On today’s EntreLeadership Podcast I interview career coach Dan Miller. And since our podcast producer Chris Mefford is so heavily involved, I thought I would ask him to give some of his thoughts from the interview in a segment I like to call…The Producer’s Point of View:
Dan Miller’s Playbook for Success
One of the benefits of the EntreLeadership Podcasts is that I get a front row seat to some of the best interviews of great leaders one can imagine. And I take full advantage by keeping a journal and taking lots of notes.
Chris asked if I would share some of my thoughts, so here are some of the highlights of the last interview we did.
Dan Miller
Our podcast guest was Dan Miller, author of No More Dreaded Mondays and 48 Days to the Work You Love. Dan is big on focus, goals, personal mission statements and accountability. If you’ll allow me, let me share some of the helpful things he had to say about leadership.
- We asked Dan why it was so important to have a mission statement. He said, “It helps turn a light bulb into a laser.”
- Dan explained that without a plan, you’re going to live someone else’s life. Without goals of your own, you accomplish the goals of others. Talk about putting things in perspective! I had never thought about it this way. I know I don’t want to be working towards others’ goals just because I was lazy and didn’t define any of my own. Are you the same way?
- Dan provided some further explanation on goals, mission statements and life. He said, “No high achiever ever woke up in the morning and said ‘let’s see what happens.’” His point? If you want to be great and do something amazing, you have to be deliberate.
- Mission statements do these two things: They allow you to maximize your life and maximize your goals, Dan said.
- Dan closed the discussion with three really important points to encourage us all and provide direction:
- Indecision is the greatest thief of opportunity.
- Mission statements produce freedom—not restrictions.
- Most people end up exactly where they expect to end up.
If those three statements don’t motivate you to take action, I don’t think anything will.
Question: What are you going to do this week to take your life in a direction?
Dan is the master at teaching people how to live intentionally to improve their lives. He’s been an inspiration to me in this arena – one I’ve written about a lot lately. There’s such pleasure in finding your why, writing it down and activating it with goal setting, personal accountability and prayer.
I believe it changes your life when you do.
As long as you take action it does
As long as you take action it does
Have not even listened to the podcast yet, but DAN ROCKS!!!.
Haha…that he does!
My thoughts:
Hey, Totally 80s!
We have to all find some way to use Paradigm Shift and Synergy in a conversation today.
How does one find a Master Mind Group?
For your multisport Engineer who does not like swimming. Check out duathlons, Run/Bike/Run events, and the USA Triathlon website:
http://www.usatriathlon.org
See you at the start line, and hope it ends in elbow to elbow sprint finish.
To shift your paradigm, you put together a master mind group from people that you know who are winning in their areas of expertise, who have wisdom to share, and are willing to bust on you and call you out on your junk. And vice versa.
Hmmm, how do you find people that are winning in their area of expertise? I mean really winning, not just doing a bit getter or higher level.
It’s about the people you hang out with. If you don’t have some of those people in your life, you might try local business groups. But you still have to have a relationship of trust before you can discuss openly with someone.
Good stuff! I liked the one idea of, “Indecision is the greatest thief of opportunity.”
I think this is absolutely true. At some point we have to make the tough and move forward. If we don’t then we end up stagnating in our lives.
And potentially regretting not making the decision.
I love that quote as well. I’d add that fear is the fuel of indecision. Anyone who goes for anything of importance will most likely have to overcome fear along the way. The main pocket point for me from Max Lucado’s Fearless was take your fear to God. It’s a comforting cycle to get into.
I love that quote as well. I’d add that fear is the fuel of indecision. Anyone who goes for anything of importance will most likely have to overcome fear along the way. The main pocket point for me from Max Lucado’s Fearless was take your fear to God. It’s a comforting cycle to get into.
I’ll be downloading the latest EntreLeadership Podcasts, and I’ll be working through Michael Hyatt’s eBook – Creating A Life Plan.
It should be a great couple of weeks!
Let us know what you get out of it.
I love Dan Miller’s points! I’ve been reading/researching much about business and life lately–especially in the area of leadership.
Unfortunately when I share what I read with my boss, he says I’m just an idealistic person….I don’t know how it works in the real world….and I’m too narrowminded. 🙁
But I’ll keep eatin’ up whatever info you’ve got for me, Chris LoCurto!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing Chris Mefford!
Uhhhh…that’s a person who has created their OWN real world. They have no clue what’s actually possible. And it could be from being let down too many times. You’re doing a great job in not letting that carry over into your world!
I hope you understand what I mean, when I say….
You’re in a position that has enough exposure and is successful enough the average person might be tempted to say you’re there because you’re just extra talented, or extra lucky–not like the average person.
I know it’s determined by hard work, being aware enough to know when to make smart decisions, and most importantly having God involved.
I understand that.
At the same time, it is very encouraging to me to receive the feedback you just gave me. It’s nice to hear from someone who has reached your position say things are possible! Thanks.
Absolutely Laura! I can tell you that I suuuuure am the average person. I had to fight and scrap and claw to get where I am. And it is because I believed. I have no doubt you will do the same.
The crazy thing is that everyone is talented. They just have to discover it.
Absolutely Laura! I can tell you that I suuuuure am the average person. I had to fight and scrap and claw to get where I am. And it is because I believed. I have no doubt you will do the same.
The crazy thing is that everyone is talented. They just have to discover it.
I believe that I could get there…. More belief in God than myself 🙂 And that was the inspiration for my blog. I wanted to share our struggles and battles won with people, to inspire others into thinking pursuing their dream/purpose/passion was possible.
I agree with you, everyone is talented. That’s why I wrote ‘extra talented’ in my previous comment 😉 Unfortunately, most people don’t realize they have untapped potential.
Keep on it, Laura! Your attitude, approach and spirit are going to take you places. Keep on being “weird!”
Thanks for the encouragement, Joel! I will definitely strive to be weird 😉
Keep on it, Laura! Your attitude, approach and spirit are going to take you places. Keep on being “weird!”
Laura, “not that you could get there”, but yes you will. You have a well defined plan, goal, great support, the passion and God is on your side. Keep on it, you are on your way!.
You are unusually tall though.
Way to go, Joel…… Now you’ve got me curious.
How tall are you Chris??
Hahaha…6’3”. I know, I’m the freakishly tall guy in all of my pics with people.
In my opinion you’re not freakishly tall 🙂
My husband’s got you beat by an inch. You can see at http://specializingintheimpossible.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/unfinished-business/ And I went to a high school where the boys in my class averaged 6’2″ ….course that might be because they were all Dutch 🙂
I’m the shortest person in my and my husband’s extended families. I’m used to tall people 🙂
Hahaha…yeah, that looks like me. Except that hat. I’m not that cool. ☺
You are unusually tall though.
Uhhhh…that’s a person who has created their OWN real world. They have no clue what’s actually possible. And it could be from being let down too many times. You’re doing a great job in not letting that carry over into your world!
I love Dan Miller’s points! I’ve been reading/researching much about business and life lately–especially in the area of leadership.
Unfortunately when I share what I read with my boss, he says I’m just an idealistic person….I don’t know how it works in the real world….and I’m too narrowminded. 🙁
But I’ll keep eatin’ up whatever info you’ve got for me, Chris LoCurto!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing Chris Mefford!
I had to laugh when Chris Mefford used “paradigm shift” and “synergy” as examples of bad mission statement corporate-speak, as I used the exact examples in my blog post about speaking simply: http://toddmpost.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/tis-the-gift-to-be-simple/
I love it! Good stuff Todd…and short. ☺
“Indecision is the greatest thief of opportunity” That scares me a little bit, i hate to think that i have missed some opportunity in life, because i could not make a decision. As we come to the close of this year, i’ll be examining my life over the past year, to look for opportunities i may have missed because of this. I know i can’t live in the past, but it will help me ensure, that i’ll be receptive to new opportunities that may come my way, escpecially since i’m calling next year, “my big year”. I have to call it something to differentiate it from this year, and to ensure, i aim even higher.
I love it!!!
Dan is an excellent teacher on making ordinary people learn how to live an extraordinary life.
One area where I struggle the most in my life is the procrastination. I am working on it to improve myself and be a better productive and efficient guy.
I think it creates more opportunities when you do.
Chris,
I am so much enjoying these podcasts. Thank you for your leadership in making this happen!
Because I am learning so much and writing so much down, do you have transcripts of all the shows? If not, do you have a transcript of this show with Dan?
Thanks a ton Nick! That means a lot to me.
As for the transcripts, we don’t have them. Sorry.
Chris,
What a AWESOME podcast!!!
“Indecision is the greatest thief of opportunity” – It’s going in my next book under inspirational quotes!!! Sometimes we get so wrapped up in finding options that we become overwhelmed with making decisions. It is true, indecisions can be a thief in moving forward in life.
Thank you for sharing this podcast. It has inspired me to do a personal mission statement. I also love Dan Miller’s 2012 Goals FREE worksheet he shares on his 48days.com website (http://www.48days.com/worksheets/) – it was a great tool for me to WRITE my goals out for this next year so I don’t get bogged down with indecisions as well.
Thank you for providing such great content. I look forward to downloading on my outside runs.
Live Beyond Awesome and keep up the great work!
Jen McDonough
http://www.livingbeyondawesome.com
http://www.fieldofdebt.com
P.S. I was chuckling at the triathlon talk and thought the crew and/or your listeners might enjoy a free download link to our Living Beyond Awesome ebook which is about a ordinary mom’s journey to Ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run in under 17 hours after being 60lbs overweight and having 3 small kids while not being able to run 2 blocks a short time before). It broke through the top 100 Amazon books under Inspiration/Transformation. My way of saying thanks for doing what you do and Merry Christmas!
Free Living Beyond Awesome download ebook link (feel free to share as I love sharing our story to inspire others): http://www.livingbeyondawesome.com/free-download/
Wow! That’s so cool. Thanks Jen!
To answer the question: I am going to do some reflecting on 2011…what I want for 2012 and write down goals that will make me implement those things. Having a vision for my life and 2012 will help me to stay focused and achieve that. This podcast is perfect timing for that! Each of us have to be intentional about winning and following God or we will let life just happen through fear, indecision and lack of focus or motivation. Thanks for the continued encouragement Chris!
All great stuff!! And inspiring.
Chris – could you guys make a community-editable wiki for the podcast on which we could collaboratively create transcriptions of the episodes? Like others, I LOVE the podcast and often find myself wanting to refer back to the content in them. Then I get stuck trying to remember which part of which episode a particular quote was, and instead of being able to conduct a quick search, I have to listen to lots of parts of multiple episodes.
Wow that’s a fantastic idea!! I forwarded this on to those who can make it happen. 🙂
Thanks Chris!
I will tell you Chris you choose the best guests to be on your show. Robert.D.Smith made me realize how I need to live life day to day. I am a High School Student and i learn a lot from both Dave Ramsey and the guests you bring on. Second to Robert Smith, Tim Sanders is my favorite guest you interviewed. Quick question Chris; Does Dave Ramsey offer any scholarships or internships to students my age?. Thank You. Looking forward to your next guest.