Mike Michalowicz's Blog, page 39
December 12, 2020
10 Tips to Improve Your Habits – and Your Business
As we wrap up the year, I hope you and yours are well. While it may all be a blur, 2020 is just about over. I won’t lament on what it was like, you’ve lived it. We’ve all seen the memes.
Wishing one year away as a new one arrives isn’t going to change things or bring back normalcy (whatever that is). One thing remains the same, some of you are making New Year’s Resolutions.
What are your resolutions?
Self improvement? Financial goals? Business goals? All of them?
If you don’t have good habits established, you know what will happen to your shiny new New Year’s Resolutions and goals?
Nada. Bupkis. Dust.
If you’re standing in front of these goals and they resemble Goliath, don’t be overwhelmed. It’s all figureoutable. You can do it! If you think you have to make major changes to yourself to accomplish your resolutions, I have good news for you.
You don’t have to change yourself in order to achieve your goals. (You’re just right the way you are, thank you.) You just need to upgrade your habits.
I’m not really into hacks, especially when it comes to real deal resolutions and goals. I like to do the work. I’m a trudger. I like to see what the real muck is. Besides, if I ever find myself or someone else stuck, I’ll know what to do, or how to help (instead of being full of, er, muck).
Using systems (Oh am I that guy) and working through challenges to achieve your goals creates better, more long lasting results. But, there is a hack, or shall I say, technique, for attaining your goals.
Improving habits. (Snaps fingers, all done. OK, not quite.)
Improving your habits sounds simple, and it can be. However, to truly improve habits for a lifetime, be it your health, relationships, finances or business, you are going to have to get honest with yourself. Like. Real honest.
I am that real, and honest guy. But, once upon a time, I thought that if I had the intentions, desires and wants, I would get the results I wanted – if I just wanted it badly enough. As if to say, “Hey Mike, you think about it, you want it this passionately, you have to get it!) Shockingly, that strategy didn’t seem to work (reading the sarcasm here I hope).
Unless you work for something, you won’t get it. And you won’t get it unless you learn how to improve your habits.
Take working out for an example. Years back, I wanted to get healthier. So I set a goal – to have a stronger, leaner body in four months. I was going to eat clean. So clean. No drinking too! I was going to work out five times a week. I was going to lift two times a week and do some serious cardio the other three. I’d nail that goal. Then I’d be strutting! The poster man for lean, mean…Yeah!
Guess what kind of results you get when you work out two times a week instead of five, and eat and drink whatever you want?
Exactly. Not much changed. But, but, I wanted to!
What went wrong? I decided I needed to check myself – and my habits. Aside from not much, what was I doing that needed improvement? What were my established behaviors and habits before and during my workouts when I actually attempted them? Were the habits useful? Could I channel more of the useful habits toward my goal?
We’re all good people. And I’m a good guy. My habits, however, needed improving. I found that my habits were holding me back. My habits were making me miss my workouts. Does this sound familiar? I’d have coffee, check my phone, get lost in the black hole of the internet and, oh look, time to get ready for work. No work out.
Could I intercept my pattern in order to improve my habits? So I made this one change. It has to do with a toilet so work with me. The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is use the bathroom. So, I put my sneakers on top of the toilet seat the night before. This way, I had to move them to use the toilet. Ok, now I had my sneakers which I required for my work out.
That one, small, simple step was a game changer! Yes, friends. Sneakers on the toilet would start the momentum for the day. I wasn’t going to put my sneakers back on top of the seat now was I? Ta da! New habit. I’m happy to say that after a couple of years, my new habits have brought me to a level of health I can be proud of. I even broke my own running record a few weeks ago.
It should go without saying that forming better, more aware and organized habits are a huge part of running a successful business as well. Small changes work here too. (Yes. It’s universal.)
Now, creating small habits to build toward your goals and resolutions isn’t a new system, and certainly I won’t take 100% credit. There are others out there who inspire me daily. James Clear is one of them. He wrote Atomic Habits. In this (friggin’ awesome) book, he talks about intercepting behavioral patterns. He says you must exchange your “bad” behaviors and replace them with “good” ones. New, better, and permanent habits will slowly begin to form. By making small changes. Bring it.
This is practical in theory, no doubt. Implementing habits, and sticking with them until they are characteristics of who you are, that’s going to be a bit more challenging. There are two main ways I have accomplished creating better habits so I can achieve my personal and business goals: Break bad habits. Create good habits.
Ok the end. Have a great year.
I cannot tell you exactly what you should do, because it’s not all one size fits all. We are all, all of us, unique and have our own set of dynamic needs. So maybe leaving sneakers on the toilet won’t work for you (though come one, it’s kinda foolproof). Here are 10 tips to create better habits from me to you, however. Maybe some will land with you.
Be realistic. I have lofty goals. But to get to them, sometimes I have to create a group of smaller goals to get there. No shame in my game.
Be mindful – In order to break lousy habits and create glorious ones, we need to be mindful. Sure, we all hear about it, but do we put it into practice? Mindfulness needs to be fostered. You can do this by getting your clarity on. You can be as motivated as you want, but if you are not 100% clear on what your “want” looks like, then what are you really going after? Find ways to increase your awareness and be more mindful overall. For you that may be working out, meditation, prayer, yoga, writing – whatever it may be, practice it at the start of your day. Because without being mindful, it will be harder to be intentional, which is another important step in creating better habits.
Be intentional. Getting swept away in your day is natural, but not productive. If you set your intentions early on in the day (you can write them on a post-it at your desk for all I care, I’m not above it), whenever the static starts to bear down, you can hit that imaginary reset button and return to the intention you set for yourself.
Avoid bad habits. You’re an adult, you know what they are. Avoid the actions that cause the bad habits. Stop the behaviors that are counterproductive. And, stop avoiding the unavoidable. Not checking bank statements will not increase your balances.
Create rituals to foster good habits. Sneakers on the toilet. I won’t say it again. Work out clothes folded at the end of the bed or a gym bag packed. Automated daily accounting/banking reminders. These are in your face reminders of the bigger picture, of the goal you set for yourself. Which leads me to…
Stay accountable. If you follow the Profit First system you know how successful your business will be when you stay accountable. To improve your habits and achieve your goals you must, must stay accountable. Do you check your bank account balance daily? Do you make it a habit to log in and monitor your account balances? That one small step can help you kick off the traction you need to create, establish or maintain just one business goal. And it’s a great way to start the domino effect toward a more profitable business.
Go slow. Little of quality is created within minutes. Small steps (check out my Small Steps blog here) will garner bigger results. It takes some patience, but your results will be real and lasting.
Follow systems to attain goals. Following systems will help you maintain good habits because they are organized and clear cut. All you have to do is follow and apply!
Track your progress. Me? I like graphs. Those spikes, either way, are very motivating!
Make decisions that feel good, not guilty. If you implemented Profit First, you know how empowering it was when you opened the five accounts. Then you had those accounts listed for you to see every day. Then you completed the assessment. Maybe it was daunting at first, but it was an empowering and fiscally responsible decision. The good decisions, the responsible decisions, are what ultimately help you change your habits and permanently obtain your business goals.
Even a little bit of progress, is progress! As long as you can look in the mirror and honestly tell yourself you chipped away at your goals by following a better habit vs a bad one, I’m calling that a win. All of those moments will get you to the finish line. I know it.
Here’s to your good habits! And here’s to your profit!
-Mike
PS – We’re big on paying it forward. Want to get on board? Email us and tell us your story! We want to hear your Profit First testimonial. Email Jenna@mikemichalowicz.com, and we will share your story on our social media platforms so that business owners like you benefit as well!
PSS Like free stuff? Check out the free resources
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December 6, 2020
Zig Zag
“When they zig, you zag”
This is the latest advice I received from Jeff Walker, internet marketing pro.
So here’s my (albeit goof) on a zag. We see a lot of people taking pictures with celebrities. So here I am, not exactly with celebrities. I mean, I can see them. I ‘m even in the frame. Just look at the proximity of me with Tony, Oprah and Bill! So. Not. Close.
Kidding aside, how are you standing out in a crowd in your industry? Are you going with the flow and kind of moving in the same tide as your cohorts? Or, are you willing to, as Jeff put it, “zag”
For me, I think you know the answer. Aside from my sweet vest collection, here are a few suggestions I have come across over the years that help me separate myself from the pack:
Be confident – From the way to speak to the clothes you wear, people will trust your offering if you are confident in presenting it. I’m still very humble, and there is a maintenance in remaining confident. But with a little upkeep, my confidence helps my day, business and relationships flow much smoother than when I am letting all the static in. It’s amazing how a few small mindset shifts can change the shape of everything.
Serve – I truly feel this sense of service. And I lead with this. When I sell, I sell to serve. Look, we can all sell. But do you then sleep well? When I started to purposefully serve people through what I was selling, my offering, well. Boom. I am here to eradicate entrepreneurial poverty and make sure small business owners have what they need to succeed.
Cultivate a truly special workplace – For your employees to be “all in”, they need to feel as though they belong. Don’t worry so much about what their resume looks like. Who are they as people and what passions and talents can they use to leverage your business. If you stay open, you will be pleasantly surprised to see what they can bring to the table that may be different, and better, than what you had planned in the first place.
Take risks – Don’t be afraid to try something crazy or different. From a book cover, to your website, to your newsletter or even your office, as long as it is authentic to you, try new things to stand out. Even if they feel risky. We all have something unique to offer.
By the way, you, the entrepreneur, YOU are the celebrity.
-Mike
PS – I invite you to get in on the courses I have created for you to help you reach your potential, and more.
PSS – Get the free resources for Profit First. From a Profit First One Sheet to finding banks to open your accounts in, it’s there waiting for you!
Remember – Profit is not an event. Profit is a habit!
Join the journey More Mike on Instagram
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Reinventing Your Business
Are you waiting until big, bad, 2020 is over to make changes?
Don’t.
Things won’t be different on January 1st, 2021, unless YOU are.
To survive today’s ever changing world, you’re going to have to reinvent yourself and your business at some point. The good news? It’s never to late. And I have a replay of the most recent What Now webinar right here for you to prove it. I’m sure you’ve heard of Dorie Clark and Jenny Blake. Right? These two are THE experts when it comes to reinventing themselves, and businesses.
Dorie helps individuals and companies get their best ideas heard in a crowded, noisy world. She is a keynote speaker, a consultant, teaches executive education at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Columbia Business School, and, is the author of Reinventing You and Stand Out, which was named the #1 Leadership Book of the Year by Inc. magazine. The New York Times described Dorie as an “expert at self-reinvention and helping others make changes in their lives”. She’s even been a producer of a Grammy winning jazz album. I could go on with this list of her accomplishments but I also need to introduce:
Jenny Blake is the founder of Pivot Method, a growth strategy company that helps forward-thinking individuals and organizations map what’s next through scalable Pivot programs. Jenny’s motto is: if change is the only constant, let’s get better at it. We could all use that right now! She is the author of Pivot: The Only Move That Matters is Your Next One, which won the Axiom Best Business Books award in the careers category.
Bottom line? Using our strategies, you will keep up with changes and do some reinventing.
Together, we will teach you how to:
Take control of your business
Get inside tips from our assessments
Build on your unique passions and talents
Get perspective about what your strengths and weaknesses are – and how to apply them
Learn to develop a unique personal brand
Determine what’s already working in your business and apply it
Move past burnout
Learn how to share your best ideas with the world
And best of all, make the moves to reinvent yourself and your business that have true meaning to you, so you can be authentic in your business.
Reinvented or not, I am, as always, wishing you massive success!
-Mike
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November 12, 2020
Building Better Culture
How are you motivating your team and maintaining healthy work culture in our current environment?
With half of the workforce in the US working from home, you would think attention to work culture would be on the back burner, since face to face interaction is decreased.
Not here! I gotta say, we are winning when it comes to the work culture thing. We were before this pandemic, and we are now. We didn’t set out with a plan, but it seems that we’ve become stronger and closer as a team organically. Kind of a “you’re not stopping us, Covid”, side eye. Being forced to stay away from each other made us appreciate how good we have it.
Since we can’t see each other as much, we have started looking for outlets so we can continue to grow our relationships.
Collaboration – We can’t all be in person now, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be! Right before the pandemic hit, we had planned for a dedicated space, away from distractions, to collaborate and create. In this video, Amy is preparing a space for us to come together and brainstorm. Behold! The Mad Lab! Mwah haha! These are the beginning stages and we can’t wait to show you the finished space. And, we cannot wait to see what new ideas are shaped here.
Communication – Since we cannot all meet in person yet, we’ve stepped up our avenues of communication. As with all relationships, communication is key. I’m not talking boring Zoom meetings either. Kelsey, our dynamic president, has carved time out of her schedule to have 1:1 meetings with each team member once a week. These meetings of the minds allows Kelsey to see where the other employees are in their growth and tasks. The employee, in turn, gets feedback and clarifications on questions they may have before they start to linger. We also have mini-huddles via Zoom a couple of times a week so we can stay accountable to our daily goals. And, to keep a sense of normalcy, these meetings end with a dance party…what? Don’t yours?
Systems – I am forever talking about systems. Because they work! The systems we have in place enabled us to be more agile when the pandemic hit. There was the initial shock and concern, of course. But having our systems in place, and shared with each employee makes us confident that we are equipped to handle what comes our way.
So how is it going in your business? Are you increasing engagement with your team? What steps have you taken to maintain, or strengthen a solid work culture during the pandemic? Let me know in the comments!
As always, I am wishing you tremendous succces!
-Mike
PS – We’re big on paying it forward. Want to get on board? Email us and tell us your story! We want to hear your Profit First testimonial. Email Jenna@mikemichalowicz.com, and we will share your story on our social media platforms so that business owners like you benefit as well!
PSS Like free stuff? Check out the free resources
The post Building Better Culture appeared first on Mike Michalowicz.
November 11, 2020
The Laws of Attraction
It’s not a new concept but dang, does it sound fresh in this podcast!
If you equate money with happiness, David Meltzer has news for you.
David had enjoyed all the elements of success, but found he was completely unfulfilled and unhappy. Now he shares how The Laws of Attraction, including gratitude, forgiveness, accountability and understanding opened the door to abundance.
David Meltzer is the Co-founder of Sports 1 Marketing and formerly served as CEO of the renowned Leigh Steinberg Sports & Entertainment agency, which was the inspiration for the movie Jerry Maguire.
His life’s mission is to empower OVER 1 BILLION people to be happy! This simple yet powerful mission has led him on an incredible journey to provide one thing…VALUE.
He is a three-time international best-selling author, a Top 100 Business Coach, the executive producer of Entrepreneur‘s #1 digital business show, Elevator Pitch, and host of the top entrepreneur podcast, The Playbook. His newest book, Game-Time Decision Making, was a #1 new release, David has been recognized by Variety Magazine as their Sports Humanitarian of the Year, awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and most recently at the Super Bowl, David was honored as the Most Valuable Philanthropist.
But who’s counting?
Join us and get into The Laws of Attraction and what really matters.
-Mike
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You’ve Got This
Look at our girl Kasey Compton and her group of positive people at KC Consulting! This is what I’m talking about! Since we met, Kasey has always exuded an authentic kindness that I admire, and I love that she’s got her team in on this t-shirt situation!
So, I’m, a cool vest wearing gent, at the same time, I love a good, fun t-shirt.
Not long ago I created a You’ve Got This t-shirt for myself to add to my collection.
Between the pandemic and the daily challenges all of us business owners face, I felt that a little pick me up was in order.
When I wore it, I’d see “You’ve Got This” in my reflection and it made me smile. Just the little nod I needed.
Then, I saw other people who saw me smile when I was wearing the shirt.
At least, I think it was the shirt and not the toilet paper on my shoe. Hey, I’ve always been up for taking one for the team.
I digress. We decided it’s time to spread as much positivity and encouragement as we can, so we created the You’ve Got This t-shirt.
We created this little bit of inspiration for you, for your fellow business owners, for your employees, for your friends and family, heck, even your dog. (Krista! Get one of these on the new pup!)
Being kind and fostering positivity is not a new concept. But, especially now, we need to ensure we are practicing these virtues in our daily lives. You never know when seeing a positive message may land with someone. It’s a small step, but one that could very easily set someone’s day or week on a better course.
Check out the goods, and let me know what you think!
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How to Create Systems and Increase Profits in 5 Steps
You can’t grow your business without systems.
Systems are how you scale business.
Systems allow your business to run smoothly. They do the work for you. If you have your systems in place, your business will be more streamlined and more productive.
The results? More profit.
Oh, now I have your attention!
With systems doing the work for you, not only are you a smarter entrepreneur, you will have more time to focus on your vision (and of course, building yet more systems to streamline your path!).
If all of this systems talk is sounding vague, let me break it down into 5 simple steps:
Identify your business activities – Categorize your business functions such as sales, profits, operations, marketing. In this phase I spend time writing my concept.
Break down each of the above – Break down each category by indicating the who (employees) and the what (the process and tools used). It’s important to create a one page graphic so you and those using this amazing new system have a graphic to refer to. These visuals always get my mind firing on all cylinders.
Identify what can be improved – What do you want the outcome to be? Now elevate that through delegation and automation. Maybe this auditing process even allows you to eliminate a process
Test – test your ideas with your employees or clients.
Reevaluate – Now that you have tested your system, you can reevaluate and make improvements.
If you want to work smarter, start looking at what systems you have in place and what others you can create. If you want more profit, create those systems now!
What are some of the systems you have created or that you follow in order to grow your business? (And does your desk look like mine in that creating phase? Yikes!)
-Mike
PS – I invite you to get the free resources for Profit First. From a Profit First One Sheet to finding banks to open your accounts in, it’s there waiting for you!
Remember – Profit is not an event. Profit is a habit!
PSS – We’re big on paying it forward. Want to get on board? Email us and tell us your story! We want to hear your Profit First testimonial. Email Jenna@mikemichalowicz.com, and we will share your story on our social media platforms so that business owners like you benefit as well!
Join the journey More Mike on Instagram
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November 5, 2020
Small steps for big profits
Racing to the finish line? Not going to work.
Instead, take small steps. Over. And Over. And Over again.
I know! You built your business to succeed! You built it to be profitable!
The thing is, you cannot build permanent profitability overnight. There’s no “big break”. It’s by taking the small steps, incrementally, and building that habit over and over that will lead to profitability.
I read emails from readers every morning. They tell me how they don’t have time for their health, or haven’t seen their spouses or kids during waking hours. I admire hard work as much as the next person. Heck, I used to be that 24/7 guy, grinding away and not seeing my family. Was it worth it? No. That hard work was just working harder. Not smarter.
To work smarter, you have to be patient. That means taking small steps, habitually. Not only will you see results, they will be the type of results that stick around. So do me a favor. Do you a favor:
Allocate 1% to your profit account
Take one thing off of your plate and delegate it to someone else
Above all, don’t make sacrifices with your health or loved ones
Take these small steps.
-Mike
PS – For more small steps I invite you to get the free resources for Profit First. From a Profit First One Sheet to finding banks to open your accounts in, it’s there waiting for you!
Remember – Profit is not an event. Profit is a habit!
PSS – We’re big on paying it forward. Want to get on board? Email us and tell us your story! We want to hear your Profit First testimonial. Email Jenna@mikemichalowicz.com, and we will share your story on our social media platforms so that business owners like you benefit as well!
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November 4, 2020
How to Scale Your Business – A Different Approach
One of the best ways to scale?
Do what doesn’t scale.
What?
Yes, we need the usual: mailing lists, leveraging SEO techniques, and sales funnels, just to name a few. But what are you doing that makes you stand out? What are some alternative ways you an scale your business, that your competition wouldn’t think of?
Think about what can you do that’s different, and speaks to your client and customers’ needs. How can you solve their problems, but in a different, more significant way?
It may sound odd, but spending a little time and energy on what doesn’t traditionally scale is a sure fire way for you to differentiate yourself from the market. Ultimately, you will stand out and create opportunities for exponential growth.
DO – Aside from my out of breath workout videos I send out in an attempt to motivate my fellow business owners, here are just a couple of “non-scalable” actions I take to interact. I have a call to action in my books where I ask readers to email me. It’s not some random email address, either. And, I email them back. I know not everyone expects that. Yes, it can be a little time consuming here and there. But, the opportunity has been enormous. First, I get to serve. In these emails are questions about readers’ businesses I have met fellow entrepreneurs who just blow my mind. We have collaborated, been on each other’s podcasts, written forwards to books, and so on. It is a wonderful way to stay open to possibilities of scaling my business.
DON’T – If you start doing only the things that are not scalable. There is a delicate balance. For instance, I like to show gratitude and motivate people, but I also know I need to provide real answers and systems to small business owners. Be careful not to get stuck in the non-scalable actions.
DO – Create systems. By creating systems for the non-scalable actions, you will save time and have the organization to apply these new strategies and successfully scale.
What are some things you can do right now, today, in your own business that aren’t typical ways to scale? We want to know, so leave your ideas in the comments so we can all have a little brainstorm.
-Mike
PS – I invite you to get the free resources for Profit First. From a Profit First One Sheet to finding banks to open your accounts in, it’s there waiting for you!
Remember – Profit is not an event. Profit is a habit!
PSS – We’re big on paying it forward. Want to get on board? Email us and tell us your story! We want to hear your Profit First testimonial. Email Jenna@mikemichalowicz.com, and we will share your story on our social media platforms so that business owners like you benefit as well!
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November 1, 2020
4 Mindset Hacks in 4 Minutes
When the pandemic first hit, I reached out to fellow business owners and I asked them what their main challenges were. The resounding answer surprised me.
It wasn’t sales, or profit – the answer was confidence.
Understandably, 2020 has rattled a lot of people’s confidence. And if you’re a business owner, you’re probably questioning 100 different things about your business.
I hear you.
The one thing that’s getting me through all this? My confidence. You may hear a lot about mindset these days, but it’s for a reason. If we maintain a healthy mindset, we will have a stronger foundation when things get a a little, well, 2020.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I question things. I have concerns. And, I am more humble than ever. But, I also know that if I allow my confidence to be swayed, I can be lost at sea without a compass, and fast.
To avoid getting swept way in this unchartered territory, I use 4 main mindset hacks to keep my confidence, and my business in check.
In this video, I will give you a few things you can do today to boost your confidence and watch everything around you flourish.
Step forward, my friends.
-Mike
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