The Kevin Miller Podcast

You have a product or service that can help someone. You are talking with them about it right now, you know it would benefit them and you know what you have is the best there is. But, they decline. They say no. Zig Ziglar gives us a three and a half minute message at the top of this show with an important reality. They will not change their mind. Hear that. You are not supposed to convince them they are wrong. They made a decision about what you are offering and said no and Zig says it’s hopeless to try and change their mind. However, what he reveals is they said no to one issue regarding your product and as you’ll hear Tom Ziglar discuss in this show, it’s for one of five reasons. Which means you have four other reasons to discuss with them. Four other reasons why they can still say yes. I asked the Ziglar audience this question, “With what you have to sell, what is the most common objection or challenge you deal with?” We used this as a guide to fully unpack the issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most everyone had a parent or someone who told them they were special as a child. Someone who told them they were capable of so much. If not, you have undoubtedly read or heard someone claim you have greatness in you. However my experience is, very few of us actually believe it. At least not to a great level. Sure, we may have a knack for some things, but it’s not really that big of a deal. My guest today challenges all of this on the issue. John Bevere’s latest book is titled, X: Multiply Your God Given Potential. The point is our responsibility to multiply our inherent talents, gifts, and abilities, though that assumes we are aware of what those are. We spent a good while talking about just that, discovering and clarifying what talents are within us and the reality that we do in fact have them. Then, how and why do we multiply them. John’s belief is that multiplying our talents is actually one of the key aspects of true faithfulness. But you won’t find simple or pithy discussion here, we get into the nitty gritty of what this really looks and feels like in the real world. John Bevere is an international speaker and best-selling author, he and his wife Lisa Bevere are the founders of Messenger International. They have incredibly large followings due to their fervent and uncompromising messages for us all to multiply our God-given gifts. Find John at johnbevere.com and his new book, X: Multiply Your God Given Potential wherever you get your books! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What you want is often not what you truly want. It is based on a cultural or even personal expectation but in truth is not a core desire you have for yourself. Many of our goals we take on just because. Just because they are the norm. You are expected to buy a home, have a nice car, live a certain style. Work a certain type of job or start a business. In today’s social media culture we get indoctrinated with the expectations of our culture like never before. So when you audit your goals, are they truly yours? Or the cultures? Or your parents or spouse or family’s or friend’s? I play a one minute clip from Zig Ziglar where he asks us this question. Then I posted this question to the Ziglar audience, “Have you ever pursued anything for the wrong reasons?” Tom Ziglar and I talked through the comments, with most who replied being those who had in fact, pursued goals that were not really theirs. This topic right here is a foundation of my new podcast which I officially launch right here and right now. The Motive podcast. The focus is just that, Motives. We discern what we truly want by clarifying our motives for wanting it. Our reasons. Find the Motive podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher. You can also find all my shows at kevinmiller.co, including the videos! You can also go to youtube and find me at kevinmiller.co Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If that sounds elementary as it does when I look at it, I encourage you to really think about it. Do you lead as a spouse, parent, employee, employer or in any capacity? Is this the primary spirit you lead from? Or do you lead from experience, authority, your inherent position and role, seniority, or even simply niceness? You can lead from all these aspects and be leading from or truly providing value to the intended recipient. This is my habits show and I’m back with my guest from episode 833, author and speaker Kary Oberbrunner. I led off with interest about his habits and routines that help him be Unhackable, the title of his new book. Kary shares a lot from his lessons and insight, from being an unfulfilled pastor of 12 years to feeling tied to social media for his business, but it was his line about leading from value that stuck out to me. If you haven’t visited unhackablebook.com where you can check out Kary’s book and free unhackability assessment to find out where you are getting hacked, I encourage you to go now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you vote for a presidential candidate? Did you vote in spite of the candidates with focus on policies and platforms? In this show we reveal that you are voting every day in ways far more powerful than your official ballot. The contents for this show came from two strategic questions I asked the Ziglar audience. First I asked, “If your weekly purchases were audited to discern what you truly value, would you be proud of what was found?” Which I then followed with, “If you had to choose, what political policy are you most concerned about?” Tom Ziglar and I first read through comments citing what purchases people were proud of and which they weren’t. Then tied it into the policies and platforms listeners cited as their greatest values. Ultimately asking if our daily decisions and purchases lined up with what we say we value. The point was not to criticise or critique but bring us all to more awareness that we can make the most powerful votes in our daily decisions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corporate America’s number one product is you. Your attention is today’s most viable commodity. They can’t get it if you don’t offer it, but the temptation is possibly the most enticing and addictive draw of any drug ever invented. The antidote? Purpose. The consequence of going with the flow? Purpose. Author and speaker Kary Oberbrunner brings us a message from his book and platform, Unhackable, showcasing we are all being hacked and the result is us losing our ideas, dreams, and our very purpose. Conversely the greatest antidote for fighting the pull of social media, news, email, and every outreach calling from our devices is our intentional devotion to a goal. A calling. A purpose. As you will hear in this discussion, I feel Kary has brought a profound insight that provides far more than just pointing out the problem of our beckoning screens, but brilliantly reveals the consequence which doubles as the only viable solution. At unhackablebook.com you can get the book, and a free unhackability assessment to find out where you are getting hacked. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You attempt to sell yourself everyday. To your spouse, your kids, your coworkers or employees, your boss or investors, and for some of you, to an actual customer. What is your process? When do you actually ask for the sale, or do you? I play a four minute clip from Zig Ziglar that is pure sales training. And of course I asked the Ziglar audience a question, “How or when do you ask people to buy your product or service?” and got many responses. Tom Ziglar and I definitely talk business and professional selling here, but we also make this personal. Selling is caring. Selling is influencing. Selling is sometimes convincing somebody of something. And selling is a skill just as much as making somebody feel truly loved is a skill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are all paid for what we produce, to varying degrees. But with a full time writer it is very tangible and acute. Renowned fiction author Charles Martin was my guest in episode 829 and his livelihood is 100% connected to his thoughts, ideas, and creativity and what he can get from his brain, out his fingers and typed onto a screen. In this Habits episode we walk through how he manages himself, his time and his energy to get the required output from himself. He shares some health issues he’s dealing with that have caused his energy and output to be less, and how he’s managing this to still stay on track with his aggressive writing goals, including getting more of his books on the big movie screens. I think you’ll relate much to the behind the scenes realities of life Charles’ shares. You can find Charle’s books and movie ventures at charlesmartinbooks.com or just search for him wherever you find his books, which I just can’t recommend enough. He has quickly become one of my family's most favored authors. I’m already disappointed at the thought I’ll ultimately read all his books and be left waiting for the next! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you keep your goals and aspirations secret? Should you share them with anyone? Everyone? In this episode I play a two minute clip from Zig Ziglar where he gives us two types of goals and who we will be best served to share them with, and why. Then I posted this question to the Ziglar audience, “Do you share your goals and aspirations with anyone? Why and why not? And if you do, who?” Loads of responses that of course ranged from “everybody” to “nobody” and why. This is an important issue, as there is great value in sharing our goals and aspirations and Tom Ziglar and I will address why, but also cause to be judicious in who, and we cover that as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A masterful weaver of provocative stories that will move you. You will experience excitement, anticipation, inspiration and you’ll likely cry. And get angry. He’s had readers send hate mail when his stories took a drastic turn and they didn’t stick to read the redemption. Charles Martin has written 14 fiction books, two non-fiction books and has one turned into a major motion picture, “The Mountain Between Us” and another is in the works for a movie. His story of going from full time insurance agent to full time author is humbling, and inspiring. His insight into life, humanity, and faith is why he is on this show. That and the fact I am a fervent fan of his books! My whole family is now reading through all his books. Incredible stories that will entertain you at the highest level, while also hitting the chords of hope and life like nothing else. If you love fiction, look no further. If you haven’t read fiction in a while, I strongly encourage you to try one of Charles books. This is a very in depth and thoughtful conversation with a man devoted to changing the world one story at a time. Find all his books at charlesmartinbooks.com or type charles martin into amazon and you’ll find them all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the world of personal development, self-help, inspiration, and motivation, the point is to have BHAGs, right? “Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals!” Then why would Zig Ziglar, the king of BHAGs himself talk about negativity in goals and cite that often people are unrealistic? How can that be? It’s a very important question as we balance belief in and not limiting oneself, with some valid questions we need to consider. In this show you’ll hear a three and a half minute message from Zig Ziglar on the issue, then I asked the Ziglar audience this question, SURVEY: For those of you with a really big goal: Do you feel it is realistic? Is it within your field of study and basic interest? Do you believe luck is a determining factor in reaching the goal? Tom Ziglar and I talked through the issue and some of your comments for a show I think you’ll find comfort in and confirmation regarding your own big goals. And maybe some inspiration! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some people struggle with having ambition in the world and being devoted to God, yet Deborah Smith Pegues holds these both with peace and joy. In episode 825 we heard Deborah’s profound story of having every right to be a victim and be minimized, but instead she went from a difficult upbringing and being a southern maid to being VP of a Fortune 500 Company. This is my Habits show and we get to hear first hand the habits, routines and values that give Deborah such a rich and vibrant life and successful career. She is jointly full of laughter while not pulling any punches about what she believes, what she struggles with, and how she addresses it all in her daily life. I believe you’ll find yourself smiling and convicted as you listen to this episode. You can find Deborah and all she has to offer at https://www.confrontingissues.com/ and you can find her new book, Lead Like a Woman anywhere you buy books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First doesn’t mean most, but it is a relevant sequence. Here is a simple and easy analogy that you will get, but it will be an effort to truly...get. Before a busy week of caring for your family and running them around everywhere, you fill up your car with gas. I bet you don’t drive until you run out and end up stranded with your family, right? And you don’t get out and push and have one of the kids steer for a few days, right. You get gas before you are empty, possibly every week or more. You also change the oil, put washer fluid in, get new brakes and tires and more. What about yourself? We often don’t treat ourselves with the wisdom and necessity of our car. We run ourselves to empty and spend untold days, weeks, months, maybe years, running on empty. Slow and sluggish or hectic and frantic, and the people we care about are not getting the best ride. It’s a cultural error. In this episode I play a clip from Zig Ziglar where he talks about balance and having us look at where we are out of balance. I then posted this question to the Ziglar audience; Right now, which area below gets most of your focus and interest, and which gets the least? 1 Health & Wellness 2 Relationships 3 Mental 4 Finances 5 Spiritual 6 Career 7 Personal Tom Ziglar and I talked through the responses. You’ll be interested to hear where people said they were giving the most focus, and this wasn’t where they thought they should be giving more and less focus, but where they actually are. The punchline I’ve made obvious though, the place people most cited giving the least focus to was, themselves. Their own personal care. So of course Tom and I address this in the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Everything works together for my good; I’m never a victim.” Deborah Smith Pegues had every reason to be a victim but ultimately didn’t see the value in it. She was poor, underprivileged, black, she’d been molested, yet figured out how to get an education and went from southern maid to Fortune 500 V.P. and then on to become an international speaker and award winning author of 17 books including her book, 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue which has sold over one million copies worldwide. But don’t expect some hard charging war horse here, that’s what intrigued me. Deborah was all smiles and laughter as she gave light hearted but profound answers to my inquiries. At one point as I pressed her on the hardships she faced, she just said, “Well what were the options? Let it all take me down, or just go succeed?” It left me feeling silly for minimizing myself or letting any circumstance get me down and handicap me. She has a new book called, “Lead Like A Woman” but I’ll tell you her message spoke to me as much as any I’ve heard in a long time. What we discussed regarding gender and race and opportunity was powerful. As a black person she never tried to be white and as a woman she never tried to be a man. However she recognized how the cards were stacked and simply did what needed to be done. She knew she’d have to work twice as hard to get half the credit, which she again, simply accepted and did it, realizing complaining about it or letting it hold her back gained her nothing, it just diminished her and her opportunity. What she is today is a wildly successful and joyfully fulfilled human and it was a pure delight to hear her wisdom. I think you’ll find the same thing. Find Deborah and all she has to offer at https://www.confrontingissues.com/ and you can find her new book, Lead Like a Woman anywhere you buy books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We often talk about the things we would do if we had more time. In this episode we kick off with a two minute clip from Zig Ziglar about the power of focusing in on one goal because we can’t address every goal all the time. From this message I asked the Ziglar audience this question, “If you were given time to double your focus on improving one area of your life or progressing toward any one specific goal...where would it be?” Great conversation reading through the comments with Tom Ziglar. Many of the comments talked about business goals but the majority were addressing themselves, which shines light on the reality of how we often shortchange our own care, which leaves us unable to serve others and our goals at full capacity. You’ll get much from this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Andrews cites George Washington Carver saying he was up before birds and would promptly go outside and get his marching orders for the day. Andy prescribes to this as well as he shares some of his most valued routines here in my Habits show. If you didn’t hear episode 819 where I talked with Andy about his new book, Just Jones, please...go listen to it. You’ll hear some of his personal story of both parents dying while he was a child, ending up living under a pier and ultimately being befriended by an older man named, Jones. To come from this lifestyle and seeming lack to being a renowned, best selling author and influencer to influencers requires some healthy habits and routines that differ from the norm. Here in this episode you’ll hear some. But you’ll also hear us go on a tangent of parenting and some counsel Andy gave me years ago that stuck. As a teaser I’ll just ask you this, “Is your goal to raise good kids, or good adults?” It’s a paradigm shift. So if you want a serious and significant dive into core issues of parenting, you’ll find it here. And check this out...I encourage you to again, listen to episode 819 with Andy and me, and if you bless yourself and buy Andy’s new book, “Just Jones” from Amazon or anywhere and send him a receipt or screenshot to [email protected], you’ll gain access to his 4 hour audio program, “Becoming a Noticer.” And we all want to be noticers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We buy what we buy for the benefit it gives us, in the form of fulfilling a desire or solving a problem. Sometimes we aren’t even aware of why we buy what we do, but there is almost always a specific reason. The exercise of this show is to get us thinking about benefits from the products and services we buy, so as to help us better conceptualize how we need to showcase the products and services we offer. Even if you are an employee, you are paid for a result, not simply to take up space. Are you aware of the specific benefits you provide? I start this show off with a three minute clip from Zig Ziglar, from his direct sales training, not a stage with all his humor. He talks about the three aspects of anything we offer, features, functions and benefits. With the core value being of course, benefits. From this clip I asked the Ziglar audience this question, “Please recommend a few of your favorite products and services and WHY...what is the benefit you get from them?” What came out was a great overview of just what Zig outlined, features, functions and benefits. Tom Ziglar and I had a really interesting conversation dissecting this triad as we talked through many of the comments. This will really help you conceptualize just what benefit you, your product or service is providing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you get a mentor? What does a good mentor look like? That’s how we kick off this show. I’m with Mark Timm. Mark is a seriously successful businessman who can I just say...has done very well. But he wanted to do better, in business, and as a dad. So he got a mentor. Not just any mentor mind you, but Kevin Harrington, the original shark on the blockbuster Shark Tank TV show. Inventor of the infomercial and if you’ve ever heard, “Wait, there’s more,” that’s from Kevin. The two met through the Ziglar corporation and family and I’ve been blessed to spend time with both guys. They have now written a book together, Mentor To Millions, which you can get at getmtm.com. But what you’ll find in the book, we cover in this show, and it’s literally, a “Wait, there’s more!” episode. As I said, we start off with what everyone wants to hear most, how do you find a mentor? Here is what’s interesting though, Mark talks so much about the mentoring he got and gets from Kevin, even now as they are business partners. And folks, the book is along with everything else, a complete playbook on the business methods of Kevin Harrington. But Mark not only applies the lessons to his businesses, but his family, as a primary focus for Mark, as you’ll hear, is nurturing and growing his family. So everything he learns and applies to business, he applies to his family. He showcases that not only do you not have to sacrifice your family to be successful in your work or business, but you can actually benefit your family by bringing them into your work. It’s really an intriguing message and show. Again, you can get Mentor To Millions which has just come out and already hit the bestsellers list, at getmtm.com. Show them a receipt from buying the book and they are offering 30 days of mentorship, for your business and family! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You have a product or service to provide. You love for people to experience it. But alas, you also need income from the time and money you spend developing and delivering your product or service. Which means, not just sales, but the ultimate setting of a price and asking to be paid. This is not a fun aspect for many. In fact, it’s often a place of severe dread with multiple negative feelings attached to it. This show is for you and it’s packed with paradigm shifting perspective changers you can take action on right now. I kick the show off with a 3.5 minute clip from Zig Ziglar where he shares a time when he was kindly chastised for selling his books, tapes, and resources from the stage where he was presenting and told it took away his credibility. How did he respond? In a way you need to hear, and you will in just a moment. From Zig’s message I asked the Ziglar audience this question, “For those of you with a product, service, or message you truly believe in, how do you feel about the task of actually selling it and asking others to pay?” I know I always say we get great comments, but friends, this turned into possibly one of the most valuable shows on how we can perceive what we provide and charge for it with peace, joy, and confidence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wonderful movies and stories of our time are made from people who achieved something which seemed impossible, either for themselves or for anyone at all. The best stories are the ones which are actually true. History is littered with such feats. How about you? Have you done something you or others once thought was impossible? Or do you dream of achieving something you feel is impossible and unreasonable for you? This show is for you. Andy Andrews is my guest. Andy is author of more than 25 books, several of which are New York Times bestsellers including The Traveler's Gift and The Noticer. ABC's Good Morning America named The Traveler’s Gift one of the “Five Books You Must Read In Your Lifetime.” Andy has spoken at the request of four different presidents of the United States. He's coached our nation’s Special Operations Command for eight years and has been a part of nine College Football National Championship teams in a row. He works as a consultant to Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and sometimes, entire communities who hire him to create a starting point for extraordinary results. His newest book—Just Jones - Sometimes a thing is impossible until it is actually done—released September 8, 2020. A New York Times reporter recently wrote, “Andy Andrews has quietly become one of the most influential people in America.” To me, Andy is an incredible guy with an incredible story and he writes incredibly intriguing fiction...with a point. Such as the point of this latest book of his, Just Jones, about doing something that seems impossible, until it’s actually done. A key point we discuss in this show together is Andy stating, “What most folks lack...is perspective. A broader view.” I find it true for myself and others, we so often have such a narrow view of what is and what is not possible. This is why Andy is cited by some of the world’s elite as a Professional Noticer. He believes we can all become such. Matter of fact, buy Andy’s new book, “Just Jones” from Amazon or anywhere and send him a receipt or screenshot and send it to [email protected] and you’ll gain access to his 4 hour audio program, “Becoming a Noticer.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many of you are incredible with helping clients, but it’s other areas of your business where you struggle? I asked the Ziglar audience just that, “COACHES/CONSULTANTS/COUNSELORS - What area of your business is the greatest challenge for you?” Tom Ziglar and I read through the comments and gave counsel primarily to the business of coaching, consulting and counseling. Ziglar is in the business of helping grow these kinds of businesses, it’s what Tom Ziglar specializes in with his Choose To Win Coaching program which you can see at ziglarshow.com/ctw. This however is our best counsel to the questions asked, free for the taking. A heads up, the most popular question was in regards to marketing and lead generation which we saved as the last issue to cover. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let me clarify the title of this episode, that it’s from a place of peace and abundance. It’s not from an exasperated place of “Well, what more can I do?!” But it’s brought to us from a place of care and love, and to use that word again, abundance. Wouldn’t you like to be at a place of wholeness and gratitude where you can readily and eagerly ask, “What more can I do?” John O’Leary is not just back for my Habits show, this is in many ways a Part Two from our initial conversation in episode 815 where we discussed the childlike qualities John shares in his new book, IN AWE: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning + Joy.” This is my Habits episode with John and he shares his gratitude and joy in asking just that, “What more can I do!” You will be inspired, not burdened. I also take us into an issue I meant to in our previous episode. Something deep many of you will want to hear. At age nine John was horrifically burned and had third degree burns on more than 87% of his body. After examining him a doctor bluntly told his parents, “If John were a horse, I’d shoot him.” John was sitting right there. Can you imagine being given this prognosis and devaluation of your life? But what you’ll want to hear is...what happened next. It’s in this episode. You can get John’s new book, IN AWE: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning + Joy” wherever you buy books, and connect with all John has for you at Johnolearyinspires.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t you wish you could remember important quotes and inspiration and scripture as well as you remember songs on the radio decades ago? In moments of importance when I’d like to pull up wisdom from the ages I’m often at a loss, but ask me to recite lyrics and melodies from the 1980s top 40 and I’m remarkable. Music sticks in our minds and goes in through an open door to our emotions. To our memory. So I have a special show for you. Tom Ziglar brings us Roy Smoothe. Roy is a branding expert who is putting inspirational messages to...music. Jim Rohn said, "Roy created the most powerful communication tool of the 21st Century. His service is outstanding. His creativity is tremendous.” Roy’s “Smoothe Mixes” have now tallied up over 30 million streams in a short time. In this show we announce the release of the “Zig Ziglar Smoothe Mix” which hits Amazon on Sept. 4, 2020. Why do you care? If you know Zig Ziglar you know his paramount quote, You are what you are and you are where you are because of what has gone into your mind. You change what you are and you change where you are by changing what goes into your mind.” This is your chance to put life changing content in your mind and make it stick and take root like never before. Roy has literally put the best of Zig to catchy, motivating music. You can go to Amazon now to find the Zig Ziglar Smoothe Mix. As you’ll hear in this show, I am advocating using the mix to start your morning and end your day. Listen in for the psychology of why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This show was just convicting for me. When did I leave childlike qualities of questioning the so-called norm and just trying things without worrying what anyone thought? And how have I shortchanged myself in the process? In studying the most successful people of our time John O’Leary cites five key, childlike traits they embody. Traits most of us have left behind. John O’Leary is one of the world’s premier inspirational people. Why? Because his story is just ridiculous and his perspective is infectious. At nine years old he basically blew himself up and got 3rd degree burns over 87% of his body. Nobody should survive that. He did and today is grateful for it. Literally. This is the second time I’ve had John on the show and we cover a good bit of ground talking about his business amidst covid, his faith, and the message of his new book, “In Awe” where he give an incredible look at child like qualities the most successful people have retained, and the freedom and success we can find if we embrace them. Note, it’s not childishness. It’s wize and mature and aware...and childLIKE. Big difference and I now, strongly believe one we need to all understand and consider. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You have a goal you are working towards. If it has any true value there will be challenges on the way and adjustments will be necessary. Or when things don't go as planned you’ll ultimately throw in the towel. It sounds elementary but it gets to the heart of all our pursuits. I start this episode off with a two and a half minute message from Zig Ziglar where he drives this point home in the way only he can, then I asked Ziglar listeners this question, "What goal did you achieve even though you had to make big changes to HOW you achieved it, or the path to it wasn't what you expected?" Tom Ziglar joins me to talk through some of the replies I’ll give you a punchline, he gets us talking on the root issue of knowing clearly WHY you are doing after whatever it is you’re going after. This show I believe will really give you freedom in your desire to go after or stay after a big goal or desire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m back with Dr Saundra Dalton Smith who in episode #811 led us in eight key areas we need rest, in order to be at our best. This is my Habits show and no surprise Saundra is very clear and specific in her habits and routines, with rest in multiple areas being paramount. One of her morning routines I really admire is asking herself how she wants her life to affect others, today . I also took advantage of Saundra being a practicing doctor to ask what habits she finds herself recommending mpost to patients. She cited a primary issue with patients is them being sedentary and her prescribing...movement. And also the benefit in enjoying food in its natural form. This and much more in this episode. I highly encourage you to take Saundra’s rest quiz, check out her new book, and see all she has to help you with, by going to ichoosemybestlife.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Goals so big they scare you part 2! In episode 810 Tom Ziglar and I responded to comments to the question, “Who has a big goal? Maybe bigger than you honestly feel capable of? Maybe big enough you are not even comfortable sharing publicly?” Since we received feedback from listeners about how great the show was and we had so many more comments we didn’t get to, we decided to continue on. Some highlights, Nicole's parents' home was lost to fire in January and her big goal is to save up $20k to give them this Christmas. Tarz has a big idea he's confident in but is afraid to share it for fear of the idea being stolen. Renee wants to leave regular real estate for flipping homes and wants to find a relationship leading to marriage. Beffry wants to teach business to children from her homeland in Kenya where they are so often oppressed and a good many more. You’ll of course be inspired but I think this show will do more and truly incite you to embrace your big goals with far more confidence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A drug is “a substance that causes a change in one's physiology or psychology.” I’m taking liberty in calling “rest” a substance, but there is nothing stronger for positively changing your physiology or psychology for the better. If you want an athlete to kill it at a competition you have them rest the day before, you don’t run them ragged. When you want to perform well on a given day, how do you treat yourself the day before? The week before? In the workplace we treat ourselves more like indentured servants who slog out each day rather than highly prized performers. Thus the purpose of this episode. I'm bringing you a doctor. A board certified internal medicine physician. She's a work-life integration researcher, a TEDx speaker, best-selling author and international wellness expert. She's been on the Dr OZ show and a guest with all the big names. Her focus? Getting you rested and recovered physically AND mentally, so that you can actually have top performance and output. This show will make you want to rest, and rest in all the right ways. Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith is my guest and friends, I went after her to get this message on the show. Her new book is Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity. I just took a weekend following her counsel, to get myself on track for better performance. You are going to greatly appreciate this show. I highly encourage you to take Saundra’s rest quiz, check out her new book, and see all she has to help you with, by going to ichoosemybestlife.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many of us have dreams, desires, and goals we are uncomfortable with. We may have a hard time admitting we want them. We may be ashamed to share them. Or we may desire to have big goals but can’t tap into what we really want or care about. This show is about these issues. I kick us off with a clip from Zig Ziglar realistic expectations and the need to have big goals, which will seem at odds to many, which is why I encourage you to listen to what Zig has to say. From this I posted this question to the Ziglar Show audience, “Who has a big goal? Maybe bigger than you honestly feel capable of? Maybe big enough you are not even comfortable sharing publicly?” We got so many great responses that Tom Ziglar and I only got through about half. It’s so inspiring and informative to not only hear people admit their goals but to admit their quandary in how to go after these goals. A powerful show, to say the least. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is what Sam Collier believes, that we are literally wired to function off of joy. This is a significant statement from anyone but to me is more intriguing coming from a pastor. I didn’t grow up hearing this message or witnessing such a spirit in the multitude of churches I frequented. Hearing the way Sam puts it is infectious, however. This is my Habit’s episode and Sam shares from the profound, to the interesting, as we get into his love of movies and music which I share and asked him to give us some specifics. But my focus was his focus on the importance of recreation, fun, and laughter and his own medicine of laughing his way out of pain. He says, "The best leaders have fun and enjoy themselves. When they don't have fun they get stuck in a serious world. People who don't have fun have a hard time having hope when things get rough." This struck a cord in me as you'll hear, because it's a tendency of mine to be serious and production oriented and not giving any attention to fun and play and joy. "Every decision you make every day determines your destiny. Choose wisely. Don't underestimate the power of having a good time." You can connect with Sam and all he has to offer you at agreaterstory.org and find his podcast by the same name wherever you get your podcasts! Thanks to FOCL and their “Plant powered wellness” for supporting this episode, connect with them at http://go.thoughtleaders.io/1898420200810 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all need to get paid for our work. But does it provide you with anything beyond the money? Does it provide value to others? It’s a big question that is worth pondering and being very cognizant of. I asked the Ziglar audience this question, “What value does your work provide beyond making money to pay for your life?” Over 60 lengthy comments about people’s work. Some realized they were only focused on the money. Many cited work they cared deeply about that provided great meaning to them and service to others. A couple who didn’t need the money anymore but worked to bless others. We covered some important ground for us all to consider regarding not only what all we get from our work, but what the end user of the product or service we represent gets. This show will give you great gratitude and confirmation for your work, cause you to ponder more breadth in your work, or possibly show you you need to be looking for work elsewhere! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s just a fact. Your story runs and rules your life. You think your story is black and white and truth and today you are either successful because of or in spite of it, or you are overcome and defeated by it. Likely somewhere in between. While you can’t and should not sugarcoat the hard things that happened to you, you can find the redemption, and that makes all the difference. This is the focus of today’s show, but let me also add...around the 27 minute mark we have an incredible discussion on our current racial tension and then an absolutely profound talk about finding one’s purpose. My guest is Sam Collier, pastor, speaker, writer, and host of the “A Greater Story with Sam Collier” TV show and radio podcast and a brand new book by the same name. I brought Sam on to the show to discuss his incredible story of being born to a drug addict and given up for adoption and his focus on how we can and should elevate how we see our story. Normally I would not give any reference to race or color, but part of Sam’s story is being black and growing up in a very black culture in the south, so we got into the current racial tensions of 2020 and shares a message to blacks and whites separately which I really, strongly encourage you to hear. Then, holy moly, we got into both of our perspectives on finding one’s purpose and from it, well, you’ll hear Sam exclaim a couple times that we need to write a book together. I’ll admit, it was significant. Again, such a powerful show. You can connect with Sam and all he has to offer you at agreaterstory.org and find his podcast by the same name wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever get irked by a personality who just seems to want to sell to you and promote themselves, and doesn’t come off as having your best interest truly at heart? This is a sore spot for many people, and we hit it head on in this show. For many of you who are seeking to lead and influence others, and many of you who already are, you will want to tune in and see how you can better serve and care for your audience and how to and not to market and position yourself. I start us off with a short clip from a presentation by Zig Ziglar where he references a story he used in his all-time best selling book, See You At The Top. The story was about a guy named Tom Hartman who lost a lot of weight. In this segment Zig references the story because he realizes he is selling this book he authored that contains that story and...he is quite overweight himself. This doesn't bode well for his credibility. I'll never forget a celebrity author once with another book on relationships and finding out she was twice divorced and currently single. In that circumstance I found her credibility on what it takes to have healthy relationships, questionable. But from Zig's message and point on credibility I asked the Ziglar audience this question, "With all the personalities (authors, speakers, podcasters, etc…) marketing to you, what hurts their credibility most for you?" We got a barrage of responses and a week later they are still coming in. People get really frustrated and disappointed as we all look for people to lead and guide us, but we are so sensitive when we feel taken advantage of. You’ll resonate with many of the responses and if you are seeking to lead, influence, and market to others, this is your filter to gain and retain credibility and success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How much do you care about the home you live in? Does it matter a little or a lot if it’s clean and safe with nice amenities? Of course. Likewise every day we wake up to live inside our brain. Like your home, you have control over the quality and state of your brain. Much more control than you have over your outside circumstances, actually, yet we don’t tend to function from this perspective, but instead tend to live as if our brain is concrete and hardwired. Dr. Caroline Leaf has made it her life’s work to debunk and disprove this and show us how our brain can be our servant instead of the other way around. As a communication pathologist and cognitive neuroscientist specializing in cognitive and metacognitive neuropsychology she has worked since the early 1980s researching the mind-brain connection, the nature of mental health, and the formation of memory. She was one of the first in her field to study how the brain can change (neuroplasticity) with directed mind input. Dr. Leaf is the bestselling author of Switch on Your Brain, Think Learn Succeed, and coming soon, Cleaning Up The Mental Mess, which is the title of her top ranked health and wellness podcast. In this show we go through what led her into the field, how her faith overlaps with her vocational mission, and key aspects of the control we actually have and can employ regarding our brain. You can connect with Dr Leaf and all she has to offer at drleaf.com, and find her new Switch app at theswitch.app. Thanks to FOCL and their “Plant powered wellness” for supporting this episode, connect with them at http://go.thoughtleaders.io/1898820200727 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The punchline, our survey was exactly 50-50. Some people want a plan to walk out and others just pull the trigger and figure it out along the way. It’s more of a personal style than a right or wrong but the bigger point is either way assumes you are going after something! I play a three minute clip from Zig Ziglar where he cites that people who set goals and make plans of action have better lives and success all around and he gives some great stories. From this I asked the Ziglar audience this question, “For those who set goals and strive for progress in your lives, do you 1) Create a plan of action to walk out, or 2) Pull the trigger and figure it out as you go? The responses were not just cut and dry however and Tom Ziglar and I talked through the nuances and insight brought to us by everyone. What you’re about to hear should feel freeing and confirming to you and your style, and convicting to take action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Never make a decision, or jump and risk making a bad decision. These two ends of the spectrum get the most focus. My guest today finds middle ground in being decisive and taking action, then working to make it right. It also aligns with his counsel that, “Done beats perfect!” My guest is Nick Unsworth who was with me in episode 801 where his stories of failures and successes I culminated into the show title of, “Declare your vision”. In this show we talk about the business and personal habits Nick most values. As a people pleaser he cites how he’s had to learn to practice self-care, because as he states, “If you don’t take care of you there is nothing left.” You’ll be inspired by Nick’s sharing. If you missed our first show together, Nick is CEO of Life on Fire and his mission is to build the world’s largest Christ centered platform online and to raise up leaders to grow God’s Kingdom. Nick has coached over 3,100 people and has consulted clients including: Daymond John from Shark Tank, Spartan Races, Navy Seals.com, Joe Polish, John Assaraf who I’ve had here on the show, Keller Williams Real Estate, Safeco Insurance, C3 Church, and many more. He’s just an incredible guy I’ve had the fortune to get to know, with a big heart for people, inspirational businesses, and God. You can join Nick for his Life on Fire Challenge at www.lifeonfirechallenge.com where you can get a free 7 day, live group coaching experience designed to clarify your business vision, create a profit plan, and launch into action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When someone important in your life, someone you respect, or someone in authority states their lack of belief in you and your ability, it either crushes or empowers you. But the point here is not trying to prove people wrong but to recognize how daunting and limiting this can be. I play a four minute clip from Zig Ziglar on the power of setting goals and he tells the story of legendary Notre Dame coach, Lou Holtz. In Lou’s first coaching job, a new head coach came in and kindly told Lou, “You’re not cut out to be a coach, I encourage you to get into some other field.” And I wondered how many people out there have been told by someone important in their life, someone they respect, like a parent, a teacher, a coach, a spouse, a boss, that they should not or could not do something, that they really desired to do? Again, in my experience when this happens the recipient so often believes and agrees and does not pursue the desire or dream. It’s profound how many top world leaders were told they could not or should not pursue the directions they ultimately did. We have to realize that anyone who ever speaks any counsel to us is merely human. I don’t mean to just readily discount counsel from others, I think we should always consider it. But we must also weigh it against the reality that counsel comes from a human who is not perfect and all knowing, and could very likely be absolutely wrong. I’ve been blessed with a lot of support and encouragement in my life but I absolutely have some examples of desires and pursuits where people very close to me advised against it. Who said it wasn’t wise or they didn’t see me as being adequately equipped. And I went forward and succeeded. It doesn’t mean they weren’t wise and there wasn’t validity in their perspective. But in this case they were merely wrong. Likewise I’ve had times of not feeling someone was well equipped to do something and they proved I was wrong! Not bad or ill-meaning, but I was wrong. So I asked the Ziglar audience, “Who has succeeded at something, that someone told you, you could not do or should not attempt?” As you can imagine, some incredible stories that Tom Ziglar and I talked through. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have an incredible and powerful story to share with you. A personal testimony. Not of some hudu-guru “speak it into life” stuff, but just a floundering, good hearted guy who went through failure after failure, but through it all achieved some incredible things that he chose to believe, put hard deadlines on, and just worked to accomplish. Still, how they happened is, well, the stuff of stories. Nick Unsworth is a renowned business coach who is known for his expertise in Facebook advertising. As CEO of Life on Fire, Nick’s mission is to build the world’s largest Christ centered platform online and to raise up leaders to grow God’s Kingdom. Nick sold a marketing agency by 30 years old, an amazing part of his story you’ll shortly hear about. He’s coached over 3,100 people and has consulted clients including: Daymond John from Shark Tank, Spartan Races, Navy Seals.com, Joe Polish, John Assaraf who I’ve had here on the show, Keller Williams Real Estate, Safeco Insurance, C3 Church, and many more. He’s just an incredible guy I’ve had the fortune to get to know, with a big heart for people, inspirational businesses, and God. Join Nick for his Life on Fire Challenge at www.lifeonfirechallenge.com where you can get a free 7 day, live group coaching experience designed to clarify your business vision, create a profit plan, and launch into action. Thanks to FOCL and their “Plant powered wellness” for supporting this episode, connect with them at http://go.thoughtleaders.io/1898920200713 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zig Ziglar brings us a two minute message on the three options your prospect has, 1) Do business with you, 2) Decide not to do business at all, and 3) Do business with a competitor. So your competitor is not just other businesses that offer a similar product or service to yours, it’s also just doing nothing. To give us personal testimonies to work with I asked Ziglar listeners this question, “What is your business? Your product or service? And what is the main competition or deterrent for people buying what you have to offer?” Reading through the comments with Tom Ziglar really helped us flesh out this topic very well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m going to give you five key points and you are going to either be massively educated, or you’ll hear them and say, “Yes! Where did these skills go because I wish everyone had them!” I don’t know how cities of old got...lost. How does that happen? Well in a much bigger mystery, how did the primary skills of success get lost, cause they have been. But you can get them, now. Or if you have them, you can send this show to others who you know need them. Like your kids or a millennial or...you’ll know someone. Give them the gift of awareness for success and security in their work. And I won’t hold out on you, here they are: 1) Do more than expected 2) Be intuitive 3) Take initiative 4) Learn people skills 5) Ask questions. I’ll break them down quickly and concisely. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone claims their personal development and self-help resource is the best. What do the consumers say? First I have a four and a half minute message from Zig Ziglar sharing the life changing power of consuming positive and equipping messages. Then Tom Ziglar joins me to talk through an incredible list of real world testimonies. I asked the Ziglar audience this question, “What personal development resource have you gotten the most out of?” We got a boat load of responses and worked to talk through as many as we could. From this show you will hear the number one resources people have used in their lives to change...their lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Consider your personality was not implanted in you and it’s not concrete. It was primarily trained. The concept is controversial and either exciting, or scary. If you are who you are because of how you’ve been shaped, then the truth is you can absolutely reshape yourself. This is a root cause issue of personal development. Ben Hardy joins us today and he takes the “personality profile” industry to task in a massive way. He just came out with his book of research on the topic, Personality Isn’t Permanent - Break Free From Self-Limiting Beliefs And Rewrite Your Story, which as of this writing is ranked in the top 1,000 books on earth in Amazon. Friends, every guest I have on this show has an incredible message to share. But sometimes they bring truly paradigm shifting, revelatory information to divulge. This is one of those shows. Ben was with me over two years ago in episode 552 with his last book and message which was also...massive, “Willpower Doesn’t Work”. I refer to it so often in my life. Ben Hardy has a PhD in Organizational Psychology, his website gets hundreds of thousands of views monthly. From 2015-2018, he was the #1 writer in the world on Medium.com And is always at the top of the rankings. His blogs have been read by over 100 million people and are published everywhere. Connect with Ben at benjaminhardy.com and get his 6-page "Future Self Checklist" and a 23-minute training with the best science from Personality Isn't Permanent, for free. Get the book anywhere you buy books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is just a fact that we perform to the level of our belief in ourselves. How to increase that belief is the foundational effort of the entire personal development and self-help industry. I have a two minute message from Zig Ziglar on the reality of the perspective, then I asked the Ziglar audience for their testimonies with this post, “I'm looking for people who have experienced a significant improvement in their self-image. I want to know what the catalyst was for you.” What you will hear are first hand testimonies of where people were, what they did, and how it impacted their self-image. Tom Ziglar joined me to talk through the responses and we read through a good number. Sometimes hearing true stories like this of how people actually did it is more empowering than hearing counsel and guidance on how to do it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are the habits of a professional sales person? I took the opportunity to ask Pierce Marrs, my guest from episode 793. This is our habits show and while we do cover some of the personal habits I normally get into, we spend a majority of the time talking about the successful and healthy habits of sales. You’ll hear Pierce talk about being respectful of the person’s time, cluing in to the person’s interests, are they all business or do they want to get personal. A big key is simply, awareness and listening. Being aware and a student of the other person instead of focused on your agenda and task. He also talks in depth about becoming an expert communicator, in sales and in the marriage relationship, as Pierce and his wife are marriage mentors. You can find Pierce’s book, “Could You Survive Shark Tank?” and the Surviving Shark Tank Assessment, at SharkTankBook.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most everyone’s lives have been significantly disrupted in 2020 by COVID-19. The concept of a “new normal” is a hot topic as many businesses have reopened. I of course wanted to hear from you, so I posted a question on my personal Facebook page at agentkmiller, where you are welcome to join these weekly discussions. I asked, “What aspects of your “new normal” do you want to retain, even if things were to get back to the way they were?” From the submissions, here are some aspects that were covered, Will you work from home? Will you send kids back to school and all the extracurricular activities and rushing around? Will you eat out as much or keep cooking at home more. Personal time for yourself and with your family, will you keep it up? Will you keep investing in hobbies and personal projects that you began? Will you continue the increased outside time?” These issues and more are what Tom Ziglar and I read and talked through. It brings up the need and opportunity for us all to ask some big questions and ponder some important, and I think exciting, decisions. It’s happening in my own family, right now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you have a business or are thinking of starting one, here is a show you will want to get equipped with. It’s going to give you a powerful filter to structure your business around. Pierce Marrs is a true sales professional who started his sales career at age 19 and now at age 56 has done over $250 million in sales. He’s a student of what Zig calls, “the right way to sell”, with morals and ethics and putting the other’s needs first. As you’ll hear, it’s not just the right thing to do, but the most profitable! We start the show off talking pure sales, including how Pierce’s faith plays a powerful role. But Pierce does more than sell! He’s owned several, successful small businesses, he’s a renowned business coach, for almost 10 years he’s hosted the Shark Tank Fan podcast, and from so closely auditing every episode, he’s just now written a book, Could You Survive Shark Tank? The Shark's Top 7 Questions Every Entrepreneur Must Answer. We spend the second half of the show discussing the focus of the book, which are those seven key questions Pierce realized are almost always asked by the Sharks to every participant. As we say in the show, this is for anyone in business, regardless of whether you need investor or outside money. It’s really an incredibly valuable filter to audit your business or idea against. Pierce has his book, “Could You Survive Shark Tank?” and the Surviving Shark Tank Assessment, at SharkTankBook.com. You can also connect there about his Coaching and Speaking. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Continuing from episode 790 and the question, “If you could have a 1 hour consultation with Zig Ziglar, what area of life or business would you get his advice on?” To just get through the very relevant responses took Tom Ziglar and I nearly two hours, and what came out was very much a “best of” Zig Ziglar. Due to the length we cut it into two shows. In this episode, more regarding Zig Ziglar and issues around faith, sales, relationships, working with family, regrets, and self-image. You’ll get much of the ethos that made Zig Ziglar a near household name who touched over 250 million lives with his message of hope and “inspiring your true performance.” Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Self care is community care, if you don’t care for yourself you take it out on other people.” This is the phrase that jumped out at me as I asked Adrienne Bankert about her healthy habits. She responded with the statement after I asked her about her habits in the “Personal” spoke. I feel it is a significant paradigm shift on self-care, and I find it to be so true. When I have poured myself out and not filled back up, others suffer. Maybe I don’t take it out on them in a negative way, but I have less to offer them. They aren’t getting my best. At the idea of a listener, I’m expanding on the Habits show to ask some deeper questions, such as in this show we start off with Adrienne talking about the key habits and routines she values most for herself. If you didn’t catch it, Adrienne Bankert is a national correspondent for ABC news and my guest in episode 789 where we discussed the very acute success strategy of kindness, the topic of her new book, “Your Hidden Superpower” - The Kindness That Makes You Unbeatable At Work And Connects You with Anyone. find Adrienne’s new book and get access to the Your Hidden Superpower e-course, at www.yourhiddensuperpower.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you had his attention all to yourself, what area of life or business would you ask Zig Ziglar’s counsel on? Few people on earth have been sought after for their guidance more than Zig. So I asked the question, “If you could have a 1 hour consultation with Zig Ziglar, what area of life or business would you get his advice on?” The responses covered such issues as faith, sales, relationships, working with family, regrets, self-image and much more. The responses were so many and so significant, Tom Ziglar and I spent nearly 1:45 addressing them, enough to turn this into a two part show. This may be some of the “best of” Ziglar you’ll find! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For your success strategy, what tools or weapons will you choose? Grit? Willpower? Talent? Perseverance? This national correspondent for ABC News had all those, but she cites her most beneficial asset has been...kindness. You probably think of being kind as a nice thing to do. That may be the least value it has. Adrienne Bankert credits kindness for her rapid career trajectory that took her from a traffic anchor at a local news station to the coveted role of national correspondent for ABC News. In her new book, “Your Hidden Superpower” - The Kindness That Makes You Unbeatable At Work And Connects You with Anyone, she outlines the continual opportunities and promotions which time and time again were bestowed upon her because of her devotion to being kind to everyone at all times. Not an easy prospect, as you will hear. This show is going to give you a far different perspective on being kind, which is not always, just being nice. Adrienne is an Emmy-award winning journalist known for her compelling interviews. She was the POP News anchor for the weekend edition of Good Morning America and is now a New York based national correspondent for ABC News. Just type her name into your search engine and hit "News" and you'll generally find her national coverage from Adrienne within the past 48 hours. www.yourhiddensuperpower.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices