Ray Edwards Show

Recently I was working with a client on an advertising campaign. We had been running a particular ad in a variety of online media  (mainly solo mailings to email newsletters), and the ad was barely breaking even. We decided to test different subject lines.  Basically, we changed seven words. Immediately upon our next mailing, our […]

Recently, my life fell apart. At least that's how it felt emotionally. From the outside, everything looked great.  I was an in demand speaker, making lots of money, with a lot of projects in the works, and the field of possibility ahead of me. The truth was another matter. My calendar was overscheduled, my time was overcommitted, I had agreed to too many meetings and too many projects, and my health deteriorated dramatically.  Somehow, I had managed to get off track. Way off track.

Then I had an epiphany. It didn't instantly solve all my problems, but it did show me the solution to all my problems, and the path I needed to walk to get back on track. Interestingly, I believe this same solution can work for you when you get off track, and I'll share a simple set of steps you can file away from when you need them. Plus, here are some additional reasons to keep listening…

• One iPhone case to rule them all.
• Why happiness really is the truth.
• An update on the "affordable online mastermind"…

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. A big thanks to AmGram, Kevin Anthony Williams,  and Mark Henson for giving us a review on iTunes this week. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.
• We are definitely moving forward with the affordable mastermind I've been talking about starting. We are still mapping out the plan for what will be most helpful, but it will probably look something like this: provide some basic training materials on building an online business, and having a monthly Q&A call where you could talk with me. Would love your ideas, thoughts, and suggestions. Put them in the comments at the end of this post.

Tip Of The Week 

A friend of mine showed me his Speck iPhone Wallet Case, and I was immediately smitten. For a long time I've been using the Duluth Trading Company's Smallet, which is a near-razor-thin wallet that holds only a few cards. But in my search for evermore minimalistic living, it bothered me that I had to carry both a wallet and my iPhone in my pocket. Now, with the new Speck  case, I carry only one item. The challenges it only holds three cards-so right now I'm carrying is my phone, my drivers license, a business debit card, and my personal debit card (because at the Edwards household, we don't do credit cards).

There are a few other cards that I normally carry with me-health insurance card, Costco card, Barnes & Noble membership card, library card, etc. So I came up with the very clever idea of simply taking pictures of those cards with my iPhone and keeping them in a special photo album on the phone itself. I'll keep you posted on how this works out.

Spiritual Foundations

There's a very popular song  with the refrain "clap your hands if you know happiness is the truth." It just so happens I do know that. As followers of Jesus, we are supposed to be happy. How do I know this?

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17

Feature Segment:  How to Get Back On Track

From the outside, everything looked great.  I was an in demand speaker, making lots of money, with a lot of projects in the works, and the field of possibility ahead of me. The truth was another matter. My calendar was overscheduled, my time was overcommitted, I had agreed to too many meetings and too many projects, and my health deteriorated dramatically.  Somehow, I had managed to get off track. Way off track.

Then I had an epiphany. It didn't instantly solve all my problems, but it did show me the solution to all my problems, and the path I needed to walk to get back on track. Interestingly, I believe this same solution can work for you when you get off track, and I'll share a simple set of steps you can file away from when you need them.

Here's the epiphany: 99% of all the results I'm experiencing in my life are 100% appropriate. Let me elaborate…

• I weigh exactly what I'm supposed away… based on what I eat and how much I exercise.
• I get exactly the amount of sleep I should be getting… based on how much caffeine and sugar I consume, what time I eat my evening meal, and how I choose to stimulate or not stimulate my brain in the few hours before going to bed.
• My income, expenses, and profits for my business are precisely what they should be… based on what work I do, who I choose to work with, how I invest my time in building the business, and the choices I make about expenditures

The point I'm trying to make is this: our lives are closed systems. They have a beginning, a middle, and an end. What happens between the beginning and the end is largely up to us. I say that 99% of all of our results are 100% appropriate, in that 1% are things that are actually outside of our control: an unexpected genetic defect causes the disease or deformity, market forces we had no chance of influencing diminish the value of our investments, a tornado demolishes the house we live in, etc. but despite the impression that may be given by the disaster-fascinated media, these events are definitely the minority.

We don't get fat because the "big food industry" is out to get us. We get fat because we chose to have a big Mac and a chocolate shake for dinner last night, instead of a salad and a lean steak.

This epiphany came to me as a result of reading three books, in succession: Living Buddha Living Christ, by Thich Nhat Hanh,  The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, and Work the System by Sam Carpenter.

Sidebar for my Christian brothers and sisters…

…there were many things in Hanh's book I could simply not agree with, and he clearly does not understand fully what it means to be a follower of Christ. I am very clear that Jesus is the only way to heaven and life with the Father. That being said, I found some valuable and powerful truths contained in Han's  the book; but I don't want anyone to be confused about what I believe or what I perceive as the truth. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

I will be publishing a full review of Sam Carpenter's book next week. But the primary distinction I got from that book was that all of life is a system; and each part of our lives is a subsystem, consisting of many other subsystems. Take for example your health: is a system contained within your body. Subsystems include the system of what you eat, the system of how you use and maintain the physical framework of your body, the system of what thoughts you permit to enter and remain in your mind, the system of how much rest and sleep you get, the system of the environment in which you keep your body most of the time, etc

The point of all this is simply that getting back on track is not about considering a broad sweeping wholesale change in your life. It is about adjusting the component subsystems where you got off track. For instance, when it comes to my speaking schedule, the processes of the system that make up my speaking business are roughly something like this:

1. I write and publish blog posts, podcasts, guest articles, etc.
2. Potential meeting planners, here the podcasts, get a word-of-mouth recommendation about having me speak at your event.
3. Meeting planners contact my office and we negotiate a fee and agreement.
4. I accept the speaking engagement, and get paid my retainer.
5. I show up on the appointed date, give a speech, get the balance of my payment.
6. I go home.

What had gone awry in the system of my speaking business over the past few months was that I performed step number 4 too many times and without enough discretion. I said "yes" to far too many people. This resulted in my calendar being overscheduled, and also bled over into the other subsystems of my life, affecting my sleep, and ultimately my physical health.

But it gets even more interesting.

Because of the squeeze on my schedule, I had to work overtime during the hours I was home to complete client projects, work on my own products and trainings, get my podcast completed, etc. this disrupted the system that I call "family time". It also disrupted the system that I call "exercise", and the system that I call "sleep". In those three cases, I simply didn't get enough family time, exercise, or sleep. So, in its wisdom, my body did what it sometimes does to force me to pay attention to it: it got sick.

The implication at the beginning of this podcast was that I did in fact get back on track, that I can show you how to do the same. In the spirit of transparency, I am just now emerging from the rubble of this massive system disruption, but things are much much better, and I realize I have been here before. So I feel relatively confident in helping you in your own quest to get back on track. Here are the steps.

7 Steps For Getting Back on Track

1. First, you must acknowledge that you have gotten off track, and have that same moment of realization that I did that the blueprint you have for what life is supposed to be like does not match the snapshot of what  life actually is like currently.
2. Forget the big picture, look for the simple mechanical problems in the small subsystems of your life that have gone wrong.
3. Isolate and identify those malfunctioning systems and subsystems.
4. Discover the procedures that could've prevented or at least lessened the problem you are currently experiencing in this particular system or subsystem.
5. Write down the new system of procedures you will use to prevent this one small isolated problem
6. Make it easy for yourself to follow your new procedure: remember the metaphor of the elephant, the rider, and the path.
7. Go through this same process with each system or subsystem that is malfunctioning to any degree.

When you correct the small variances in the tiniest of subsystems, the next level of systems above becomes smoother and less chaotic, allowing you to move your corrections up one level. Eventually the "big picture" takes care of itself.

What I Personally Have Done

I identified a few primary systems that needed better working procedures to solve some of the problems that were cropping up. So I developed step-by-step procedures for:

• Evaluating speaking opportunities.
• Evaluating possible new projects.
• Working with junior copywriters.
• Evaluating possible new clients.
• Marketing my company's products and services.
• Selling my company's products and services (yes, this is different than the above).
• My physical health, diet, and exercise.
• Simplifying and beautifying my physical environment.

I began making adjustments and every one of these systems, and began to instantly see a decrease in chaos and disorder… And more evidence of righteousness peace and joy. I'm definitely back on track. And you can be too.

One final note. Sam Carpenter said something deeply profound in his book that is worth repeating. I don't have to like the steps needed to correct my malfunctioning systems-but I do have to take them if I want to see change.

The result is the reward.

 

Question:   Have you ever had the experience of getting off track, and if so how did you get back on the path? Click here to leave your comments.

Recently, my life fell apart. At least that's how it felt emotionally. From the outside, everything looked great.  I was an in demand speaker, making lots of money, with a lot of projects in the works, and the field of possibility ahead of me. The truth was another matter. My calendar was overscheduled, my time was […]

I was recently on the phone with someone, and they were talking. Something they said sparked a reaction in me, and I began thinking about how is going to respond. As they continue to talk, I constructed an elegant argument in my head to counter what they had just told me. Then they spoke words that struck fear into my heart: "Do you think I should've done that?" I had no idea what they were talking about.

You might think the skills and I'm urging you to master is listening. That is an effect of mastering this skill, but not the skill itself. Mastering this mysterious skill will make you a better listener, more focused, less distracted, and a better thinker. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Plus, here are some additional reasons to keep listening…

• The best way to master your email challenge. If you feel overwhelmed by email, this one is for you.
• A fun and exciting way to sharpen your mind.
• What your life would look like if God wrote the script.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

• If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. A big thanks to Mark Noldy and Deanna Gillingham for giving us a review on iTunes this week. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.
• I've received a lot of questions about the affordable mastermind I've been thinking about starting. In the show, I explain more of what I was considering, now that is changed based on some responses I received. In a nutshell, it seems like what would be useful to folks is to provide some basic training materials and building an online business, and having a monthly Q&A call where you could talk with me. Interested? Would love your thoughts. Put them in the comments at the end of this post.

Tip Of The Week 

Tip #1: Crash Course is an educational YouTube channel started by Hank Green and John Green, also known as the VlogBrothers. Crash Course was one of the 100 initial channels of YouTube's $100 million original channel initiative. Having finished earlier courses on Biology, World History, Ecology, English Literature, Chemistry, and United States History, Hank and John Green now teach, respectively, Psychology and Literature. Crash Course launched a preview on December 2, 2011. As of April 6, 2014, the CrashCourse YouTube channel has earned over 1.5 million subscribers and over 90 million video views.

Tip #2: How and why you might declare email bankruptcy…

Spiritual Foundations

The Fifth Gospel, and God's will for your life. What would your life look like if God wrote your biography in advance? Well, He has already done so. Here's what that means:

1. You were alive before you were born.
2. You have the DNA of Christ.
3. You have a new kind of life, fueled by the nature of God.
4. You have received new superpowers.
5. You have a new mission in life.

Feature Segment:  Master This Skill To Change Your Life

The skill that will change your life is mindfulness. Awareness. Being right here, right now.

This is not as easy as it may sound at first. Our mind loves to play a hilarious trick on us, and causes us to live either in the past or in the future, impishly avoiding the present.

Being mindful makes you aware of God's presence, of what is happening right in front of you. This will make you a better listener, a better communicator, more skilled in your work, or successful, happier, at peace, and bring your greater depth of fulfillment.

So how do you become more mindful? How do you master this skill that I guarantee will change your life? As silly as this may sound, the easiest way to begin is to mentally, or even out loud, speak what you are noticing right now. It might sound like this:

"I am standing on my deck, drinking this cup of coffee. I am breathing in. There is a bird sitting on the wire that stretches across my backyard. It is a Robin. I breathe out. A soft wind is blowing across my skin."

This takes practice. It is more difficult than you think, and it is also easier than you think. There is no trick to it, other than being aware of what is happening in this moment.

When you're having a conversation with someone, being mindful of what they are saying will bring you a shocking new awareness in your relationships. Nobody will say to you, "hey, you seem more mindful now." But they will sense that you are actually listening to them, paying attention to them, valuing what they have to say. They will feel heard by you, and this is one of the most basic human needs.

"Right now, he is telling me about his work, and I sense by the expression on his face in the tone of his voice that he is anxious and worried about something there. Now he is explaining a conflict with his boss. This situation makes him both fearful and angry."

You speak out loud: "That must make you anxious and angry at the same time."

It's important that you understand this is not a technique meant to help you manipulate other people, or "push their buttons". The most valuable possession you have is the present. All I'm suggesting is that you in fact value it, notice it, experience it.

The temptation you will have at this point is to write this off as either too flighty, or impractical, or blindingly obvious. If that's how you're feeling, I simply challenge you to occasionally be aware of the present moment as you go about your life. Notice what you've been missing.

What To Do Now

 

Question:  what have you noticed about the importance of being present and mindful? Click here to leave your comments.

I was recently on the phone with someone, and they were talking. Something they said sparked a reaction in me, and I began thinking about how is going to respond. As they continue to talk, I constructed an elegant argument in my head to counter what they had just told me. Then they spoke words […]

It occurred to me recently I often run my business from a backpack. In my backpack I carry my Nikon, some lenses, my iPad, and my MacBook air. If I can find an Internet connection, that's about all I need to run my business from virtually anywhere.  In this episode, you get five essential keys to running a backpack business.

Plus, here are some additional reasons to keep listening…

• I will share a seldom used function on your iPhone that can change your life.
• Stu McLaren with the Lifestyle Business Report.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

•  I'm considering the formation of an affordable, entry-level Mastermind Group. This would be a true mastermind group, led by me, with personal interaction available. Would you be interested? Let me know in the comments on this post.

Tip Of The Week 

The  mysterious function on your iPhone that hardly anyone ever uses, but can dramatically improve your life. It's called the "off" switch.

Lifestyle Business Segment 

With Stu McLaren

Spiritual Foundations

Usually, the reason we cannot hear God's voice is we are too busy listening to other voices.

Feature Segment:  How to Have a Backpack Business

1. Get a backpack (seriously.)
2. Avoid limiting structures (like offices.)
3. Become a hard-core simplitist.
4.  Get a little help (but not too much.)
5. Get out there and do something. Take your backpack.

 

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question:  Do you have a backpack business, and if so, how do you do it? Click here to leave your comments.

It occurred to me recently I often run my business from a backpack. In my backpack I carry my Nikon, some lenses, my iPad, and my MacBook air. If I can find an Internet connection, that's about all I need to run my business from virtually anywhere.  In this episode, you get five essential keys […]

Ever reach the end of a workday, and wonder where the hours went? Sometimes it seems there's just too much to do, and not enough time to do it all. In this episode, I'll share 5 "tricks" that will help you get more done in less time.

Plus, here are some additional reasons to keep listening…

• I will share an app that helps you make great-looking  portraits on your iPhone.
• Stu McLaren with the Lifestyle Business Report.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

• Thanks to all who have left a review of the Ray Edwards Show in iTunes. Including  Johnny Lee Phillips, Cynthia Charleen, and Kevin Anthony Williams.
•  I'm considering the formation of an affordable, entry-level Mastermind Group. This would be a true mastermind group, led by me, with personal interaction available. Would you be interested? Let me know in the comments on this post.

Tip Of The Week 

The Facetune app helps you create pictures showing people in their best light.

Lifestyle Business Segment 

With Stu McLaren

Spiritual Foundations

Why do followers of Jesus experience tough times? Keep these 3 things in mind:

1. We don't see what God sees.
2. We don't know what God knows.
3. Nothing surprises God!

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives."
Psalm 37:23

"Either God is doing a work in you, or He is using you to do a work in someone else." Joel Osteen

Feature Segment:  5 Tricks To Get More Done In Less Time

1. Refuse any input (email, Facebook, voicemail, phone calls, chat, etc.) until you complete your "One Thing" for the day.
2. Do your most important work next, still refusing inputs.
3. Work in focus blocks, punctuated by short bursts of physical activity.
4. Shorten your workweek and your workday with "hard stops."
5. Do things faster.

 

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question:     How do you  Get more done in less time? Click here to leave your comments.

Ever reach the end of a workday, and wonder where the hours went? Sometimes it seems there's just too much to do, and not enough time to do it all. In this episode, I'll share 5 “tricks” that will help you get more done in less time. Plus, here are some additional reasons to keep […]

Sometimes it seems difficult to keep creating content, doesn't it? And for a lot of people it's difficult to even get started.

In today's show, I will show you how to D.A.R.E.  to create great content that sells. Also coming up…

• The app  for recording great audio on your iPhone.
• Stu McLaren with the Lifestyle Business Report.
• Now let's get on with it…

Announcements:

• Thanks to all who have left a review of the Ray Edwards Show in iTunes. Including Mike Kim, Christy Largent, and Mike Skiff!
• For more info about the one-day mastermind with me and 11 other people, where we make radical progress in your business… is on. Click this link to make your deposit and application.

Conferences where I will be attending and/or speaking:

• Social Media Marketing World, March 26-28, 2014, San Diego, CA
• SCORRE Conference May 5-8, Orlando, FL

Tip Of The Week 

The Griffin iTalk App makes it easy to capture great audio on your iPhone.

Lifestyle Business Segment 

With Stu McLaren

Spiritual Foundations

To receive the benefits of following Jesus, we must practice His presence.

 "I will never leave you or forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Feature Segment:  D.A.R.E. to Create Great Content

1. Desire–based
2. Aspirational
3. Results-focused
4. Experience

 

What To Do Now

If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. This helps new people discover the show. You can also find the podcast on Stitcher.

Question:     How do you create great content? Click here to leave your comments.