5 things I do for awesome results at the start of every New Year!

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Happy New Year!

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions.

Someone asked me about my resolution at a recent New Year’s Eve party. I wasn’t looking to be a contrarian. I learned long ago to only share my dreams with people who will help me achieve them (and I just met this guy).

Instead, I shared a polite yet shallow answer: “lose weight.”

Curiosity made me wonder why we feel compelled to have a resolution ready when the ball drops.

So I asked him, “What about you? How did you come up with a resolution?”

He was honest and shared that he didn’t think about it much or have one.

So I came clean and told him I do five things at the end of every year to help me grow in all areas of my life.

He said, "OK, now you HAVE to tell me about your five things!”

So here they are for you to start 2024 as best version of YOU:

1. My retreat. I get away from the hustle and bustle of life to a place where I can think. I have an addiction to Brain.FM that I tap into when I am writing and thinking through things. Its scientifically proven ambient noise helps improve deep focus. I use noise-canceling headphones and take my Rocketbook to jot down notes. It’s like when Chevy Chase is locked in the attic during Christmas Vacation. It’s a time for quiet reflection.

2. Six and Twelve. As an Air Force veteran, your six is what’s behind you, and 12 o’clock is what's ahead of you. If you visualize yourself in the cockpit of a plane, it's an easy way to think about the world around you in relation to the hands of a clock. It’s also an easy way for me to do a retrospective on my life.

Details:

• I start by looking at areas of my life similar to the Wheel of Life (Wheel of Life - Take the Free Assessment). My core areas are Health, Wealth, Work, Play, Growth, Connection, Faith, Environment, and Purpose.

  • Looking back at the previous year, I jotted down one plus and one minus in each area, checking my six. For example, I might note (- didn’t stick to a budget, + made a good investment) in my Wealth category. It’s a simple, fast, and thoughtful way to review what worked and what didn’t.

  • No, I use something I created called my Intention Designer when I looked forward. I teach it to my SPARK students, too. Here’s a quick snapshot, but I like to dream big about what I want to do across these categories. But that’s only part of the process.

3. Focus. It’s easy to come up with a whole list of things, write them down, and never get any of them done. So, what’s the antidote? Narrow your list to three things. The three things should be hard, like writing a book, which takes repeated focus and commitment. If you decide to do this, you must commit to writing on a schedule with a goal of several words written per day or chapter completion targets by a certain day. Now visualize yourself going after these three things with all your focus, and check in on them monthly, if not weekly. These three things are the gas in your tank. It should be what drives you when your feet hit the floor in the morning.

4. Systems. One of the best time management tips I ever heard was to “become a person of one book.” This was in the days when everyone carried around something called a Day-Timer, a paper-based, highly customizable personal organizer. A mentor saw me with multiple calendars and gave this sage advice that still lingers. Although I traded in my Day-Timer for Handspring’s Visor personal digital assistant, which I had until I had a Blackberry, then a series of smartphones,. Now, I have connected calendars with a life dashboard that is the hub for making time for what’s important. In my hub, I have my vision statement always present, with three pillars (dreams) that drive my daily intentions and habits. All are in sync and accessible from any device I choose. It’s the “one book” principle in action.

5. Accountability. Nothing happens if you are not in an accountability relationship. You must find someone you trust who is committed to helping you be your best. This can be tricky because many people want to put you down and tell you what limits you or what you cannot do. You don’t need these people. You need someone willing to help you get where you want to go. I’ve found great success in paying for this type of coaching relationship. Professional coaching is a great way to get traction and accountability. Coaches will point out when you need to change, when you aren’t honest with yourself, and help you see things that might not be obvious. Don’t be cheap; pick one generalist for all three focus areas. Take the time needed to pick the right people who have been to where you want to go and can act as a trusted guide.

🔥What’s New in 2024 for IGNITE Sales

You’ve decided that one of your goals for the New Year is to up your sales game by hanging with folks who know something about selling.

That’s why, for 2024, I have some great news:

1. We are moving to a paid subscription model to bring you more focused, authoritative content from leaders in sales & marketing.

2. You can sign up for a 100% discount for the next year. It’s a special gift to our inaugural subscribers.

3. We will have many special offers for subscribers: exclusive discounts, members-only webinars, free sales tools and templates, marketing guides, and access to our daily sales tips delivered right to your inbox.

💡 Action It

• All you need to do is click the button below today.

• You can continue reading all the great stuff we have to help you move in the right direction in 2024.

When you visit the site, check the annual option, which should be $0. It will be this way until January 29th, so don’t procrastinate!

🚀sales FLIGHT DECK

Demand Gen vs Lead Gen: Let's Get Real

Ever wonder what's the real tea between demand generation and lead generation? Let's break it down, friend-style. Demand gen is like being the life of the party - making sure everyone knows your brand's name. It's about playing the long game, creating buzz, and eventually guiding those curious souls down the sales funnel to become loyal customers. Think content marketing that educates and builds trust - 83% of marketers say it's key for brand awareness.

Lead gen? That's more like having a laser focus on those already eyeing your product. It's the traditional mix of cold calls, emails, and referrals. The goal? Snag that contact info and pass it along to the sales squad. But here’s the kicker: in 2023, the smart cookies in business are blending both strategies.

And get this: Sales funnel gurus ClickFunnels revealed that for B2B marketers, building brand awareness is now more important than straight-up lead gen. Metrics-wise, it’s all about tracking engagement and website traffic for demand gen, while lead gen is counting those leads and conversion rates.

The real deal? Both strategies have their place. Demand gen is rising, with companies investing more in SEO and content marketing. Google's recent helpful content update is a forcing function for companies to get strategic about content marketing. What are the expected results? A sweet flow of quality leads. Remember, it's not about the quick win. Demand gen is a marathon, not a sprint. So, which side are you on, or are you playing both games?

AI insights⚙️

Folks, I'm on the edge of my seat here! I'm about to get my hands on Humane's AI Pin, and let me tell you, it's not just another tech gizmo. As someone managing diabetes and Meniere's disease, this little wonder is a ray of hope. Picture this: a device that calculates carbs by just scanning your food. Imagine the freedom and control it offers for healthier choices. But there's more - for those of us who struggle with smartphones, this AI Pin could be a lifesaver.

As Paresh Dave from Wired describes, the $700 AI Pin is more than just a fancy badge. It's a full-on smartphone alternative that you can wear. Talk, gesture, even take photos - all hands-free. This piece of wizardry projects a visual interface onto your palm and is as sharp as ChatGPT itself. Imagine ditching your phone addiction for something that keeps you present in the moment.

And for us tech geeks, this isn't just exciting; it's revolutionary. The AI Pin is on the forefront of wearable tech, blending fashion, functionality, and AI smarts. It’s set to reshape how we interact with technology, making it more intuitive and less intrusive.

So, stay tuned! I'll be sharing my firsthand experience with the AI Pin, exploring its potential for folks like us with unique health needs. We're talking a reimagined smartphone experience that's more inclusive and accessible. And tech insiders tell me they’ve been able to recruit away some great minds from Apple. Can't wait to start this journey and share every bit with you all!

book CORNER 📚

Book Corner: "Unlocking the Power of Lead Generation"

As the holiday season winds down, I've got a book that's a must-read for anyone looking to up their lead generation game. Alex Hormozi's "$100M Leads" isn't just a book; it's a blueprint for transforming your business. It's all about harnessing the power of effective advertising, crafting irresistible offers, and creating magnetic lead magnets. Hormozi's insights are like finding gold in the business world.

The book dives into the nitty-gritty of diversifying lead generation strategies, especially the Hook-Retain-Reward system, crucial for maintaining a steady stream of quality leads. It's not just theory; it's practical, actionable advice. And let me tell you, Hormozi's strategies work wonders. Implementing his tactics, like revisiting service offerings and honing lead magnets, skyrocketed my web design agency's conversion rates and led to a whopping 200% revenue growth.

Here's a gem from Hormozi himself: "Leads don’t appear magically; you need to find them through advertising." This quote encapsulates the essence of the book – proactive, strategic, and results-driven.

For anyone looking to turbocharge their business, "$100M Leads" is your guide. Dive in, absorb the wisdom, and watch as your business reaches new heights.

Book Corner: "Four Thousand Weeks - A Fresh Perspective on Time"

Holiday reading brought me to a gem: "Four Thousand Weeks, Time Management for Mortals" by Oliver Burkeman. It's a book that doesn't just offer tips; it changes how you view time itself. Burkeman presents a reality check – we have about four thousand weeks in a lifetime. That's it. So, how do we use this finite resource?

The book is a wake-up call to stop trying to do everything and start focusing on what truly matters. It's about embracing our limitations and making peace with the fact that we can't control every aspect of our lives. Burkeman's approach is refreshing and, honestly, a relief. He nudges us to find a balance between productivity and enjoying the journey of life itself.

I'm working on a full-fledged review to share in the coming weeks, diving deeper into Burkeman's insights. But for now, let's just say this book might be the key to unlocking a more fulfilling way to navigate our limited time. It resonated with some of my thinking about prioritization and giving yourself grace.

Stay tuned for the detailed review!

pit STOP⏱️