Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1910:

Amber Waugaman challenges leaders to rethink how their behavior may be stifling employee independence and contributing to a culture of overdependence or mistrust. She shares personal insights and real-world examples that highlight the importance of empowering employees through balanced support and making ethical leadership decisions that could withstand public scrutiny.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://awcoach.co/help-your-employees-think-for-themselves/ & https://awcoach.co/guideposts-for-decisions/

Quotes to ponder:

"Sometimes the best thing you can do is give some space."

"Too much support can be a hindrance to someone's learning, growth, & development."

"If there is something you think you need to keep secret, it's probably something you shouldn't do."

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1909:

Christine Comaford reveals the top reasons sales professionals, especially millennials, are quitting faster than ever: lack of mentorship, outdated tools, missing data insights, and no clear sales playbook. Backed by research and expert insight, she offers actionable strategies to help sales leaders reduce burnout, boost retention, and build a more resilient, tech-savvy team.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://smarttribesinstitute.com/salespeople-burning-faster-ever-heres/

Quotes to ponder:

"88% of sales professionals are unable to find or bring up critical sales material up on their smartphones."

"Salespeople need to ramp up rapidly, and have a clear playbook to navigate prospects and the selling process."

"Companies that want to set their sales team up for success should move away from general purpose tools and invest in more modern sales-specific tools and platforms."

Episode references:

ClearSlide: https://www.clearslide.com

The Bridge Group: https://www.bridgegroupinc.com

Deloitte Millennial Survey: https://www2.deloitte.com/global/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/millennialsurvey.html

Glassdoor: https://www.glassdoor.com

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1908:

Steve Chou emphasizes the importance of long-term commitment and realistic expectations when starting an online business. By shifting focus from quick wins to sustainable growth over 3–5 years, aspiring entrepreneurs are more likely to build something profitable, fulfilling, and lasting.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://mywifequitherjob.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-make-money-online-business/

Quotes to ponder:

"Most people quit their businesses within their first year. If you aren't willing to devote at least 3-5 years to your business, don't even bother."

"The harder it is to start your business, the more lasting power it will have."

"Take 'time' out of the equation altogether. Don't give yourself ANY artificial constraints on how well you need to perform in a given time frame."

Episode references:

Create A Profitable Online Store: https://profitableonlinestore.com

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1907:

Steve Chou breaks down the unrealistic expectations many new entrepreneurs have about making fast money online, emphasizing the importance of long-term commitment over short-term gains. Through candid personal stories, he illustrates how early struggles often lead to surprising growth, if you stay the course for 3-5 years or more.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://mywifequitherjob.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-make-money-online-business/

Quotes to ponder:

"Brand new entrepreneurs are horrible at predicting how far they can get with their businesses in the short term."

"There are no shortcuts. You have to be in it for the long haul."

"As humans, we often overestimate what we can accomplish in the short term, but we vastly underestimate what can be done in the long run."

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1906:

Kalen Bruce outlines how effective teamwork enhances business performance by increasing efficiency, motivation, creative thinking, and professional growth. Drawing from real-world insights, he explains why even the best tools can't replace the power of a well-functioning team working in harmony toward a shared goal.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://moneyminiblog.com/business/collaboration-teamwork-business/

Quotes to ponder:

"Your tools and software might have awesome features but you'll be beaten every time by a team that's working together well."

"Having the support of others who can relate to you and working with people that you like makes you feel happier at work."

"Diversity of thought is vital for differentiation and creativity."

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1905:

Steve Pavlina emphasizes that marketing a product requires as much dedication as creating it, if not more. Drawing from personal experience and the Rule of 5 approach by Jack Canfield, he outlines how consistent, diversified, and strategic promotion builds long-term momentum, especially when starting without an audience.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://stevepavlina.com/blog/2013/07/marketing-your-product/

Quotes to ponder:

"When you release a new product, plan to spend at least as much time promoting it as you did creating it."

"Don't keep hammering your Facebook and Twitter followers and expecting a landslide. Branch out and get the word out in other ways."

"If you don't feel good about your product, you'll probably find it a hellish burden to spend hundreds of hours promoting it."

Episode references:

Chicken Soup for the Soul: https://www.chickensoup.com/

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1904:

Josh Bauerle breaks down how entrepreneurs can legally and strategically maximize their tax deductions by understanding the IRS's definitions of "ordinary" and "necessary" expenses. With real-world examples, like a wine bar owner's surprising nose job write-off, he shows how expanding into multiple industries can open doors to more deductions while staying compliant.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.eofire.com/taking-tax-deductions-deserve-entrepreneur/

Quotes to ponder:

"A business expense is an ordinary and necessary expense that was paid or incurred during the taxable year in carrying on a business activity."

"Anything you spend money on could be a tax deduction if you can find a way to relate it to your business or industry."

"The IRS is the master when it comes to being vague."

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1903:

Michael Mehlberg shares three unconventional yet impactful holiday gift ideas that foster genuine appreciation among employees. Instead of impersonal gestures, these thoughtful approaches, like donating to charity together, offering surprise time off, and paying for meaningful extra work, create lasting memories and stronger team loyalty.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://michaelmehlberg.com/blog/2016/12/13/3-meaningful-memorable-holiday-gift-ideas-for-your-employees

Quotes to ponder:

"Your employees deserve more than scheduled time off or an expected bonus. Surprise them with something thoughtful, meaningful, and memorable."

"Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing."

"Make it fun when they come into work, cut them a big paycheck for helping, and thank them for bailing you out."

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1902:

Jake Knapp highlights the power of beginning with the end in mind to guide product development and problem-solving. By identifying long-term goals and rephrasing assumptions as clear questions, teams can focus their energy on what really matters, reducing risk, encouraging curiosity, and staying aligned throughout the sprint.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.nirandfar.com/good-products-start-good-questions/

Quotes to ponder:

"Your goal should reflect your team's principles and aspirations."

"Lurking beneath every goal are dangerous assumptions. The longer those assumptions remain unexamined, the greater the risk."

"Starting at the end is like being handed the keys to a time machine."

Episode references:

Hooked: https://www.amazon.com/Hooked-How-Build-Habit-Forming-Products/dp/1591847788

Indistractable: https://www.amazon.com/Indistractable-How-Control-Attention-Choose/dp/194883653X

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1901:

Margo Aaron dismantles the myth of the marketing "silver bullet," revealing why isolated tactics like SEO fall flat without a cohesive system behind them. She also reframes the question of content length, arguing that strong writing isn't about brevity, it's about clarity, quality, and knowing what you're trying to say.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.thatseemsimportant.com/marketing/silverbullet/ & https://www.thatseemsimportant.com/marketing/how-long-should-it-be/

Quotes to ponder:

"SEO gets you traffic. If your site isn't optimized to handle that traffic, then it doesn't really work."

"Bad writing doesn't mean bad grammar. Bad writing means you failed to convey your message."

"Every successful writer and copywriter will tell you the same thing, content needs to be as long as necessary to convey the message."

Episode references:

Hillary and Margo Yell at Websites: https://www.youtube.com/@HAMYAW