Your QnA, Challenge, and Legacy
Archives: Business Building
Each Friday I’m going to answer at least one reader question in addition to bringing you more great content. Today, a reader has a question on my habits, and I have an article for you on your legacy.
Let me know what you think of the QnA – good or bad – in the comments below.
Question: I liked your 12 Rules, but do you seriously stick to that schedule all the time? – Lisa M.
Answer: No, absolutely not. Sometimes I sleep in until 5:30am. 
The biggest problem I have is one that almost everyone has – going to bed early. Like most people, I’ll often stay up too late watching a movie or engrossed in a good book. While that happens from time to time, it doesn’t bother me too much, as long as I don’t sleep in. Being early to rise is one of the most important components of my day.
How often I stick to my rules also depends where I am. I split my time between Toronto and my family farm (I actually get more writing done at the farm). I’m also on the road a lot – usually twice per month for seminars or Mastermind meetings, like this weekend, and I don’t expect to get to bed before 11pm while down in Austin.
The final 3 weeks of August will have me taking my annual trip to Europe, starting in Lithuania (where I’ll be speaking at a seminar for college-aged entrepreneurs), followed by holidays in Austria and Denmark.
I certainly don’t expect to be in bed before 9pm on many of those nights, but I will do my very best to remain an early riser, as I have a lot of writing to finish. And yes, there will be at least a few days without any work at all in Europe, as we have plenty of hiking and climbing planned in Austria.
Overall, I’m similar to ETR reader Rebekah, who commented on my article and said she sticks to her rules 80% of the time. Personally, I prefer to push myself a little bit harder and stick to my rules 90% of the time.
This is something I’ve learned from my clients in my fitness business. Those who have a 90% compliance in their diet and exercise program get the greatest results – significantly greater results than those who only stick to their plan 80% of the time or less.
So here’s my challenge to you: Spend the next 21 days aiming for 90% compliance with the habits you need to follow to achieve your goals. I promise that you’ll make dramatic breakthroughs, no matter if your goal is weight loss, an increase in sales, or improved relationships with your loved ones.
Most importantly, my rules exist simply to keep me on the path to achieving my big goals, my mission, and my vision. It’s acceptable if there are some short-term setbacks, because as you’ll see in today’s article, what really matters is your legacy.
Your Legacy
Later this summer. one of my friends in the information marketing world is having his first seminar. However, if you’ve ever hosted a seminar yourself, you know just how hard it can be to sell tickets to a live event.
Recently, my friend emailed me and shared how he was a little disappointed with his ticket sales, so I wrote back with some heartfelt advice that I also want to share with you.
Now please understand, this advice is not really about selling tickets to a seminar. It’s about something much BIGGER and more important than just one event. No matter what level you’re at right now, what I’m about to say will help you focus on your future, and what your business can be – if you stick to your vision.
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Thanks for the update on your seminar. I’m really proud of you for taking this big step.
As for the disappointing registrations, just remember, with the seminar, you are not just selling tickets to this event, you are selling tickets to your events 5 and 10 years from now.
It’s not just about THIS event. It’s about your legacy.
When one of my favorite marketing gurus had his first conference in 2000, there were only 40 people in attendance (or so the legend goes). But by 2007 there were 800 people, and now he has 1200 attendees per year.
And you know what?
There are probably 100 or more people who go around claiming to have been at that first conference. They all want to be part of the original hard-core attendee group because of the recognition they get from his new fans.
The same will happen with your event. In 3 years from now when you have 300 people in your audience, there will be plenty of people claiming that they were one of the originals at your first event.
So listen…
No matter how many people show up, build up the exclusivity of the event.
Tell your attendees…
“You will always remember this weekend. In 3 years when we have a packed house, you’ll be able to say you were there at the 1st event.” And make sure they know you will be forever grateful for their attendance.
It will be a badge of honor for the people that were really there. Those are your life-long fans. Treat them like gold. All the time, money, and energy you put into making your first event an amazing experience will continue to pay off next year, the year after, and every year that you continue to build on your legacy and move towards your vision and the fulfillment of your mission.
And never, ever forget this…
No matter how much you are struggling, and no matter how frustrated you might be in your business, just remember that somewhere out in the great big world there are dozens, hundreds, and even thousands of people who are suffering a great deal more than you are because you haven’t gotten your solution into their hands.
Let that always be a reminder to you to keep fighting, to keep working, and to keep going. The world needs more of you – don’t let your struggles hold you down.
Always take the LONG VIEW of life and remember your LEGACY.
A legacy is not built by one event, by one launch, by one year or even by one product. Your legacy is what you were put here to achieve…and soon you’ll go from preaching to a handful of people in a tent to preaching your message in front of 100 people in a hotel, then 500 people at corporate gigs, then TV, and then the world.
I know it’s in you.
Let it out.
Craig Ballantyne
Editor
Early to Rise
“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” – Nido Qubein
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Tags: achieving your vision seminar, building business, goal setting, marketing, promotion, remember your legacy, start a business
I like the New ETR format. The articles seem to be more applicable to me, an engineer, struggling to find a balance between work and life.
Thanks.
I like the New ETR format. The articles seem to be more applicable to me, an engineer, struggling to find a balance between work and life. I used to be a ETR Premium subscriber but I dropped out when I felt I was getting much from the articles.
But your 12 rules has struck a chord in me. My dicipline has waned over the years. Maybe because I thought no one else wakes up at 5am (because I have never heard anyone speak of it), so its okay for me to sleep a little bit more. But now I see that successful people do what the lazy ones dont.
I really appreciate the knock on my head. This is my wake up call.
Thanks.
Thanks Kenneth, I appreciate it. Keep on pushing.
Craig
First of all, I’d like to say that with Michael Masterson’s retirement I was a bit apprehensive about the new articles. So far I am extremely pleased at the transition and the new content.
Second, I have one small complaint. One of the things Mr. Masterson always had in his issues was the vocabulary word. I rather enjoyed that. I was wondering if that was something you would consider putting into the issues again?
Keep up the good work,
Matt
Hey Craig,
your definition of lagacy is so superb… love it… I heard this before in different ways but this is the only one that REALLY struck a cord in me…
Thanks
Thanks Nick, appreciated your seminar story too.
Hi Matt, I appreciate the feedback and suggestion.
We’ll put that on the consideration list.
However, right now we’re pretty strained for time as it is.
Stay tuned and as we build efficiency in the operation and we’ll see what we can do.
Craig
I recommended it on stumbleupon. The only thing that it’s missing is a bit of new design.
One of my favorite quotes is, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” by Benjamin Franklin.
I experienced the most productive times in my life when I woke up…CORRECTION: GOT UP (no matter how tired I was, if I only had 2 hours of sleep, if it was raining or snowing, etc.,) …at 4:00 am in the morning at least 6 days a week. I had a NO EXCUSES mentality and would drive to the gym and exercise for over an hour, arrive back home by 6am, shower and dress, and then arrive at work by 8am. I was in my early 20’s and accomplished far more in a year or two than most people accomplish in decades!
Fast forward several years. I have a burning desire to achieve my goals and SUCCEED again, but (yeah, I know…it’s an excuse) have struggled to get up before 6 (really 7:00) am. I often read out loud my Affirmations, Goals, and Vision to encourage myself. Also, try to have the will power…I wake up at 5:00 am (just to turn off the alarm), but go right back to sleep.
How do I RISE EARLY again and on a consistent basis? Nike says, “Just DO it!”, but I haven’t done it YET… Any suggestions? (other than hypnosis or asking someone to throw cold water on me to get me up and going before 5 am)?
This is a great question, and fortunately the answer is simple.
Step #1 – Set your alarm clock to go off 10 minutes earlier for the rest of the week. Don’t try and set it an hour early, that’s too much.
Step #2 – The week after, set it to go off 10 minutes earlier again.
Step #3 – Repeat until you are waking up at the desired time.
Step #4 – Each week you do this, make sure you are going to bed 10 minutes earlier at night.
Step #5 – To accomplish this, look at your day and make sure you are not wasting any time. Perhaps you have an hour for lunch…use every minute wisely. Finish tasks at lunch time that you might otherwise do at night.
Step #6 – Identify all of the obstacles in the way for you getting to bed early. Identify TWO solutions for each obstacle. Do you get a lot of phone calls at night that interrupt your relaxation time? If so, turn off your phone and have only text messaging available for emergencies. Does TV keep you up at night? If so, make a pact to avoid turning it on.
Step #7 – Have a clear, positive conversation with your spouse, kids, friends, etc. and everyone else who factors in your final bedtime, and let them know what you are doing and why you are doing it. Focus on the positives that this will bring them and you.
Going to bed and getting up earlier need not be looked upon negatively. Instead, it can be reframed as a positive step forward in your life that benefits everyone.
“Take time to recharge your battery. You won’t get the Golden Egg without first taking care of the Goose.” – Frank McKinney
The new format is great! Your 12 rules struck a chord with me as well.
Thank you Hank, greatly appreciated.
Craig
Keep up the fantastic work. I am new to ETR and so far have only experienced what you have written. From the new generation of readers your doing great.
Thank you, Iain, greatly appreciated.