Notes in the Margin

Vicky and Joe discuss all the shitty advice that's going around that you absolutely must ignore. Vicky has come up with a list of 13 things that are so common, people believe them to be true! In reality, these phrases are damaging to you and your business. Vicky hopes you can see through these shitty pieces of advice and find the real people who can truly help you succeed.

Key Takeaways:

[0:50] Joe is sick :(.

[1:25] Today's topic is about shitty advice.

[2:10] You have to hustle 24/7!!!

[3:30] Hustle is necessary, but it should not be done 24/7.

[5:35] People telling newbies to say yes to everything. Here's a hint: Don't.

[6:45] "Follow your passion and money will follow." This is just shitty advice.

[8:45] 'Heartpreneurs' - how is this a thing? The title makes Vicky want to vomit.

[9:10] Are you 100% sure about your decision? You don't have to be.

[14:30] You need tons of money to make your business happen. Lies!!

[16:15] Never, ever give up. You know, if things just aren't working out, it's okay to pivot.

[17:15] Vicky believes you should not take business advice from somebody who is broke.

[21:55] Should you write the way you talk? Not if you ramble.

[24:50] Remember, you can be anything you want to be - Watch out for this one!

[27:15] Is the customer always right? Nope!

[30:20] Like this rant? Let Vicky know!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Vicky and Joe discuss why you should be more like Star Trek's Borg race. Yes, the Borg is evil and wants to enslave all humans, but that's besides the point. The Borg has some fantastic lessons that every business owner can learn from. Are you currently experiencing some resistance from within yourself? Well, all you have to do is look to the Borg for answers.

Key Takeaways:

[1:30] Joe looks like a tomato right now. Why did he not wear sunscreen?!

[2:15] Question to the listeners: Do you make excuses?

[3:00] People will always find a reason why they can't do something.

[5:20] According to the Borg, resistance is futile.

[6:00] Another thing, the Borg don't do the same thing over and over again. They adapt, and quickly.

[8:15] Sometimes you experience strong resistance within yourself, but you don't even know why, or what, is stopping you.

[10:20] So, what are some of the core reasons why resistance occurs?

[14:00] Going on this entrepreneurial path alone can only take you so far. A group will help push you to new heights.

[17:10] The most important thing you can do is learn from other people.

[20:15] Vicky breaks down her process of how she gets big daunting tasks done.

[25:00] If you're serious about getting stuff done, you need a deadline.

[29:40] Remember, resistance is futile!! Talk to you next week.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Vicky points out in today's episode that so many 'professionals' are so, so boring. It doesn't have to be this way! You can be professional in your line of work, but you can also incorporate some of your personality into it too. For example, Vicky, who is not very serious by nature, has a ton of hobbies that she showcases on Instagram. People get a better feel for who she is and what kind of (fun!) person she is. People want to relate to you as a person. Nobody loves a blank face with a suit.

Key Takeaways:

[1:15] Thank you Sarah for sending Vicky and Joe this fantastic gin! Wowzas.

[2:45] Business and marketing should be fun!

[3:15] This is not to say you should always be having fun in your business, but the work that you do should be enjoyable.

[4:10] On a side note, can you order goats via the post?

[6:00] People on LinkedIn are so serious and the info they have is so boring. Helpful, but boring.

[10:15] What is professionalism anyway?

[12:00] Even if you're in an industry that's super serious, that doesn't mean you have to be boring too!

[18:20] Do NOT air your dirty laundry out in public. That's taking things a bit too far.

[19:45] Talk about your problems in the past sense because no one wants to give money to someone who doesn't have their shit together.

[21:45] You can inject your personality into serious businessy things. Vicky, by nature isn't very serious, but she is currently using Instagram to bring to life her personality.

[24:45] Also, stop giving a shit what people think about you. Serve your customers, ignore the rest.

[26:10] Your unique hobbies are what will differentiate you and make you interesting.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Vicky interviews Kevin Whitehouse, an author, speaker, and most importantly an accountant. Before you scrunch your nose up and think all accountants are crooked, hopefully this episode will teach you a thing or two as to why you should take charge of your numbers and hire a good accountant to help you keep your financials in check. In Kevin's 30+ years of doing this, he's noticed a common theme; 90% of small business owners simply do not want to deal with their finances, and it ends up costing them thousands (if not more) in wasted profit. On the show, Kevin explains how you can literally double your profits, just by taking a look at your numbers.

Key Takeaways:

[1:15] What does Kevin do for his clients?

[2:05] Aside from paying your taxes and not going to jail, why is it important to know your numbers?

[6:15] Vicky used to hate numbers. Ugh!

[6:35] How does Kevin help his clients make a real financial difference?

[10:55] Percentages are your best friend!

[14:30] When you know your numbers inside and out, you can find ways to literally double your profits.

[18:00] Lately, Kevin has been working with owners who are running pay-per-click campaigns. By running simple tests, you can develop your own marketing budget and estimate how much it costs to acquire a sale.

[22:00] It might be nerdy, but Kevin swears that budget forecasting is really fun stuff.

[24:35] The good news is we live in a time where computers can do a lot of our calculations automatically. Kashflow is an excellent tool business owners can use to help them with their numbers.

[27:50] How many small business owners actually really understand their numbers?

[28:30] Do not skimp on the accounting side of the business. Hire a good accountant!

[32:35] You're in business to make money, so doesn't it make sense to take your money seriously?

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Kashflow

Prime Entry

Kashflow.expert

Vicky and Joe discuss perfectionism, and the problems it comes with, in our modern world. Vicky wonders if perfectionism has been around forever or if it's just a modern-day problem. The reason why Vicky personally believes perfectionism is a modern problem is because of our competitive lifestyles and the increased need to be special or extraordinary. What do you think? Write to Vicky about your thoughts on this!

Key Takeaways:

[0:45] Vicky and Joe have been on a vegetable rage and are now currently binge drinking gin & tonic.

[2:25] Let's talk about perfectionism!

[3:25] Has perfectionism always been around or is it just a modern 'problem'?

[5:10] We hear so often from the media that we're destined to be extraordinary or , be able to achieve greatness.

[8:10] "Are you okay, hun?" is one of the most annoying phrases ever.

[12:45] You have to always be striving for something. If you already believe you're extraordinary, you're damaging your true potential.

[15:45] The reality is we need great people, but we also need average people.

[18:40] Nothing is ever going to be perfect. You can sit on your project for years with that mindset.

[21:55] Want to get rid of your procrastination? Vicky has some advice.

[24:25] Perfectionists have a hard time delegating tasks because they 'know' other people won't do it as good as they will. If you're like this, then you need to change your mindset!

[26:00] Conclusion? Stop striving for perfection. Just take a step forward instead and make improvements as you go.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Vicky and Joe discuss why motivational memes are making you stuck and why you should stop sharing them on social media ASAP! There have been a couple of studies that have looked into what happens to the brain when people share these types of quotes, and results are showing that this is damaging your productivity. As a business owner, these quotes can set you back and do you more harm than good!

Key Takeaways:

[3:10] Are you posting inspirational memes and 'motivational' quotes on social media? You need to STOP!

[8:25] Why do the 'gurus' spew out such psycho babble 'motivational' nonsense?

[10:25] A study concluded that people who are receptive to motivational quotes and inspiration tend to be less intelligent.

[12:35] Vicky doesn't agree with the study. There are tons of intelligent people who believe in very wacky things.

[12:55] All of this motivational stuff holds you back from getting real work done.

[16:20] David "Avocado" Wolfe is shit. However, he is an excellent marketer.

[21:45] Sending or sharing motivational quotes actually tricks your brain and makes you think you've done something useful.

[23:15] People who spent their time fantasizing about finding a fulfilling job ended up applying for fewer jobs and were offered fewer jobs.

[27:45] At the end of the day, what's your mission? Go out and do it and stop sharing stupid shit on social media!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Joe is back on this week's episode! Vicky and Joe discuss why you should never give discounts or cut prices in order to get the competitive edge. It will only bite you in the butt later on and you'll be undervaluing yourself and your services. So if you shouldn't cut prices, what should you do to bring value and be seen as 'better' than your competitor? Listen in to find out!

Key Takeaways:

[3:10] Why does Japanese knotweed reduce property value?

[6:00] Giving discounts can cause nasty effects on your business.

[7:50] We know reducing prices is a bad thing, so what should you do if you and your competitor sell the same thing?

[10:30] If you're selling crap, you should not be in business.

[16:15] If you're cheap, you're not seen as the expert.

[22:05] Vicky shares some examples of how you can make yourself unique.

[25:20] Don't be afraid to tell the full story when selling your products and services. The details matter!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Vicky interviews Danielle Sax, the author of Shifting Out of Chronic Stress. Every business owner knows the familiar feeling of stress creeping up into their bodies, and Danielle is here to say that it's not worth letting it get out of control. Through Danielle's own hardship, she had to find a way to repair her body from the damages that stress caused her. On the show, Danielle shares how you can practice self-love, be more forgiving to yourself, and chill out!

Key Takeaways:

[1:15] Who is Danielle and what does she do?

[2:45] Danielle was constantly trying to be superwoman, and it was killing her.

[5:35] Why do so many people struggle with feeling like a fraud and a failure?

[8:00] If we felt like we are good enough, a lot of our stress would go away.

[9:45] How can we overcome our fear of 'not being good enough'?

[12:00] Where should people start when they're looking to reduce their stress?

[14:15] It is not a weakness to ask for help.

[16:45] You need to be honest with yourself. What kind of problems are you having? Why does it stress you out?

[17:05] People underestimate how important, and difficult, focus is.

[20:15] Be very conscious of how you talk to yourself. Are you negative? Are you positive?

[22:45] Don't let criticism eat you alive. "This is nice, but.." are very harmful words.

[24:30] Isn't self-love and self-care very selfish? NO!

[26:00] You can't help other people if you are drained, tired, and stressed out. This is why self-care is critical.

[26:25] Remember, you and the relationship with yourself are your best investment.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

Danielle Sax

Shifting Out of Chronic Stress, by Danielle Sax

Vicky and Joe discuss how they've made very deliberate and conscious decisions to live the life they're currently living. Their current lifestyle was not created by accident, and today's episode focuses on why it's important to be aware of the life you're currently living, and to change it if you're unhappy with it. Do not live your life by accident!

Key Takeaways:

[1:30] Today's show is going to get a bit mushy.

[6:40] Vicky and Joe have created a very fulfilling life, and that's not by accident.

[7:40] Vicky spent so many years reacting to things she couldn't control.

[11:00] Both Vicky and Joe have goals they're working towards, but so far so good! They're on the right track.

[15:50] Sometimes you will find yourself having to change directions. That's okay, as long as you make a deliberate decision to do so.

[20:35] What's important to you personally? Why do you do what you do?

[23:40] Not everybody is entrepreneurial. It's okay to drift through life if that's what you want to do.

[24:00] However, if you own a business, by definition, you're not somebody who drifts through life and reacts to things you can't control.

[27:00] Owning a business is rarely smooth sailing; it's a journey, and you will get there by putting in consistent effort.

[28:15] Vicky is so proud of you, by the way!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain

The "Three-Month Vacation" Podcast, by Psychotactics

Vicky and Joe discuss the importance of being patient. Our current world right now doesn't reward patience. How often have we gotten grumpy because the internet was slow or gotten irritated over something that wasn't working? Patience is a critical skill we all need to have because nothing worthwhile in life is easy or free.

Key Takeaways:

[5:15] Good things come to those who wait. It's kind of true, and it's also kind of bullshit.

[9:35] Our modern world is so rapid that it becomes difficult to even exercise your 'patience' muscle. When things don't work, we get irritated!

[10:25] Can you imagine looking at a piece of art for three hours? Vicky feels twitchy just thinking about it.

[16:00] Learning a new skill requires patience.

[17:50] Vicky talks about the marshmallow experiment.

[22:55] That marshmallow experiment has been updated specifically for adults involving money.

[25:00] If you're willing to wait, you'll make more money.

[27:45] Gurus tend to promise you instant riches right now, but we all know that doesn't happen right away.

[31:20] Take small steps. It will eventually lead to you achieving your goals.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Businessforsuperheroes.com

Businessforsuperheroes.com/inner-circle

Businessforsuperheroes.com/borrow-my-brain