(Listen on iTunes, stitcher, audioboom, or streaming audio by clicking play on pic below.)

Too Many Opportunities…That’s the Problem

We live in a time and place where opportunities abound…too many actually.
Just pick up your smart phone and you’ll see endless invitations to:

Play
Join
Browse
Buy
Look
Promote
Engage
Comment
Post
Scroll
And a thousand other actions…

Sooner or later though, you’re going to have to make a choice. Are you going to be a consumer, critic, cynic, or creator. Our world is an inch deep and a million miles wide. If you want to stand out then you’re going to need to separate from the pack and differentiate yourself.

To increase your influence, impact, and income you need to get smarter. (Tweet This)

In my 39 years on the planet, after coaching thousands of clients and engaging with hundreds of businesses and business models, I’ve realized a truth. I believe it’s the smartest way to more influence, impact, and income.

Why it Makes Sense to Get SMART

At the end of your life you can look back and see hundreds of half-dug holes. In our illustration these holes represent places where you tried to make an impact.

Most people start digging with the best intentions, but then they stop digging for one reason or another. Fast-forward and then they start digging a brand new hole. As a result, they never take an idea to it’s full potential…and quit right before they get to the good stuff.

Thankfully, there is another option.

You can become an outlier. You can take one of these holes and then dig, dig, and dig—mining it for all it’s worth. Many times these deep holes connect with other deep holes, becoming synergistic and creating even more influence, impact, and income.

Such was the case with my last 3 books: Your Secret Name, The Deeper Path, and Day Job to Dream Job. I sought out to answer 3 questions:

Who am I?
Why am I here?
Where am I going?

We completed the SMART model by turning these 3 books into 6-figure businesses.

Getting SMART by writing, publishing, marketing your book the right way is wise for these 5 reasons:

S = Specialization: A book narrows your focus which increases your irreplaceability and value in the marketplace.

M = Magnification: A book acts a magnifying glass to your entire brand.

A = Articulation: The writing process forces you to be clear, concise, and direct.

R = Revitalization: Publishing a book brings new life to your business.

T = Transformation: The writing, publishing and marketing process always transforms the author first.

Here’s How to Get SMART

In this episode I teach you all about getting SMART.

(Listen here on iTunes, stitcher, audioboom, or via streaming audio by clicking play on the pic below.)

Before or after you listen to the podcast, I’m sure you’ll have more questions. I’ve helped over 40,000 aspiring authors find answers to these questions. This Wednesday August 24 on a FREE live webinar I’d love to help you too. You can secure your spot by registering here or by clicking on the link below. (We’ll send those who register the limited-time recording if you can’t make it live.)

When you register you’ll get a FREE 20 page guide that I’ll teach through on the webinar. The content will help you get SMART about increasing your influence, impact, and income.

If you can’t wait until Wednesday’s webinar and you need come clarity on these topics immediately, then check out these two videos. (Click on the pics to watch.)

Do I need a big platform before I write my book?

Why you should never treat your book like a business card.

Life is too short not to get SMART.

I can’t wait to see your dream in print. And if you need my help, then jump on the webinar.
Let’s make it happen together.

S = Specialization

M = Magnification

A = Articulation

R = Revitalization

T = Transformation

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QUESTION: What would you do with more influence, impact, and income?

(Please comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you know someone who needs to read this, please encourage them by sharing this post) 

Joel Kessel is a 20+ veteran on media relations. Joel’s focus as a communications advisor is to help people who are doing meaningful work get their story out in a meaningful way so they can have a larger impact on the people they serve.

Throughout his career, he has developed a specialization in strategy and media relations, which has garnered attention for his clients in numerous publications and outlets from USA Today, New York Times and the Associated Press, to the CBS Evening News, NBC Nightly News and Columbus Business First, among others.

Talk. Talk. Talk.

This is what I used to do…all the time. I didn’t DO my dream. I TALKED about my dream— because I was scared. Scared of failing. Scared of disappointing others. And scared of disappointing God.

So I sat and talked, talked, talked. Because it gave me the illusion I was making progress on my dream.

Looking back, I now know what I was waiting for—other people’s permission. Maybe if they gave me their permission it would lessen the sting if I failed or give me the confidence I needed to succeed. Either way it made me feel powerless because everyone else was in the driver’s seat of my dream…not me.

Then something changed. I realized my dream was my responsibility—nobody else’s. When that switch flipped, everything changed BECAUSE I CHANGED.

If you need to flip the switch in your own life, then I’m making it super easy. In this week’s email I’ve listed 4 action items below. Don’t try to do all of them. Just do one of them…today. Once you do one, you’ll see how good it feels. And if you want to do another after that, fantastic.

(You might have even done one or more already. If so, good for you.) But regardless, you’ll see how one small action toward the direction of your dream can pull you out of any funk you might be stuck in.

And remember, in spite of everything else, I believe in you. You’re the reason I invest my heart in creating these tools. NOW GO TAKE ACTION BELOW.

Action Items:

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QUESTION: Would you benefit from a bigger stage?

(Please comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you know someone who needs to read this, please encourage them by sharing this.) 

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QUESTION: Are you planning to launch a book, brand, or business sometime in the next 5 years?

(Please comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you know someone who needs to read this, please encourage them by sharing this post) 

Did I really say the “ONLY” THING?

As is in: One? Uno? Single? Sole? Lone?

Yep. It’s true.

There’s only one thing you need to become an author.

But that’s not what the Internet says?

The Internet says you need an agent, a proposal, and a platform. It says you need a big book advance and huge budget with a savvy publicist who’s a social media ninja master on twitter and Snapchat. It says you need a tour bus wrapped from top to bottom with a color version of your book cover (purple is best). And a plug from Oprah…and billboards too. Yeah, billboards of your face help a ton too.

WHATEVER? 

Last time I checked, to become a mom or dad you just need one thing—a kid. You can buy all the baby stuff you want: strollers, car seats, bottles, pack-and-plays, onesies, diapers, changing tables, and cribs. But none of that stuff makes you a mom or a dad.

And billions of moms and dads all over the world have NONE of that baby “stuff.” Zero! Zilch! Nada! Zip! All they have is the one thing that actually counts…the baby!

Stop arguing for what you don’t want

Most “aspiring authors” never become an author because they overthink the process. They believe the lie, the hype, and the myths. They worry, stress, and freak out about what step #5013 might look like and so they never take step #1.

“Aspiring” authors fall into a trap—arguing for what they don’t want. Of course they say they want to write a book…82% of the population does. But sadly, 99% never do  because they get caught up in all the other stuff…just like “aspiring” parents and “aspiring” homeowners. All talk…no action.

The first step is the hardest…and the easiest

I’ve written 6 traditionally published books, 1 indie book, ghostwritten 3 others, and coached/consulted hundreds of authors. Every book required only one single thing. That’s it.

Trust me. I’ve had some strikes against me. I’m bald. I have a girl’s name. I was labeled by professionals as “learning disabled” in elementary schools for a severe stuttering problem. I overcame an addiction to self-injury as a teenager and in my young adult years I finally pushed through a decade long battle with on-and-off depression. I understand Resistance.

Sure I was scared to take the first step, but I’m so glad I did. Today I get messages from all over the world. People tell me how my books changed their lives. Most of these people I’ve never even met.

As one of my mentors told me:

You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. (Tweet this)

Here’s the only thing you need

I love the movie Inception. In it the main character Cobb, played by Leonardo DiCaprio’s character explains,

“What’s the most resilient parasite? An idea. A single idea from the human mind can build cities. An idea can transform the world and rewrite all the rules.”

I’ve had the privilege to coach hundreds of authors, through their own Resistance and into their dreams of becoming an author. I always begin with the first step…helping them create a killer book idea.

Want me to help you create your own killer book idea?

Over the years many people have emailed, tweeted, called, and sent smoke signals asking me to help them create their killer book idea too. I hated to say no, but I had no other choice. I was busy coaching my own clients and managing my own writing career.

Saying no to all these aspiring authors was bugging me—big time! And so a few months ago, I blocked off a couple days down in West Palm Beach to shoot a FREE 7 day video course. It’s called My Book Hook.

Already thousands of aspiring authors have gone through the course and used it to begin their own writing career. In the course I teach you how to create your own killer book idea.

For a limited time, you can get the full course FREE. Just tell us where to send it by clicking here or on the pic below.

Then for the next 7 days I’ll show up in your inbox. There’s even a place where you can shoot me your questions. I’ll personally respond with my thoughts and advice on your book idea.

Nothing fires me up more than helping aspiring authors become real authors.

The only question is…when can we start? I’m ready. Are you?

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POST BELOW: I’d love to say hi to you. Please let me know your name where you’re from.

I believe you have what it takes. You may just not have the tools…at least not yet. Click on the pic above to get instant access to my free 7-day system for creating your killer book idea.

( And if you know someone else who needs to read this, please encourage them by sharing this post.) 

I love the quote above from Inception (one of my favorite movies):

The movie explores how ideas are created, stolen, and shared. You might wonder why do I love ideas so much? Here’s why: because ideas infect people.

Inception asks:

• What is the most resilient parasite?  An idea.  Once an idea has taken hold of the brain it’s almost impossible to eradicate.

Are ideas that powerful? YOU BET!

Unfortunately, not all ideas are created equal. Some thrive, while others just die…and never see the light of day.

So what makes a killer idea?

The past few years I went on a journey to discover the answer to that question. In this week’s podcast I share the 7 essential stages required to create a killer idea. This idea could be for your business, book, ministry, invention, etc.

These 7 stages are:

1. Messaging
2. Envisioning 
3. Engaging
4. Freethinking
5. Pitching
6. Ideating
7. Choosing

You can listen here or by clicking on the pic below.

Although I take you on a deep dive in the podcast, I knew this topic deserved something even more. Simply put, you deserve something more. Idea anatomy is one of my passion projects for one single reason:

Ideas can change the world. 

As a result, we created a FREE 7 day video course. Although it’s called MY BOOK HOOK you can apply the framework to any idea, not just books. We allowed a beta group test it the past few days. You can check out a few of their comments below:

Lori Heitrich ·

I appreciate how concise and manageable you make what would otherwise be an overwhelming process!

Mark LaMaster ·

Thanks for this awesome training!

Amy Joy Hooke ·

I’m hooked! Can’t wait for the next lesson 

Delores Hamilton McKenzie ·

This is awesome and powerful. Thanks Kary.

Kaye Carter

Awesome concept with the 7 day model!

Hosting your own live event can make or break your business.

If done correctly, events can propel you forward and increase your influence, impact, and income. But if done incorrectly they can be a fatal drain on your time and money.

So how do you know if doing your own live event is the right move? In my 12 years as an author I’ve discovered 6 reasons why doing them makes sense. (Listen below)

In a way, these 6 reasons serve as a filter for our team. They help us stay focused on our ultimate goal—Igniting Souls. These 6 reasons spell the word T-A-C-T-I-C.

Quick refresher on tactics. The dictionary defines tactic as:

an action or strategy carefully planned to achieve a specific end. This is the ONLY reason we do live events, when we have a specific end in mind. The event is NEVER an end unto itself.

In this episode I share how live events (done the right way) achieve these 6 tactics:

1. Teamwork = Events require you to rely upon other people.
2. Assets = Events create assets you can repurpose in the future.
3. Clarity = Events demand you to clarify your message.
4. Transformation = Events create an environments of change.
5. Immersion = Events amplify the ability to integrate content.
6. Community = Events ignite and sustain dynamic community.

Besides merely listing these 6 tactics, I take you on a deep dive how to achieve each tactic too. Listen in and discover how to leverage events to work for you and your business. Learn how to maximize your message in a significant and successful way.

(Resources I mention in the podcast = Example of a one sheet. Inspirational video on your Why. Stephanie Lefler’s FB. View the photo album from #IgnitingSouls15)

QUESTION: Have you ever experienced life change at a live event?

(Please comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you know someone who needs to read this, please encourage them by sharing this post) 

Are you coming to IgnitingSouls#16? Click on the pic below for more details.

What if you could predict the success of your idea BEFORE you launched it?

What if you found a map to help you steer through all the minefields?

• Imagine the time and money you’d save.
• Imagine the embarrassment you’d avoid.
• Imagine the insight you’d gain.

But crystal balls don’t exist and no one knows for sure anyways, right?

Up until now, maybe this were true. But what if you did have a 5-step framework, chocked full of case studies, stories, examples, and insights that told you otherwise?

• Will that beef jerky subscription company succeed?
• What about leveraging your design expertise into an educational online experience?

In WILL IT FLY, these real life ideas and many more are pushed through a specific paradigm. On the other side, you’ll see why these ideas experienced success.

Wisdom advises us to determine if our idea will fly or flop BEFORE we launch it. (Click to Tweet or Share on FB)

Forget “luck” and “chance” or “knowing the right people.” Just like airplanes fly because of certain universal laws relative to flight, so do effective business ideas.

In this candid conversation, I sit down with serial entrepreneur Pat Flynn and unpack the finer points of WILL IT FLY—a manual for how to test your next business idea so you don’t waste your time and money.

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QUESTION: What’s your cool idea?

(Please comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you know someone who needs to read this, please encourage them by sharing this post) 

Do you need help launching your book idea?  If so, be sure to access these FREE tools immediately. Click on the pic below.

Ever hear this before…

THAT BUSINESS CARD CHANGED MY LIFE

Probably not. But have you ever heard this before…

THAT BOOK CHANGED MY LIFE

Probably so.

Your book is not a business card

I go to a few conferences a year. Many times I meet authors or aspiring authors. I often hear them refer to their books as a business card. I’ve heard them say statements like:

• I need to crank out some kind of book so I have more credibility in my industry.
• My book is just an extra thick business card.
• People don’t actually need to read my book; I just want them to think I’m an expert.

Sad, but true. These types of books don’t change lives. What business card ever has?

Your book can change lives

I take the topic of books very seriously. Why? Because books have changed my life. For starters, my favorite book is the Bible. That book has shaped the way I see myself, the world, and God.

Other books have inspired me to make major shifts in my life—like The $100 Startup. It came to me a time when I needed vision. It helped me think my Dream Job was possible. Notice the pic. Do you think I got a lot out of it?)

Just the other day I got a handwritten card from someone in the mail. This girl read my book (Your Secret Name) AND joined our related coaching program (Your Secret Name 5 Week Journey). Here’s what she said:

Thank you for your gift of journeying through Your Secret Name program. My roommate has gone the longest she has ever gone without acting out her eating disorder. She’s at over 3 months now.

By going through the program together, so many deep spiritual things were brought up that we had never discussed together. We had some incredible conversations and were challenged with so many things to think about and talk to God about.

I feel it helped me in my intimacy with Jesus. I feel like I grew in the ability to ask God really genuine questions and I feel like he revealed His love for me in a new way. You are a wise and Godly man and I am so thankful that you are willing not only to share your story, but also to provide a safe and beautiful place for others to share theirs. Thank you for your gift! Two lives were changed!! 

Your book can be a business

If you want your book to become a business you need to position it that way. Successful authors think of their books as a business. Even better, they structure their books as a business, even during the writing phase.

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QUESTION: What book changed your life?

(Please comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you know someone who needs to read this, please encourage them by sharing this post) 

Need help on this topic? If so, check out my FREE resources. Click on the pic below. Discover how to write, publish, and market your book the right way.

In this episode I take a deep dive into the Living Forward phenomenon via an exclusive chat with authors Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy.

Living Forward starts out by addressing THE DRIFT.

The DRIFT is the tendency to arrive at destinations you don’t consciously choose. The DRIFT is facing life in a reactive way and happens when you’re:

1. Unaware
2. Distracted
3. Overwhelmed
4. Deceived

No one wakes up and says:

“Today I want to DRIFT.”

However, if you’re not living a life according to design, then you’re living a life according to DRIFT.

So how do you change direction and snap out of the DRIFT? Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy reveal that the average person spends 5 hours researching and shopping for a new car. The average bride-to-be spends 40 days planning a three-hour wedding. However, the average person never spends 1 day planning his or her life.

Why?

The reality is most of us don’t know how to plan our lives. Besides, it sounds daunting and out of reach.

“People who’ve lost their way are people who’ve lost their why.” (Click to Tweet)

Thankfully, Hyatt and Harkavy close the distance by demonstrating how to do a life plan. Even better, they provide examples of real Life Plans from real clients. These individuals come from a variety of backgrounds and life stages so readers of all kinds can relate.

The book is broken into 3 main parts:

1. Understand Your Need
2. Create Your Plan
3. Make it Happen.

It literally walks you though the Life Plan process in a step-by-step fashion. The Life Plan is facing life in a proactive way.

As you read this book you’ll answer 3 powerful questions:

1. How do I want to be remembered? This is your legacy.
2. What matters most to me? These are your priorities.
3. How do I get from where I am to where I want to be? This is your action plan.

Design your own “Regret Free” life by crafting your Life Plan.

• The Life Plan creates clarity. It acts as a GPS.
• The Life Plan creates courage. It acts as a filter.
• The Life Plan creates commitment. It acts as a motivator.

Page 154 says it all, “This may sound grandiose, but we are out to change the world.”

In Living Forward authors Hyatt and Harkavy do just that. They change the world one person at a time by challenging readers to create greatness one life plan at a time.

Living Forward is a fantastic tool to design the life you want and then clarify the steps you need to take to get there.

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QUESTION: What’s one thing you’re looking forward to?

(Please comment below. I’d love to hear your thoughts. And if you know someone who needs to read this, please encourage them by sharing this post) 

Are you getting the results you desire? If not, click on the pic below to discover how to begin creating the life you want.

If part of your Life Plan includes a writing a book someday, be sure to access these FREE tools immediately.