The Standout Experience

What if I told you that the only thing keeping you from reaching your potential is asking a question? Mark Victor Hansen and Crystal Dwyer Hansen are here to empower us to ask the questions that will unlock your ultimate destiny.

Mark and Crystal are authors, speakers, and thought leaders in the realm of spiritual development. Most commonly known for the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Mark and Crystal understand how a challenging journey is just the starting gate for the race we all run. Their newest book, Ask! The Bridge from Your Dreams to Your Destiny is an outline to unlocking your potential and overcoming the roadblocks in your way. The secret: Asking questions. Of yourself. Of others. And of God.

As children, we are born wired to ask questions about anything and everything – without shame or apology. Somewhere along the way, we stop feeling free to understand our reality with the resonance of our curiosity. Instead, we let circumstances tell us what life "is" all about. When we are willing to be curious, inquisitive, and unafraid, the questions in our hearts become the key to unlocking our destiny.

Every day, ask yourself these questions: Where am I right now? Where do I want to be? What specific actions do I need to take to get there? Take time every day to spend time in mediation and prayer. Don't look at limits. Imagine your desired end of the ninth degree of your wildest dreams. Ask yourself the tough questions: Are you doing the best you can? Or are you taking the easy way out?

On the path to destiny, there will be roadblocks. Whether it is a feeling of unworthiness, naivety, or doubt, excesses will come. Fear and pattern paralysis will seek to disconnect you from the end goal. Getting real with yourself and identifying where you are and what is standing in your way is the only way to move forward. Take adversity and turn it into an advantage…by asking. If you have the right thinking, ask the right questions, take the right actions, you will get the right results.

If you can take anything away from Mark and Crystal and apply it immediately, it is this: Understand no mechanism has the ability to reveal what is hidden from you than asking. You don't get what you deserve, you get what you ask for; so why not ask for the biggest, best, and most extravagant?

Ask the Question. Then…Rise. Shine. Impact.

Resources

Ask!: The Bridge from Your Dreams to Your Destiny (Hardcopy) – by Mark Victor Hansen and Crystal Dwyer Hansen

Ask!: The Bridge from Your Dreams to Your Destiny (Audio) – by Mark Victor Hansen and Crystal Dwyer Hansen

The Compound Effect: Jumpstart Your Income, Your Life, Your Success by Darren Hardy

The Power of Moments (Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact) by Chip Heath

Ask The Book Club

Connect with Mark Victor Hansen

Website - http://markvictorhansen.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/MarkVHansen

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/markvictorhansen/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/markvhansen/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1WRGxfPQ5JMQL-NDa_jO8Q

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MarkVictorHansenFanPage

Connect with Crystal Dwyer Hansen

Website - https://crystalvisionlife.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/CrystalVision

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/crystaldwyerhansen/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystaldwyer/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/CrystalDwyer

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/crystaldwyerhansen/

Connect with John:

www.standoutmovement.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnwalsh_standout

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrwalshjr

Twitter - https://twitter.com/johnwstandout

Zack Braun is with me, and we are exploring what it takes to stand out in a place like Apple and as an entrepreneur.

Zack is a Georgia Tech grad, soon to be MBA, and Forbes 30 under 30 (did you know there is an application for that?). A National Science Foundation STTR Grant winner and founder and CEO of Firehud, Zack knows all about standing out in industries where you are surrounded by the best of the best.

To stand out in highly competitive arenas; it is not enough to just be selected or be the best in your small pond. It takes initiative. It takes commitment. It takes seeking out ways to improve, learn and set yourself up to have differentiators among your peers. It isn't enough to work the most hours – you have to show up, work hard and kill everything you do.

As young people, it is not enough to pick a job and live life. It is about finding a problem that you are passionate about solving and then doing just that. While discovering your path, make sure you are exploring your interests and diversifying the things you learn. Surround yourself with a good group of strong and trusted friends that will challenge you and push you.

Dare to pursue and explore opportunities. Go after the things you know are essential to your future. As you interview for internships or approach clients, remember that they are all human, just like you. You don't need to be nervous.

Once you find the path you want to walk, don't be afraid to take calculated risks. As a leader or an entrepreneur, you have the responsibility to set the culture within your organization. Lead by example. Don't micromanage. Make wise hiring choices – hire smart people and give them the freedom to manage themselves.

If you can take anything away from Zack and apply it immediately, it is this: Try new things, utilize the technology around you, like YouTube, and expand your skill sets. Also, Firehud is always looking to hire great people. Email your resume. Let's see if it is a good fit.

Rise. Shine. Impact. Invest in learning something new.

Resources

To apply for a position with Firehud, please email your resume to [email protected]

National Science Foundation STTR Program - https://seedfund.nsf.gov/

Khan Academy - https://www.khanacademy.org/

The Focus Project: The Not So Simple Art of Doing Less by Erik Qualman

Connect with Zack

Website – https://www.firehud.co/

Email – [email protected]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zack-braun-555792a6/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/FireHUDinc/?ref=br_rs

Twitter – https://twitter.com/firehudinc

Connect with John:

www.standoutmovement.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnwalsh_standout

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrwalshjr

Twitter - https://twitter.com/johnwstandout

Kehkashan Basu and I are tackling the topic of global sustainability and how empathy and following your path plays a huge part.

At only 20, Kehkashan has already made an impact on a global level. By day a third-year student at the University of Toronto, Kehkashan spends her "free time" running Green Hope Foundation. Green Hope is a global foundation empowering children, youth, and marginalized communities in sustainable development. As if that weren't enough, she is also a recipient of the 2016 Children's Peace Prize, one of Canada's top 20 women of influence, and on Forbes' 30 under 30 list.

As young standouts, it is imperative that empathy and passion act as the compass as we identify our path. While our passion and enthusiasm may be inherent, they must also be cultivated and nurtured, and fostered by the choices we make. You want to make a difference. The first step is understanding that you can't leave it up to chance or other people. Be the change in the world you want to see.

Don't be discouraged if the problem or challenge in front of you seems daunting. Find the simple solution and work on scaling it over time. Start small. Ask yourself "what can I do today?" Then step up to do it and take your small part in moving the world forward. When your love for your work is greater than your fear, you can accomplish anything. As human beings, we are all global citizens, and cultivating empathy and awareness, stepping outside of our comfort zones will open doors for change.

You don't have to have all of the answers now. You don't have to decide on one specific path. Follow the compass of your passion in the direction that most aligns with what fuels you and you will find your path.

If you can take anything away from Kehkashan and apply it immediately, it is this: Start local, start small. Whatever is most applicable to your local environment, no matter how small – find it and start doing it.

Rise. Shine. Impact. Make your difference in the world today.

Joe Lau joins me, and we are going deep on four topics that regularly challenge entrepreneurs: struggle, balance, priorities, and focus.

Joe is a serial entrepreneur with six companies under his belt, three of which have sold for millions. A speaker, quality of life coach, and devoted family man, Joe is no stranger to the tightrope entrepreneurs walk with their multifaceted lives.

As an entrepreneur, "failure" will come. Most of us will come to the point that we wonder if we suck and what we can do about it. But business doesn't have to be a win or lose situation. You win, or you learn. The sooner you get feedback, the quicker you learn, and as long as you see "failure" as learning, you won't fail.

There are three things an entrepreneur needs: A love of problem-solving, a passion for learning, and a support system. Some of these skills are born, and some are learned; each piece is imperative for entrepreneurial success and avoiding burnout.

There is no such thing as work/life balance. There is, however, work-life integration. You have to prioritize what is important...and when. Aim for a harmonic lifestyle and learn to identify the three stages in entrepreneurship/life.

Be intentional. Prioritize. Joe's A.P.P prioritization is simple: Align your priorities by attitude, productivity, and people. Run things through the W.W.W. lens. Ask yourself who, what and when?

Quality of life is about enjoying every day. Allocate some time each day for happiness – that doesn't cost money. Stay focused. You will stand out because you know who you are and what you stand for. Focus on what you truly believe is the right thing and do it, even if you don't feel like it or if no one else is doing it.

If you can take anything away from Joe and apply it immediately, it is this: Take the assessment. Standing out is knowing your value and maximizing your strength, and delegating your weaknesses. Also, take a look at your day, prioritize and eliminate distractions so you can focus. Do it today; do it now.

Rise. Shine. Impact. Know yourself, know your value.

Resources

Personality Assessment Gift –www.moretimetospend.com/standout

Connect with Joe

Website – https://www.therealjoelau.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/therealjoelau

Connect with John:

www.standoutmovement.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnwalsh_standout

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrwalshjr

Twitter - https://twitter.com/johnwstandout

Ananya Jain is with me, and we are digging into what it means to be happy and successful.

Jain was born in India, moved to the US at 18 for college, and is currently a senior at Georgia Tech. At 21, Jain is the founder of Full Circle LLC, a company dedicated to sustainable solutions, especially in the mental health industry. She is making a global impact and garnered recognition with many prestigious awards, including the Genius Award, the President's Award at Georgia Tech, and the rare Diana Award. Her TedTalk How Creative Thinking Saved My Life is mind-blowing, as is the humility with which she discusses her ability to have an impact on the world around her.

Influence can be viewed as something reserved for the aged and wise. But standing out is not dependent on a completed story. We all have something to offer, and it is impossible to stand out if you are waiting for your narrative to be fully formed. You are living your story right now. Your influence is a living thing as well; growing as you grow, and it can open the door for others.

In a complicated world, one of the best things you, or anyone for that matter, can do, is define what success looks like for you, as an individual. Life is difficult and full of mistakes and heartbreak. Without knowing what your success looks like, you will never find your path to happiness.

The ability to look forward to what you can do will help you gain momentum. Recognizing who in your life is contributing to that momentum and who is slowing you down is paramount to success. Have boundaries, know them, and don't be afraid to cut ties with those who cross them. Perspective can be hard to come by, especially when it is clouded by different energies and efforts. Invest your energy wisely and make sure you are investing in those who are traveling the same road as you.

Lastly, don't let success be about what you do. Go where happiness takes you. Explore where you are, meet different people, and try new things, and then you can make the choice. When you are surrounded by the right people, those who will keep you humble and lift your dreams, you will have the freedom to explore and make the mistakes necessary to find out what your thing is. You don't need to know what it is right now; you need the stability to discover it.

We are all a work in progress. Stand up for yourself, define your boundaries, be intentional about who you surround yourself with, and then find the job that fits into the life you have created for yourself.

In parting, Jain has a thought for you: I love you and trust you to do what is best for yourself. Don't wait for it to be the last message - say this to those around you every day.

Rise. Shine. Impact. Define success and find your happy.

Resources

TedTalk – How Creative Thinking Saved My Life

Connect with Jain

Website - https://teamfullcircle.wixsite.com/fullcircle

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ananya-jain-gatech-edu

Connect with John:

www.standoutmovement.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnwalsh_standout

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrwalshjr

Twitter - https://twitter.com/johnwstandout

Today is a big day. Kathy Caprino, renowned author, speaker, career, and leadership coach and Sr. Forbes contributor is with me today. Kathy and I have a lot in common when it comes to our innate desire to empower others to be their best self and show up that way every day. That is what we are unpacking today – how to be the most powerful you.

I love to discuss shining, but as Kathy accurately points out, before we can shine, we have to break free of the opposite mindset. The opposite of shining is suppression or depression. From a young age, we are taught to suppress. We are raised to be fearful. Whether or not it is well-intended, this crippling mindset will leave our light dimmed and our impact impotent, all out of fear of being embarrassed or losing face.

You aren't born with confidence. You gain it by doing the things you don't think you can do. As you live and learn and push beyond your perceived boundaries, your confidence grows. Often, your natural talents – those things you have always been, are the foundation for what will allow you to be fulfilled and add value to other people.

You won't get it on the first try. You have to press beyond the fear of making a mistake sot that you can recognize what makes you happy and adds the most value to others. When you can turn your mess into a message, you will find healing from limiting beliefs and find your center. You can choose who you want to be in the world. Anchor yourself to the core truth you hold dear and know that, while what you do may change, who you are remains true.

It sounds simple enough – believe and do better. It takes bravery to step into who you truly are. It takes courage to look openly at what isn't working and be accountable to change it. You have the power to act as an agent of change in your own life and be the author of your own story. Find something every day that restores you and put it on your calendar. Invest in restoration. You are no good to anyone bound by stress.

In parting, Kathy has a challenge for you: Right now, for the next ten minutes, take a self-assessment. Do you believe in yourself? Do you believe you are important? And that the world needs you? Now believe it more and ask yourself the following question: "If I truly believe I am important and the world needs me, what will I try next?". Don't stop until you believe in yourself more than you did when you started. After that, take my power gap survey (listed in the resources below) and start taking practical steps toward living the true you.

Rise. Shine. Impact. Honor who you want to be..

Resources

• Time to Shine Video
• The Most Powerful You: 7 Bravery-Boosting Paths to Career Bliss by Kathy Caprino

Connect with Kathy

Website - https://findingbrave.org/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/kathycaprino

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kathycaprino/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathycaprino/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/KathyCaprino

Connect with John:

www.standoutmovement.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnwalsh_standout

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrwalshjr

Twitter - https://twitter.com/johnwstandout

Eric Qualman, also known as Equalman, is with me today. Eric is a top 50 influence, best-selling author and some might say, most likable author in the world. He is a motivational speaker, often referred to as the digital Dale Carnage. Today, we discuss how embracing discomfort and happening to your day before it happens to you will help you to stand out and leave the impact you desire.

It is easy to look at others and think they have something you don't have. The secret that successful people know is that we are all living our version of the same story, or the same movie as Eric likes to say. Challenges and adversity are a guarantee, and your perception will make or break you. Remember things happen for you, not to you. How you respond to challenges and less than ideal circumstances may just be what causes you to stand out.

It is ok if you don't know the exact next step. That first job will come, that connection will be made, but they won't be what makes you. Be persistent everyday and patient in the long run. Have a firm destination in mind, but go with the flow while you are on the path. There will be challenges and hurdles – but they make you stronger even as they keep others out.

On the practical side, utilize social media and digital tools. Remember that digital leadership is less to do with technology and more to do with relationships. Stand out by posting forward and inverting the selfie mindset.

As we close out, Eric gives us the inside scoop on his new book, The Focus Project. By developing the habit of focus, you will finally be able to step beyond the busy and tackle the big things that will move the needle in your life.

In parting, Eric has a challenge for you: Every night, before you go to bed, write down one thing that will make something in your day easier or unnecessary. When you wake up, during your first hour of the day, focus on doing that one thing and watch the habit of focus develop and help you to stand out.

Rise. Shine. Impact. Your discomfort may be someone else's inspiration.

Connect with Eric

Website - https://equalman.com/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/equalman

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/equalman

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/qualman/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLC9cX5GntaQmTSF6hTqrzA

Socialnomics - https://socialnomics.net/erik-qualman/

Connect with John:

www.standoutmovement.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnwalsh_standout

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrwalshjr

Twitter - https://twitter.com/johnwstandout

Joy McAdams joins me today, sharing not just her story, but her life-changing approach to adversity and how this approach will make you stand out. As a mom of 5, marketing and business strategist and consultant, drug pricer, creator, connector, and influencer, Joy knows what it is like to have a life so full it looks like it might burst at the seam. A full life does not have to equal overwhelm, especially when you focus on holistic success.

Holistic Success is what it sounds like: success in all facets of life. At its core, it starts with self-acceptance. Simply put, embracing what you were handed, and proactively determining what you are going to do with it. All circumstances are there for your growth. You can't help the cards dealt you – but you are the only one who can determine what you are going to do with them.

Pursuing strength, embracing the struggle, and being authentically you is what sets you apart. Identify and grow in areas of strength. It is just as important to identify and improve areas of weakness. Be openminded. Learn to invite feedback and be disciplined to grow through challenges.

One of the best tools at your fingertips is investing in your physical health. Not only does it keep you healthy and fit, but it is also a metaphor for life. Understanding how to start, how to keep moving, even through pain, and how to discipline yourself mentally are skills you learn through physical activity that will set you apart in your day to day life – regardless of the setting. When you can push yourself into the uncomfortable, and step out beyond where everyone else is content to be – you will stand out.

In parting, Joy has a challenge for you: If you want to be a step beyond average and be a high performer, determine one high performing action you can take today, write it down and do it. Do this every day and, over time, each high performing action will grow you into the high performing individual you were born to be.

Rise. Shine. Impact. Make the world better than you found it.

Connect with Joy

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-mcadams-59878a10a/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jmcadams5/

Connect with John:

www.standoutmovement.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnwalsh_standout

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrwalshjr

Twitter - https://twitter.com/johnwstandout

Quote

"You are 100% responsible for your life…the choices are all yours. You either decide what to do, what not to do or when something happens to you, how you respond."

Kristel Bauer, wellness expert, keynote speaker, consultant, and podcaster joins me today to share her journey. We also discuss the importance of wellness and self-care and how that will help you to show up as your best you.

Kristel's journey in wellness began after a season as a PAC. After her mother was diagnosed with lung cancer, Kristel began the journey of pursuing and understanding a holistic approach to health and wellness. This eventually led her to become a fellow in an Integrated Medicine Fellowship.

Understanding the connection between mind, body, and spirit is often an underrated practice. Your belief can influence how your body responds to it. In the same way, what you take in makes a difference in your mind and thoughts.

We harness this by developing a strong relationship with ourselves. Whether it is being intentional with a morning routine, practicing mindfulness, or ensuring we give our body the nutrition it needs, we have to make self care a priority.

How we go about wellness will be different for each person – we are all different. What works for one won't work for another. It is about developing a relationship with yourself and connecting with what helps you feel hopeful. This is true within a team dynamic as well. Creating an atmosphere of mindfulness and health will allow a team to operate at optimal levels.

In parting, Kristel has some invaluable advice: Develop and have a healthy relationship with yourself. Set a calendar in your phone for a five-minute break – whether for a breathing exercise or a walk. Get a solid morning routine down. Ask yourself how you can do one thing differently tomorrow morning to set yourself up for success. Lastly, do at least one thing you love every day. If you don't know what you love, start experimenting and find something you enjoy. Make yourself a priority and find one thing that sparks joy every day.

Rise. Shine. Impact. Your wellness creates life for others.

Connect with Kristel

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristel-bauer-pa-c-4a93881a3/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/livegreatly_co/

Website - http://livegreatly.co

Podcast – Live Greatly

Courses - https://www.livegreatly.co/courses

Connect with John:

www.standoutmovement.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnwalsh_standout

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrwalshjr

Twitter - https://twitter.com/johnwstandout

On this episode, I am talking with Kerri MacPhearson, Caitlin Busscher, Jill Hughes, and Debby Dane Browne – renowned Walt Disney World Ambassadors. Together, their experience covers four decades and over 50 years of Disney experience.

Through the decades, some lessons are consistent in the role of a Disney World Ambassador. Those lessons also apply to anyone looking to Standout. Whether it was standing out as the first ambassador on the books or persevering past rejection and finding herself in the process, these ladies know that knowing who you are and playing to the strength found in authenticity is the first step to setting yourself apart. At the heart of being an ambassador or standing out – authenticity and enthusiasm are the cornerstone and cannot be faked.

In your journey to standing out, you have to be better prepared than everyone else. Excel at what you do and know more than those around you. Just like in life, it is not a pin that makes you an ambassador. You must embody the role you are looking to fill long before the title is given to you. Show up, be positive, be on brand, and be compassionate. When you are already doing the job before it is official, it will be an extension of who you are when it happens.

Standing out is not about being perfect. It is about knowing and being intentional about who you are, who is around you, and what success is for you. These unique identifiers will help you set and stay on your course. Grow where you are planted and show up every day as the best version of yourself that you can bring.

Rise. Shine. Impact. Be the positivity you want to see in the world.

Connect with Kerri

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerri-macpherson-61b044a0/

Connect with Caitlin

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinbusscher/

Connect with Jill

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-hughes-1278681/

Connect with Debby

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wdwdebby1971/

Connect with John:

www.standoutmovement.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnwalsh_standout

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrwalshjr

Twitter - https://twitter.com/johnwstandout