This is Your Life

In this episode, I talk about how to overcome the Resistance. Steven Pressfield coined this phrase to describe that invisible, destructive force that opposes you any time you try to start a new project or make an improvement in any area of your life.

I spoke on this topic at the recent Platform Conference, and the response was tremendous. So I wanted to share some practical counter-measures for dealing with the Resistance in your own life and work.

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In order to deal with the Resistance, you have to first understand what it is. It has four attributes.

Attribute #1: It is invisible.

Attribute #2: It is internal.

Attribute #3: It is insidious.

Attribute #4: It is infallible.

But what can you do about it?

You can only defeat the Resistance by understanding its three primary strategies and applying appropriate countermeasures.

Strategy #1: Fear. The typical response to this strategy is procrastination.

The countermeasure is to START.

Strategy #2: Uncertainty. The typical response is distraction.

The countermeasure is to FOCUS.

Strategy #3: Doubt. This usually occurs at the end of a project, and the typical response is to quit and leave the work unfinished.

The countermeasure is to FINISH.

Defeating the Resistance is essential to your growth, but more importantly it is essential to your transformation. Who you are becoming is more important than what you are doing.

Listener Questions

Jeff Sanders asked, “How do you keep your own creativity from becoming another form of the Resistance?”

Jen McDonough asked, “What kinds of outside things do you bring into your life to help fight the resistance?

Joanna Holman asked, “How do you know what you are facing is Resistance rather than a sign that what you are doing is not the right thing for you or you are doing too much and need to back off?”

Marc Schelske asked, “What has helped you to stop the cycle of perfectionism and get the product out the door?”

Sue Detweiler asked, “What are ways that we personally create Resistance and sabotage our own progress?”

Travis Dommert asked, “How does the Resistance work in the presence of a group?”

Special Announcements

I want to remind you about my 21-session audio course, entitled "Get Published."  It's everything I learned about publishing in my thirty years in the publishing industry, most recently CEO of Thomas Nelson, a literary agent, and two-time New York Times bestselling author.

If you've ever thought about writing a book but don't know where to start, or if you already have a book but want to do everything you can to make the biggest splash you can in the marketplace, this course is for you.

Platform University continues to do amazingly well. Yesterday, we posted a killer Master Class with Jeff Goins. It’s all about “Going Pro.”

Jeff has just recently done this with his own platform. It is now supporting him full-time, and he explains in the class how he did it in only two years.

In my next podcast,

Delegation truly is a fine art and a necessary skill. In this episode, I talk about how you can delegate even if you don't have a staff.

Whenever I write or speak on the topic of delegation, I always get a question from someone who says, “But what if you don’t have a staff? How can you delegate?” As you increase your impact in the world, you will, inevitably, encounter situations where delegation is not only helpful but essential to growth.

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This episode is Part 2 of Episode 42: The Fine Art of Delegation.  Before proceeding, it would be beneficial for you to go back and reexamine some important principles covered in that episode.

In this episode I want to recommend seven strategies for those who want to delegate but don’t have anyone to whom you can delegate.

Strategy #1: Triage your “To-Do List.”

Strategy #2: Use technology more effectively.

Strategy #3: Negotiate out of previous assignments.

Strategy #4: Ask for volunteer help.

Strategy #5: Use variable cost alternatives.

Strategy #6: Appeal for more resources.

Strategy #7: Muster the courage to say no.

I know this just scratches the surface, but I firmly believe in the principle that “he who is faithful in little is also faithful in much” (see Luke 16:10). If you are a good steward with what you have been given, you will eventually be given more.

Listener Questions

Celeste Vaughn asked, “How do you know when it’s time to let go and trust someone else to do the job right?”

Daniel J. Lewis asked, “How can I ensure quality control when I am delegating tasks to volunteers who may not have much experience with the tools and techniques I need them to use?”

Dr. Bill Dyment asked, “When it comes to social media, what portion can you delegate to others and what part should you continue to do yourself?”

Gary Morland asked, “How do you track and follow-up on tasks you delegate?”

Jeremiah Crane asked, “How do I get my supervisor to delegate more important work to me without coming across as power hungry?”

Julie Sunne asked, “What kinds of business-related tasks can I delegate to my teen children?”

Paul Jolicoeur asked, “When do you know it’s time to delegate a task to someone else to free you up for new opportunities?”

Phil Darke asked, “How do you demand excellence from those to whom you delegate and not appear to be micromanaging them in the process?”

Richella Parham asked, “How do you decide whether a task should be delegated or simply eliminated?”

Samson Varughese asked, “How do I keep from trusting too much and not exercising enough oversight?”

Victor H. Manzanilla asked, “What is the best way to get your boss to trust you more and advance you through the five levels of delegation?”

Special Announcements

We have just opened registration for the Launch Conference, April 8–11,

In this episode, I talk about the fine art of delegation. I also share the five levels of delegation. If you want to succeed as a leader, it is imperative that you learn to delegate and delegate well.

My first year as marketing director, I vacillated between micro-managing everything and completely abdicating my role. It would be years before I would learn the art of delegation. However, the techniques I cover in this episode can help you go further, faster.

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One of the first recorded examples of delegation occurs in the book of Exodus, chapter 18. In leading the children of Israel, Moses was wearing himself out. His father-in-law, Jethro, gave him some very specific imperatives. These are as relevant today as they were then.

Imperative #1: Admit that working non-stop is unsustainable.

Imperative #2: Understand your unique calling

Imperative #3: Select qualified leaders to assist you

Imperative #4: Give these leaders responsibility and authority

Level 1: Do exactly what I have asked you to do.

Level 2: Research the topic and report back

Level 3: Research the topic, outline the options and make a recommendation.

Level 4: Make a decision and then tell me what you did.

Level 5: Make whatever decision you think is best.

Imperative #5: Only do those things which others cannot do.

Listener Questions

Adam Rico asked, “How do you avoid the feeling that you are adding another burden to an already overwhelmed team member when you delegate a task to them?”

Gary Morland asked, “What is the biggest mistake you can make when delegating?”

James Randorff asked, “What process do you have for checking your own heart to make sure you aren’t shirking your responsibilities when delegating?”

Jeff Sanders asked, “Currently, I don’t have anyone to delegate to. How do you know when it’s time to hire a virtual assistant?”

Laurie Coombs asked, “What does it look like practically for a leader to delegate?”

Nate Buckwater asked, “How do you overcome the challenges of delegating to people who are older than you are?”

Paolo Sini asked, “I have a hard time delegating. Can you give me any advice on changing this behavior?”

Phil Mershon asked, “I often have a difficult time trusting those to whom I delegate. What strategies can you suggest for overcoming these trust issues?”

Rabbi Evan Moffic asked, “What should I keep and what should I pass on?”

Special Announcements

The Platform Conference was a huge success. We held the two-day event at the Sound Kitchen here in Franklin, Tennessee. The speakers were awesome!The thing that made this conference different from most was the total engagement of our speakers. All but one stayed the entire time. They sat with the other attendees, took copious notes, and networked with everyone present.

I am pleased to announce that the next Platform Conference will be held November 3–5, 2013 in Dallas at the Omni Hotel at Park West. You can find out more and register on our website.

You know it will eventually happen. You’ll quit your job to take another one. Maybe you’re in the midst of this right now—or considering it. Regardless, in this episode I discuss how to finish well and setup yourself up for success.

The time will eventually come that you have to quit your job.  The only real question is how to do it in a way that doesn't burn your bridges. So what I want to share in this episode is this: before you turn in your resignation—or even begin looking for another job—let me suggest that you consider the following seven actions:

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Action #1: Determine to exit with dignity and honor

Action #2: Count the cost of leavening your present job

Action #3: Give your employer a chance to address your issues

Action #4: Honor your commitments to your current employer

Action #5: Don’t look for another job on company time or with company email

Action #6: Don’t share proprietary information with prospective employers

Action #7: Don’t conspire with others to leave the company

With a little planning, anyone can make a graceful exit. Life is short. The world is small—and cold. You don’t need to create any unnecessary enemies. You’ve already made an investment in your job. Now make one in your career. Think of the future and keep the end in mind.

Listener Questions

Amy Anderson asked, “I have rarely left a job without another one waiting … How do you feel about leaving a difficult situation even if you don’t have something else lined up?”

Christopher Scott asked, “Should you give your current employer a heads up if you are planning to quit or just wait and give them the perfunctory two weeks notice?”

Heman Smith asked, “I want to leave my present company, enter a non-competitive industry, and use the concepts I use now. How do I do that without causing concerns about intellectual property?”

Jeff Jones asked, “When I left my position as a drummer in a band, I found that I really needed to focus on where I was headed and not on the past. How did that play out in your recent transition from Thomas Nelson?”

Wayne Henderson asked, “I really want to be a full-time voice actor, but I am concerned about those in management knowing where my true passions are? Should I be wary of posting too much on Twitter and Facebook about this?”

Special Announcements

Platform University is going great. We now have about 1,300 members. If you haven’t done so yet, please check it out. It’s only $25 a month—less than a dollar a day. We have lots of great content coming. You don’t want to miss this.

The Get Noticed! Theme is still in private beta. Things are progressing well, albeit a little slower than we had hoped. We have not announced a release date. Thank you for your patience. I really wish we could get this to market faster, but I promise, it will be worth the wait.

The Platform Conference for this year is wrapping up. We were completely sold out.

The good news is that we have just put tickets on sale for the next Platform Conference. It will be November 3–5, 2013 in Dallas. While we haven’t officially announced a speaker lineup, many of this year’s speakers will be returning, and we are in dialog with a few others as well.

If you are thinking about coming, I urge you to decide quickly, especially if you are interested in a

In this episode, I talk about how to get out of that funk. I discuss the winter blues, also known as “Seasonal Affective Disorder” or SAD, and how to keep your energy up regardless of the time of year.

Many people get depressed during this time of year. Sometimes there are legitimate medical or psychological issues that must be addressed. However, some people resort to medication prematurely, before making sure they have the basics covered.

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So, if you are experiencing the winter blues or you are finding that your energy is lower than usual, I suggest you ask yourself seven questions before scheduling a visit to a professional:

Question #1: Am I getting plenty of rest?

Question #2: Am I exercising three to four times a week?

Question #3: Am I eating high-energy foods?

Question #4: Am I staying hydrated?

Question #5: Am I getting enough sunshine?

Question #6: Am I focusing on the positive?

Question #7: Am I hanging out with energetic people?

Listener Questions

Jon Stallings asked, “How do you deal with a project or a goal that saps your energy?”

David Kirkaldy asked, “How do you keep your energy up when the pace and energy of your life is not dictated by your surroundings?”

Chip Dizard asked, “How do you keep your momentum going throughout the year?”

Andrew Mason asked, “Do you have any suggestions for being consistent with your exercise in the winter?”

Noah Coley asked, “I am constantly pouring out to others. I need someone to pour into me. How do you found those kind of people?”

Matt McWilliams asked, “What tips do you have for creating a more uplifting environment indoors?”

Special Announcements

Platform University is going great. We now have in excess of 1,200 members.  If you haven't checked in yet, please do so today. It's only $25.00 a month—less than a dollar a day!

The Platform Conference is next week.  I am pleased to report that we are technically sold out. However, my manager, Joy, was able to rearrange the seating and create space for another ten people. If you’d still like to come, it’s not too late. You can go to platformconference.tv to learn more.

I have several speaking engagements coming up. However, I still have some availability this spring. If you are interested in having me speak to your group, check out my speaking page.

My next podcast will be on the topic of “7 Steps to Take Before You Quit Your Job.” I have seen this done badly, and I've seen it done well. It’s important to do it right so that you can leave with dignity and set yourself up for future success. If you have a question on this subject, please leave me a voicemail message. This is a terrific way to cross-promote your blog or website, because I will link to it, just like I did with the callers in this episode.

Episode Resources

In this episode I mentioned several resources, including:

Book:

In this episode, I talk about the benefits of keeping a journal. I also share my own practice and offer a few tips. Whether you have never journaled, need a little motivation to keep going, or are just curious about what others do, I think you will find this episode helpful.

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Between blog posts, podcast show prep, courses, speeches, and books, I typically write several thousand words a week. However, I have never been a consistent journaler. I tried. I had friends who swore by it. It just never worked for me, until recently.

On our vacation last summer, my wife, Gail, challenged me to give it another try. I reluctantly agreed and fell in love with it. I have now journaled daily for more than six months.

If I had to sum it up, I would say journaling has afforded me seven benefits.

Process previous events

Clarify my thinking

Understand the context

Notice my feelings

Connect with my heart

Record significant lessons

Ask important questions

When I started journaling, I did it the old fashioned way. I kept my journal in a physical notebook. I happen to use an EcoSystems Journal. However, I am not the best at writing lots of text by hand. The legibility of my writing deteriorates quickly.

On day three of my journaling experience, I stumbled upon a software program called DayOne. This is a beautiful minimalist writing tool that reminds me a lot of ByWord, the program I use to do much of my blog writing.

About a month ago, I started using Evernote for my journaling. Several people had suggested this from the beginning, and I finally saw the wisdom of it. It makes all my journal entries readily available when I search for a topic, making my notes available for blog posts, speeches, books, etc.

Regardless, there are a thousand different ways to keep a journal. Don’t get hung up on the method or the software. The most important thing to do is just to start.

Listener Questions

Aaron Johnson asked, “Some people just can’t seem to journal. Are there other ways people can engage in the process of self-reflection?”

Bud Brown asked, “How do you flag pages in your journal, so you can get back to the important stuff?”

Christopher Scott asked, “How do you catalog or keep track of previous journal entries?”

Lynn Morrissey asked, “Is journaling scriptural or should Christians be wary of it as a New Age practice for self-exploration?”

Jackie Ulmer asked, “Is your journal more of a Cliff Notes summary of the events of your life or is it super-detailed?”

Jason Jones asked, “Is there a benefit to paper journaling?”

Kwin Peterson asked, “For whom do you Journal? Who is the audience you envision?”

Linda Kuhar asked, “When you are journaling, how do you keep yourself from lapsing into performance-mode and writing for an audience?”

Sam Lytle asked, “What are the benefits of keeping a private journal as compared to a public one, like writing a blog or engaging in social media?”

Inside your head and mine, there is a narrator. He or she is constantly telling us stories. These stories shape how we perceive reality.

In fact, if we don’t intervene, these stories can shape our destiny for the worse. Or, if we are intentional and take control of the narrative, these stories can shape our destiny for good.

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You can change your life by changing your story.  There are five ways you can take control of the narrative in your head.

Recognize the voice in your head.

Jot down what the voice is saying.

Evaluate whether this story is empowering.

Write down a different story.

Start telling yourself the new story.

Listener Questions

Jana Botkin asked, “How can I tell the difference between telling myself a story of delusional optimism and the truth?”

Julie Sunne asked, “My inner narrator often take me in a million different directions. Can you offer some pointers for focusing our inner stories?”

Mary DeMuth asked, “When you are living your story and continue to do the same thing over and over again, getting the same crummy result, how do you encourage yourself to think differently and stop doing that thing that's not working?”

Noah Coley asked, “What is your best advice for helping someone understand that they can be the authors of their own story rather than simply reacting to a story that's been given to them?”

Russ Hess asked, "Is there a practical way to refocus the meaning we associate with the various events of our lives to lead us to a greater sense of fulfillment?"

Rob Ketterling asked "Why do you think we work so hard to avoid the change rather than make the change?”

Bobby Warren asked, “How important is faith in changing your story?”

Special Announcements

We have just opened membership to Platform University. This is a project I and my team have been working on for months.

My book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, only scratched the surface. Platform University picks up where that left off and provides an opportunity to dive deeper, bringing you the insights and tools you need to build a platform that gets you, your brand, your cause noticed.

The Early Bird special ends this week, so if you want to get in on the lowest possible price—for life!—visit PlatformUniversity.com

We still have a few tickets left for the Platform Conference, which will be held here in Nashville on February 11–13, 2013—just about a month away.

This conference is for anyone who wants to jump start their platform or take it to the next level. If you are an author, public speaker, blogger, recording artist, business owner, entrepreneur, sales person, mortgage broker, pastor, or corporate brand manager, this conference is for you!

We have an incredible lineup of speakers, including:

Ken Davis

Pat Flynn

Jeff Goins

On the third Monday of each January in the U.S., we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. As you know, he was the chief spokesman for nonviolent activism in the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Dr. King was an eloquent preacher and gave a famous speech, “I Have a Dream,” that defined the aspirations of that movement, not only for his generation but for generations to come.

I think it is particularly appropriate, in view of the upcoming holiday, to devote a podcast episode to the this speech. I urge you to take time to watch this speech and experience what Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is all about.

While the speech is a masterpiece of rhetoric—one of the top ten best speeches ever given, in my opinion—I believe it also provides eight key insights into what it takes to be a truly great leader.

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Insight 1: Great leaders do not sugar-coat reality.

Insight 2: Great leaders engage the heart.

Insight 3: Great leaders refuse to accept the status quo.

Insight 4: Great leaders create a sense of urgency.

Insight 5: Great leaders call people to act in accord with their highest values.

Insight 6: Great leaders refuse to settle.

Insight 7: Great leaders acknowledge the sacrifice of their followers.

Insight 8: Great leaders paint a vivid picture of a better tomorrow.

Listener Questions

Alex Barker asked, “What do you think Dr. King would want to teach us if he were alive today?”

Christopher Scott asked, “How do you cast vision for volunteers?”

Cor Chmieleski asked, “How do you pursue a vision undeterred while remaining receptive to the input of those you are leading?

Kim Goad asked, “What if you are fresh out of a vision and need inspiration?”

Matthew Green “How important do you think it is for leaders to work on character, integrity, and discipline—something that no one may ever see?”

Phil Mershon asked "How can you lead team members to perform at their best without micro-managing them

Rob Still asked, “What does Dr. King have to teach us about overcoming discouragement, especially when our ideas are rejected by those in power and authority”

Special Announcements

On Thursday, January 17, we will be opening the membership to Platform University. This is a project I and my team have been working on for months.

My book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, only scratched the surface. Platform University is going to pick up where that left off and dive deeper, bringing you the insights and tools you need to build a platform that gets you, your brand, your cause noticed.

I strongly encourage you to visit Platformuniversity.com to learn more. We have already posted two videos that will give you some important background and a sense of what is to come. And tomorrow, we will be posting the third video there that explains it all.

We still have a few tickets left for the Platform Conference, which will be held here in Nashville on February 11–...

Discipline is a particularly relevant topic this time of year, since most of us are struggling to maintain our New Year’s resolutions. In this podcast, I share five specific steps to developing more of it.

If you’re like me, your resolve has already been tested, and you might even be thinking about giving up. Well don’t throw in the towel just yet! I have some practical advice in this episode I think you will find very helpful.

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If you’re like me, you struggle with discipline. You have great intentions, but just as you get a little momentum, something derails you. My friend Andy Andrews asks this question, “Can you make yourself do something you don’t want to do in order to get a result you really want?”

Over the years, I have found that I can become disciplined in any area of my life by taking five specific steps. Whether it is trying to get in shape, maintain a blog, or develop a great marriage, the psychology is the same.

Determine your goal.

Your goals need to be S.M.A.R.T. This is an acronym that provides a checklist for making sure that what you have is indeed a goal and not merely an aspiration. It stands for:

Specific

Measurable

Actionable

Realistic

Time-bound

List your reasons

Identify likely obstacles.

Develop new behaviors.

Stay focused.

Listener Questions

Rebecca Livemore asked, “How do you differentiate between a lack of discipline and a legitimate need for rest?”

Brad Blackman asked, “Would you recommend adding only one discipline at a time or is it okay to try and add multiple disciplines?”

Aslam Najeebdeen asked, “I find I often abandon my new habits after four or five days. What are some tips for keeping the new habit going?”

Derek Duncan asked, “As a Christian, how do we allow for grace in the practice of discipline?”

 Julie Welles asked “I’m struggling with my blog. How do you discipline yourself to write so prolifically?”

 Tessa Hartiman asked, “How important is developing discipline for novice writers?”

 Paul Lundberg asked, “I love scheduling and planning. I’m pretty good at planning. But I am not good at all when it comes to executing the day or week I’ve planned. How can I stay more focused on what I have planned to do?”

Todd Liles asked, “How do you discipline yourself when you are absolutely dog-tired?”

Victor Manzanilla asked, “What is a ‘keystone habit’ (a la The Power of Habit) for your spiritual life?”

Special Announcements

 We still have a few tickets left for the Platform Conference, which will be held here in Nashville on February 11–13, 2013—just about a month away.

My next podcast will be on the topic of “8 Leadership Lessons from Martin Luther King, Jr." These are some principles I gleaned from watching again his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, which he gave back on August 28, 1963.

If you have a question on anything related to leadership—especially casting vision—please leave me a

We live in a very externally-focused culture. However, there is an internal issue which is largely ignored: the condition of your heart.

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/Johan63

The corporate world is increasingly aware of the fact that you can’t improve productivity without increasing engagement. In other words, people have to show up at work with more than their education, experience, and skills. They have to come with their heart.

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In this podcast I share five truths about your heart. If you understand these truths—and apply them—you will maximize your influence as a leader.

Truth #1: Your heart is the essence of your identity.

Truth #2: Your heart is the most valuable leadership tool you have.

Truth #3: Your heart directly impacts your influence.

Truth #4: Your heart is either healthy or unhealthy.

Truth #5: Your heart is under constant attack.

It's important that you keep your heart healthy.  There are four disciplines that can help you do that.

Discipline #1: The Discipline of Reflection

Discipline #2: The Discipline of Rest

Discipline #3: The Discipline of Recreation

Discipline #4: The Discipline of Relationships

Listener Questions

Victor Manzanilla asked, “What is the biggest temptation a leader faces after he becomes successful?”

Nellie Felipe asked, “As a leader, how do you maintain a fresh vision, fresh hope, fresh energy, so your people will be renewed daily?”

Heather Boggini asked, “What advice do I have for the female entrepreneur who is reentering the workforce after staying out to raise a family?”

Special Announcements

If you are looking for a Christmas gift for an author, entrepreneur, or sales person, let me suggest that you get them a copy of my newest book, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World. It has been on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestseller lists. It has a 4.8 reader review rating (out of 5.0) on Amazon. It is the perfect gift for anyone trying to build a personal brand or gain visibility for a product, service, or cause.

I am off the road until January. However, I do have some speaking slots still available for the spring. If you are interested in having me come speak to your company or organization, you can learn more at my speaking page.

My next podcast will be on the topic of “How to Develop More Discipline.” If you have a question on this subject, please leave me a voicemail message. This is a terrific way to cross-promote YOUR blog or website, because I will link to it, just like I did with the callers in this episode.

Episode Resources

In this episode I mentioned several resources, including:

Book: Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World

Conference: Platform Conference

Essay: C.S. Lewis, “On the Value of Old Books,” an introduction to On the Incarnation by St. Athanasius

Podcast #28: Become More Productive by Reengineering Yo...