Gregory Gray is a business advisor and executive coach based out of Nashville. Through his blog, podcast and consulting service Business Owner Freedom, he aims to provide his clients with the clarity they need to maximize their professional and personal success. For Greg, a successful entrepreneurial career requires a clear vision and the courage to be yourself.

In this episode, Greg discusses why every career needs a vision, how to seek out and eliminate our professional blind spots, and why enjoying your journey should be the most important part of your career.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE:

(1:53) - What exactly is an executive coach and how Greg found his calling in that role.

(3:06) - The similarities between people who find success in the corporate world and the entrepreneurial world.

(3:49) - What traits Greg feels constitute “self-leadership.”

(5:43) - The importance of crafting a “vision story” for yourself before setting out on your own.

(10:06) - Why Greg went into insurance and what he would have done differently if he could do things over.

(13:13) - Tools and tactics for figuring out what your blind spots are and how to address them.

(17:12) - The benefits of talking your plan over with friends, family and other supporters before launching your solo business.

(20:24) - The most difficult part of Greg’s journey from corporate life to where he is today and how authenticity helped with these struggles.

(26:16) - Why the entrepreneurial life has been so beneficial for Greg and his family.

(30:02) - The first step anyone looking to break out of the corporate world should take.

(31:04) - Greg plays Rapid Fire and names his No. 1—or is it No. 42?—historical figure to have a drink with.

TWEETABLES:

“We’re really focused on providing clarity for them and an introspective view of their own life.”

“Those that are truly successful have a handle on who they are and who they should be.”

“The only reality we have is today.”

“You need to really lay out a path that matches the lifestyle you want.”

“I think half the battle is the communication process.”

“Our very first stumbling block, typically, is ourselves.”

Guest Resources:

Business Owner Freedom - https://www.businessownerfreedom.com/

Gregory’s homepage - https://www.gregorygray.com/

Business Owner Freedom podcast - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/business-owner-freedom/id1439524206?mt=2

Resources:

Website - https://www.nickjmurphy.com

Buy Unboxed - https://www.nickjmurphy.com/unboxedbook

Get the Unboxed audiobook for free - https://www.nickjmurphy.com/unboxedbook/audiobook/

Podigy - https://podigy.co/

Follow Nick Murphy on Social:

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

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

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nick_j_murphy

Nick is in the middle of his “Go Live” challenge for March (see episode 53), where he and some of his closest friends post live videos on social media platforms of their choice. In one of the more recent videos, he pondered what was holding people back from quitting their day job and creating something new.

In this minisode, Nick wants you to ask yourself: what would you quit, and what would you create, if you knew you couldn't fail?

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE:

- What would you quit doing and/or create if you knew you had the capability to do anything in this moment, no limits?

- Weighing the benefits of sticking with what you know vs. exploring something potentially more rewarding but still risky and unknown.

- The “failure factors” that tend to keep people working in safe but unfulfilling jobs.

- Completing the equation that solves for all of the major unknown factors in your career path.

- Contact Nick using the links below to let him know what would you need to see to get you to take that big leap.

 

TWEETABLES:

“We don’t know what we don’t know and you’re not gonna learn what you don’t know until you start down that path.”

“My favorite part of working with the clients I work with is empowering people to take action.”

“Am I being the person I am meant to be, or could I have so much more?”

Follow Nick Murphy

Buy Unboxed - https://www.nickjmurphy.com/unboxedbook

Website - https://www.nickjmurphy.com

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

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

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

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nick_j_murphy

Jane Garee is the founder and owner of Lilyflower Enterprises and a self-described “sales strategist for the non-sales person.” Through her training, mentorship, and emphasis on selling not just your product but the authentic “you,” she helps her clients achieve their greatest dreams.

In this episode, Jane dismantles misconceptions about sales, emphasizes authenticity as key to sales success, and has a few suggestions for entrepreneurs looking to beef up their sales tactics.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE:

(2:04) - Jane lays out her professional journey and how she arrived at sales strategizing.

(6:01) - How does one overcome their fear of selling things to people?

(8:52) - Debunking some major myths about sales.

(12:26) - How opening your sale makes for an easier close.

(16:29) - A quick sales lesson for solopreneurs with little-to-no sales experience.

(17:44) - Understanding the customer journey to better understand sales.

(22:08) - Why authenticity is key to any successful sales strategy, regardless of what the authentic “you” is like.

(23:41) - The one major sales tactic entrepreneurs should focus on getting good at before anything else.

(25:54) - Jane play Rapid Fire and her royal choice for a dinner date.

TWEETABLES:

“I love a good life but if I can make your life better, that's what I'm going for.”

“I can solve your problem but you have to be willing and wanting to solve that problem too with me.”

“We don't want good people who are bad fits and we don't want bad people who are good fits.”

“It is an honor to be a salesperson because I can help somebody affect change.”

“Never try to sell anything you don't believe in.”

“People are not paychecks.”

Guest Resources:

Jane Garee Sales Strategies - https://janegaree.com/

Jane on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/janegareesalesstrategiesfanpage/

Jane on Twitter - https://twitter.com/janegaree

Jane on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/JaneGaree

Jane on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/janegaree/

Resources:

Website - https://www.nickjmurphy.com

Buy Unboxed - https://www.nickjmurphy.com/unboxedbook

Get the Unboxed audiobook for free - https://www.nickjmurphy.com/unboxedbook/audiobook/

Podigy - https://podigy.co/

Follow Nick J. Murphy on Social:

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

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

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

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nick_j_murphy

 

Why do people stay in jobs they don’t love? A surprisingly large percentage of people stick with positions they find thankless, dull, and/or frustrating. You would think anyone who isn’t happy would make the jump as soon as they could, but human psychology is fickle and can keep us from making the changes we know we need to make.

In this minisode, Nick explains three major reasons why people stick with jobs they don’t find fulfillment in, debunks these rationales, and invites you to join his new webinar.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE:

- Staying with an unpleasant or unrewarding job because you feel you’re better off that way.

- Sticking with a job because they don’t believe they can find further success elsewhere.

- Holding back because you’re concerned of what others will think if you

- If you’re feeling stuck, check out Nick’s webinar tonight (Thursday, March 14); it will also run again next Thursday, March 21; find it at https://www.nickjmurphy.com or by texting JOINMELIVE to 44222.

TWEETABLES:

“Who says that this is the top of the mountain?”

“What if there’s a whole other plateau, a whole other peak we can get to that we don’t even see that’s exponentially bigger than what we’re doing?”

“Choosing to do nothing is a choice.”

“You can’t wait for proof and still win.”

“People that are doing less than you are the only ones that will judge you.”

Follow Nick Murphy

Buy Unboxed - https://www.nickjmurphy.com/unboxedbook

Website - https://www.nickjmurphy.com

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

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

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

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nick_j_murphy

What kind of life would you live if money wasn’t an issue, if you never had to worry about being able to afford rent, a mortgage, or your groceries? While that might seem like a distant fantasy, writer, blogger and economic activist Scott Santens believes an Unconditional Basic Income (UBI) could radically benefit both the average worker and entrepreneurs, building a fairer world that encourages creativity and personal fulfillment.

In this episode, Scott discusses his own experience living on a kind of basic income, why UBI provides society with more and better opportunities for employment, and what hurdles will need to overcome to make it a reality.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE:

(2:19) - Scott explains what an Unconditional Basic Income (UBI) is and how it’s different from  a handout or welfare.

(6:29) - How we would be able to afford a UBI that everyone can partake in, and why it wouldn’t be as expensive as you might think.

(13:16) - Why adopting a UBI program can actually save us all money in the short- and long-term.

(17:08) - How a UBI could “vaccinate” us against catastrophe and future instability.

(20:45) - The wider variety of career choices that open up when everybody’s bases are covered.

(26:59) - What are the biggest structural and ideological obstacles preventing the adoption of UBI in America?

(32:31) - Scott lays out his pitch for why you should support unconditional basic income and how you can get the word out about it.

(38:14) - How UBI’s ethical principles align with why the United States were founded.

(40:13) - Scott plays Rapid Fire and explains his cosmic reasoning for which figure in history he’d like to meet.

(47:37) - Scott’s final piece of advice and encouragement.

(51:15) - Nick talks about Transform U’s new sponsor, podcast production company Podigy, and has an announcement for an upcoming webinar.

TWEETABLES:

“All of us are shareholders in the United States of America.”

“No one's income should ever fall to zero.”

“Trust in providing people independence and freedom to make the choices that are best for them.”

“With basic income, you would always be better off working; with welfare that’s not true.”

“There’s a lot of stuff out there that we can be doing and be focused on, instead of all of this stuff that we’re just constantly going off on.”

Guest Resources:

Scott’s homepage - http://www.scottsantens.com/

Scott on Twitter - https://twitter.com/scottsantens

Scott on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/scottsantens

Scott on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottsantens/

Scott on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/scottsantens/

Resources:

Website - https://www.nickjmurphy.com

Buy Unboxed - https://www.nickjmurphy.com/unboxedbook

Get the Unboxed audiobook for free - https://www.nickjmurphy.com/unboxedbook/audiobook/

Podigy - https://podigy.co/

Follow Nick Murphy on Social:

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

Instagram - https://www.instagram.

After listening to an inspiring podcast recently, Nick has taken on the motto “In order to sell, you must be seen”—that is to say, it’s hard to make a case for your product or services if you aren’t so much as a blip on people’s radars. Even if you aren’t in sales or marketing, still consider that in your line of work you’re still selling something: our ideas, achievements, even reputation.

In this minisode, Nick suggests lateral and vertical methods for making yourself stand out in an organization, and pitches his video challenge for the month of March. If you do take up Nick’s challenge, be sure to tag him on Instagram @nick_j_murphy!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE:

- Expanding your networking beyond your peers and into the upper echelons of management as well.

- Nick lays out his visibility video challenge for March and why you should overcome your camera shyness.

- Thinking about the ways you can put yourself out there throughout whatever organization you work for.

- Asking yourself some vulnerable but important questions and figuring out who you can rally with on this quest for visibility.

TWEETABLES:

“You are selling the fact that you are good at what you’re doing.”

“Is fear of being seen keeping me playing small or below my full potential?”

Follow Nick J. Murphy

Buy Unboxed - https://www.nickjmurphy.com/unboxedbook

Website - https://www.nickjmurphy.com

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

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

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

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nick_j_murphy

Nicole is the founder of Discover the Edge, a training and development company that works with entrepreneurs and business teams to bring out their full potential and maximize results. A human behavior specialist and business breakthrough coach, Nicole finds fulfillment in helping others hone their skills and talents to become the best possible workers and leaders. For a mirror image of this episode, check out episode 22 of Nicole’s podcast Leaders of Transformation where she interviews Nick!

In this episode, Nicole discusses how you can get yourself back on your feet if you’re feeling in a funk, how entrepreneurship requires its own mindset, and how we can increase our happiness and productiveness by changing the beliefs of ourselves and others.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE:

(2:20) - Nicole chats about the chapter she wrote for the recently released book Power Up, Super Women.

(3:30) - Discussing the “primary lie” we learn as children and how it shapes us, including Nicole’s own issues struggling with self-worth.

(9:38) - Debunking the myth that self-worth issues can only stem from an unhappy childhood or poor home life.

(16:45) - Three tips for modeling better behavior and avoiding instilling unworthy feelings in the people who look up to us.

(22:44) - The entrepreneur mindset and where Nicole sees people get tripped up by their conditioned beliefs.

(33:12) - Nicole endures Rapid Fire and makes her case for Nelson Mandela as a dinner date.

(36:40) - Nicole’s parting piece of advice and a special offer for Transform U listeners (see Guest Resources).

TWEETABLES:

“We have the ability to change how we see ourselves, how we see others, and how we see the world around us.”

“A lot of people who are high achievers are actually trying to outrun the idea of them being not good enough and being a failure.”

“If you base your identity and you base your worthiness on external results, you’ll be on a rollercoaster ride your whole life.”

“Change your words, change your focus, change your state.”

“There’s a difference between having a team, and having a whole bunch of individuals working under one roof.”

Guest Resources:

Discover the Edge - http://www.discovertheedge.com/

Power Up, Super Women - http://www.discovertheedge.com/products/powerupsuperwomenbook/

Special Resources for Transform U listeners - http://www.discovertheedge.com/transformu/

Leaders of Transformation podcast - http://leadersoftransformation.com/

Resources:

Website - https://www.nickjmurphy.com

Buy Unboxed - https://www.nickjmurphy.com/unboxedbook

Get the Unboxed audiobook for free - https://www.nickjmurphy.com/unboxedbook/audiobook/

Follow Nick J. Murphy on Social:

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

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

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

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nick_j_murphy

 

Nick is in the middle of honing his brand, focusing on who exactly he wants to be in the market and focusing on attracting the people he's best positioned to serve. In the process, he’s come to realize how essential it is to ensure the work you do actually energizes and motivates you.

In this minisode, Nick discusses why your brand’s focus needs to be very clear, what lesson he took away from a recent speaking engagement, and assigns you a little bit of homework that will help you out this year.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE:

- The importance of clarifying what exactly your brand does in order to attract the customers you want.

- Filling up your calendar with not just important tasks but ones that energize you.

- Nick’s homework assignment for this week: taking stock of what you need to get done ASAP in order to set yourself up for success for the rest of the year.

TWEETABLES:

“I need to get clear on who it is I can help and why you should want to work with me.”

“Being around people that validate and verify what it is you’ve been working on this whole time is really, really encouraging.”

Follow Nick Murphy

Buy Unboxed - https://www.nickjmurphy.com/unboxedbook

Website - https://www.nickjmurphy.com

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

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

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

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nick_j_murphy

Sports physician, attorney and previous guest Lynn Marie Morski (from episode 40) returns to the Transform U, but this time she’s the Host! That’s because Transform U’s guest for this week is none other than its usual host, Nick Murphy. It’s episode 50—a big number for any podcast—and to celebrate this milestone Nick is opening up a bit more about himself, what drives him, and what he values.

In this special episode, Nick takes a stab at the Rapid Fire questions he usually asks his guests, explains how he reckons with the complexities of the people he admires, and relates a very amusing anecdote regarding a certain president.

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE:

(4:47) - Nick plays a more leisurely paced version of Rapid Fire and explains what motivates him to be a good father.

(10:19) - His advice for his previous boss and what he thinks differentiates a good boss from a bad boss.

(12:27) - Why being a punter in the NFL don’t come with the best job security.

(14:28) - How Nick came to terms with the end of his football career and transitioned.

(15:37) - Nick’s greatest anxiety and what he values most as a father.

(17:25) - Would he give the same advice to his children that he would give his younger self?

(18:30) - The kind of people that Nick admires and who provides him with inspiration.

(20:40) - Reconciling the less savory aspects of the people we admire in business and politics.

(24:19) - Nick’s techniques for shutting out the distracting noise of life.

(29:39) - Who in history or current events Nick would like to have a drink with.

(31:57) - The only two things Nick would want if he had infinite money.

(33:00) - What success means to Nick.

(36:59) - A funny story about the celebrity Nick considers to be the most annoying.

(43:27) - What Nick has found to be most rewarding about hosting Transform U so far.

TWEETABLES:

“Just the innocence of little simple things being so significant is just a really cool, heartwarming moment.”

“Challenge your conditioned beliefs, challenge your limiting beliefs, challenge what people say is not possible.”

“Great leaders lead by creating and inviting people into a narrative where they want to be the best versions of themselves.”

“You need to pick the people you listen to, but you also need to pick the people you don’t listen to.”

Resources:

Website - https://www.nickjmurphy.com

Buy Unboxed - https://www.amazon.com/UNBOXED-Unfiltered-Guide-Creating-Career-ebook/dp/B07MBV7VZ5/

Get the Unboxed audiobook for free - https://www.nickjmurphy.com/unboxedbook/audiobook/

Follow Nick Murphy on Social:

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

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

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

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nick_j_murphy

 

Christine Luken is a money coach, speaker, “financial lifeguard,” and author of the book Manage Money Like a Boss: A Financial Guide for Creative Entrepreneurs. She co-creates financial prosperity plans with her clients to decrease debt, increase savings and prioritize the best ways they can spend their money. Christine believes that how we were raised can ingrain both healthy and toxic financial habits, and has the right tools to help employees and entrepreneurs alike break free of them.

In this episode, Christine helps you figure out if you have a positive relationship with money, three things that all healthy relationships have, and whether or not you respect your money. Please also see the link in the notes below to get the Unboxed audiobook for free!

THE FINER DETAILS OF THIS EPISODE:

(2:52) - The kind of clients Christine works with and how she strategizes with them.

(3:29) - How to diagnose if your relationship with money is healthy or toxic.

(6:36) - Helping parents understand the financial beliefs they’ve been raised with and if they’re imprinting them on their children.

(10:05) - A reliable method for being both financially responsible and allowing yourself a decent amount of spending money.

(11:02) - Why being honest about your own financial state is so important, and how even Christine has stumbled in the past.

(13:59) - How well-intentioned people end up deluding themselves about their spending habits.

(15:20) - Looking at money in terms of what we need vs. what we desire.

(16:42) - Christine lists some resources from her own site that listeners can use to get themselves on the right financial track.

(17:48) - How to get your personal finances in order to prepare for your own business.

(21:06) - Formulating a healthy financial relationship with your own partner or spouse.

(23:46) - The biggest mistake new entrepreneurs often make.

(25:07) - Why Christine seeks out her clients in particular.

(29:48) - What is the right time to leap from steady work to your own business, and what you can do to prepare yourself.

(30:40) - Christine plays Rapid Fire and reveals the surprising celebrity she finds to be most annoying.

TWEETABLES:

“I really like the idea of having your ‘fun money’ completely separate.”

“If you’re not looking at your money honestly, on a weekly basis, then it is really easy to lie to yourself about where things are.”

“Money can either be a source of contention, or it can be a source of unity in your relationship.”

“I firmly believe that the vast majority of us can enjoy the journey while we are rectifying our relationship with money.”

“You almost always have to pull the trigger before you feel ready.”

Guest Resources:

The Financial Lifeguard - https://www.christineluken.com/

Manage Money Like a Boss - https://www.christineluken.com/manage-money-like-a-boss-book/

Money is Emotional book, free chapters and workbook - https://www.christineluken.com/money-is-emotional-book/

Resources:

Website - https://www.nickjmurphy.com

Buy Unboxed - https://www.nickjmurphy.com/unboxedbook

Get the Unboxed audiobook for free - https://www.nickjmurphy.com/unboxedbook/audiobook/

Follow Nick J.