Usually a "NO" feels like a door slammed in your face.

However, in many cases, a "NO" isn't a forever thing. If you look at "NO" differently, there's a good chance you'll get a bucketful of "YESES".

Here's my experience of going from "NO to YES".

Next Step: Listen to 

Three Ways To Harness The Mastermind Mindset (And Use It Across Your Business)

You'd think that success parameters are everywhere—and they are.

Yet, some of them are so obvious that we completely miss them. In order to turn things around and get people to get your clients—and yourself—to understand success better, you have to know the difference between ego and mastery.

In this episode, that's what we explore and why it makes such a vast difference.

Next Step: Find out
How Ego-Killers Can Drive Clients Away

Have you heard yourself saying: I'm not good with names!

Almost everyone you run into is likely to say something similar. Is it because we're bad with names and have terrible memories?

Or is it a myth that we've been perpetuating? Let's find out in this slightly odd view of memory.

Next Step: Have a listen to

Why A “Lack Of Memory” Causes You To Be Less Talented In Life

The first line is what pulls us into an article.

Yet we end up writing a really boring first line. What's worse is that you could use the power of story to create an intensely powerful first line in minutes.

Don't believe me? Well, do you have 10 minutes? Let's start.

Next Step: Don't miss the series on Writers's Block
Writer’s Block Series: Why Discussion and Feedback Are A Writer’s Secret Weapon (And How Professionals Use it to Their Advantage)

If we went back in time, we'd all feel a little less stressed out.

We weren't being pounded with endless information all the time. There weren't a million courses, workshops, training and videos, let alone an endless parade of books.

It seems like we'll never keep up. And no, we won't.

But there's a way around the problem and it's quite permanent. Let's fix it, shall we?

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Here is another podcast on Overwhelm

The Overwhelm Virus: How To Get It Out of Your Daily Routine

I was chatting with a client, and he told me how he needs to improve his drawing. "I always draw stick figures", he said to me, "and somehow, I need to improve these drawings."

This strategy struck me as odd because I didn't see a problem with his stick figures.

The stick figures looked as good as they would always be, with little room for improvement. "You don't have a problem with stick figures," I said. "You have a problem with memory!" My comment confused him because he was talking about drawing and learning to draw, but I was referring to "a lack of memory".

What is this "memory" bit all about?

 Let's find out.

Once you finish listening, you may like this podcast too:

 Rapid Talent (How To Get There and What Holds Us Back)

The biggest underlying success factor of a business is repeat clients.

Yet time and time again, we have to keep looking for new clients. This sorry situation is often because we are seduced by information, not results. We know results are important, but we still go in the "opposite" direction.

How do we solve this ongoing nightmare?

Let's find out.

Next Step: How To Gain Momentum In Business Using The Subsets Technique (And Gain New Clients Too!)

Do you remember the story of the Three Kings in the Bible?  You might have heard that they didn't come empty-handed. 

That's because they understood one of the core principles of living was "giving".

Not all the advice you get is obvious. Today, let's look at some not so obvious ones, shall we?

You can also listen to:

Why You Should Pay Attention To Giving (And Why Receiving Is Just As Important)

We're told we need to practice if we want to get better. However, most of the times when we're practicing, we're quite bored.

Instead, "play" is far superior in every way.

It's not boring and like that kid next door, we "dribble" all the time. Let's look sideways at dribbling, instead of just practice, practice, practice.

Next Step: Don't miss

How To Get Results Like A Pro (Without Endless Practice)

Last week we heard about willpower and how ineffective it can be when we most need it. 

Today, we have guest—the first ever—Keira Menon. She not only gives you her version of willpower, but also tells you how she went about recording this podcast.

This a fun listen so don't miss it.
We had so many people write and tell us how much they enjoyed the episode.

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OMG I did, and it made me smile so much. I know you have been involved in your niece's life for some time as Sean has mentioned her often in the past, to hear her sounding so grown up and mature! 

We're told time and time again that what we need is better willpower?

Yet, science and endless studies have shown willpower to be ineffective. If you're tired, for example, you'll do things that you don't normally tend to do. Your willpower is completely ineffective in many situations.

However, numbers help. How do they help and why are they so underrated?

Let's find out.

No one needs to tell you how stress can take its toll.

Yet there seems no easy way to ramp down the stress factor. If anything, we seem to be more stressed than ever before. The news closes in on us on all sides and we seem trapped.

 However, there's a way that can ease that stress considerably. It could even be considered a form of meditation. It's called "writing down what delights you".

Let's find out how easy it can be to be delighted and decrease our stress considerably.

One of the biggest problems when starting up a speech is that you have to find something that captures the attention of the audience. Instead, what we often get is a round of introductions, blah, blah etc. All of which causes the audience to get restless.

How do you get the attention of the audience instantly?

Better still, how do you do it with a story that has already gotten a great response? Let's find out.

When we want to increase our sales, we search for new methods. However, that search is often quite unnecessary. What's needed instead is a tiny bit of common sense.

With little or no effort, you can change the way the client perceives you and your company.

Re-oxygenation isn't that hard. Check out this episode!

You can also listen to:

Why Restricting The Numbers Of Sales Increased Profits (And Will Give You More Downtime)

After three months of staying put in New Zealand, we finally made a long trip.

Long in terms of distance, as well as duration. For the past three years, most of our travel has been within New Zealand and a week in Fiji. 

However, the month-long vacation is what brings out all the stories. And here are some stories from Spain!

More travel stories: 

Bumpity-Bump Travel Stories

Often enough your client may need a transcript for a long video or workshop.

Not everyone needs or wants a transcript, and it does cost a lot to produce transcripts for everything. In the past we've had AI driven transcripts, but they too have been untidy and it requires a lot of tidying up.

However, Chat GPT is different.

Learn how to use Chat GPT and YouTube to create a superb, accurate and very context-driven transcript for just about anything.

More on Chat GPT

Will AI And ChatGPT Replace You As A Writer?

All of us cringe at the thought of getting feedback. Yet, we all need feedback to improve.

There are formulas for feedback but they don't work as well as they should. However, this method of balance is tricky. We can't praise people all the time, and we can't say what we really think.

Is there a way out?

Yes, there is, if you use this method of balance by Randall Stutman from Admired Leadership. His method works so well, you could give feedback all day and people will ask for more.

More on Feedback: Listen or Read

Why Clients Shy Away From Giving Feedback Despite Liking Your Products and Services

There are times when you need to introduce yourself, such as for a personal website, social media profile, or professional bio. That's where you and I often get stuck.

We were told not to keep praising ourselves, and yet, without listing our achievements, how are we supposed to create an aura of expertise? 

The answer is simpler than you think. All you need to do is add a touch of surprise, and your blurb becomes super cool. Find out how in this episode.

Next recommended podcast:

How to avoid embarrassing time overruns when making presentations?

When we start writing, we know we're hopeless. However, in time, we all get to the stage where we're average.

What does it take to become outstanding and then an absolute maestro in writing?

The answer doesn't lie in "practice, practice, practice". Instead, it's something as mundane as a combination of "structure" and "confidence". But even as you try to get better, your brain won't let you progress.

Why does all of this happen, and how do you get out of this rut? Let's find out in this episode.

Next Step: Can you create expertise through article writing?
Here is how: A mini-booklet that helps you quickly improve your article-writing

What if you ran into clients that have never heard of you?

And what if they've never heard of your products or services? Would they still buy from you?

It seems highly implausible, even impossible that you'd get a client interested. And yet, the reality can be remarkably different. A business philosophy can turn a client around and make them interested in you, after hearing just a single line. 

Let's find out how.

Next Step: Here are three fun podcasts
Psychotactics Philosophy
The Crazy Philosophy Of Psychotactics (And Why It May Help You In Your Business)
The Philosophy of Psychotactics—Part 2

It's more than likely that you've tried to create uniqueness before. Yet, it seems a bit of a pain, because it sounds so trite.

Well, how about we look at uniqueness from a "construction" point of view.

Instead of just trying to dream up the uniqueness, how about we look at it with "guardrails" so that we hit the target every time? Let's give it a shot because one—or two of these methods—will certainly work for you.

More on Uniqueness: 

Why Being Contrarian Creates A Stunning Uniqueness Factor In Business

When a client buys a product, what goes through their mind?

Often you'll notice they have a similar product, so why do they buy again?

There are four reasons why your client (and you and I) keep searching for products. And no matter how saturated the market seems, clients will keep searching. This is good news for you, because if you give them what they want, they'll keep coming back. It seems irrational, but it's perfectly rational.

Let's find out why this irrational behaviour exists.

Once you finish listening to the podcast: 
Listen or read—Selling Strategies: How To Sell Without Selling In A Crazy Online Market

AI has sent a chill down the spines of many of those who create content for a living.

—Won't so much content saturate the market?
—And why would a client choose your work when some other work can easily be put together by AI?

The reason why you needn't worry, is because people have not changed much.
They still make their decisions based on specific logic.

Let's see how you, me—we all make decisions.

Next Up: Will AI And ChatGPT Replace You As A Writer?

Rerun 6: Three Unusually Zany Tips To Change Your Mindset (And Behaviour)

Rerun 4: How To Restart A Stalled Project: The Middle Of The Project Method

If you're a teacher, you might be surprised at times at why people seem to learn so slowly. You may wonder if it's because of your method of teaching or if it is the material. 

The reasons why learning is so slow aren't always apparent, but it usually comes down to a factor of trust—and control.

Find out how trust and control become crucial elements in learning as well as teaching.

Once you finish listening to the podcast, head on over to find out:  
Learning Strategies that help you  retain what you learn

We all know the little things that recharge our batteries. 

For most of us, a walk in a real forest would calm us down and give us that much needed energy. Yet, as we go about our everyday lives, there seems to be no way to slow down. If anything, we're told to speed up. 

Here's a solid case for why that walk into that forest is so needed and how to recalibrate your energy once again.

Next Step: Read or listen to: How To Increase Energy (Even In The Midst of Chaos)

If you haven't already heard the news on the street, you soon will. AI is going to take away all our jobs as writers.

Anyone can create a course in minutes, write an article like a pro, or generate thousands of outstanding headlines.

Is this just a rumour or is this our dystopian future? Here's a slightly sane answer from New Zealand.

Next Step: Read or listen to

Writer’s Block Series: How A Lack of Energy, Not Time, Causes Writers to Stall and Crash

Even if you have a workable metaphor, how do you use the metaphor in your article?

The key is to go backwards and find the one word or one idea that you want to convey. Almost magically, the word seems to fit the metaphor.

Not convinced?

Listen to this podcast and find out how to go about this relatively-easy task.

Next Step: Here are—Three Unknown Secrets of Riveting Storytelling

You'd think you would need to have some scintillating stories to write a metaphor.

Or worse still, you'd believe it's a skill that only some people have and can never be learned. Well, you know what they say, right?

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. And the proof of writing metaphors isn't in some fancy story but rather in the mundane activities in our everyday life. 

Ready to go on a metaphor trip that's fun? Well, here we go.

Next Step: It's time to find out—Why Storytelling Needs The Thumpity-Thump-Thump-Thump-Thump

The myth that is perpetuated is that you just need to sit at your computer and get an endless number of clients. 

The reality is the face-to-face connection is far superior. 
This is why musicians, politicians, et cetera hit the road. Face-to-face – even with the smallest audience is extremely powerful.

Here’s how you go about it.

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Next Up: Why List Building Fails (And How To Avoid The Almost Obvious Failure)

Why are some books, videos and audio so much "better" than others? 
Or rather, why do we consider so many to be dry and boring?

The style of delivery matters, of course. A well-spoken audio, a well-crafted book is always going to stand out. Yet, all information can do with the cherry on top—namely, entertainment.

In this podcast, we're going to explore why entertainment is so crucial and how much is too much.

Next Up: How To Create Your Information Product In Four Layers (And Why It Appeals To Clients)

Sometimes, all it takes is for us to sit in a car, and all hell breaks loose. 
Here are a few stories of how things went a bit "off-the-road" during our travels.

Did you enjoy the travel stories series? Here are a few more.

India Travel Stories: The Cheese Story
India Travel Stories: The Goa Cashew Nut story
3 ½ Slightly Unusual Vacation Tips (That Makes Travel More Fun)

At the start of the year, it's almost natural to want to wipe the slate clean and start doing something new. We create goals, set deadlines and hope like crazy that things will work out well. 

The part we consistently forget is the "stop-doing" bit.
The very same issues that have been a pain in the neck before, will continue to be a nightmare in the future.

Why is this stop-doing list so very important?
Let's find out in this episode

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Next Step: Listen or read 
How “Doug Hitchcock’s” Goal Setting Worked Wonders—And Why We Successfully Use It Year After Year