After selling his company for millions at age 26, Jon Carder briefly retires to surf the South Pacific. It turns out to be a very short "retirement" that lasts only about 3 weeks...
“I think doing a business for money is absolutely the wrong motivation and will actually lead to a lot of challenges.
“The only thing you have to do to be successful is to be better than just about everyone else at just one thing. It's simple but it's not easy." ~Jon Carder
At just 26, Jon Carder was featured on the cover of Fortune Small Business magazine (link) wearing just board shorts and holding a surfboard as the sun set with the title, "Time to Sell?" He had just sold his company for millions and was ready to "retire" and surf.
But Jon Carder isn't your typical Southern California surf rat. He's also been featured in Business Insider and dozens of other publications and is an active member of the Entrepreneurs Organization and a mentor with The Founders Institute. He has founded several multi-million-dollar companies, and along the way has raised upwards of $35 million.
While his "success" story is legendary, it's actually his entire story— the failures, the struggles and all the hard work, agility and perseverance — that make for a very educational and entertaining interview, particularly for the aspiring entrepreneur.
In this episode, Jon recounts his unique journey from selling microwaved hot dogs in his neighborhood as a kid, to selling baby products at a swap meet in college and later selling one of his companies for millions. Today, Jon is on the precipice of changing the face of online-to-offline commerce with his innovative technology.
In this episode JC shares:
- Why not to start any business
- The surfing insight that led to his abundance mindset
- How following others' insights helped him evolve his companies
- Why great marketing can never make up for poor customer service — there's a funny story here
- The critical importance of focus
- How he picked himself up through failure and depression to start his second company— the one he ultimately sold!
- How three months into his next company they netted over $100,000
- How he actually applied the lessons learned from his prior company failure
- The birthing of MojoPages, MOGL and of course, Empyr
- His desire and passion to create a positive impact
- Donating about 1 million meals to help feed those in need
- The origination of his online-to-offline platform and API, a HUGE opportunity resulting from his persistence and something known as the "corridor principle"
- The KEY mindset that carries him through the darkest of times
- Relax HARD!
- His key success habits these days
- and so much more...
“What really makes me happy is following that journey, and not just for the ups and downs, but doing it for the potential positive impact…the bigger the impact the more thrilling the ride."
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Resources
EMPYR - Empyr
Business Insider Article on Jon Carder
Elon Musk (book) Jon mentions
The Score Takes Care of Itself - Bill Walsh
(Correction: MG mistakenly thinks JC is talking about Bill Walton... This is a great book by the former legendary Forty-Niner Coach, Bill Walsh!)
"There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way." ~Buddhist Proverb
While happiness, as the Buddhist proverb goes, can and should be a choice (most often) there is no doubt our present circumstances and events have great influence upon our current level of happiness.
In fact, what happens more often than not is that we will assign and craft stories about events (in the present) and then layer on our own subjective and speculative implications (stories) about how that event will influence our future.
Interestingly, these future stories (that WE are always, habitually creating at will) in turn than influence our present level of happiness.
The question becomes, do we have the power to change the story, our attention and focus?
Martin touches on the R.A.S.; the Reticular Activation System, a part of the brain helps selectively guide our focus, to see and find those things that we are seeking OR patterns we've seen in the past.
"We tend to see what we put our focus upon... If that future story or image projection is not what we would like to see we actually get to change it."
In fact, you might argue that becomes a core responsibility in our life.
Martin recounts Jobs' biography by Walter Isaacson, simply titled, Steve Jobs. In the book, Jobs is famous for something Isaacson coined as his "reality distortion field". This reflected Jobs unrelenting ambition to distort "reality" and current information and events into something that would ultimately serve his imagination and his goals.
Can we not do this?
Martin challenges the listener to try to alter their focus and to craft a story about a positive, hopeful and optimistic future despite any negative current events or circumstances. And, to notice how that impacts your present level of happiness!
Listen now to the latest Mind Bullet Monday and don't miss a single episode— It's easy to SUBSCRIBE and to have each episode sent to you automatically.
"Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions.” ~Albert Einstein
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Resources
Your R.A.S. in action — See this video!
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
“You can't build a reputation telling people what you are going to do!” ~Henry Ford
It's a commonly accepted practice after all... tell everyone about your goals so you are accountable and extra motivated to push forward, right?
Well surprise - surprise! It turns out that announcing your goals is one of the biggest drains of energy and it often proves to diminish your chances of success as you strive to achieve your goal.
Martin discusses his personal experience with this concept and how he noted his energy was best expended NOT in talking about his goals but in the act of getting busy to accomplish them— forging the habits that will accelerate the goals achievement.
Martin then shares a related TED talk by Derek Sivers (link below) and some of the science Derek cites that contradicts the often promoted "tell everyone" tactic.
Check out this week's F.A.F. and learn how keeping your trap shut is likely to put you on the fast track to goal achievement!
If you still want to tell someone... Martin discusses exactly who you can share your most important goals with!
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Resources
Derek Sivers website: Sivers.org
The TED talk by Derek Sivers "Keep Your Goals to Yourself"
“Companies see that there is so much value that comes from doing good in the community and it adds so much business value as well."
“And I realized that through my many zigs and the zags I picked up experiences that really helped me to grow as a consultant." ~Frank Scarpaci
Frank Scarpaci, a sought-after B corp and corporate social responsibility consultant, reviews a vast array of benefits related to becoming a "B" corporation (short for a "Benefit" corporation), a new type of corporation that puts social, community and environmental causes and stakeholders at equal value with corporate profits.
Today, certified "B" corps span 47 countries and more than 130 industries and encompasses a growing community of more than 1,600 businesses!
In this episode, Frank recounts his unique experience and the journey that led to him to becoming a leader in the space and a well-known consultant for aspiring businesses looking to become B corp certified.
Frank shares many smart insights in this episode, including:
- How the B corp came about
- The TOP well-known brands/companies that are B corps
- How he came to be recognized by AMEX as one of only 150 employees (out of 85,000) as a team member who embodied their "Good Citizenship" Value
- How to FIND A JOB with a B Corp
- How to take the "B Impact Assessment" for your existing company
- Why it's important to share the good that you and your company provide for your community
- For business owners: Be sure to share and talk about the causes that matter to you and your company!
- Great places to work — a ranking of great companies to work for as well as other resources
- How to check up on non-profits you are interested in and look under the hood
- Frank's best habits, favorite books and how he defines "success"
“We are in a perfect time where we are seeing this shift in the business community to start taking a look at a lot of these challenges..."
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Frank has more than 30 years experience with corporate social responsibility, strategic planning, meeting facilitation, and event management experience and helps companies connect their business success to social good.
Frank is a passionate advocate for the growing B Corp movement— simply a better way to do business. Frank's company, VIANOVA, was one of the first companies to earn B Corp certification in 2008.
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Resources
VIANOVA - Frank's Company
"Humans are justifying creatures... we'll craft a story and then we'll dig-in and get behind it. The exercise is, I think, to challenge our story recognizing that is our nature."
While many people may be naturally gifted when it comes to interpersonal skills, others struggle in the area and it often holds them back and expends a lot of time and energy.
What most people fail to recognize is that arguments are often rooted in the simple truth that nobody wants to be thought of as stupid or dumb and therefore will do whatever they can to position themselves as "right" and justify their actions, no matter what they might have been.
Consider this truth and how it might be useful when understanding and relating to friends, family and others better— to help avoid unnecessary arguments.
Whether it's as mundane as not doing the dishes or as horrible as murder one tends to justify their actions. And, it's important to note that people will as fiercely defend their non-actions as their their actions!
"People will either show you their results or they will show you their excuses."
Martin asks listeners to examine various aspects of their lives, analyze those results and simply ask, "What am I justifying?"
Check it out now... hear all about it n this Mind Bullet Monday!
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Resources
Brian Tracy: Maximum Achievement: Strategies and Skills That Will Unlock Your Hidden Powers to Succeed
After searching for nearly 20 years Napoleon Hill finally declares he's discovered the missing link— the secret that he unintentionally left out of his bestselling classic, "Think & Grow Rich".
It appears that The Law of Cosmic Habit Force is only something Napoleon Hill could have discovered after writing Think & Grow Rich and hearing from many that, "it didn't work" and wasn't making them rich.
A distraught Napoleon was confounded as he heard this sort of feedback repeatedly. Even though it worked for many, his 16 principles fell short for a number of other readers.
“WHAT was missing!?”
Well, Mr. Hill pondered that question long and hard, and, as he explained it, he found himself meditating upon this “missing link” FOR ANOTHER 20 YEARS!
So, what was missing!?
Well, it’s almost unfair to tell you/share it ; ). Consider that Napoleon Hill spent 20 years of his life formulating this success philosophy and authoring Think & Grow Rich, then another 20 years trying to figure out what the “MISSING LINK” was (those are HIS words) —40 Years total!
This may be too BIG a topic for a short Mind-Bullet Monday but Martin does his best to shed light on this mystery in about 12 minutes and encourages those who want to learn and understand more to check out thehabitfactor.com blog and / or the book. An article/post specifically about it is linked here and below.
When completely understood there may be nothing more powerful and impactful to one's life. Check it out now and learn about Hill's unbelievable insight in this Mind Bullet Monday!
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Resources
Think & Grow Rich (Book) Amazon
The Science of Personal Achievement: Follow in the Footsteps of the Giants of Success (Amazon)
Note: In this program he adds the 17th principle— the Law of Cosmic Habit Force (not in Think & Grow Rich)
YOUTUBE VIDEO - Napoleon Hill Describing The Law of Cosmic Habit Force - watch and listen 3 x!
The Habit Factor Article "NAPOLEON HILL Missing secret LINK
“The primary mark has to work in black and white and it has to be as simple as possible"
“That logo was talking to me... and it was talking to everyone..." ~Thom McElroy, Co-Founder Volcom
Thom McElroy covers a ton of ground in this special interview (recorded live from his ultra-modern, beachfront crib in Laguna Beach ; ).
He speaks candidly about his early days, being a "grom" growing up in Huntington Beach, as a graphic design major at SDSU, and yes, the creation of the Volcom logo and all the graphics that rallied the "YAE" Youth Against Establishment".
The interview covers his inspirations and thoughts on logo and design, the rise and early struggle of the rebellious surf, skate and snowboard company Volcom.
Thom pulls no punches and shares
- The crazy story that led him to SDSU— it's surf related!
- Growing up in Huntington beach
- How his life pivots toward art and graphic design
- How he defines success
- His most important habits
- The birth and evolution of the Volcom logo
- His design influences
- The essence of a great logo and the technique to get there!
- & so much more!
“I love reading books about the struggles and how to get over the struggles and how to still win."
When Volcom went public in 2005, Thom went on a leave of absence that eventually lead to his retirement. For the past ten years he has consulted with many new companies and young CEOs and invested in several emerging brands. Thom currently sits on the Campanile Board of Directors and Chairs the Alumni Engagement Committee. He also mentors at the Lavin Entrepreneur Management Center and is involved in the School of Business, the Zahn Center of Engineering and The College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts at SDSU.
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"Are you bigger than your problems?" T. Harv Eker
Martin kicks off this show about CONTROL with a quote he's heard T. Harv Eker say many times regarding a technique people can use to solve their problems. The first thing they can ask themselves is, "Who is bigger? Me or the problem?"
Martin then carries the idea of "control" further, where control influences other facets of our lives...
Consider winning and losing? When one "controls" the environment they certainly have a better chance at winning, don't they? Hence, competitive environments are designed to be neutral and there are even referees to ensure an environment of fairness. We all tend to recognize the idea of the "home field" advantage.
Further, psychologists now concur that a sense of control increases one's level of happiness. If you're unhappy perhaps you should investigate your level of control related to various aspects of your life (home, family, work, etc).
"Ask yourself, "Is there anything I can do to change the environment (control) to increase my happiness and chance of success?" ~M. Grunburg
Martin reminds listeners to revisit the prior week's episode and agrees that there are a lot of things beyond our control, including those unwavering principles.
Finally, he sums up the episode with a simple statement and a MAJOR question you can ponder for some time...
Check it out now... hear all about it n this Mind Bullet Monday!
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Resources
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind:
Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth
T. Harv Eker
"Are habits better than goals?"
This is a semi-crazy meme that Martin wrote about last week (here). In this episode, Martin elaborates on the idea that these are equal and complementary components when it comes to goal achievement. Then he shares a bit of a surprise— just how far back this realization actually dates.
The short story is that goals properly set (with significant motivation to achieve them) illuminate the ideal behaviors/habits one needs to foster.
And, using The Habit Factor's method of habit development, P.A.R.R. (Plan, Act, Record & Reassess) one is able to develop habits more quickly.
Then, Martin shares a quick example and reviews a little "Goal Setting Theory" and a man named Edwin Locke (you likely know him via his SMART goals system).
Enjoy the episode ; )
Quick note of thanks and request: If these short episodes are helpful and provide value please share a review on itunes to help others find the show!
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Resources
GOAL Setting -Wikipedia (Something is missing ; )
The Habit Factor Article "Are Habits Better Than Goals? Are Goals Bad?"
“Intention is one of those things that can go either way— you can have negative intention or you can have positive intention and that means you are in alignment... "
“It's all about how YOU respond to them..." ~Coach Rich Phillips
Coach Rich Phillips is a Former Head Show Trainer at SeaWorld, a Bestselling Author. Speaker & Business Coach
Regardless of where you may stand on the current controversy regarding killer whales in captivity, you're asked to suspend your judgement (for now) and simply listen to Coach Rich's incredible journey. In fact, should their captivity come to an end, it would make his undeniably unique experience even more special—including the amazing lessons he's learned from training and riding these unique, intelligent and powerful creatures.
In this episode Martin & Rich discuss:
- His crazy story — how a wrong number started it all
- His evolution (and hazing) via a "Fishhouse"
- The first time he slides into the tank as a backup trainer with the 14,000 lb creature
- The value and types of operant conditioning he learned
- "Chances are good that if you can communicate with a killer whale you can communicate with a difficult employee"
- "Then, there was the 'Oh, by the way, we're going to have you ride the whale'" moment...
- How he learned from a young age to change his "style" to address and communicate with an abused horse
- The importance of taking responsibility of what you CAN control in the relationship
- The time he was held under for about 3 minutes and what he learned from the experience
- & so much more!
“I don't know about you but I know of nobody (other than Coach Rich) whose ridden on the back of a killer whale"
~Martin Grunburg
Coach Rich Phillips is known as the "accountability coach" and he provides business leaders insights and strategies for growth. You can learn more at Coach Rich Phillips Website
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"Fundamentally, these are the core four— the power four— that sustain us and direct our outcome and well being..."
Martin opens with a story shared by the late, great Dr. Stephen Covey regarding the unwavering principles that influence the outcome of our life. If these are ignored, dishonored the consequences are severe.
Covey shares a fabled (and apparently fabricated) story about a US Navy Captain being told that another ship is in their course and further, is unwilling to move.
The Captain gets on the phone and demands the other ship to move or suffer the consequences.
The importance of checking our ego, asking questions and "honoring" these four dimensions helps us to direct the consequences. That is, since the lighthouses (the principles are unwavering) we must "move" and honor them with our actions in order to experience the outcomes we desire.
Dr. Covey's four dimensions are:
- Mind
- Body
- Heart
- Spirit
Grunburg sees some overlap between the heart and the body and also the mind and so, insists that the social dimension (is missing) and is a governing principle in our lives that cannot be overlooked
- Mind
- Body
- Spirit
- Social
Hear all about it on this Mind Bullet Monday!
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<image creative commons: courtesy of KevinSawicki>
"How long does it really take to develop a habit?"
One of the GREAT myths related to habit development is that it takes 21 days to develop a habit. Martin explains where that myth originates and reviews the actual time it is likely to take PLUS what the KEY component/requirements are to form ANY habit.
In this short episode (about 10 minutes) Martin reviews those three core, required elements, revisits the P.A.R.R. methodology of habit development and then shares a MUST watch video (link below) that supports the idea of HabitStrength™ and how long it could really take.
Enjoy the episode, the video and the abstract ; )
Go for it - check it out now!
note of thanks and request: If these short episodes are helpful and provide value please share a review on itunes to help others find the show!
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Resources
MUST WATCH! >>> Backwards Brain Bike
European Journal of Social Psychology
How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world (Abstract)
“Even though I had a background in exercise physiology and psychology and nutrition I was still struggling with creating my own healthy habits and I was diagnosed at a young age with panic disorder and depression. " ~Heidi Hanna Ph.D.
Bestselling Author. Speaker. Founder Synergy Programs
In this episode Heidi and Martin cover:
- What is energy, how to conserve, manage and recharge
- The FOUR types of energy• Touches on a story of GRIT and perseverance
- GTR: She's committed to making a change in her life and is intentional about traveling less to improve her personal life!
- The important difference between the brain and the mind
- What is heart "math" and heart rate variability
- What is more important than time?
- How we are wired for negativity bias
- Various ways to optimize and manage our energy best throughout the day
- the FIVE "M's"
- And more tips to experience improved energy throughout the day and WHY it's so important!
Synergy Programs offers a variety of programming targeted to make brains better though a series of initiatives including keynotes and lectures, full day workshops, corporate retreats, and fully integrated corporate wellness solutions ranging from a few months to several years in scope.
Visit Heidi's Website: Synergy Programs
“There’s an important alignment between the brain and the heart” ~Heidi Hanna, Ph.D.
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