Move Without The Box

Disclaimer: I can't spell. If you're a member of the Grammar Police, grant me a 'get out of jail free' card on this one?

We're a funny bunch, aren't we?

The problem with us online business owners is that we love to stay in our comfort zone.?

This often means connecting, learning, and engaging with those who do the same work we do. We are seeking to become the best in our field so we look to those who have already made it. We search for knowledge, guidance, support, and reassurance.?

It makes sense and while this might be a reasonable place to start, I believe it can also starve our creativity.?

Potential is like popcorn. It transforms when heat and pressure are applied.?

If we stick to living in our corner of the world, we learn to operate one way and think one way. You see this all the time in the marketing world.?

"You need to have a website."

"You need to create lead magnets."

"You need to have a sales funnel in place."

"You need to be on Instagram and TikTok and Snapchat."

"You need to do more video."

"You need to run ads."

After all, this is the key to success.?Right?

The ‘Influencers’ of our world preach to the little guys who then go on to preach to their clients. Clients pay money out for solutions because they trust in experts. Six months on when results aren’t as expected, everyone is left scratching their head wondering why it didn’t work out.?

The client blames the expert. The expert blames the client or the budget or lack of patience.

And the Influencer? Well, the Influencer keeps on, eh, influencing?

Let's adjust the lens.

This isn’t a knock on anyone who regards themselves as an Influencer. It’s also not to say these strategies don’t work. Quite often they do. In fact, they are often the same strategies I work through with my own clients.?

Rather, it’s a reminder to step back and see the whole picture. Business. Marketing. Building a brand. It’s not always so prescriptive. Just because something works for one person, doesn’t mean it will work for you, or your client.?

There are so many businesses that aren’t following through on these ‘rules’ who are just doing their thing and making it happen.

We never know what’s possible until we go past the furthest point we’ve ever been. That means pushing the limits. Breaking out of that box we are currently living in and asking ourselves questions. It means being fearless in the pursuit of those answers.

We need to get back to thinking independently and testing out our hypothesis through action. Through doing the work.?Trying different ideas out. Exploring new options.?Most importantly, we need to open our eyes and look at the world through new perspectives.?

If we want to break out this cycle of regurgitated noise disguised as ‘tips’ and ’tactics’, we need to look to people and companies outside of our industry to uncover fresh ideas.?

HOW you do this is up to you. I can only share with you what has and does work for me.

1.WWE Wrestling

People are always surprised when I tell them I’m a WWE fan. To those people, I’ll have you know that the original ‘dream’ was to become a Sumo wrestler as I stood there in my nappy watching the TV with amazement. True story!?

I’ll let you into a little secret. 99% of what I know about business has come from watching wrestling. Specifically, WWE because it focuses on sports entertainment as a package rather than the physical sport alone.?

I look at the strategic moves Vince McMahon makes from the revenue streams he explores, strategic partnerships, marketing plays, and social responsibility he takes on.?

I look at the overall experience and how it comes together. I’m fascinated by the personal branding aspects that make up each wrestler. The ability to connect with the audience and move them to feel something. Storytelling is key.?

If I think back to May, turning on WWE Raw on Monday night to see thousands of fans live on Zoom in the audience surrounding the ring via screens, WOW! Seeing something like that for the first time didn't tell me the importance of focusing on my clients and creating a full, rich, unforgettable experience. It SHOWED me!?

It helps me to question what I've built and how I can take it to the next level.?

2. The BackPack Show with Chris Brogan and Kerry Gorgone

I don’t tend to consume too much business content these days. I stopped that a few years ago when I realized that consumption was killing my creativity. Side effects included imposter syndrome and procrastination.?

However, the one show I watch EVERY SINGLE WEEKDAY is the BackPack Show with Chris Brogan and Kerry Gorgone.?

Chris originally started his daily show ‘Point of Contact’ way back in March to give people a place to connect during a really hard time. Making people feel seen, heard, and reminding them they belong is one of Chris’ superpowers. He empowers people to be themselves and share their gifts through service and storytelling. Isn’t that beautiful?

The show evolved over time into 'The BackPack Show' where all kinds of people come on and share their journey. There have been Authors, Clowns, Wrestlers, Cellists, Adult Stars, Comedians, Game Creators, Whiskey experts and that’s just to name a few. Oh, and a Nun. I have to include that one because what other business show would invite a Nun on? (FYI… She was awesome!)

Tell me you’re not just a little intrigued?

You should watch: https://chrisbrogan.com/backpackshow/

(Be sure to say hi in the comments, the community is one of the best parts of this show. It brings people together).?

How We Learn

How do you learn? Personally, I learn through the stories that are shared. These are people from entirely different walks of life who can teach me so much especially afterward when I sit back and ask myself, ‘how can this apply to me?’ the lessons that have been learned along that journey and the key things we need to put in our own backpack as we pursue our own journey.?

Every guest is different. Every story is different. Every perspective is different. That’s what makes the show unique. Everyone has something to teach you if you are open to listening and hearing what is being said.?

The Backpack Show goes against the norm and it shows in the quality of the content produced as a result. I’d also say this is a key contributing factor to how loyal the community is too. Since March, I’ve shown up *almost* every day and I get to see a mix of familiar and new faces. Connections are made. Friendships are built. Collaborations have formed.?

Magical things happen when you bring people together. The Backpack Show teaches me that and so much more every single day.?

Join in and see for yourself: https://chrisbrogan.com/backpackshow

3. Comedians

Comedians to me are secretly just philosophers who know how to connect a message and relate it to people in a deep and meaningful way. They use laughter. It takes the sting out of sorrow and reminds us that whatever it is we’re going through, we’re not alone in that. There’s something spectacular about that ability to turn pain into pleasure through the art of storytelling. (Oh look, there’s that word again!)

Some of my favorites include:

• Gary Gulman?
• Jessica Kirson
• Theo Von
• Yamaneika Saunders
• Pete Correale?
• Michelle Buteau
• Chris DeStefano
• Janey Godley

Each of these comedians reminds me that everyone is going through something. I am. You are. Just like your clients are too.?

You are trying to help them through that. You are trying to take them from where they are now to where they want to be. Typically that means taking people from a negative state to a positive state.?

Before you can do that. You need to understand where they are right now. You need to understand their struggles, how they are feeling, and where their mindset is at.?

Comedians help me learn about people. I love learning about people. If I want to help you, I need to be able to understand you. That means being able to see you are your whole self. It means listening to those throwaway comments or the words left unsaid that are hidden between the lines.?

These are just a few ways I learn and try to step out of my ‘box’.

I try to combine education with entertainment. It never feels like work but I always come away as a better version of myself than I was before, in some way.?

These are all people so much smarter than me. Everything they do intimidates me but it also inspires me and helps me to see beyond the horizon of what I know.?

A note on storytelling…

If I haven’t made it obvious, the connecting theme here is story-telling. That’s because as human beings, we connect and learn through stories. Stories help us to take some of the most complex ideas and break them down in a way that we can clearly understand and relate to.?

That’s important. We know that we are moved to take action when we FEEL something. It’s that emotional connection. The same connection we are trying to make with our clients.?

Learning by listening to other people’s stories in different contexts is how we do that.?

I’m not any kind of storytelling expert. I’m just here to encourage you to take a step back and look outside of the environment you are currently operating in.?

This year has been crazy but in many ways, it has exposed all of our weaknesses. The beauty that lies in times of chaos and uncertainty, is that it provides the perfect environment for creativity to thrive. The unknown forces people to step outside our box and look at new ways to communicate and monetize our skills.?

To think differently. To be more. To listen. Most importantly, to look beyond what we currently know to be true because that’s where the magic lies.?

Chlo? :)