strategy – Alphadog Success

Hack Your Focus and Get More Stuff Done

Staying focused is quickly becoming one of the greatest challenges digital entrepreneurs face today. For example, you sit down to write an article and end up surfing the net for the rest of the morning … Or you’ve got an information product that you need to finish, but you check your email which leads to a news site, a sports site, a few entertainment sites, some social media sites and before you know it, it’s already 3 hours later and you’ve accomplished nothing except making yourself feel guilty. Does this sound familiar? According to Dr. B. J. Fogg, Director of Stanford Persuasive Lab, “There’s just one way to radically change your behavior, and that’s to radically change your environment.” Students who transfer to a new university are much more likely to change their habits than students who remain at the same university. This is true for workers as well. People who change jobs or change job locations are much more likely to also change their habits. It makes sense. Let’s say that at your previous job you were in the habit of going to a fast food restaurant with your coworkers for lunch. At your new job, your coworkers eat lunch at a healthy restaurant and invite you along. Soon you are eating healthy lunches every day, even on those days when you don’t go to that restaurant, because you’re now in the habit of eating healthful lunches. Enough time goes by, and fast food can even become repulsive to you. So what happened? Your environment changed and so did the triggers. This made it easy to effect a change. People who have trouble falling asleep are told to only use their bed for sleeping and for nothing else. If they lay down but they can’t fall asleep, they’re supposed to get up and go to another room. After treating their bed as only a sleep location (and not a reading location, a daydreaming location, etc.) for several weeks, they are generally able to fall asleep within minutes of their head hitting the pillow. The bed is now a trigger for just one thing – sleeping. This is why having one location to just work and another location to play is important. If you are mixing your ‘play’ time with your work time in the same home office, you’re asking to get constantly distracted. If you use a laptop or a tablet for work, this is easily remedied. Simply designate one place in your home where you will do nothing but work – no exceptions. If you work on a desktop computer, you might consider getting a laptop or tablet for your Internet ‘play’ time. Another technique is to designate certain times of the day when you are working, no exceptions. This will get you in the habit of always doing work during those times, and it will make it much more difficult to get distracted. Your work times then become routine, eliminating the need to decide each time if you’re going to work. And when you automatically go to work instead of ‘deciding’ to go to work, you eliminate the possibility that you will decide NOT to work. A third technique is to use triggers. For example, if you always start work right after finishing breakfast, it will become a habit to eat and go to work. You don’t have to think about it, you just do it. In one study, knowing exactly when and where participants were going to exercise caused them to follow through a whopping 91% of the time. Those who simply exercised when they felt motivated to do so exercised 35% of the time. Bottom line: If you’re having trouble staying focused, designate an area where you will do nothing but work, combine it with a strict schedule, and you should experience a dramatic increase in your productivity. When you get more done with less distractions, you’ll not only accomplish your goals faster – researchers tell us you’ll also enjoy increased self-esteem, greater happiness and larger over-all satisfaction with your life.

Hack Your Focus and Get More Stuff Done Read More »

How To Start Over & Build A Business From Scratch In 3-Months

Someone asked me what I would do if I had to start a business from scratch in 3 months (90-days). And that got me thinking, if I could take the experience I have and use it to start over from scratch… How would I do it? When I say starting over, I mean it. In this hypothetical I wouldn’t have my mailing list. I wouldn’t have organic traffic, a following, name recognition – none of that. Just my experience as to what works and what doesn’t and the drive to make it happen. Now let’s say that my life depends on me having a full-time income at the end of those 3 months. No pressure there, right?It sounds unrealistic, but a lot of people find themselves in a remarkably similar situation – make more money or else… Or else they’re in trouble, or else the bills go unpaid, or else they’re facing losing their home, or… worse. So, with that in mind, here’s what I would do: I would stop looking for magic ‘make money online’ products, strategies and ideas. There is no secret combo of tricks and buttons to make money. It’s not a printing press – It’s a free market. It may sound counter-intuitive, but in that free market the way to make money is to stop focusing on the money. Simply make yourself indispensable to people who need your solution to their problem. That’s the best way to start a business. Do that and the money will follow. When you’re focused on providing solutions, you no longer be distracted by ‘Shiny Object Syndrome’ that steals your time and your money. Now, I’m not saying all programs are bad. In fact, many of the “how-to” and “step-by-step” trainings are useful as building blocks to the larger puzzle. But that’s usually all they are – they’re puzzle pieces – not full-blown businesses. So, I would start with the outcome first. What is my market? Will I offer a product or a service? What solution can I provide that people will gladly pay for? What’s THE ONE BIG BENEFIT I can provide to my customers? What is my goal (How will I know when I’ve “made it?”) Clarity is key here. You must know where you are going and how you plan on getting there. I don’t mean that you need to have all the specific tactics worked out. I’m talking about the big picture. Think of your business as a GPS. You must know exactly where you are and exactly where you want to end up; plus your chosen method of transportation, in order for it to work properly. This is the starting point of everything that will come next. Next, I would build my website. Odds are it’s going to be a blog. Now, I’m not going to spend a ton of time on setting this up because I only have 3 months to start a business and generate an income. I’ll spend an hour maximum choosing the URL, I’ll get the hosting, I’ll choose a simple, streamlined theme, I’ll get the autoresponder and I’ll be ready to get started. Yes, it takes money to get started. Not a lot, but some. You’re making an investment into your future. And if you think spending a couple of hundred dollars to set up your internet business is somehow a lot of money, consider the alternative: Spending at least that much each month just to drive to and from a job, or spending tens or hundreds of thousands for a brick and mortar business. Time to create content for that blog. But this isn’t about running a blog, it’s about running a business. The blog is just a tool to get the business done. So, here’s what I would do: Look at the big benefit I deliver, and then write down all the stumbling blocks people encounter trying to get that big benefit. Then pick out 3 of these and write detailed posts on how to overcome those barriers. Then repurpose those posts into videos (for YouTube or Facebook) and podcasts, or some type of lead magnet/incentive to get people to join my list. Notice I’m only creating 3 pieces of great content initially, not 300. And I’m repurposing those in multiple ways. Some folks spend years trying to get everything exactly right, but in this hypothetical, I’ve only got 3 months, so forget perfection and just get it done. Don’t get carried away with content creation either. Keep it simple to start, there will be plenty of time to expand later on. The blog posts should be highly focused on getting my prospects to take the next step, which is likely going to be a free consultation. Think about the format of a successful sales funnel that drive people to take a specific action. It’s not very easy to sell a $300 a month coaching program or a $1,000 website optimization package online. Especially if you are under a time constraint. But its typically much easier and faster if you can talk on the phone or in a meeting first. Next, I would offer a service or coaching. Do you know why? Because it’s the quickest way to make real money. Offering products is great, but it takes time to create the products and more time to build the lists to promote that product to. When your list is small, it’s best to focus on services or coaching because it’s the fastest way to start a business that generates a profit. Most people are already experts at something. And to be an expert you just have to have lived through and overcome a specific problem. Get people on a free call, help them solve a problem, and invite them to participate in your coaching program where you will share what is actually holding them back and how to overcome that based on your personal experience. In its simplest form, we are simply sharing our personal knowledge. Now, I’d focus on getting as many people on the phone as I can, because I know two

How To Start Over & Build A Business From Scratch In 3-Months Read More »

How to Work With Your Energy to Get More Done in Less Time

Boosting your productivity isn’t just about pushing harder; it’s about working smarter. Traditional methods often have us battling against our own natural rhythms, which can lead to burnout and inefficiency. What if we could tap into our inherent energy patterns to achieve more, in less time and with greater joy? Let’s dive into how aligning our tasks with our energy levels can radically enhance both our efficiency and our job satisfaction. Understanding Your Energy, Not Fighting It Ever feel like you’re swimming upstream in your workday? That’s probably because you are. The old-school grind of fighting through tiredness or a lack of inspiration is not only outdated but also counterproductive. Forcing output when our energy flags often results in lackluster results that require later revision—wasting even more time and energy. The Power of Natural Rhythms Your energy isn’t constant; it ebbs and flows throughout the day in waves we can predict and utilize. For instance, the grogginess of ‘sleep inertia’ in the early morning and the post-lunch sluggishness are not periods for high-stakes decision-making or creative innovation. Instead, these are times when our bodies are naturally geared down. Strategize Your Day Around Energy Peaks and Valleys Rather than battling your body’s natural tendencies, why not work with them? Schedule your most demanding tasks during your personal high-energy peaks. Use lower-energy times for routine or administrative tasks that don’t require intense focus. This way, you align your work demands with your body’s natural inclinations, which means better outcomes with less effort. Putting It Into Practice Start by tracking your energy levels for a few days. Note when you feel most alert and when you drag. Shift your work tasks around based on these patterns. Tackle complex projects when you feel most vibrant and save those tedious, less engaging tasks for your low-energy phases. The Benefits Are Clear This approach not only boosts your productivity but also makes the work process more enjoyable. You’ll find yourself completing tasks quicker and more effectively, with far less time spent redoing poor work. This alignment of energy and task not only maximizes output but enhances satisfaction. True productivity comes from working in harmony with your natural energy states, not struggling against them. By recognizing and respecting your body’s rhythms, you can work smarter, not harder, leading to not only better results but a more fulfilling professional life. Join Our Journey Interested in tapping deeper into your energy potential? Sign up for our free email course on maximizing productivity by aligning your work with your energy levels. Transform how you work, feel, and achieve each day.

How to Work With Your Energy to Get More Done in Less Time Read More »

What Your Dog Can Teach You About Business

If you think about the way we describe life as a dog: “It’s a dog’s life,” “I’ve been working like a dog,” “It’s a dog-eat-dog world,” and “They treat me like a dog,” to name a few. You’d think they have horrible lives… The fact is, if they’re not mistreated, dogs actually have great lives. Not only that, they’re usually way better at their jobs and happier about their lives than we humans are! No, I’m not smoking something, at least not today. I’m serious. I’ve had dogs most of my life. I’ve been trained by some of the best dog trainers around before I became a trainer myself. Yes, I know how that sounds, but the truth is, training dogs is more about training their owners than the dogs. Anybody can give a dog commands, but without the proper confidence, demeanor, compassion, etc. the dog may choose not to listen. If that sounds at all similar to training managers so employees are more effective, then you’re beginning to see the analogy. In fact, there are lots of business and life lessons we can learn from dog behavior and our relationships with “man’s best friend”. Dogs know the secret to personal productivity. They get tons of rest, yet they’re highly productive. If you need them, they’re there – bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. That’s because they’re incredibly focused and disciplined. Dogs know their priorities and they stick to them. They keep it simple and they’re happier as a result. Entitled dogs are more trouble than they’re worth. Spoiled dogs can be whiny, manipulative, over-protective and aggressive. If they don’t get what they want – what they’re used to getting – they act out. Entitled people often do the same thing. They behave badly and are much less productive than their counterparts. In a hierarchical relationship, the Alphadog is always a compelling, compassionate, and confident manager who can lead his/her employees. Most dogs love to work and serve. The bond between man and canine evolved as a symbiotic working relationship. There’s actually an entire class of “working dogs” that includes Shepherds, Rottweilers, Boxers and Mastiffs. They’re at their best when they’re put to a task and can be anxious when they think they’re not needed. The problem is that owners are often lousy leaders that don’t communicate what they want their dogs to do. The same issue can arise in business. You may have some hard-working employees, but unless they know the tasks to complete to be most effective, they’re not productive. Dogs don’t overextend themselves. People will often over-promise and under-deliver. Not dogs. They never bite off more than they can chew, so to speak. If you give them too large an area to guard or more work than they can handle, you’ll quickly notice signs of stress, noncompliance or other unwanted behavior. There’s no hubris or ego matters with dogs. They know what they can handle and will do just that. When they’ve been socialized, dogs have successful relationships. When dogs aren’t properly socialized or allowed to spend time out and about with other dogs and people, they can be anxious or aggressive when they interact. Usually this is based on fear and the unknown. People are often the same way. Troubled working and personal relationships are usually a sign of a troubled upbringing. Good leaders, or alphas, will always help with social integration and productive applications in a new environment. Dogs are direct and genuine. When they’re happy, they wag their tails. When they’re appreciative, they lick your face. If they feel bad, they drop their heads and may tuck their tails. When they want to play, they’ll get a toy and drop it at your feet or jump around spiritedly. If they feel threatened, their hair goes up or they may growl. Their communication is direct and genuine. There’s no drama, hidden agenda or passive-aggressive behavior, as with humans. To become a good leader, or alpha in your workplace, learn to lead by example. Dogs don’t sweat the small stuff. Partly because they have short memories. If they’re chastened for doing something bad, as soon as you forgive them, they move on. It’s the same thing if you mistreat them. Say you’re sorry, scratch them behind the ears, give them some love and it’s like it never happened. They’re great at letting go and never hold grudges on things they can’t control. One way to implement this in your business or personal life is with the 5 by 5 rule. If it’s won’t matter in 5 years, then don’t spend more than 5 minutes upset by it. Owners usually misidentify the culprit. When dogs misbehave, people inevitably blame the dog. In reality, it’s almost always the owner’s fault (poor training, limited socializing, over-extended domain, no alpha/leadership presence). It’s the same thing in the business world where 90 percent of problems are management-related. The only difference is drama…dogs never point their paws at each other or blame someone else for their behavior. Let me take this a step further… If you’re good with domesticated animals – I’m willing to bet you’d make an effective manager and have some true leadership potential. It’s at least worth the experience. If you don’t want to get a coach, try getting a dog and a trainer instead. You’ll be amazed what you will learn. As always, I’m here for questions, comments, concerns, as well as for coaching and additional training…just reach out! ~ Wishing you success!

What Your Dog Can Teach You About Business Read More »

How To Overcome Fear By Turning Lions Into Kittens

Exploring Fear with Examples: Ever rushed up the stairs in the dark, feeling like someone might be behind you? Or felt a chill going to the bathroom late at night, worried about the imaginary unknown? These irrational fears stem from our evolved psychology designed to keep us safe in a dangerous world. Evolved for Caution Our minds, like our bodies, evolved in a perilous environment. Early humans faced numerous threats, leading to the development of a risk-averse nature and an inclination for chronic stress. Our ancestors had to assume the worst to survive. The Ambiguity Issue Picture this: you’re in the wilderness, observing an animal silhouette against the horizon. Is it a harmless kitten or a dangerous lion? The safest bet is to assume it’s a lion and react for self-preservation. This survival instinct is still with us, even though we no longer face such clear and present dangers. Today’s threats are debts, illnesses, relationship problems, and career issues, replacing the lions of our past. The Power of Perspective But here’s the crux: overcoming fear is all about perspective and mindset. Viewing challenges as kittens rather than lions can help us remain calm and happy, even in difficult situations. It’s essential to reassess our situations, take control of our anxiety and stress, and realize that our fears might not be as threatening as they seem. Transforming Fear So, how do you turn lions into kittens and conquer fear? By evaluating why you’re scared and determining if the fear is justified. Consider contingency plans and coping strategies to handle the challenges effectively. Conclusion Remember, it’s all a matter of perspective. By changing your mindset, beliefs, thoughts, and feelings, you transform the reality you experience. Learn to see the kittens, not the lions, and watch your fears diminish and your courage soar. s perform worse and feel worse. How do you turn your situations into kittens and overcome fear? Simple: you assess exactly why you’re afraid and whether or not there really is a good reason for you to be. Likewise, you can look at contingency plans and coping mechanisms. Remember: it’s all just perspective. Change your mindset (beliefs, thoughts, feelings) and you change the reality that you experience! You can also check out our FREE Alphadog Awareness Mini Class HERE.

How To Overcome Fear By Turning Lions Into Kittens Read More »