here for you, that it doesn’t tell enough of the story. To hear the entire story listen in to episode 277 of The Solopreneur Hour.

More About This Show

As solopreneurs we all face fear, no matter what stage of development we’re in and no matter how successful our business has become. Our guest for today’s show is the perfect case in point.

Despite being one of the most well-renowned drummers in the world, Mike Johnston always had a fear of doing drum solos. In the fall of 2014 he was asked to do a solo in front of 1,000 of the most educated and accomplished drummers in the world! Preparing for this challenge not only changed his drumming life, but how he views business as well.

In this episode Mike and I talk about his passionate commitment to his personal brand, the lengths he recently went to to maintain the integrity of his brand while being featured on the cover of DRUM magazine – and why it’s important for ANY solopreneur to embody that same level of commitment.

 If you’re new to the show or simply haven’t heard of Mike Johnston and his background check out episode 20 and his other visits to the show.

We also get into tackling and overcoming fear: there’s the proverbial 900 lb gorilla that EVERYONE faces wherever they are in their lives. For Mike it was doing a live drum solo for the elite crowd of PASIC.

And there are many solopreneur lessons woven into his drum solo tale that all of you can take to heart:

How to face your own personal 900-lb gorilla: the steps to take to find success.

Why you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to be a success.

Why to find what you’re comfortable with and follow it.

How being an unnatural drummer has helped him as a teacher.

What Michael Jordan’s career has to do with success.

And much more!

Throughout this episode you’ll hear Mike’s commitment to not just drumming but to personal excellence in all he does. You’ll hear how deeply passionate he is about providing value for people that helps them and not focusing on how much money something will bring in.

He genuinely cares about making a difference for others in their drumming and their lives. It’s clear his commitment to others’ success has been the key to his success. He is always focused on giving something of value to all of his audience. He doesn’t focus on how much money his new idea will make, he focuses on making something cool and useful for his drummers.

In fact, Mike says when he has done or created something because he thought it would sell well it has always bombed! The lesson for you: focus on value and providing something that enhances people’s lives, and the money will follow.

As you listen ask yourself: how can I relate this to my business? Then hear the invaluable wisdom Mike drops. This episode features stories about drumming and those stories provide lessons about life and business as a solopreneur.

One of those lessons is something we talk about here A LOT: find what you love, learn everything you can about it and surround yourself with people who will support you every step of the way. And once you’ve mastered your craft,