This is Your Life

This is Your Life

By Michael HyattBusiness
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This is Your Life episodes

  • Episode 8: Twenty Questions to Ask Other Leaders [Podcast]
    Welcome to the new season of This Is Your Life. In this eighth episode, Michele Cushatt, my co-host, and I talk about a set of questions I use whenever I meet with leaders.



    To grow as a leader, you need to be mentored, either formally or informally. One of the best ways to take advantage of the opportunities you get to meet with other leaders is to come prepared with a set of questions.

    Listen to the Audio

    Here are a few of the questions I keep ready for my own use. In this episode, Michele asks me seven.


    Can you name a person who has had a tremendous impact on you as a leader? Maybe some one who has been a mentor to you? Why and how did this person impact your life?
    Where do the great ideas come from in your organization?
    As an organization gets larger there can be a tendency for the “institution” to dampen the “inspiration.” How do you keep this from happening?
    Do you set aside specific times to cast vision to your employees and other leaders?
    When faced with two equally-qualified candidates, how do you determine whom to hire?
    What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?
    What is the one behavior or trait that you have seen derail more leaders’ careers?


    You can get the full list of twenty below.

    Read the Transcript

    You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript of this episode here, courtesy of Ginger Schell, a professional transcriptionist, who does all my transcriptions.

    Join the Conversation

    My favorite part of doing these podcasts is participating in the conversation they provoke. Each week, I ask one question. This week, it is this:



    Binge on All 13 Episodes!

    If you want to listen to more episodes, you will find all thirteen audio episodes of Season 1 here. I release the video episodes weekly, as they are not yet available for batch listening. If you are looking for previous episodes, you can find Season 0 here

    Explore Additional Resources

    In this episode we mentioned one resource:


    PDF: “20 Questions to Ask Other Leaders”


    Ask Me a Question

    If you have a question, comment, thought or concern, you can do so by clicking here. We’d love to hear from you.

    Subscribe to the Podcast

    If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe:


    Share the Love

    If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the show.
    33 min
  • Episode 7: Why Doing Less Is the Best Way to Do More [Podcast]
    Welcome to the new season of This Is Your Life. In this seventh episode, Michele Cushatt, my co-host, and I talk about Greg McKeown’s most recent book, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less.



    Like cleaning out a cluttered closet, McKeown recommends that we intentionally declutter our lives from the well-intended commitments and activities we’ve accumulated.

    Listen to the Audio

    He outlines three steps:


    Explore and evaluate.
    Eliminate.
    Execute.


    Read the Transcript

    You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript of this episode here, courtesy of Ginger Schell, a professional transcriptionist, who does all my transcriptions.

    Join the Conversation

    My favorite part of doing these podcasts is participating in the conversation they provoke. Each week, I ask one question. This week, it is this:



    Binge on All 13 Episodes!

    If you want to listen to more episodes, you will find all thirteen audio episodes of Season 1 here. I release the video episodes weekly, as they are not yet available for batch listening. If you are looking for previous episodes, you can find Season 0 here

    Explore Additional Resources

    In this episode we mentioned several resources, including:


    Book: Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud and John Townsend


    Book: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen




    Ask Me a Question

    If you have a question, comment, thought or concern, you can do so by clicking here. We’d love to hear from you.


    Subscribe to the Podcast

    If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe:


    Share the Love

    If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the show.

    33 min
  • Episode 6: The Top 10 Mistakes Bloggers Make [Podcast]
    Welcome to the new season of This Is Your Life. In this sixth episode, Michele Cushatt, my co-host, and I talk about the most common mistakes bloggers make.



    I have learned the hard way, making each of these mistakes myself. I didn’t know it at the time, but these mistakes were holding me back and kept my blog from reaching its potential.

    Listen to the Audio

    So here are the top ten mistakes I see bloggers making:


    You don’t post enough.
    You post too much.
    Your posts are too long.
    You don’t invite engagement.
    You don’t participate in the conversation.
    You don’t make your content accessible.
    You don’t create catchy headlines.
    Your first paragraph is weak.
    Your topic is off brand.
    Your post is all about you.


    Read the Transcript

    You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript of this episode here, courtesy of Ginger Schell, a professional transcriptionist, who does all my transcriptions.

    Join the Conversation

    My favorite part of doing these podcasts is participating in the conversation they provoke. Each week, I ask one question. This week, it is this:



    Binge on All 13 Episodes!

    If you want to listen to more episodes, you will find all thirteen audio episodes of Season 1 here. I release the video episodes weekly, as they are not yet available for batch listening. If you are looking for previous episodes, you can find Season 0 here

    Explore Additional Resources

    In this episode we mentioned several resources, including:


    Book: Advertising Headlines That Make You Rich by David Garfinkel


    Book: Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt


    Book: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie


    Post: “How to Write Magnetic Headlines” by CopyBlogger


    Software: All in One SEO Pack


    Software: Evernote




    Ask Me a Question

    If you have a question, comment, thought or concern, you can do so by clicking here. We’d love to hear from you.


    Subscribe to the Podcast

    If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe:


    Share the Love

    If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word...

    35 min
  • Episode 5: How to Create Team Alignment That Drives Results [Podcast]
    Welcome to the new season of This Is Your Life. In this fifth episode, Michele Cushatt, my co-host, and I talk about how to create the kind of alignment in your team that drives results.



    Unity means different things to different people. There are really three different levels of unity: acceptance, agreement, and alignment. These are distinct and different.

    Listen to the Audio

    You can create alignment, the highest form of unity, by taking five steps.


    Discuss the three levels of alignment with your team.
    Clearly articulate your vision, strategy, or program.
    Create an environment that is safe for dissent.
    Take time to consider your decision.
    Announce your decision and then ask for alignment.


    Read the Transcript

    You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript of this episode here, courtesy of Ginger Schell, a professional transcriptionist, who does all my transcriptions.

    Join the Conversation

    My favorite part of doing these podcasts is participating in the conversation they provoke. Each week, I ask one question. This week, it is this:



    Binge on All 13 Episodes!

    If you want to listen to more episodes, you will find all thirteen audio episodes of Season 1 here. I release the video episodes weekly, as they are not yet available for batch listening. If you are looking for previous episodes, you can find Season 0 here

    Explore Additional Resources

    In this episode we mentioned a couple of resources:


    Conference: Gap International’s Alignment Intensive


    Test: Myers-Briggs Personality Profile




    Ask Me a Question

    If you have a question, comment, thought or concern, you can do so by clicking here. We’d love to hear from you.


    Subscribe to the Podcast

    If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe:


    Share the Love

    If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the show.

    33 min
  • Episode 4: Seven Strategies for Building Your Email List [Podcast]
    Welcome to the new season of This Is Your Life. In this fourth episode, Michele Cushatt, my co-host, and I talk about why you need to focus on building an email list and provide seven strategies for doing so.



    I wish I had paid more attention to building an email list when I started blogging. Nothing is more important as a platform-builder. More than any other single factor, it determines whether or not you can successfully monetize your blog.

    Listen to the Audio

    In this episode we discuss seven strategies for building your list:


    Create content worth reading.
    Use a dedicated list subscription system.
    Make your signup form highly visible.
    Offer an incentive for subscribing.
    Design a branded email template.
    Follow-up with your subscribers.
    Remind your readers to sign up.


    Read the Transcript

    You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript of this episode here, courtesy of Ginger Schell, a professional transcriptionist, who does all my transcriptions.

    Join the Conversation

    My favorite part of doing these podcasts is participating in the conversation they provoke. Each week, I ask one question. This week, it is this:



    Binge on All 13 Episodes!

    If you want to listen to more episodes, you will find all thirteen audio episodes of Season 1 here. I release the video episodes weekly, as they are not yet available for batch listening. If you are looking for previous episodes, you can find Season 0 here

    Explore Additional Resources

    In this episode we mentioned several resources, including:


    Book: Advertising Headlines That Make You Rich by David Garfinkel


    Book: Permission Marketing by Seth Godin


    Book: Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World by Michael Hyatt


    eBook: Inside My Toolbox: 99 Resources to Make Your Personal and Business Life Hum by Michael Hyatt


    Software: AWeber


    Software: Get Noticed! Theme™ for WordPress


    Software: Infusionsoft


    Software: MailChimp


    Software: OptinMonster


    Website: “How to Write Magnetic Headlines” by Copyblogger




    Ask Me a Question

    If you have a question, comment, thought or concern,

    34 min
  • Episode 3: Three Questions Every Leader Must Answer to Avoid the Drift [Podcast]
    Welcome to the new season of This Is Your Life. In this third episode, Michele Cushatt, my co-host, and I talk about the power of ‟The Drift” and how leaders can avoid it.



    Most of my readers and podcast listeners are doing what they are doing because they want to have an impact on the world around them. But often times, they they wakeup to discover that they are far from where they intended to be.

    Listen to the Audio

    When we find ourselves in this spot, we need to ask three questions. These are not questions we need to ask others but ourselves.


    How do I want to be remembered?
    What is important to me?
    What single brave decision will I make today?


    Read the Transcript

    You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript of this episode here, courtesy of Ginger Schell, a professional transcriptionist, who does all my transcriptions.

    Join the Conversation

    My favorite part of doing these podcasts is participating in the conversation they provoke. Each week, I ask one question. This week, it is this:



    Binge on All 13 Episodes!

    If you want to listen to more episodes, you will find all thirteen audio episodes of Season 1 here. I release the video episodes weekly, as they are not yet available for batch listening. If you are looking for previous episodes, you can find Season 0 here

    Explore Additional Resources

    In this episode we mentioned several resources, including:


    Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey


    Book: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown


    Conference: World Domination Summit


    Speech: Stanford Commencement Address by Steve Jobs




    Ask Me a Question

    If you have a question, comment, thought or concern, you can do so by clicking here. We’d love to hear from you.


    Subscribe to the Podcast

    If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe:


    Share the Love

    If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the show.

    38 min
  • Episode 2: The 6 Rules for More Effective Slide Presentations [Podcast]
    Welcome to the new season of This Is Your Life. In this second episode, Michele Cushatt, my co-host, and I talk about how to make your slide presentations more effective.



    As leaders, communication is essential to success. In this episode, Michele and I discuss how to use slides to enhance your presentations and make a greater impact on your audience.

    Listen to the Audio

    In this episode, we discuss six rules for creating slides that enhance your message and improve communication.


    Create a logical flow.
    Make them readable.
    Avoid clichéd photos.
    Use one point per slide.
    Remember, less is more.
    Create a resource page.


    Read the Transcript

    You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript of this episode here, courtesy of Ginger Schell, a professional transcriptionist, who does all my transcriptions.

    Join the Conversation

    My favorite part of doing these podcasts is participating in the conversation they provoke. Each week, I ask one question. This week, it is this:



    Binge on All 13 Episodes!

    If you want to listen to more episodes, you will find all thirteen audio episodes of Season 1 here. I release the video episodes weekly, as they are not yet available for batch listening. If you are looking for previous episodes, you can find Season 0 here

    Explore Additional Resources

    In this episode we mentioned several resources, including:


    Book: Insanely Simple: The Obsession That Drives Apple’s Success by Ken Segall


    Book: Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery by Garr Reynolds


    Book: Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences by Nancy Duarte


    Book: Slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations by Nancy Duarte


    Book: Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds by Carmine Gallo


    Conference: The SCORRE™ Conference


    Organization: Dynamic Communicators International


    Presentation: ‟The Secret Structure of Great Talks” by Nancy Duarte


    Website:

    31 min
  • Episode 1: The 5 Benefits of Collaboration [Podcast]
    Welcome to the new season of This Is Your Life. In this first episode, Michele Cushatt, my new co-host, and I talk about why I decided to change my podcast so dramatically and what you can learn about leadership from our experience.



    Many people talk about the value of collaboration, but in this episode, we get very specific about why you must collaborate with others if you are going to reach your potential as a leader. We also discuss how it benefits those you hope to influence.

    Listen to the Audio

    We discuss five specific benefits:


    Increased satisfaction
    Broadened perspective
    Diversified talent base
    Improved flexibility
    Multiplied results


    Read the Transcript

    You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript of this episode here, courtesy of Ginger Schell, a professional transcriptionist, who does all my transcriptions.

    Join the Conversation

    My favorite part of doing these podcasts is participating in the conversation they provoke. Each week, I ask one question. This week, it is this:



    Binge on All 13 Episodes!

    If you want to listen to more episodes, we have released all thirteen audio episodes of Season 1 here. The video episodes will be released weekly and are not yet available for batch listening. If you are looking for previous episodes, you can find Season 0 here

    Explore Additional Resources

    In this episode we mentioned several resources, including:


    StrengthFinders 2.0 by Tom Rath
    Test for All 34 Strengths


    Ask Me a Question

    If you have a question, comment, thought or concern, you can do so by clicking here. We'd love to hear from you.

    Subscribe to the Podcast

    If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe:


    Share the Love

    If you enjoyed the show, please rate it on iTunes and write a brief review. That would help tremendously in getting the word out and raising the visibility of the show.
    33 min
  • #100: The Next 100 Episodes and How I Plan to Change Things Up [Podcast]
    Today marks a major milestone: 100 podcast episodes. I admit that, when I started this podcast back in February 2012, I never thought I would get here.



    So far, it's been really successful (5.5 million downloads, consistently ranked in iTunes Top 10 for Business), and everything seems to be working really well. So, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

    Click to Listen

    I've never subscribed to that philosophy. More importantly, change means growth. The bottom line is that beginning in episode 101, a lot will change. Here are three ways the podcast will change and three ways it will stay the same.

    How It Will Change


    I will have a new co-host, Michele Cushatt.
    I am switching the format from monologue to a conversation.
    I am adding a video podcast (same podcast, just another medium).


    How It Will Stay the Same


    We will cover the same kinds of topics.
    I will still be the primary one delivering the content.
    We will keep it to about 30 minutes in length.


    Beginning in episode 101, with Michele on-board, we will talk about why I decided to make this change and the key takeaways for you.

    Please note: I will not be posting Episode 101 until July 9th. I am taking a hiatus next week while we get the new show ready.

    What I ask in the meantime, is that you remain open and join me in this journey. It won’t be perfect, but I’m pretty sure it will be better. All I ask is that you give us a chance and then let us know what you think.

    Listener Questions

    If you asked a question, and I answered it on this episode, please email me your address, so I can send you an autographed copy of my book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World.


    Charlie Page asked, “If you had it to do over again, is there one area you would have focus more than you did?”
    Christina Parker Brown asked, “What are the top three things you do to build trust with your audience?”
    D.J. Smith asked, “Are there differences in strategy when building a blog for a company vs. one for an individual?”
    Jim Turner asked, “I want to write to four different audiences. Should I do this with one blog (and different categories) or multiple blogs?”
    John Richardson asked, “Which do you enjoy more, writing a blog post or doing a podcast?”
    Julia Kasdorf asked, “I am a guitar player and never considered myself a leader. How do you define a leader?”
    Matthew Green asked, “What has been your biggest struggle in working for yourself?”
    Nicole asked, “What advice would you give to someone who has just acquired a thriving website?”
    T.C. Long asked, “Should I focus on one blog or combine the two?”

    Special Announcements

    If you have a question, comment, thought or concern, you can do so
    32 min
  • #099: Are You Investing Your Best Resources in the Wrong People? [Podcast]
    As a leader, are you investing your best resources in the wrong people? It is easy to see other people making this mistake. It is more difficult to catch yourself doing it.



    I’ve been guilty plenty of times. Leaders often make this same mistake in various areas of their lives, but what can you do if you are in this situation?

    Click to Listen

    Make sure you are investing your best resources—including your time and energy—in your best people. Here’s how:


    Acknowledge that your resources are limited.
    Become aware of where your resources are going.
    End unproductive or unhealthy relationships.
    Identify the people you should be investing in.
    Schedule time on your calendar to serve these people.


    Yes, Jesus spent time with broken people. He healed the sick. He comforted the broken-hearted. He ministered to the outcasts.

    But he spent the bulk of his resources on just twelve people. He proactively invested in them, knowing that his mission was, humanly speaking, dependent on their success.

    As a leader, you should do the same. It benefits you, your team, and your mission.

    Listener Questions


    Carole Anderson asked, “I know it takes a while to build a platform. Are you ever too old to start?”
    Derek Ouellette asked, “How soon after I launch my platform should I launch my membership site?”
    Kinsey Roberts asked, “Is the Platform Conference just for online business owners or would it be appropriate for corporate marketing executives?”


    Special Announcements


    I am just ONE episode away from episode #100—which is for me a massive milestone. I want to make that a special episode. Among other things, I am going to give away autographed copies of my book to anyone who leaves a question for me and I use it in he episode. Again, you can go to http://michaelhyatt.com/question to leave a message.
    I also want to tease you a bit with what I have planned for the next 100 shows. I am changing the format up completely. I believe this is going to take the show to an entirely new level. In fact, I have brought in someone to help with the show who is very special to me—someone I really admire and respect. I’ll tell you a little more next week, but I just want you to know it’s coming.

    If you have a question, comment, thought or concern, please leave me a voicemail:



    This is a terrific way to cross-promote your blog or website, because, if I use your question on the show, I will link to it.




    Episode Resources

    In this episode I mentioned several resources, including:


    Book: Necessary Endings by Henry Cloud


    Conference: The Platform Conference


    Screencast: How to Launch a Self-Hosted WordPress Blog in 20 Minutes or Less


    Software: SoundEver




    Show Transcript

    You can download a complete, word-for-word transcript of this episode

    27 min

About This is Your Life

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