Category Archives: Business

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The best advice…

How is this for transparency?

I, without a shadow of a doubt, absolutely love giving people advice! However, do not mistake giving advice with telling others what to do. Instead, I get the opportunity to invest into their lives. I get to share my personal journey (the good and the bad) with them and work with them to see a world in a new light. I get to make a small statement that creates a giant impact or open a door that was previously locked in their world.

One of the greatest things we can do is help others achieve more success in their lives. One of the best ways to do that is to stop trying to tell them what to do and start showing them how to make better decisions.

I am very hesitant to ever tell someone that they can’t do a specific thing. It is not my place to tell anyone whether they can or can’t do something. However, I have and do get opportunities to tell others that they path you are on will not take you to the destination you desire.

When you have the opportunity to speak into someone else’s life, think about giving them insanely awesome advice instead of telling them what to do.

There is a time for instructions, but most of the time people just need a little advice. Also, never forget that the best advice is giving to the person who is willing to listen to it.

– Catalyst John

Think about the best piece of advice that you have ever received. It wasn’t a step by step instruction manual, but most likely a thought or concept, an idea or a belief, and/or a new belief or way of seeing the world around you.

I’d love it if you left a comment with the best piece of advice you have ever received.

If you will commit to showing up consistently, every day, no matter what, then you have already won well more than half the battle.

Jeff Olson, The Slight Edge: Turning Simple Disciplines into Massive Success and Happiness

God bless us, everyone. – Tiny Tim

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I still believe…

As a kid, I truly believed in Santa Claus. I was that guy that was completely 100% sold out to the big man. Christmas was the most exiting time of the year. Thirty years may have passed, but in my heart I still believe. This may sound odd since I have been the hands and feet of jolly old “Saint Nick” for over a decade as a father to my boys, but it is true. I still believe.

I believe because I met Santa at my house one Christmas Eve many, many years ago.. I was asleep, heard something, and came out of my room to investigate! I’m not kidding when I tell you I met Santa in person. (FYI – this wasn’t a dream.) Even though my parents later told me that the “secret” about Santa and how the presents end up under the tree, I still had this belief in my heart. Remember, I had met him and talked to him.

Years went by and one night my parents are telling a Christmas story about me. Apparently, we went out to dinner or a party (or something) as a family and ended up coming home late. Now our neighbor would dress up at Santa and visit the neighborhood kids, but this year we missed it. When they got home, they carried me into the house since I fell asleep on the drive home. However, the neighbor saw us pulling into our driveway, decided to throw on the suit, and come over as Santa. He knocked at the door and my parents woke me up. I walked to the front door and talked with Santa in a half sleep / half awake state.

Some would think that learning the truth about what would happen would cause me to stop believing in that meeting, but it didn’t. No matter what happened that night, I still have a magical memory. Santa may not exist, but a neighbor who was willing to sacrifice his time for me as a kid did exist.

I choose to believe in the magic of the season. In fact, I choose to believe in each and every one of us. Love your family, love your friends, and love your audience this season and throughout the new year. Each and every day that you wake up, make sure you express your gratitude to those closest to you and the multitude who support your business. Serve them well.

The magic isn’t in Santa, but simply in how we choose to treat those we interact with.

 

Merry Christmas,

Catalyst John

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The Science of Blogging: How to Build a Tribe and Get Over 1000+ Visitors Per Day by Paul Sohn (Review by Catalyst John)

Sometimes you just connect with a certain person. Sometimes this occurs even though you have never met. One of these individuals is Paul Sohn. I pay attention to him and what he is doing and I one day hope to get to meet with him. I would be even more honored to one day be able to call him friend.

Yesterday, I saw that he released a new book and if you know anything about me, you know I love books! Obviously I downloaded the book and this morning I sat down to learn from Paul’s wisdom.

The Science of Blogging: How to Build a Tribe and Get Over 1000+ Visitors Per Day by Paul Sohn

I technically am a blogger because you are reading my blog. However, I am not a great blogger. I would like to change that in 2015 and I do believe that I have the potential to do just that.

I am going to strive to create a blog with 1k in visitors a day by the end of 2015.

For transparency, yesterday I had 16 visitors on my blog (Wednesday, December 18th, 2014).

Also for transparency, I want to state why I want 1k in visitors. Years ago, I struggled with knowing my purpose on this planet. I was in my thirties and I just could not figure out God’s plan. (I still have a lot to learn today, but I do know that I’m on the right path!) I started really searching for an answer and I found it in three simple words…

teach. equip. train.

That is what I do at my core. I am just a guy that is completely sold out to making an impact on those who want to achieve a dream and change their reality. That is where “catalyst” came from. If you want to do more and live audaciously, I want to be your catalyst.

Those three words, “teach. equip. train.”, and a quote from Mark Batterson resulted in a letter of resignation and a leap of faith to launch an entrepreneurial pursuit that would allow me to live my life completely on purpose.

Now that you know my why, let’s jump back into the book.

Paul immediately jumps into what your brand needs which is:

  • defining your brand and identity,
  • developing a very specific focus, and
  • understanding your audience.

As I read Paul’s description of his “typical reader,” I was amazed at how it was a synapsis of me. I thought I always connected with Paul because of what he pushed out, but never thought about how he was pushing out content for a person just like me. By the way, the last description he uses is “wants to make a real difference in this world; to be a catalyst.”

Exactly!

Paul then talks about how what posts work for him and I am reminded that one thing I want to do is to share the lessons I have learned with my audience. I want to share my love for books. I want to teach you strategies and tactics that will help you create success in your life.

Back in my law enforcement career, I was the go to guy for new hires to learn how to become successful cops. It was the most rewarding time of my career.

I want to continue that as I work with entrepreneurs, coaches, and our future experts. It is funny how what we really want is hidden when we are distracted because we are trying to pay attention to the results and not the actions that create the results we desire most!

The two things that I liked most about his book is that he actually teaches you how to achieve success in blogging and he isn’t promising you false hope. On page seven, he reminds that his growth didn’t come from day one, but after three years of blogging.

This post is my first step in taking advantage of his wisdom and applying it to my blog. You should do the same for yours.

Please go to PaulSohn.org and get your copy of his new eBook by clicking here. His goal is to get 5,000 people to download it and I think we should help him do just that.

– Catalyst John

FYI – I have to tell you that I am really excited about publishing this blog because it felt more like the blogger I want to be than the blogger I have been. Stay true to your core!

Are You Living Or Existing?: 9 Steps to Change Your Life by Kimanzi Constable

One of my favorite book styles is the one in which the author writes about his or her own personal journey. (My other favorite style is the parable.)

Kimanzi does a great job of capturing the struggle and emotional journey of changing your life. I have never enjoyed the opportunity to sit across the table from him, but after reading his book I feel like he is an old friend. Friendship is created when you share life and when you read his newest book you will do just that.

I quit my career in law enforcement on 12-12-2012. It would have been nice to read this book years before I took that step of faith. I was sick of “existing” in a career and life that was just miserable. (I actually just ate breakfast this morning with another cop and he mentioned how I was a great cop. Just because you are good at what you do, it doesn’t mean it is the right path for you. Too many of us struggle because we are too good at a life that eats away at us.)

Even though I have completely changed my life and I’m enjoying my life like never before, this book still had an impact on my life. I want to move to NYC. I think I desperately want to move is a significantly more honest statement and that is where the book hit home with me. I’m trying to move too fast.

If you don’t have it all together yet, it’s okay to take a little more time to get things in line. Have you ever rushed a big project at work? How did that turn out? On your journey you have learned to plan, you have taken whole months with your planning; what makes you think now is the time to rush into something before you’re ready?

I’m going to go back to working the plan and allow the work to bear the fruits I desire. As Brian Tracy would say, it is time to put my head down and get to work.

I will leave you with one last quote from the book…

Don’t give up! Even when it seems like no one else is joining the movement, don’t give up! Even when it seems like no one else is listening, don’t give up! Even when people make fun of you and think it’s ridiculous what you’re doing, DON’T GIVE UP!

– Catalyst John

 

Click to purchase & get your copy for $1.99 from Nov 5th through 8th!

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What does your morning look like?

I’m wearing a polo and a pair of cargo pants. My heartbeat is accelerated as I step off the bus and look at the building in front of me. A huge Department of Homeland Security seal is right beside the entrance. I’m so excited to be able to train with the DHS and walk into the classroom to find my assigned seat.

On my assigned desk is my name plate, my work materials, a hat, a badge holder with that DHS seal, a set of pens and highlighters, and a notepad (everything I need and some stuff I want). Everything is prepared for me. We sit down and get to work…

The training I have experienced with the DHS is like no other and it has always stuck with me. I want to suggest that you be as intentional with your day as the DHS was with my (and everyone else’s) desk that morning. They set me up for success.

Click to Tweet: “How can you set yourself up for success every morning?” @catalystjohn

Before you end your day today, clear of your work space and set it up for the specific actions and results you want to achieve tomorrow.

John

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World Champion Public Speaker Ryan Avery Talks To Us About Communicating | The Catalyst John Show Episode 55

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Ryan Avery, World Champion of Public Speaking

@averytoday    ryanavery.com

Today, Ryan joins us to talk about how important communication is to every entrepreneur and how each of us can benefit from public speaking!

Click this link to send a Thank You Tweet to Ryan!

Guest Bio: At age 25, with the help from my wife, mentors, family and friends, I became the youngest World Champion of Public Speaking in history; competing against more than 30,000 people from 116 countries to claim the 2012 World Championship title. I am the cofounder of AveryToday, Inc. and managing partner at How to Be a Speaker, LLC where we help professionals succeed at work by improving their communication skills. I speak more than 50 times a year to global clients that span emerging professionals, engineers, entrepreneurs, lawyers and college students.

The 3 questions Ryan asks every day:

1. What is your favorite thing about yourself?
2. What is your favorite thing about your spouse?
3. How did I give back today?
4. What am I thankful for today?

Ryan’s “Going for World Champion” Youtube Announcement:

Ryan’s new book:

Ryan says everyone must read this book:

 Want to change your life and find your purpose? If so, visit http://catalystjohn.com/connect/

Also, a huge THANK YOU for listening today’s show!

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Thanks to RonaldJenkees.com for the awesome music!

Motivate | Equip | Lead | Entrepreneurs | Catalyst John

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Episode 52: Heather Thorkelson & What Is Possible

Episode #52 : Heather Thorkelson & What Is Possible

heather-thorkelson

Today, Heather Thorkelson joins us to talk about what is possible and how you can live in freedom! We start of with her incredible story of traveling the world and building a life around who you really are. She talks about her Republic of Freedom and how every decision needs to be based on the one thing that truly brings you happiness. Pay attention to what you do like, but also pay attention to what you don’t like and move away from that.

Don’t tell yourself a story that you can’t do something. Just show up fully in your life, take some risks, and make some changes.

We also talk about living and working without a “plan b” and / or “security.”

Finding your Republic of Freedom…

Write out a list of the simple things (even child like innocent state of mind) that give you great and simple pleasure and make you at peace. Then look at what it would like like if I could partake in this every single day. Who do I need to be? What do I need to let go of?

“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” – Albert Camus

“Let’s re-write the rules and make it so.” – Heather Thorkelson

Find the How To Be Happy Blog Post here: http://heatherthorkelson.com/2014/07/how-to-be-happy/

Guest Bio: Heather is a Business Strategist and Founder of the Republic of Freedom. She embraces life and created a business that allows her to live as she dreams. Find her website and how she helps amazing people build remarkable livelihoods at http://heatherthorkelson.com/

Did you know that Heather has been to every continent in the world and been to Antarctica 9 times!

Don’t forget to tweet to @RepOfFreedom and tell her that you heard her on this show! Also, check out her Instagram and Google plus accounts.

Want to change your future? If so, visit http://catalystjohn.com/connect/

Also, a huge THANK YOU for listening today’s show!

Check out our newest podcasts at:

http://catalystjohn.com/iTunes

http://catalystjohn.com/Stitcher

http://catalystjohn.com/Podcast

Thanks to RonaldJenkees.com for the creating our awesome music!

Motivate | Equip | Lead | Entrepreneurs | Catalyst John