Leaders: It's Time to Assess Whether You're Still the Best Fit for Your Role

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Stay ahead in business: strategies and insights for success

<p>Years ago in a private training session with John C. Maxwell, he shared a story that forever changed the way I think about <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-skills-every-leader-must-cultivate-to-successfully-manage-distributed-teams/">managing a team</a>. The story, about a high-level executive, touched on the importance of training every employee to <a href="https://www.inc.com/young-entrepreneur-council/how-to-encourage-personal-professional-development-in-workplace.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grow personally and professionally</a>. The executive agreed, but he was hesitant. He feared that after investing in the growth of his team, they would leave to pursue better opportunities. Maxwell looked at him, smiled, and explained that all leaders must answer one of two questions:</p>



<ul>
<li><em>What if I train my employees and they leave?</em></li>



<li><em>What if I don’t train them and they stay?</em></li>
</ul>



<p>Maxwell was highlighting the importance of looking at the world through a lens of abundance versus scarcity. The same applies when we evaluate our own role within an organization. Sometimes, that means facing the difficult truth that you may no longer be the best fit for your role.</p>



<p>Businesses and organizations are always evolving. As they grow and change, so does their need for different strengths at various parts of their growth trajectory.</p>



<p>Strong leaders and valuable employees realize that this kind of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-leadership-tips-for-times-of-constant-change/">change is one of the constants</a> in business. They realize that although the current needs of the business may be different, it doesn’t mean their skill sets and strengths are no longer relevant. Instead, it likely means they have an opportunity to change with the business and reposition themselves in a new role.</p>



<p>How do we reframe our thinking so we can see this realization in a positive and energizing way? It starts with finding clarity in the following areas:</p>



<ol>
<li>Your strengths</li>



<li>Your weaknesses</li>



<li>The current needs of the business</li>
</ol>



<p>In their book, <em><a href="https://amzn.to/3vLEdEE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Now Discover Your Strengths</a></em>, Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton wrote, “You will excel only by maximizing your strengths, never by fixing your weaknesses.” Your strengths, combined with the strengths of your team, create momentum that fuels innovation and accomplishment.</p>



<p>Having a clear understanding allows us to objectively assess our current situation and evaluate how much of our day-to-day time is spent in each area.</p>



<p>After taking inventory, present your findings to your supervisor along with a recommendation of who may be a better fit, if they’re already part of your organization. Not only do you demonstrate your willingness for <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-science-of-self-reflection/">honest self-reflection</a>, but you also understand that growing in and out of roles is an inevitable part of business—one to be celebrated.</p>



<p><a href="https://www.inc.com/young-entrepreneur-council/the-importance-of-an-abundance-mindset-for-business-leaders.html">An abundant-minded leader</a> is always building their bench of talent and looking both internally and externally for the burgeoning leaders who have the skill sets, strengths and drive that put them on a path to eventually replacing the current leader. In doing so, they demonstrate just how <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-create-job-security-for-life/">valuable to the organization</a> they really are.&nbsp;</p>



<p style="font-size:12px"><em>This article originally appeared in the May/June 2022 Issue of </em>SUCCESS<em> magazine. Photo by @yee_yanne/Twenty20</em></p>

Part of growing a business is assessing when you’re no longer the best fit for your current role—and why it can be a good thing.

Part of growing a business is assessing when you’re no longer the best fit for your current role—and why it can be a good thing. | SUCCESS

Leaders: It&#8217;s Time to Assess Whether You&#8217;re Still the Best Fit for Your Role

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Assessing Leadership Fit: Are You Still the Best Fit for Your Role?

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Ben Fairfield is the Managing Director of SUCCESS Coaching &amp; a SUCCESS Certified Coach.

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Ben Fairfield

How to Get Out of Your Own Way as a Leader

Relationships

Relationships Archives

Relationships | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p>This week on the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-success-line-with-ben-fairfield/id1562700048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUCCESS Line</a> we discuss how listeners can get out of their own way when it comes to leading a business. I’m joined by Todd Foster, who’s served as a coach/consultant for the past nine years. Our conversation focused on four overall areas: how to hire for strengths and weaknesses, using behavioral assessments, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-prevent-burnout/">how to avoid burnout</a> and how to grow organizations. Let’s dig in.&nbsp;</p>



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/the-success-line-with-rory-vaden/get-out-of-your-way-with-todd/embed?style=artwork" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Get Out of Your Way with Todd"></iframe>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-exhibit-better-hiring-behaviors">How to exhibit better hiring behaviors</h2>



<p>Does it make more sense to put time and effort into shoring up your weaknesses, or should you instead focus on your strengths? Foster and I agree that leaders should leverage their time and energy on areas of strength. Even if you can improve on your weaknesses, you’ll likely just raise them to a mediocre level. The team as a whole can achieve a lot more if you focus on finding and hiring people who are skilled in areas in which you yourself are lacking.</p>



<p>Foster and I also reviewed the difference between a manager and a leader, something fundamental you must understand to get ahead of the biggest crisis in business: people thinking they’re leaders, yet no one follows them. So how do you <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-makes-a-leader/">act as a leader</a> who works with<em> </em>people, and not as a manager who has people work for<em> </em>them? It’s critical to lead by example, and to build your leadership skills by learning and gathering feedback from those who are smarter than you. It requires continual intention, time and investment to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/everything-you-need-to-know-to-become-a-great-leader/">grow as a leader</a>.</p>



<p>Employees who are just beginning their careers don’t respond well to management, so to have an impact, it’s essential that you develop this leadership muscle. We’re now seeing businesses start to get away from processes styled like assembly lines that have long been a part of the fabric of our culture, and focus more on letting every person become a leader within themselves. If you allow people the flexibility and freedom to think on their own for what they’ve been hired to do, that often keeps them coming back to work.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identifying-the-right-people-for-right-now">Identifying the right people for right now</h2>



<p>The best way to hedge your bets against failure begins with <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-phases-of-building-a-team-that-embraces-personality-and-individual-differences/">picking the right people</a>, something which behavioral assessments can help you achieve. These assessments remove the emotions from selecting talent. If you decide to work with someone because you like them, you might actually be finding yourself drawn to the fact that they are similar to you. What you really want is to find someone that’s great at the things that you’re not.</p>



<p>Ultimately, if they’re not the right person for the job, it costs you a lot more money in the long run versus not hiring them in the first place. And even if it’s the right person, if they’re in the wrong role it sets everyone up for failure. You should be slow to hire, as you should always have a bench of talent and not make a hiring decision out of desperation.</p>



<p>Sometimes there’s a fear of being exposed with a behavioral analysis. Perhaps you believe your organization is running smoothly, but if you’re never asking for feedback, that’s creating a false sense of security. If an analysis returns a result that says, for example, that people are in the wrong roles, that doesn’t mean you won’t ever find success. It simply points out that you’re going to have to find a different way to accomplish it. So while your ego might smart a little, the analysis can help you find the holes, be a better team builder and have a stronger organization overall.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-handle-burnout">How to handle burnout</h2>



<p>Burnout is an occupational phenomenon that has happened or will happen to almost everyone. When you are constantly tired and no longer feel passionate about something, or when you stop doing what you truly want to do in lieu of something you feel you have to do, your quality of work goes through the floor. Capitalize on the power of leverage to <a href="https://hbr.org/2021/04/your-burnout-is-unique-your-recovery-will-be-too" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">help you conquer burnout.</a> Don’t think you can do it all—that won’t move your business forward. Instead, focus your energy on what you want to do, and if you’re not the person who can or wants to do something, hire someone else who is.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-grow">How to grow</h2>



<p>In order to grow your organization, keep these key things in mind. Embrace change, and understand that it will take some work to get there. Get comfortable with occasional boredom or repetition of the fundamentals. When business is chaotic, that is often an indicator something is going wrong.</p>



<p>Finally, you must connect to your “why,” for a big enough “why”—or <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-is-my-purpose-in-life/">reason for being</a>—will pull you through any “how.” Everyone in business is solving a problem. So ask yourself continually, what problem can I solve, and who can I help?</p>



<p><em>The SUCCESS Line </em>is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.</p>

If you allow people the flexibility and freedom to think on their own for what they’ve been hired to do, that often keeps them coming back to work.

If you allow people the flexibility and freedom to think on their own for what they’ve been hired to do, that often keeps them coming back to work. | SUCCESS

How (and Why) to Get Out of Your Own Way as a Leader

How (and Why) to Get Out of Your Own Way as a Leader | SUCCESS

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8 Daily Tips for Building Self-Confidence

Personal Development

Personal Development Archives

Personal Development | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p>This week on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-success-line-with-ben-fairfield/id1562700048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUCCESS Line</a>, we discuss the eight tenets of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-art-of-true-confidence/">building self-confidence</a> with Madina, an emigrant of the former USSR who now serves as a business coach. Madina wants to empower her female clients, who are often managing several priorities at once, to strive for outcome-driven results through the development of self-confidence. Since confidence is a challenge faced by nearly every human being, these tips will resonate with nearly all our listeners and readers, and better position you to achieve your goals.</p>



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/the-success-line-with-rory-vaden/finding-confidence-with-madina/embed?style=artwork" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Finding Confidence with Madina"></iframe>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-list-out-your-accomplishments-and-achievements"><strong>1. List out your accomplishments and achievements</strong></h2>



<p>People get so busy doing that they often don’t take time to reflect on what has already been done. Reflection is essential because it can lend you the proper perspective. It also gives you specific instances of other challenges you’ve conquered to call to mind, so that you can empower yourself to face the next struggle with success.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-challenge-bad-thinking"><strong>2. Challenge bad thinking.</strong></h2>



<p>Fear kills more dreams than failure ever has, and often your fears don’t ever come to pass or even go to the extreme of what you’re envisioning. But because of this fear (aka false evidence appearing real), negative or inaccurate thinking can take hold. Therefore it’s incumbent upon you to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-combat-negative-thinking/">challenge this negative self-talk</a> by managing your thinking and questioning its accuracy. Although some degree of fear will always be present, if you acknowledge that it exists, you don’t have to let it determine your outcome.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-review-personal-and-positive-affirmations"><strong>3. Review personal and positive affirmations.</strong></h2>



<p>Madina gave an example in which she referred to someone calling themselves the “queen of negotiation” before entering a conversation with a customer. In order to progress, you have to <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/202201/how-believe-in-yourself" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">believe in yourself</a>. If you don’t have that belief, borrow someone else’s belief in you, then act accordingly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-practice-self-compassion"><strong>4. Practice self-compassion.</strong></h2>



<p>Often, people are more critical of themselves than they are of anyone else. You would never judge someone by that same harsh standard. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/done-is-better-than-perfect-and-other-lessons-for-the-hesitating-entrepreneur/">It’s about progress, not perfection</a>. If as a leader you encourage those who report to you when they reach three-quarters of their goal, but give yourself grief, take a step back. Then, practice the same type of compassion you are showing to others.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-begin-to-let-go-of-negativity"><strong>5. Begin to let go of negativity.</strong></h2>



<p>We attract what we think about, which is why people who expect positive outcomes but live in extreme negativity often don’t reach their goals. While you can’t control what happens to you, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-tips-on-how-to-face-adversity/">you can control how you respond</a> to what happens to you. And when you encounter adversity, think of the opportunities that can arise versus just feeling weighed down. This is when beautiful outcomes often occur.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-get-outside-your-comfort-zone"><strong>6. Get outside your comfort zone.</strong></h2>



<p>You are never going to create a big world or a big impact by staying inside of what’s comfortable. By setting your intentions to achieve something that’s a bit of a stretch goal, you lean into possibility rather than simply accepting safety or assurance. This puts you on a path to accomplishing things you’ve never done before. It also launches you into a growth cycle, even if you don’t achieve the entirety of your goal.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Madina is an advocate of reframing action items as three results you want to achieve that day, rather than a lengthy to-do list that makes you feel defeated when you don’t tick off every item. If you’re unable to achieve those three results each day, examine your overall strategy, as maybe stepping outside your comfort zone and trying something new will net you more success.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-build-self-awareness"><strong>7. Build self-awareness.</strong></h2>



<p>Although we live in a culture that celebrates the hustle, just because you do more doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll reach your goal—you could be doing too much of the wrong thing. By <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-reflective-questions-to-discover-who-you-are-and-what-you-want/">engaging in regular reflection</a>, you’ll make sure how you fill your days and weeks is in line with who you are. Then you can make any necessary changes so that you’ll be well-positioned on the path to achieving what you want.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-set-realistic-goals"><strong>8. Set realistic goals.</strong></h2>



<p>We overestimate what we can do in one year, and underestimate what we can do in five years. The issue with setting wildly massive goals is when you don’t achieve them, negative self-talk occurs, your self-worth erodes and self-confidence drops. But by looking at where you want to be three to five years from today, envisioning how you are spending your time and determining what impact you want to be having, you can reverse engineer the actionable steps and goals to prepare you to become that person. You can pace out where you should be in one year, which will bring you closer to where you want to be in five years, and develop goals that are in line with your overall mission, vision and purpose.</p>



<p><em>The SUCCESS Line </em>is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.</p>

Fear kills more dreams than failure ever has, and often your fears don’t ever come to pass or even go to the extreme of what you’re envisioning.

Fear kills more dreams than failure ever has, and often your fears don’t ever come to pass or even go to the extreme of what you’re envisioning. | SUCCESS

8 Daily Tips for Building Self-Confidence | SUCCESS

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Lifestyle

Lifestyle Archives

Elevate your lifestyle for success and happiness

<p>This week on the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-success-line-with-ben-fairfield/id1562700048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUCCESS Line</a> we discuss the repetition of fundamentals, particularly as it relates to protecting your time. Ben, who has been in the insurance industry for the past 10 years, struck out on his own last year as an independent agent. While he enjoys the opportunities he now has for greater diversification, he also no longer has a manager dictating his daily schedule. Ben is therefore having issues with how to lay out his time and calendar to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-keys-to-maximizing-productivity/">maximize his efficiency and productivity</a>.</p>



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/the-success-line-with-rory-vaden/slpod-220316-ben/embed?style=artwork" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Creating a Better Calendar with Ben"></iframe>



<p>We took a deep dive into the actionable changes he can implement to find success.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-understand-how-you-re-spending-your-time"><strong>Understand how you’re spending your time</strong>.</h2>



<p>Have you ever gotten to the end of your day and knew you were busy, but couldn’t really name what you had accomplished? Before you can decide how to best <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/rohn-5-tips-for-using-your-time-wisely/">allocate your time</a> and put systems in place to enable that, you have to understand how you’re currently divvying up your attention. What task takes up the most time in a given week? Is there a task that’s getting lost in the shuffle? And what are the items you need to be devoting time to that will pay dividends in the future? Once you have a complete sense of the flow of your current weeks, you can more accurately rejigger your day-to-day.</p>



<p>Ben spends a lot of time building rapport with potential clients and businesses as a means of prospecting, but sometimes wonders if he’s talking to enough of the right people, given the mental stamina he exerts during the conversations. He also often weighs if prospecting comes at the expense of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-improve-your-client-relationships/">servicing existing clients</a>, potentially resulting in their dissatisfaction or a bad review.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>It’s not an either/or</strong> situation.</h2>



<p>I challenged Ben to reframe his thought process. He has to figure out a way to carve out time to perform both servicing and prospecting duties, not one or the other. I once had a mentor that told me that success day-to-day looks incredibly boring. Anyone who has reached that high level—through grit, grind, blood, sweat and tears—has done so by the repetition of fundamentals, or a few things that they do consistently every day.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Entrepreneurs can often get distracted by the shiniest thing or the next bright object, but what gets us to where we want to go is, again, that repetition.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Make the appointment with yourself</strong>.</h2>



<p>As I told Ben, servicing and prospecting are appointments you have to keep with yourself, and consider sacred time, every day. You can’t treat this dedicated time any differently than any other appointment, as these two items are some of the biggest levers to move your business to where you want it to go. So if you wouldn’t cancel an appointment with your best customer, then why cancel one with yourself?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Block it</strong>.</h2>



<p>The key to effective time blocking is to begin with blocking 50% of your calendar for the drivers that will move your business ahead. If you honor that part of your schedule, you’ve honored your commitments to yourself and still won the day, no matter what else occurs.</p>



<p>One way to maintain these dedicated time blocks is to use a scheduling software such as Calendly. That way, when you have clients wanting to book an appointment with you, they are only offered the times outside of the appointments you’ve already made with yourself.</p>



<p>This <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-keys-to-developing-daily-disciplines/">discipline with your time</a> actually gives you freedom, because otherwise we’re just jumping from one thing to the next. This way, you’re forcing everything and everyone else to fall around these core buckets.&nbsp;</p>



<p>There’s a very fitting expression in regards to your time blocking: If you erase, you must replace. For example, let’s say that during Ben’s servicing time there’s a networking meeting he would like to attend. He should give himself the grace to move that prospecting time in order to attend the meeting, but make sure he finds a different block for it that same day. Make that commitment to yourself, so that you’re not completely missing that appointment.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Build good habits</strong>.</h2>



<p>The week before someone goes on vacation, I often refer to them as being a productivity ninja or making a vacation miracle, they’re that efficient. You need to ask yourself how you can <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-change-your-habits/">develop your habits</a> to incorporate a percentage of that productivity in every day. You’ll be getting more done overall because you’re being more purposeful.</p>



<p>When people attempt to establish a habit they often overcommit, so start with the most important things first. The small, specific buckets that move the needle toward what you want. And if you’re consistently sticking with it, you’ll eventually reach success—the further out you go from <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/241635" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">staying consistent in a habit</a>, the easier it is for the habit to never come back.</p>



<p><br><em>The SUCCESS Line </em>is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.</p>

This week on the SUCCESS Line we discuss the repetition of fundamentals, particularly as it relates to protecting your time. Ben, who has been in the

This week on the SUCCESS Line we discuss the repetition of fundamentals, particularly as it relates to protecting your time. Ben, who has been in the | SUCCESS

How to Manage Your Calendar 

How to Manage Your Calendar  | SUCCESS

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Quitting Isn't the Enemy We've Been Told It Is—Here's How to Know When the Time Is Right

Professional Growth

Professional Growth Archives

Professional Growth | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p>Winners never quit.</p>



<p>That’s what most of us have been told, anyway. We have been conditioned to believe that quitting is a sign of weakness. The reality, however, is that winners quit, and they quit often. They quit what doesn’t work and what doesn’t produce results. The key is, they know <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/5-times-when-quitting-is-actually-a-sign-of-mental-strength-5194921" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">what to quit and when</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The term grit has recently gained popularity, but it’s misunderstood by many. Grit doesn’t mean persevering at all costs, or that quitting is bad. In fact, a 2018 study determined that there was actually a weak link between <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-truth-about-grit/">grit and performance</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If we never quit anything, we potentially rob ourselves of the opportunity to double down on what works—and we run the risk of being simply average. Quitting can free up resources so we can focus our efforts on what moves the needle—and we increase our chances of being exceptional.</p>



<p>It’s helpful to first understand that often the urge to quit is born out of a desperate attempt to avoid ultimate failure. What’s conflicting, though, is that for most, quitting is viewed as a form of failure in and of itself.&nbsp;</p>



<p>I want you to hear me when I tell you that <a href="https://wanderingaimfully.com/quitting/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ultimate failure is not </a>quitting—it’s being average at something by choice. And none of us will average our way to success. Sometimes quitting is the best option; sometimes it is vital to realign our energy to pursuits that give us an opportunity to be exceptional.</p>



<p>So when is enough, enough? This is not permission to become a habitual quitter, to adopt the habit of quitting the moment something becomes difficult. Instead, you should adopt the habit of strategic quitting, in which it is essential to determine what metrics you will use to measure if things are working<em> </em>before you begin your journey. This allows you to stay objective in your assessment of the facts if you are ever faced with the decision to quit or not—versus waiting until you are in the moment when emotion can cloud your judgment.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Here are some questions we should ask ourselves to determine if it is time to (strategically) quit something:</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-haven-t-i-thought-of"><em>What haven’t I thought of?</em></h2>



<p>Ask yourself if you are too close to the situation to be objective. Are there things you are missing? Are there other ways of looking at the situation that could shine a light on how to tweak your strategy?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Why was this the path that I originally chose to pursue?</em></h2>



<p>When things are not going as planned, it’s easy to feel frustrated and only focus on the negatives. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-science-of-self-reflection/">To gain perspective</a>, try to get back in tune with the thought process that originally directed your strategy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>Why do I feel the urge to quit?</em></h2>



<p>Is it because the current strategy isn’t working, or could it be because you feel <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/combat-workplace-burnout-by-setting-better-boundaries/">uncomfortable being stretched</a> (which happens when we’re experiencing growth)?&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>What am I missing that could make all of the difference?</em></h2>



<p>Who in your network do you know who has faced similar challenges? What system or tool would <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/we-all-have-the-same-24-hours-heres-how-to-make-the-most-of-them/">free up more of your time</a> and energy so that you can focus on making positive changes?&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><em>What would quitting now accomplish?</em></h2>



<p>Would it simply help you feel less pain—from disappointment, lack of progress or frustration—or does it position you to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/when-to-say-i-quit/">find a more effective path</a>—by realigning our strategy?&nbsp;</p>



<p>The biggest lie ever told in business is that winners never quit and that’s an absolute lie.&nbsp; Winners quit every day. They strategically quit based on honest evaluation of the circumstances and after asking themselves these five clarifying questions. </p>



<p style="font-size:12px"><em>This article originally appeared in the March/April 2022 Issue of </em>SUCCESS<em> magazine. Photo by @kaimittak</em>/Twenty20</p>

The term grit has recently gained popularity, but it’s misunderstood by many. Grit doesn’t mean persevering at all costs, or that quitting is bad. In fact, a 2018 study determined that there was actually a weak link between grit and performance. 

The term grit has recently gained popularity, but it’s misunderstood by many. Grit doesn’t mean persevering at all costs, or that quitting is bad. In fact, a 2018 study determined that there was actually a weak link between grit and performance.  | SUCCESS

Quitting Isn&#8217;t the Enemy We&#8217;ve Been Told It Is—Here&#8217;s How to Know When the Time Is Right

Redefining Quitting: Knowing When It's Right to Move On

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Quitting-Isnt-the-Enemy-Weve-Been-Told-It-Is-Heres-How-to-Know-When-the-Time-Is-Right.jpg

How to Scale Your Business: A Guide for New Entrepreneurs

<p>This week on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-success-line-with-ben-fairfield/id1562700048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">SUCCESS Line</a>, I talked with Corrine, a graduate of the SUCCESS coaching certification who left a successful real estate partnership to strike out on her own. Now that she’s amassed a team of four realtors and an administrative assistant, Corrine is looking to the future and considering how exactly she should go about <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-scale-your-business-while-kicking-self-doubt-to-the-curb/">scaling her business</a>.</p>



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/the-success-line-with-rory-vaden/scaling-a-new-real-estate-team-with-corinne/embed?style=artwork" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Scaling a New Real Estate Team with Corinne"></iframe>



<p>Even if you’re not in the real estate industry, how to grow while maintaining profitability is a fundamental issue. I firmly believe there is no such thing as coasting or taking the middle ground in business, as consumers have too many choices. Here are my tips on how Corrine and others can <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-keys-to-a-successful-business/">find success amid their growth</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-acknowledge-the-emotions-of-the-moment">Acknowledge the emotions of the moment.</h2>



<p>When charting a different course in life—and in business—your choice to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-you-can-put-yourself-on-a-new-career-path/">pursue a new path</a> doesn’t have to follow on the heels of a major scandal. If something is no longer serving you, and if your goals and values have changed, a different job or role might just be the right next thing for you. Make sure you take the time to feel the loss and potential grief of leaving your former role, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-art-of-true-confidence/">and then become confident</a> that taking this new position is in fact the right decision.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-individual-and-business-growth-attracts-talent">Individual and business growth attracts talent.</h2>



<p>Entrepreneurs often make the mistake of simply throwing money at the situation thinking that course of action will bring them everything they want. Although higher salaries and perks might be an initial get for employees, if you’re not in the process of magnetically attracting them through your own growth, no amount of money will keep them.</p>



<p>The question leaders need to be asking themselves is this: <em>Who do I need to become so that I can attract the salespeople I need?</em> One of the biggest opportunities for leaders is the potential for growth. You’ve got to stay out in front of talented people and grow faster than them, so you can pour into them. If the leader and company’s world isn’t getting any bigger, then potential talent will have a difficult time picturing their world inside yours.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-know-your-numbers">Know your numbers.</h2>



<p>Analytics tell us in real time whether the decision we make is a good one or bad one. Every business has a cost of goods sold, and leaders need to be asking at what point they will hit their return on investment. The key is to establish benchmarks on the front end. That way, when emotion creeps in—i.e. some new widget that could make things easier—you won’t exceed a certain percentage, no matter what. Numbers make it easier to draw a line in the sand in regards to ROI and margin.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tell-your-story">Tell your story.</h2>



<p>How do you attract and create the right conversations between you and the candidates you’re looking for? It’s about using insights from your team members to craft messages that allow you to take your story to the general market. You want to be purposeful in telling the story of why someone wants to come on board, and the team members who already believe in the power of your business are an instrumental part of this. They can detail how they were feeling before they joined, what they’ve learned from working with you and how they feel now. Also consider putting yourself in an applicant’s shoes when you’re forming your messages. What key things would you want to know?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-use-team-members-as-recruiting-tools">Use team members as recruiting tools.</h2>



<p>Reviews and testimonials are powerful no matter the industry you’re in, and video can be a great platform to deliver that. Peer-to-peer conversations can feel somewhat unbiased, which helps strengthen the message too. Your team members want to win with, and through, other people, so use this asset to help you <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-key-to-success-on-a-team-is-connection/">build an even more successful team</a>.</p>



<p>Also put your employees—or in Corrine’s case, agents—in a position to attract their next teammate. What are the talking points you have for the conversations they engage in with fellow agents following a closing, for example? Is there a thank you card they send, and how can you use that to further leave a positive impression of your team? By providing team members with a script for these moments, you can help ensure they’re always at the ready to help tell the story of your business—and why someone new should join.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-remember-your-no-1-job">Remember your No. 1 job.</h2>



<p>As a leader, <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2019/08/29/attracting-and-retaining-top-talent-5-ways-to-make.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">filling the bench</a> needs to be your primary responsibility. You should constantly be on the lookout for talent, because while you might not need it today, you’ll always need it tomorrow. The best time to find someone is when they’re not looking for a job, since scaling then becomes a selection among several candidates, not a forced choice between two applicants.</p>



<p><em>The SUCCESS Line </em>is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.</p>

Entrepreneurs often make the mistake of simply throwing money at the situation thinking that course of action will bring them everything they want.

Entrepreneurs often make the mistake of simply throwing money at the situation thinking that course of action will bring them everything they want. | SUCCESS

How to Scale Your Business: A Guide for New Entrepreneurs | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ben-Podcast-s.com-Thumbnails.png

How to Find Your Audience (Because You Don't Need Everyone)

<p>This week on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-success-line-with-ben-fairfield/id1562700048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>SUCCESS Line</em></a>, I talk to Sara—mother, wife, business professional and budding entrepreneur. She is on a mission to “make happiness contagious” through her life and career coaching. Sara has had a long and winding path to get here and has already done so much work to get clear on her vision and purpose.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Now she is left wondering, <em>how do I bring my vision to my audience?</em></p>



<p>This is a point many entrepreneurs face—we know our target audience, and we know what we want to help them with. But how do we reach the people who need what we have to offer?</p>



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/the-success-line-with-rory-vaden/using-content-to-find-customers-with-sara/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Using Content to Find Customers with Sara"></iframe>



<p>It starts with being authentic. You don’t need everyone; you need the right people. And sure, being authentic might mean that some people won’t be interested. But more importantly, the people who are interested are the ones who are truly committed and want to follow you down the path you are forging.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identify-where-your-audience-goes-nbsp">Identify where your audience goes.&nbsp;</h2>



<p>What is the first step your target audience takes when they start to seek out solutions for their problems?&nbsp;</p>



<p>Wherever that first step takes them is where you need to be, ready and waiting to provide yourself as a resource. This is a crucial moment for any entrepreneur trying to reach their audience. For Sara, who is specifically hoping to work with moms, her audience might go to their friends, the gym or fellow mom groups to seek out support.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Going one step further, you should also get clear on what they are looking for from each of these potential outlets. Sara’s audience is likely looking for validation—that what they are feeling is OK and that others are feeling the same thing. What is your audience looking for in a resource?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-repurpose-your-content">Repurpose your content.</h2>



<p>Your audience can’t find you if you don’t make yourself available. As with many entrepreneurs, Sara said that she does best when she can talk to people one-on-one. And of course, that is a wonderful way to connect with your audience. But it is also a very slow way to build your reach and an option that is not always available.&nbsp;</p>



<p>So how can you authentically introduce yourself to more than one person at a time? Video.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It is easy to get caught in the idea that our video content has to be “perfect” before it sees the light of day. But the second largest search engine in the world is YouTube, and the majority of the videos on Youtube are made by amateurs. People don’t care about the quality of the video; they care about the quality of the content. Is it authentic, educational and/or entertaining? What matters is that the video is true to who you are, not whether you have all the newest gadgets to film with.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Furthermore, the effort of producing just one video can be leveraged across multiple platforms. You can get the video transcribed and turn it into a blog post, or slice the long-form video into short 15-second clips to create reels. You can even take the video out and turn the audio into a podcast. Squeeze as much juice as you can out of one video and you will see your efforts multiply.&nbsp;</p>



<p>There are so<em> </em>many ways to utilize video content and it is something we know audiences crave. Do not let your fears hamper you from reaching the people who need your message—start creating video content today.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-in-front-of-an-audience">Get in front of an audience.</h2>



<p>Video is one of the most powerful tools an entrepreneur has. That being said, the only thing better than video content is speaking in person. However, most groups are not going to hire someone they don’t know anything about. By creating a library of videos, blog posts and podcasts first, you give such groups the chance to get to know your story and what you have to offer.&nbsp;</p>



<p>To make it even easier for groups to get to know you, you can create a speaker reel and a speaker one-sheet. What does that look like? The reel will be short snippets from your videos that give the viewer a glimpse of what they can expect. The one-sheet will include the following six things:&nbsp;</p>



<ol>
<li>Your skills and credentials.</li>



<li>Who your message will resonate with.</li>



<li>How clients are going to benefit from having you as a speaker.&nbsp;</li>



<li>How the person sitting in the chair in the audience benefits.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Testimonials from clients who have had you speak before.&nbsp;</li>



<li>Your contact information and a headshot.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>



<p>By creating this reel and one-sheet you position yourself to get in front of as many rooms as possible. It doesn’t matter if you are speaking for 10 people or 10,000—speaking in front of others gives you the opportunity to learn, grow and refine your message. It allows you to get so comfortable and dialed in that you can walk into any room, anywhere, and find the people who need what you have to offer. </p>



<p><em>The SUCCESS Line </em>is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.</p>

It starts with being authentic. You don’t need everyone; you need the right people. And sure, being authentic might mean that some people won’t be interested.

It starts with being authentic. You don’t need everyone; you need the right people. And sure, being authentic might mean that some people won’t be interested. | SUCCESS

How to Find Your Audience (Because You Don&#8217;t Need Everyone)

How to Find Your Audience (Because You Don't Need Everyone) | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Ben-Podcast-s.com-Thumbnails.jpg

<p>This week on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-success-line-with-ben-fairfield/id1562700048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>SUCCESS Line</em></a>, I talk to Brad, a fledgling entrepreneur and recent graduate of the SUCCESS coaching certification. He is also an Air Force veteran and has led a very successful career as a medical sales rep. However, he has recently felt <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/9-ways-to-know-what-passion-you-should-pursue/">called to a new passion</a> (or perhaps one that was long dormant) as a relationship, marriage and family coach. His business has been named and the tax forms have been filled out, but he is still missing one key component: clients.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/the-success-line-with-rory-vaden/getting-the-attention-of-the-right-people-with-bra/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Getting the Attention of the Right People with Brad"></iframe>



<p>How do we build a clientele and get the attention of the right people? It is a question that so many of us have, whether you are <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-start-a-business-in-a-day/">starting a business</a> from scratch like Brad or are further along and find your business is not working out. Wherever you are in the process, I have three tips to help you uncover the action strategies you need to take to build the business of your dreams.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-identify-your-superpower-nbsp">Identify your superpower.&nbsp;</h2>



<p>It is an exciting time for entrepreneurship. New businesses are being created every day that will have a real-world impact on the lives of others.</p>



<p>Amid this excitement, we have to be careful not to create a business just because everyone else is. We will only add to the noise and our business will likely fall flat. If you are thinking of joining the fold of entrepreneurship, there is one important question you need to ask yourself before doing anything else: <em>What is my superpower?</em> Identify what it is that makes you, <em>you</em>—the unique service, perspective or knowledge that only you can provide and the work that lights you up inside and fills you with passion.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The magic happens when we use our superpower to make an impact on the world around us—when our passion and purpose align with our work. Your purpose will get you started, your passion will see you through and your superpower will allow you to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-that-breaks-through-the-digital-noise/">break through the noise</a> and rise above the rest.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-clear-on-your-target-audience-nbsp">Get clear on your target audience.&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Once you have identified your superpower and are on the path to creating a business, you need to get hyper-specific about who you are targeting. It is no longer enough to have a “niche”—you must identify your micro-niche.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Start with your general audience and then methodically narrow it down until you have laser-focused on one specific micro-niche. Ask, <em>what keeps my audience up at night? What are they afraid of and frustrated by? What pain are they feeling?&nbsp;</em></p>



<p>In this over-saturated market, it will not work to throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. We have to get specific. Remember: We do not need to be everything to everyone. In fact, it’s not possible. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/finding-a-niche/">Identify your niche</a> and find the people who truly need what you have to offer.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-become-the-resource-nbsp">Become the resource.&nbsp;</h2>



<p>When trying to reach your audience, the most crucial moment is when they take the first step toward resolving their pain. What will your audience do and where will they go when they decide to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/the-art-of-problem-solving-4-creative-strategies-to-tackle-your-biggest-obstacles/">find a solution</a> to their problem? Wherever they go in that moment is where you need to be, ready and waiting to offer yourself as a resource.</p>



<p>Consider, how can you position yourself as one of the resources they find when looking to solve their problem? If they would first go to a book, now is the time you write one. If they would go to a pastor or counselor, now is the time to make connections with the pastors and counselors in your area. Wherever they would go—a meeting, a Facebook group, a congregation—is where you need to be.&nbsp;</p>



<p>We can’t help people if we are the best-kept secret in town. Find the people who need your help and get in on the ground floor. </p>



<p><em>The SUCCESS Line </em>is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.</p>

The magic happens when we use our superpower to make an impact on the world around us—when our passion and purpose align with our work.

The magic happens when we use our superpower to make an impact on the world around us—when our passion and purpose align with our work. | SUCCESS

How to Build Your First Client Base

How to Build Your First Client Base | SUCCESS

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The Quality of Your Life is Determined by the Quality of Your Questions

<p>This week on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-success-line-with-ben-fairfield/id1562700048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>SUCCESS Line</em></a>, I talk to Crystal, a successful real estate agent, graduate of SUCCESS Coaching and author.&nbsp;</p>



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/the-success-line-with-rory-vaden/asking-the-right-questions-with-crystal/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Asking the Right Questions with Crystal"></iframe>



<p>Like many of us, Crystal’s biggest goal in life is to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-use-your-influence-to-help-others/">make an impact</a> on everyone she meets, and she knows that one of the most powerful ways we can do that is to ask questions. But what questions should we ask?&nbsp;</p>



<p>The quality of your life is determined by the quality of the questions you ask yourself. If you find you don't have the life you want, the very first place to start is to ask yourself better questions—ones that make you accountable for everything you are experiencing, good or bad. When we take responsibility for our situation, we are empowered to change our situation.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If you’re not sure where to start, read on for eight of the most powerful questions you can ask.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-how-do-you-plan-to-change-what-you-do-today-in-order-to-grow-your-business-tomorrow">1. How do you plan to change what you do today in order to grow your business tomorrow?</h2>



<p>If we constantly play catch-up, we put ourselves in the passenger seat of our own life. We are firefighting instead of strategizing, and our business will suffer for it. Get off of the sidelines and onto the offense—tomorrow starts today.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-2-what-did-you-do-today-that-will-lead-to-your-success-nbsp">2. What did you do today that will lead to your success?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>It is all too easy to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/winning-the-war-against-complacency/">slip into complacency</a> when there are emails to answer and phone calls to make. This question brings us back to our long-term goals. I have it posted on my computer monitor, and if I can't answer it at the end of the day with something specific, clear and tangible, I wasted my day.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-what-are-you-learning-right-now">3. What are you learning right now?</h2>



<p>We are often so busy dealing with the constraints of modern life that we can’t imagine making time for our own <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-is-personal-development/">personal development</a>. But when we stop learning, we stop growing. We have a choice in what we give energy to—choose the things that push you forward.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-4-what-feeling-do-you-wish-to-leave-people-with-when-they-engage-with-you-nbsp">4. What feeling do you wish to leave people with when they engage with you?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Your answer to this question is <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/18-leadership-traits-that-should-define-your-legacy/">the legacy you will leave</a>. Pay attention to how you want to make people feel and bring intention to every interaction you have.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-5-what-story-is-living-in-your-head-that-causes-you-to-doubt-yourself-or-your-ability">5. What story is living in your head that causes you to doubt yourself or your ability?</h2>



<p>This question came from Tristan Ahumada, SUCCESS People Editor and host of the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/bs/podcast/brilliant-thoughts-with-tristan-ahumada/id1562886870"><em>Brilliant Thoughts</em></a> podcast. We all have stories we tell ourselves that keep us stuck—those limiting beliefs that tell us we will never achieve our goals. Identify yours and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/everyone-has-a-story-heres-how-to-make-yours-resonate/">write a new story</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-6-whose-voice-are-you-listening-to-and-why-nbsp">6. Whose voice are you listening to and why?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Serial entrepreneurs constantly compare themselves to others, looking for the magic potion that makes everyone else better, faster and smarter. But every voice you listen to counts as a vote. When you listen to too many, you end up oversaturated, overwhelmed and unable to effectively implement any of it. We have to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/finding-a-niche/">narrow our focus</a>. Find one or two voices you trust and who will help move you toward your goals.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-7-what-are-the-things-you-re-giving-your-time-to-and-how-are-those-things-serving-you-nbsp">7. What are the things you’re giving your time to and how are those things serving you?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Notice I didn’t say “taking” your time. It is not that we didn’t have time to do something, it is that we chose not to make the time. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/time-is-your-most-valuable-resource-dont-waste-it/">We all have time</a> for the things we choose to make time for. Every week, audit your time—what did you give most of your time, energy and focus to, and did those things move you closer to your goal?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-8-whom-do-i-need-to-become-in-order-to-attract-the-people-i-desire-nbsp">8. Whom do I need to become in order to attract the people I desire?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>We are our own students first. We have to look at our lives and take responsibility for where we are now, and then get clear on where we’d like to go. We will not begin to attract the people and the life we want until we take ownership of our own becoming. </p>



<p><em>The SUCCESS Line </em>is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.</p>

If you find you don't have the life you want, the very first place to start is to ask yourself better questions—ones that make you accountable for everything you are experiencing, good or bad.

If you find you don't have the life you want, the very first place to start is to ask yourself better questions—ones that make you accountable for everything you are experiencing, good or bad. | SUCCESS

Life Quality: Power of Questions in Shaping Your Destiny

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<p>This week on the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-success-line-with-ben-fairfield/id1562700048"><em>SUCCESS Line</em></a>, I talked to a graduate of the SUCCESS coaching certification. Dustin is a single father, real-estate broker, coach and entrepreneur—so, yes, he is just a little<em> </em>busy.&nbsp;</p>



<p>He came on the show to talk about a perpetually hot topic for entrepreneurs: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/12-time-management-techniques-to-make-the-most-of-your-24-hours/">time management</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/the-success-line-with-rory-vaden/maximizing-your-calendar-with-dustin/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Maximizing Your Calendar with Dustin"></iframe>



<p>But there is a sneaky truth: time management is a myth. If you’re tired of doing more every day but never feeling like you did enough, I have some solutions. But we first have to take responsibility. We cannot manage time; we can only manage ourselves.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-time-management-is-a-myth">Time management is a myth. </h2>



<p>Time is one of the only commodities we cannot make more of. It is a resource, one we choose, every single day, how to use.&nbsp;</p>



<p>We often say, “I <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/time-is-your-most-valuable-resource-dont-waste-it/">don’t have time</a> for that today.” But the reality is, “I <em>choose</em> not to give time to that item.” We have to reframe our thinking. How we spend our time is an investment, and just like our <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/when-considering-your-investment-strategy-keep-these-3-rules-in-mind/">investment portfolios</a> with the bank, it is up to us to decide where we put our money.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Instead of bemoaning that there are never enough hours in the day, look inward at how you are using the hours you do have. Ask yourself, who do I need to become in order to use time in a way that will get the results I desire? What habits do I need to instill, change or modify in order to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/10-steps-to-achieve-any-goal/">accomplish my goals</a>? It is self-management, not time-management, that truly maximizes our time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-do-more-of-the-right-things">Do more of the right things.</h2>



<p>One of the biggest lies told to entrepreneurs is that if they just spend more time working they will succeed. However, this mindset is a fast-track to burnout.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Doing more of everything is not the answer. It is about doing more of the right things.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Look at your calendar and surgically dissect the difference between what you could do and the three to four things you must do—the three to four activities that put you on the path to where you want to go. Saying yes to a few great things means saying no to a lot of good things. What do you want to be able to say yes to? And which activities are taking away your ability to do so?</p>



<p>One way to find out is to time-block and color-code your calendar. Every event that makes me money or moves my career forward is marked green. Anything administrative is blue. My personal life is red, and all of my coaching clients are yellow. At the end of my week, I can look back and identify at a glance where I spent the majority of my time. If I notice that most of my time was spent in admin, I can course-correct for the coming week by finding leverage and giving those tasks to someone else. Where are you spending your time and how do you need to adjust?</p>



<p>We are all bound by the same 24 hours in the day. In order to make the most of them, the goal is not to fill every waking moment with work, but rather to be more purposeful and intentional with the time we do spend.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-set-up-a-winnable-game">Set up a winnable game.</h2>



<p>Most of us underestimate what we can do in a year but overestimate what we can do in an hour.&nbsp; We all want to be able to say “I can get it done tomorrow”—but we have to be realistic about what is possible and set up timelines that allow us to follow through.</p>



<p>If we constantly give ourselves impossible deadlines, we will feel perpetually behind and frustrated. Instead, we need to set up a winnable game. Give yourself a long enough runway to gain the speed required to take off. As a result, you will be more reliable to your colleagues and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/7-thoughtful-ways-to-stress-less/">less stressed</a> in your own life because you are not stuck in a never-ending game of catch-up — you have allocated the proper amount of time for each item and you can complete each task on schedule.  </p>



<p><em>The SUCCESS Line </em>is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.</p>

If you’re tired of doing more every day but never feeling like you did enough, I have some solutions. But we first have to take responsibility. We cannot manage time; we can only manage ourselves. 

If you’re tired of doing more every day but never feeling like you did enough, I have some solutions. But we first have to take responsibility. We cannot manage time; we can only manage ourselves.  | SUCCESS

What Would You Do with an Extra Hour in Your Day?

What Would You Do with an Extra Hour in Your Day? | SUCCESS

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10 Steps to Craft an Effective Message for Your Business

<p>On this week’s episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-success-line-with-ben-fairfield/id1562700048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>SUCCESS Line</em></a>, I talk to Austin, a young entrepreneur with big ideas for his new business venture. He is eager to get this new project off the ground, but his messaging keeps falling flat—even his wife has questions when he tries to explain the business to her.&nbsp;</p>



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/the-success-line-with-rory-vaden/communicating-your-business-idea-with-austin/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Communicating Your Business Idea with Austin"></iframe>



<p>If you’re an entrepreneur like Austin, your vision for your business is likely crystal clear. It has lived in your mind for so long that you can already see the company in its fully formed state. However, when you take your idea out of the incubator in your mind, you might find that your audience doesn’t quite “get it.” But that does not necessarily mean your idea won’t work—you just haven’t found the right messaging yet.&nbsp;</p>



<p>These days, our attention spans are getting shorter and shorter; your content only has about three to five seconds to entice the audience before they move along to the next thing. In order to break through, you need to succinctly and clearly deliver the vision for your business in two sentences or less.&nbsp;</p>



<p><em>But how? How do we consolidate all of the hopes, dreams and long hours we have poured into our business into a mere two sentences or less?&nbsp;</em></p>



<p>Here I turn to a brilliant book by Dan Kennedy, <a href="https://amzn.to/41Nlp4a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Ultimate Sales Letter.</em></a> In it, he provides a set of powerful questions aimed to bring you clarity on who you are trying to serve and what your audience is looking for. If you’ve struggled to find an effective message for your business, read on for 10 questions that will help you craft a message that will make an impact.</p>



<ol>
<li>What keeps your target prospect awake at night?</li>



<li>What are they afraid of?&nbsp;</li>



<li>What are they angry about or who are they angry at?</li>



<li>What are their top 3 daily frustrations?&nbsp;</li>



<li>What trends are occurring and will occur in their lives or business?&nbsp;</li>



<li>What do they secretly, ardently desire most?&nbsp;</li>



<li>Is there a built in bias to the way they make decisions?&nbsp;</li>



<li>Do they have their own language?&nbsp;</li>
</ol>



<ul>
<li>I’ll note that this question does not refer to dialect, but rather is asking, does your target audience, as a group of people with shared interests, have a communal jargon or terminology set that they understand and other people don’t.</li>
</ul>



<ol start="9">
<li>Who else is offering a similar product to what you are trying to offer?&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>



<li>Who else has tried doing something similar and how has their effort failed?&nbsp;</li>
</ol>



<p>When you reach the end of these questions take stock of what you have learned, and incorporate your answers into your messaging. For example, take their three daily frustrations and create a series of short-form content pieces that address those problems. Use buzzwords from the jargon you described to make your content highly searchable. Draw in your audience with catchy titles that promise to provide the secret to achieving what they “secretly, ardently desire.” Identify those groups with similar goals and study them: what do they do well? And what are they missing? All of these steps will add to the legibility of your messaging.</p>



<p>So many entrepreneurs make the mistake of trying to craft a message that will reach everyone. But good messaging does not come from going bigger—it comes from going <em>deeper</em>. Take the time to get extreme clarity on the vision for your business. When you do that, your messaging might land on fewer people, but it will land much more effectively</p>



<p>We are living in a world of messaging overload, and consumers don’t know who to trust. Messaging matters now more than ever, and this is a truth that transcends industry. It is mission-critical to any movement, organization, or business to deliver succinct messaging that will resonate with their target audience.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Don’t let your idea wither simply because you couldn’t figure out how to explain it. There are people out there who need what you have to offer—you just have to get out there and find them. </p>



<p><em>The SUCCESS Line </em>is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.</p>

On this week’s episode of SUCCESS Line, I talk to Austin, a young entrepreneur with big ideas for his new business venture. He is eager to get this new

On this week’s episode of SUCCESS Line, I talk to Austin, a young entrepreneur with big ideas for his new business venture. He is eager to get this new | SUCCESS

10 Steps to Craft an Effective Message for Your Business | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/SLPod_Austin_Scom_Thumbnail_12_08_21.jpeg

3 Tips for Entrepreneurs Who Feel Stuck Between Their Business and Their Passion

Future of Work

Future of Work Archives

Future of Work | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p>On this week’s episode of the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-success-line-with-ben-fairfield/id1562700048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>SUCCESS Line</em></a>, I talk to Ethan, a young entrepreneur who is feeling torn between two worlds: the business he built that has given him the success he has now, and a newfound passion for thought leadership and coaching that he is eager to explore.&nbsp;</p>



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/the-success-line-with-rory-vaden/balancing-your-steady-business-and-your-new-idea-w/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Balancing Your Steady Business and Your New Idea with Ethan"></iframe>



<p>He wants to know, “How do I pursue this new passion without abandoning my old business entirely?”&nbsp;</p>



<p>This dilemma is one that almost every entrepreneur will face. We hit a ceiling in our current role and we lose passion for the work. So how do we move forward? Read on for my advice.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Don’t take your hands off the steering wheel too fast.</h2>



<p>When you feel ready to pursue a new passion, you will likely want to reduce your involvement in your business’s day-to-day responsibilities. However, you need to be strategic; you cannot leave your employees high and dry without a leader to turn to.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The death rattle for the entrepreneur is when they try to get out the day-to-day too quickly. Ethan learned this the hard way. His business was doing well, so he took his hands off the steering wheel. And for a little while, the car kept going straight. He was able to travel the world and begin pursuing his passion projects. But then, things began to go off the rails and the car went into a ditch. Ethan had stepped back too far and too quickly for his business to thrive without him.&nbsp;</p>



<p>No matter how successful you get, you will never be able to get rid of your responsibilities entirely. It is vital to the health of your company that you check in with your team on a regular basis.&nbsp;</p>



<p>So when the time comes for you to step back, don’t rush—begin to replace some of your responsibilities in slow, progressive steps and make sure the company is running smoothly before you book that flight for a month abroad.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Reject the “either/or” mentality.&nbsp;</h2>



<p>That being said, just because you can’t immediately wrench yourself out of your business doesn’t mean you can’t chase after your passion, too.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Consider how you can integrate the work you do for your current business with your passion projects. For Ethan, this means hiring and training new employees to take over some of his current responsibilities. In the process, he can test out his ideas around thought leadership within his own company through free employee workshops and training. He can even start documenting the system he uses with his employees so that he can eventually take it on the road to impact others. In the process, he will not only strengthen his passion project, but he will also become a better leader, provide value to his employees and strengthen the company as a whole.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Don’t make your current business go backwards just because you want to move forward. Find a path that leaves room for your business and your future dreams to walk in side by side.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-turn-your-obstacle-into-an-advantage-nbsp">3. Turn your obstacle into an advantage.&nbsp;</h2>



<p>No obstacle is immovable and permanent. With a shift in perspective, any obstacle you see in your path can become an advantage.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In order for Ethan to begin his new journey, he needs to be able to step back from his client-facing roles and replace himself with new hires. However, it is incredibly difficult to find and retain employees right now. So what should he do? Twiddle his thumbs and wait around for that to change?&nbsp;</p>



<p>Of course not.&nbsp;</p>



<p>I recently learned that the No. 1 most important factor in the younger generation’s job search is the opportunity for leadership development and growth. So as Ethan goes into his next chapter of thought leadership, he can use the ideas he is crafting to attract the kind of people who are looking for mission-based work. He can use the skills he is already cultivating to create the kind of company that people will be<em> eager </em>to work for because they want to be a part of the growth-minded environment he is creating.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Furthermore, he can talk about his obstacles on social media to connect with other entrepreneurs who might be struggling with the same things. He can tell his story online and begin to create a community of like-minded individuals based around their shared experiences and frustrations.&nbsp;</p>



<p>You don’t have to wait until you’ve “figured it all out” to bring people into your journey. People don’t want a perfectly polished version of you—they want authenticity and connection. Instead of trying to hide the obstacles you face, let people into your journey and bring them along for the ride.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Any obstacle can become an advantage if you’re willing to embrace it. And if you can do that, you will become unstoppable. </p>



<p><em>The SUCCESS Line </em>is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.</p>

On this week’s episode of the SUCCESS Line, I talk to Ethan, a young entrepreneur who is feeling torn between two worlds: the business he built that has

On this week’s episode of the SUCCESS Line, I talk to Ethan, a young entrepreneur who is feeling torn between two worlds: the business he built that has | SUCCESS

Breaking Free: 3 Tips for Passionate Entrepreneurs"

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The Riches Are in the Micro-Niches: How to Grow Your Business by Narrowing Your Focus

<p>This week on the <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-success-line-with-ben-fairfield/id1562700048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>SUCCESS Line</em></a> I talk to Jake, an entrepreneur and coach I have watched with admiration for years.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For the last five years, Jake has been building a business that has experienced remarkable growth. However, he feels as though he is hitting his head against the ceiling in terms of scaling. He wants to grow and reach more people, but he has no idea how.&nbsp;</p>



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/the-success-line-with-rory-vaden/finding-your-micro-niche-with-jake/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Finding Your Micro-Niche with Jake"></iframe>



<p>As entrepreneurs, we can get so caught up in the day to day of working<em> in </em>our<em> </em>business that we don't take a step out to work <em>on</em> it. If you, like Jake, want to take your business to the next level, you have to step out and give yourself the quiet space to ask questions and re-evaluate your strategies.&nbsp;</p>



<p>When we first start out, we live in the entrepreneurial mindset. We are shaking hands and kissing babies and doing anything and everything to get our business started. However, the entrepreneurial mindset will only take you so far, and if you don’t change course, you will hit a ceiling just like Jake. We need to switch from an entrepreneurial mindset to a purposeful mindset.&nbsp;</p>



<p>So how do we do that? How do we take our offerings to more people in the world while maintaining what we currently have? It starts with looking inward. Read on for the top three questions I ask all entrepreneurs before they grow their business.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Why do you want to grow?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Whenever an entrepreneur comes to me with the goal to grow their business, I start with a simple question: Why?&nbsp;</p>



<p>If the only answer they can give me is simply to get more (money, fame, etc.), I know that we won’t get very far. The relentless desire for more leaves you hollow and empty; it won’t pull you through the inevitably tough days that come with entrepreneurship.&nbsp;</p>



<p>In order to grow, you need to go back to why you started your business in the first place. What is the heart behind it?&nbsp;</p>



<p>Before you even consider paying for more advertising, I want you to return to your why. Without a connection to your purpose, it will be hard to grow in any meaningful way. Your intent, your passion and your heart are what will carry you forward and across the finish line.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. What is your micro-niche?</h2>



<p>We all have a tendency to push back against niching down in marketing. We worry, “Will there really be enough people?”</p>



<p>I challenge you to not only niche down, but to actually go even deeper—identify your micro-niche. What is the sub-niche within your niche?</p>



<p>For example, Jake’s niche is real estate broker owners. But he doesn’t need every single brokerage in America; he needs the ones that are looking for exactly what he has to offer. Who are they? What is their biggest pain point? What are the thoughts that keep them awake at night? His messaging lies in the answer to these questions.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If you are able to identify our micro-niche, you will have taken an ambiguous number of targets and drilled it down to the point where you can almost predict what your target audience is thinking at night.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Marketing is nothing more than connecting the right message with the right person at the right time. Many entrepreneurs want to take the shotgun approach and blast their message to everyone under the sun. But without strategic, targeted messaging, your ads will fall on deaf ears. Identify your micro-niche and find the small fraction of people who truly resonate with your message.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-3-how-will-you-deliver-your-message-nbsp">3. How will you deliver your message?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>All of the work you have done to micro-niche and find the right message won’t matter if you have no method to distribute it. Ask yourself, “Where does my sub-niche go online and where can they see my messaging?&nbsp;</p>



<p>For Jake, his target audience turns to brokerage Facebook groups. However, we identified that his micro-niche is independent broker owners. Jake needs to cultivate an online community that is specifically for independent broker owners, creating a space where they can have conversations around their unique set of challenges. By creating this community, and providing value within it, he has also created a space filled with those who need <em>exactly </em>what he has to offer.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It was once said that the riches are in the niches, but that is no longer true. The riches are now in the <em>micro-</em>niches. Craft a message for your micro-niche, create a method to distribute it, and watch your business soar to new heights. </p>



<p><em>The SUCCESS Line </em>is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.</p>

This week on the SUCCESS Line I talk to Jake, an entrepreneur and coach I have watched with admiration for years.&nbsp; For the last five years, Jake has

This week on the SUCCESS Line I talk to Jake, an entrepreneur and coach I have watched with admiration for years.&nbsp; For the last five years, Jake has | SUCCESS

Riches in Micro-Niches: Growing Your Business with Focus

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Feeling Scattered? These 3 Questions Will Help You Stay on Track

<p>On this week’s episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-success-line-with-ben-fairfield/id1562700048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>SUCCESS Line</em></a>,&nbsp; I talk to an alumni of our very own SUCCESS Coaching who is now growing a coaching business himself. He recently gained three new clients in three days, and while he is excited, he is also feeling overwhelmed by his now jam-packed calendar.</p>



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/the-success-line-with-rory-vaden/rules-for-your-calendar-with-rick/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Rules for your Calendar with Rick"></iframe>



<p>We’ve all been there: Our calendar is a mess and Post-it notes filled with to-do lists cover our desk. We are left wondering, “How can I possibly juggle all of this at once?”</p>



<p>Regardless of where you are in your career, it can be incredibly difficult to know what to focus on at each moment. I’ve been there myself, and I was lucky enough to have a mentor who taught me a way to stay organized and spend the maximum amount of time pursuing my passion. If you are overwhelmed and looking for a way to find focus, read on for the three questions I ask myself every day to stay on track.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-does-this-move-me-closer-to-my-vision-nbsp">1. Does this move me closer to my vision?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Every single time someone or something needs me, I ask, “Does this move me closer to my vision?” It doesn’t matter if it is someone stopping by my office, an email coming in or even the mailman at my door, every task is filtered through this lens.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If the answer is yes, the next steps are simple. I either complete the task immediately or carve out time on my calendar to complete it later.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If the answer is no, I ask, “Does it require me to be the person doing this?” If it doesn’t require me, then I need to find a leverage component to take it off my plate. This leverage component could be a variety of things—a person, a system or a tool—but what is important is that it is no longer my job.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>Some things, however, do require my personal attention. For example, expensing my credit card account has to be done by me, but it does not move me closer to my vision. To deal with these tasks, I block in an hour of “clean-up” time every day. When a task like expenses comes up, I slot it directly into that hour. Now I don’t feel anxious that the task won't get done and I can get straight back to focusing on what is moving my vision forward.&nbsp;</p>



<p>This system forces you to get into the discipline of remembering that every time you say yes to something that doesn’t move you closer to your vision, that takes time away from something that does. If you stay aligned with your vision, focus and efficiency will follow.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Is it still the right vision?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>If the task at hand is moving me closer to my vision, I then ask, “Is it still the right vision?”</p>



<p>Often, we get so tied into one vision that we don’t allow ourselves to adjust when necessary. It doesn't mean we have to radically change our plans, but through experience and time we can refine our vision into something more precise.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Entrepreneurship is a process of evolution. As we learn and grow, we need to be flexible to the changes that may come up. We set out with one destination in mind, but we might find ourselves going down a detour along the way. We might still arrive in the general area we sought out, but over time we redefine where exactly our destination is.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Asking yourself this question every day allows you to stay open to the possibility of your vision changing and to say no to tasks that no longer fit.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Am I still the right leader?</h2>



<p>Here is where we turn the question back onto ourselves: “Am I still the right leader to move this company toward our vision?” Or, “Am I becoming the leader necessary for this organization to get where it wants to be?”</p>



<p>When we are in the thick of running a business, it is easy to get to the point where we are just putting out fires—we keep everyone happy, reply to all of the emails and make sure the printer is working. We are trying to do everything at once without taking a moment to slow down and look at the bigger picture. The power in this question is that it forces you to analyze what it is you are seeing repeated. What is the lesson I need to learn from these small fires I keep putting out? Where are the areas I need to grow in order to become the leader this organization needs?&nbsp;</p>



<p>We cannot let the urgent pull us from the intentional. Focus begins with discipline and habit. Try asking these three questions when tasks come up this week—I think you will be amazed to see how much more efficient, focused and flexible you are. </p>



<p><em>The SUCCESS Line </em>is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.</p>

On this week’s episode of SUCCESS Line,&nbsp; I talk to an alumni of our very own SUCCESS Coaching who is now growing a coaching business himself. He

On this week’s episode of SUCCESS Line,&nbsp; I talk to an alumni of our very own SUCCESS Coaching who is now growing a coaching business himself. He | SUCCESS

Feeling Scattered? These 3 Questions Will Help You Stay on Track | SUCCESS

https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/SLPod_Rick_Scom_Thumbnail_11_27_21.jpeg

<p>On this week’s episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-success-line-with-ben-fairfield/id1562700048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>SUCCESS Line</em></a>, I talk to a young entrepreneur, Veena, who is ready to go all in on her coaching business. However, she is struggling to make herself stand out in the oversaturated coaching market and wants to know how she can augment her business through social media.&nbsp;</p>



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/the-success-line-with-rory-vaden/setting-engaging-social-media-strategy-with-veena/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Setting Engaging Social Media Strategy with Veena"></iframe>



<p>These days, it is easy to get lost in the sea of the same. Coaching is a crowded and watered down industry. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t <a href="https://coaching.success.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">great coaches out there</a> or that you can’t <a href="https://coaching.success.com/certification/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">become one yourself</a>. If you relate to Veena’s plight and want to<strong> </strong>learn how to stand out, stay consistent and drive more engagement, read on for my top three takeaways.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-show-up-authentically-nbsp">1. Show up authentically.&nbsp;</h2>



<p>One of the biggest traps for entrepreneurs is trying to be everything for everyone. But we don't need <em>everyone</em>, we only need the people who are looking for what we <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-market-your-uniqueness/">uniquely have to offer</a>.</p>



<p>In a sea of the same we have to find ways to make ourselves stand out. There is plenty of opportunity out there, but it all starts with understanding what makes you unique and doubling down on that message. You and your unique personality are the reason someone will choose you out of the hundreds of other coaches available. Consumers choose the person first and the service second.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If we <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/6-tips-for-rapid-social-media-growth-in-2022/">want to increase engagement</a>, it starts with showing up more authentically on social media. It doesn't mean you have to share every detail of your life—it can be a simple video of you talking to your audience. But when it's you speaking to your audience directly, you will automatically draw in those who want to work with you (and push away those who don’t).&nbsp;</p>



<p>Allow people to get to know who you are and bring yourself to the forefront of your content. If you do, I think you will see your engagement increase significantly.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Get clear on your message.&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The bane of most entrepreneurs' existence on social media, including my own, is consistency.&nbsp; Social media is a full-time job that I don’t have time to give to. What I do to mitigate this, and what I coach my clients to do, is map out my content quarterly and come up with a theme for each quarter.</p>



<p>When you choose a quarterly theme, curating your content suddenly becomes much simpler as you have narrowed the lens with which to filter everything through. If something doesn’t fit with that quarter’s theme, the content simply goes into the “maybe later” pile.&nbsp;</p>



<p>When you get clarity on your North Star and find a quarterly theme that supports where you’re going and who you want to bring with you, your audience will show up. It may be a smaller audience, but the engagement will be much higher because you’re connecting on a deeper level. I would rather have a lot of comments and messages that show a deeper connection to the content than thousands of superficial likes with no interaction with the consumer.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Define for yourself what kind of engagement you’re looking for and what levels would mean success to you. And perhaps most importantly, create a system to measure what you’re doing to see if your content is effective or not in facilitating <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/5-tips-for-connecting-with-your-audience-from-the-woman-whos-worked-with-the-biggest-names-in-entertainment/">connection with your audience</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Create a community.&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Once we pinpoint our uniqueness and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-find-your-audience-because-you-dont-need-everyone/">find our audience</a>, we need to figure out how to have a consistent dialogue with these people over time.&nbsp;</p>



<p>For example, Veena just wrote a book, but she is unsure how to find out how people are responding to it. To address this, she needs to create a communication plan. This could look like many different things: She could reach out to the people who have purchased the book, she could create a Facebook group, an email list… the list goes on.&nbsp;</p>



<p>But a book, just like video courses or any other content you might create, is only one of the tools that moves your business forward. While <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-scale-your-business-a-guide-for-new-entrepreneurs/">scaling your business</a>, your job is to put as many nets out there as possible to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-keys-to-consistent-community-growth/">draw as many people</a> as you can into your world.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Find a way to create a community of like-minded people who resonate with your message—it all starts there. The value of your business is, in large part, determined by the community you create and the engagement within it. Become the person for your community who provides value and is seen as an expert. Over time, as you provide more and more value for your community, they will invite others to come in and join the fun.</p>



<p><em>The SUCCESS Line </em>is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.</p>

Coaching is a crowded industry. Learn how to stand out, stay consistent and drive more engagement.

Coaching is a crowded industry. Learn how to stand out, stay consistent and drive more engagement. | SUCCESS

How to Stand Out in a Sea of the Same

How to Stand Out in a Sea of the Same | SUCCESS

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Avoiding the Price Trap: 3 Tips to Succeed as a Mission-Based Business

<p>On this week’s episode of <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-success-line-with-ben-fairfield/id1562700048" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>SUCCESS Line</em></a>, I talk to Maria. Maria quit her job as a project manager two years ago to follow her dreams of starting her own business, a decision she actually made after picking up a copy of <em>SUCCESS</em> magazine.&nbsp;</p>



<iframe src="https://omny.fm/shows/the-success-line-with-rory-vaden/competing-through-passion-with-maria/embed?style=artwork" width="100%" height="180" frameborder="0" title="Competing through Passion with Maria"></iframe>



<p>Maria came on the show with two questions that I’m guessing most entrepreneurs reading this have experienced:</p>



<ul>
<li>How can I attract more customers to my business when there are so many cheaper options?&nbsp;</li>



<li>What should be my strategy for increasing my sales when my competition has much more capital to invest?</li>
</ul>



<p>These questions are such common ones for smaller businesses competing with big supply chain players. However, they focus on the wrong thing: cost. If you want to free yourself from the competition on price trap, read on for my top three tips to succeed as a mission-based business. I promise, once you decide that you are no longer willing to compete on price alone, your world (and your business) will open up.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-1-get-clear-on-your-mission-nbsp">1. Get clear on your mission.&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Competition on the face of price or cost alone is a losing battle. There will always be people willing to go out of business faster than you are—meaning, they are always willing to cut the price further to edge you out.&nbsp;</p>



<p>So if we know that’s not a sustainable battle, where can you differentiate yourself. Where can you challenge them?&nbsp;</p>



<p>In the heart. A small business’s strengths lie in its passion, commitment to its mission, and the belief that it can <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-headpeace-is-helping-to-create-a-better-world/">do some good in the world</a>. The companies that compete on price are simply looking at their bottom line; they don’t have the same heart.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>If we can’t attack them on price, we have to bring our mission, passion and purpose to the forefront on a much bigger level.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Take <a href="https://www.toms.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TOMS</a>. They are not the cheapest shoes, and, personally, I don’t even like the way they look. However, people buy TOMS shoes for a reason: because the company donates a third of their profits to the missions and purposes they are passionate about. People buy the product not because it's the lowest price, but because they believe in the mission the company stands for.&nbsp;</p>



<p>You have to get extreme clarity on who your company is and what you are trying to accomplish. Your heart is your golden ticket: People are always willing to pay more for something if they believe in it.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Attract your tribe.</h2>



<p>Once you’ve gotten clear on your mission, you need to identify those consumers who are passionate about the same cause—you need to attract your tribe. Ask yourself, <em>Who is my ideal customer? Where do they spend their free time? How would I reach them? What do they buy?</em></p>



<p>You don't need everybody in the world, you just need enough people who are on the same path as you. Niche down to a small subset of people who are passionate about the work you do. Once you do that, everything changes. Your messaging will connect more deeply with those people, and you will likely attract more loyal and devoted customers. The customers who want the cheapest products will always leave you for a lower price. The customers who believe in your purpose, who get to know you and what you want to accomplish, are far more likely to stick around.&nbsp;</p>



<p>How do you attract your tribe? Emotion. Logic makes people think; emotion makes people act. Do an audit of all of your marketing and ask, <em>Am I leading with emotion or logic?</em> Get clear on who your tribe is and then find a way to reach them on a deep, emotional level.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Find your tribe a home.&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The bonus piece to all of this, the proverbial icing on the cake, is that you need to create a place—a Facebook group, an email newsletter, etc.—where the community you are building can come together.</p>



<p>It is one thing to get your message out and have your customers buy the product. It is another to create a community of like-minded individuals who can share common causes, connect and become loyal customers of your brand.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Think about, <em>What place am I driving these people to, to create a community?</em> If we are not putting our arms around the community we are creating and giving them some love, then we are missing an opportunity to build a higher affinity for our brand. If we leave them in all of the scattered places we found them, it will be much harder to create the loyal community we are trying to build. Furthermore, it is always significantly less expensive to sell to an existing customer than to attract new ones.&nbsp;</p>



<p>If you have a small business like Maria and are trying to compete with big companies, don’t get pulled into the competition on price trap. Figure out who you are and who will identify with your mission, bring them together in a community, and watch your business change.</p>



<p><em>The SUCCESS Line </em>is no longer releasing new episodes on the SUCCESS Podcast Network, but you can still listen to the full conversation below.</p>

On this week’s episode of SUCCESS Line, I talk to Maria. Maria quit her job as a project manager two years ago to follow her dreams of starting her own

On this week’s episode of SUCCESS Line, I talk to Maria. Maria quit her job as a project manager two years ago to follow her dreams of starting her own | SUCCESS

Mission-Based Success: 3 Tips to Escape the Price Trap

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Ask the Coach: I'm Not Passionate About My Job But It Pays Well—What Should I Do?

<p><em>I am in a lucrative career, but it’s just a job to me. I don’t feel passionate about it, but I have a hard time letting go and pursuing a real passion because it pays the bills well.</em></p>



<p><em>Any advice?</em></p>



<p>The first thing we have to do is take you through a <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/6-steps-to-discover-your-true-self/">process of self-discovery</a>. You have to understand the reality of where you are and how you got there before you are able to move forward. Skipping this step means you might never find the right path to follow.</p>



<p>Let’s start by looking at the relationship between purpose, growth and success. They are intertwined. Most people wander aimlessly through life without understanding their purpose. Start by asking yourself these questions: Do you know why you get up in the morning? Do you know why you are here? What’s your purpose?</p>



<p><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-is-my-purpose-in-life/">Purpose fuels growth</a>. Growth means different things to different people. What does it mean to you? It’s hard to say your current environment supports your personal and professional growth if you can’t define what growth means.</p>



<p>Success is ultimately everyone’s desire. We all want to be more successful, but how do you define success? The dictionary definition is, “the accomplishment of an aim or purpose.” Many people don’t have a specific aim or purpose. Without knowing your specific aim or purpose, how do you know if you’re winning? It’s like you’re playing a game without keeping score. Without clarity here, we typically find ourselves with a lack of passion and enthusiasm and then wonder why we get frustrated. Success is rarely found in the absence of growth.</p>



<p>We most effectively make major decisions by being asked and by answering powerful questions. So, let me ask you: What happened to your passion? Everyone loses their passion at some point. We get comfortable, we take our foot off the gas a little, and then we wonder why our momentum slows down.</p>



<p>What did you once love about what you do? Note the past tense. You got into your current career for a reason. Let’s go back to the “honeymoon phase.” What drew you to this track? When did the gap start to form between what you are doing and what you are passionate about doing? What caused that gap? More times than not, the gap starts and grows when there’s a lack of congruency between your values and the role you’re playing. That can happen for a couple of reasons. Maybe you changed, maybe the organization or industry changed, maybe all of the above.</p>



<p>Once we gain clarity there, we must inspect that gap. Doing so will tell me a lot about what has changed. You might not even know consciously. That’s why you need a coach to ask tough questions and challenge you on the answers.</p>



<p>The next powerful questions are, can you regain that passion? Can we realign your values and the role you’re playing? If the answers are no, then it might be time to make a change.</p>



<p>Most people don’t take the next step because they are afraid. Fear holds most of us back from some of the best things life could have in store for us. For most people, the next opportunity is never “just right” or enticing enough to overcome their fear of change.</p>



<p>As humans, we are more hardwired to avoid pain than to pursue pleasure. This is why some people are still complaining now about the same things they were complaining about five years ago. They think the pain of changing will be worse than the pain of remaining right where they are, void of passion and uninspired.</p>



<p>Some people are chronic complainers who never take action to do anything. It’s not because they don’t want to, it’s because they <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/taking-action-is-key-to-pursuing-your-passion-and-purpose/">don’t know where to start</a>. It starts, as I said, with understanding how purpose, growth and success are intertwined.</p>



<p>It’s not easy. I’ve been coaching for 11 years, and I still need and have my own coach. My coach tells me things I don’t want to hear, just like I tell my clients things they don’t want to hear. I make my clients mad sometimes—some would say often—but they stick with me because of the results. That’s important. Hire a coach who will challenge you, not coddle you.</p>



<p>Having the courage to take the next step is a battle of the mind. This is where the real challenge starts. You have to deal with the fact that you’ll have to go through uncomfortable times on the journey of growth. You have to leave your safe, passionless norm.</p>



<p>In this case, the pain comes from the uncertainty of moving on, from change, from <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/20-ways-to-try-something-new/">trying something new</a>. Is your current job causing enough pain that you are ready to take the next step? Only when you can answer “yes” to that question will you be ready to make a move.</p>



<p><em>SUCCESS Coaching certifies industry-leading mentors to create transformative growth in entrepreneurs and professionals. To inquire about becoming certified, visit <a href="https://coaching.success.com/certification/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coaching.success.com/certification</a>.</em></p>



<p><em>Visit <a href="https://coaching.success.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">coaching.success.com</a> to learn how a coach could help your business.</em></p>



<p style="font-size:12px"><em>This article originally appeared in the September/October 2021 issue of SUCCESS magazine.</em><br><em>Photo by TGSquared.com</em></p>

We most effectively make major decisions by being asked and by answering powerful questions. So, let me ask you: What happened to your passion? Everyone loses their passion at some point.

We most effectively make major decisions by being asked and by answering powerful questions. So, let me ask you: What happened to your passion? Everyone loses their passion at some point. | SUCCESS

Ask the Coach: I&#8217;m Not Passionate About My Job But It Pays Well—What Should I Do?

Coaching Advice: Balancing Passion and Financial Stability

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