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Michael's Motivation

Michael's Motivation

By Michael Whitehouse

I've got something to say, and you might need to hear it. This podcast is a stream of consciousness on topics of motivation, meaning, purpose, and using your gifts to benefit the world. Maybe you'll like it. If you do, let me know. Maybe you don't like it. If you don't, then don't listen.

I record this to motivate myself, but perhaps it may motivate you as well.

Use your gifts. Make the world a better place.
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Ep 64 - Make the Same Money In Half the time

Michael's MotivationSep 28, 2020

00:00
02:16
Ep 140 - 1000 Episodes

Ep 140 - 1000 Episodes

I gave a talk at Toastmasters today about having done 1000 episodes across my various podcasts, and it got me thinking I should get back to this.
Sep 28, 202205:21
Ep 139 - Leaving It All At The Dojo Door

Ep 139 - Leaving It All At The Dojo Door

This has been one heck of a week. Our nation suffered an unprecedented attack. Normally, I see things happening in the news, sigh, and say "okay, so that happened."

This hit me a bit harder. It was quite distracting. Add to that all the other stress of business, family life, and all the rest, and I found myself pretty well off balance yesterday.

When we go to Mystic Dojo - Yamashita International Karate, we bow upon passing through the door. This is to show respect for the dojo and the instructors, but it is also a signal to ourselves to leave everything outside.

The news, the bills, the family, what's for dinner, when will I find time to do the thing, all of that stays outside. No matter what is happening outside, when I go inside my mind should be 100% karate and nothing else.

It's not always easy to do so, but by the end of the class, my mind is clear, and I am refreshed to be able to return to the bustling outside world.

Jan 08, 202102:37
Ep 138 - The Story of This Clock
Dec 22, 202004:06
Ep 137 - Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken

Ep 137 - Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken

I had two conversations yesterday that really sum up the debate I had internally a few weeks ago.

The end of that debate was to be fully authentic.

I'm not going to present a cleaned up, idealized version of myself. That doesn't help you, and it's not honest with you.

Thanks Butch for confirming what my instincts told me.

Check out my daily motivational messages at http://motivation.guywhoknowsaguy.com

Dec 19, 202005:20
Ep 136 - Now is the Best Time to Be Alive
Dec 18, 202003:43
Ep 135 - Sweat Equity
Dec 17, 202003:06
Ep 134 - Eliminate the Obligations of Christmas

Ep 134 - Eliminate the Obligations of Christmas

Christmas is supposed to be a joyous holiday, but for too many it is stressful and overwhelming.

The joy of giving has been replaced with the obligation of giving.

Let 2020 be the year that you shed these obligations. Give because you want to. Give because you will bring joy.

If there is someone you are giving to or doing something for because you are afraid they'll be upset, then stop! If someone expects gifts or create obligations upon you, that's not love. That's extortion.

Simplify your holidays, and bring the joy back to Christmas.

Dec 15, 202002:58
Ep 133 - Sometimes You're Just Bummed Out
Dec 14, 202003:01
Ep 132 - I Don't Think I'll Set Goals for 2021

Ep 132 - I Don't Think I'll Set Goals for 2021

I don't think I'm going to set goals for 2021.

That's not entirely accurate. I'm setting goals, but I'm not setting specific ambitious goals. I'm not writing a big number on a piece of paper and tacking it on the wall. I'm not charting a specific course.

It doesn't make sense right now.

I'm setting two intentions:

1) Make enough money to be comfortable

2) Find my path and follow it forward

For some time, I have tried to pay the bills with grand plans and audacious goals, but grand plans take time. I didn't have that time so I had to rush and constantly readjust to get faster cash. It doesn't work.

Thus, the two parts. First, GET THE MONEY. Money doesn't have to come from my core business. It doesn't have to come from high prestige, exciting work. It could come from delivering boxes, copywriting, making web sites, delivering food, shoveling snow. Anything that pays a reasonable premium on my time is good.

This provides the stable platform and space to work on the second part. Understand what path God has intended for me and follow it.

Conference21 is shaping up to be one of my main projects. At the start of October, I hadn't even thought about running events, and it will take three months to come to fruition. It will be fantastic in many many ways, but I can only work on these long term projects if I'm taking care of the fundamentals.

Who knows what opporutunities 2021 will bring? I certainly don't. So my specific plan is to place myself in a position to take advantage of whatever amazing ways appear before me.

One of the projects I'm really enjoying is creating motivational content. You can get it free in your email every morning at http://motivation.guywhoknowsaguy.com

Dec 12, 202005:10
Ep 131 - Shortcuts Don't Work
Dec 11, 202003:52
Ep 130 - Positive Attitude Without Strategy is Dangerous
Dec 10, 202002:57
Ep 129 - Am I as Smart As a 6 Year Old?

Ep 129 - Am I as Smart As a 6 Year Old?

This kid is smarter than me (in some ways).

As we grow up, we learn things, and some of those things are wrong.

Rowan does not know what she can't do, so she does all kinds of things.

I, on the other hand, place all kinds of limits on myself. Not just those "self limiting" beliefs we hear about in goal setting.

More mundane things. I had written off a variety of enjoyable and profitable ventures.

I am a motivational speaker, coach, author. I can't take a gig hauling packages, can I? I can be an Uber driver can I?

Yeah, I can. That's what an entrepreneur is. It's someone who chases opportunities, whether they come dressed in suits or overalls.

Rowan would have known that already. It took me a while to catch on.

Looking for some motivation to help you pursue your opportunities? Check out http://motivation.guywhoknowsaguy.com

Dec 09, 202003:08
Ep 128 - Being Authentic to Myself
Dec 07, 202004:19
Ep 127 - A Good Hard Day's Work

Ep 127 - A Good Hard Day's Work

I wasn't sure if I wanted to share this one or not, but I decided that it is more valuable to you that I share my true and authentic story than for me to share some polished, improved, embelished version of my life.

I'm not rich. I'm not independently wealthy. Sometimes my financial fortunes are up and sometimes they are down.

I got this idea in my head that I need to make money in "professional" and "respectable" ways. But that's not right.

If you make an ethical living and you put food on the table and a roof over your head, then it's a good living.

If you can do some good for people at the same time, even better. And I think that my messages and my writing do that for people.

Sometimes I make money coaching. Sometimes I make money delivering packages. Sometimes I make money writing. Sometimes I make money running events.

That's what entrepreneurship is about. Seeing and seizing opportunities. That and never giving up, never stopping, never staying down.

And it really was fun running around in the snow yesterday.

Seriously. Two new episodes of Hardcore History in my queue! (Watch the video to understand)

Dec 07, 202002:36
Ep 126 - How Do You See Yourself?
Dec 05, 202003:49
Ep 125 - Work the Problem
Dec 03, 202004:07
Ep 124 - Morning Motivation and Evening Inspiration
Dec 02, 202003:46
Ep 123 - This Kid Is Great

Ep 123 - This Kid Is Great

This episode is dedicated to my daughter Rowan who is a great kid.

Parents have unique challenges working from home, but my daughter understands that if I'm recording, then it's important she not interupt.

She needed to tell me something, but she waited so quietly for me to finish my video that I didn't even know she was there.

This kid is great.

Dec 01, 202001:57
Ep 122 - It Really Is Harder
Nov 30, 202008:23
Ep 121 - All Magic Has a Price
Nov 29, 202004:40
Ep 120 - Consent: The Difference Between Coaching and Abuse
Nov 28, 202007:31
Ep 119 - This Black Friday, Invest In Yourself
Nov 27, 202003:33
Ep 118 - Happy Thanksgiving

Ep 118 - Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am doing a daily motivation series (http://crush2021.guywhoknowsaguy.com)

I recorded a special Thankgiving message, and I wanted to share it with everyone today.

I made a nice video to go with this at https://youtu.be/9pJA9CA6rxg

Nov 26, 202005:56
Ep 117 - Discomfort Makes You Stronger
Nov 25, 202002:18
Ep 116 - Keep Sleeping or Get to Work and Make Things Happen
Nov 23, 202001:35
Ep 115 - Plans Change, Goals Endure
Nov 23, 202005:41
Ep 114 - Weakness Leaving the Body

Ep 114 - Weakness Leaving the Body

Losing weaknesses is an interesting experience, especially if you are more advanced in age.

Things that you could never do before, that you got used to not being able to do, are suddenly possible and sometimes easy.

A year ago, I couldn't climb a flight of stairs without getting winded. I certainly couldn't do leg lifts or carry heavy objects over a distance. I couldn't even step over a guardrail without great effort.

Now, at 40, I'm watching my physical weaknesses fall away one by one.

As children, we are used to getting stronger and more capable, then we assume that our capabilities will reduce progressively as we get older after a certain point.

But it doesn't have to be that way. We can continue to increase capabilities and shed weaknesses for many more years after... IF we put in the effort.

Marital arts has been very good to me, and I'd like to give back by giving anyone who studies martial arts a gift of access to one of my motivational programs at no charge. If you are a martial artist, email me at michael@guywhoknowsaguy.com with the discipline you study, and I'll reach out to give you access.

Nov 21, 202003:20
Ep 113 - What's Next?
Nov 20, 202004:14
Ep 112 - You Are Undefeated
Nov 19, 202004:09
Ep 111 - What I Miss From the Quarantine

Ep 111 - What I Miss From the Quarantine

Like all of us, I have made a lot of lifestyle changes.

I didn't do a lot of in person socializing. I didn't go to bars before the quarantine, so that didn't change.

There's no in person networking events anymore, and that's a pretty big change, but I am realizing that the thing I really miss from pre-pandemic times is driving for Uber.

It's not about the money. It's that when I was driving, it was relaxing and fun. It was like going out to bar, but without having to pay to be there. I got to meet all kinds of interesting people in the middle of their fun evening. I got to listen to podcasts and audiobooks.

And it was simple. I turned on the app, and I did what it told me. For my ADHD brain, that was a vacation in itself.

What unexpected thing do you find yourself missing from pre-pandemic times? Share in the comments.

https://www.guywhoknowsaguy.com

Nov 18, 202003:50
Ep 110 - So, This Is My Life Now

Ep 110 - So, This Is My Life Now

"So, this is my life now"

Some time ago, I accepted the idea that my life would go to unexpected places and the more quickly I accepted the shift from one phase to the next, the happier I would be.

I have lived a great variety of different lifestyles, and at first I would resist the transitions from one phase to another.

Many people in 2020 have adopted this attitude of "sure, whatever," as they found that anything could happen in this crazy year. I adopted this attitude years ago, and it has been of great benefit.

When 2020 and quarantine and all the rest happened, I did not waste time lamenting all that was lost. I just said, "so, this is my life now," and started working on living my best life in new circumstances.

So, this is your life now. What will you do with it?

Nov 16, 202004:49
109 - Opportunity Through the Eyes of a Child
Nov 15, 202002:42
Ep 108 - Is Your Business Rotting From the Inside?
Nov 14, 202003:47
Ep 107 - Being Open to Opportunities
Nov 13, 202005:31
Ep 107 - Accountability - the most important thing in business
Nov 12, 202003:17
Ep 106 - Every Day Is a Day to Begin Again
Nov 11, 202004:25
Ep 105 - Accountability is the Key to Success
Nov 10, 202003:21
Ep 104 - Instead of Wishing Upon a Star, Make Plans
Nov 09, 202001:52
Ep 103 - What Is Your Perfect Workspace?
Nov 08, 202001:34
Ep 102 - Buying a House the Guy Who Knows A Guy Way
Nov 06, 202003:36
ep 101 - How to Ask for Help

ep 101 - How to Ask for Help

You should never be afraid to ask people for help, but you should ask the right way and always accept that they are in their rights to say no.

The key is to ask for help in a way that is high value to you and low cost to them. For example, if you ask me to share your Facebook page or web site, I'll probably do that for you. That is a light lift.

On the other hand, because I don't like to alienate people, asking me to publicly endorse a candidate is a very heavy lift for me.

When asking people for help, think about what they can give you easily that you can benefit from. That is where you will find the greatest value.

Nov 05, 202005:38
Ep 100 - Stop Focusing on the Election, and Focus on Yourself

Ep 100 - Stop Focusing on the Election, and Focus on Yourself

While we wait for the results of the election, it can be tempting to fixate on things we can't affect.

Unless you are a ballot counter, campaign attorney, or otherwise directly involved, your time and attention is better spent elsewhere.

It can be exhausting to keep refreshing your news apps and social media for the latest news from Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

I don't mean tired. Tired is how I feel after a good workout or a hard day of work. There is satisfaction in being tired.

Exhaustion, however, is different. It's what happens when you drain yourself without benefit.

Your corporate overlords are perfectly happy for you to exhaust yourself instead of working on improving your own opportunities. You are too worn out to cook, so you order out. You need retail therapy, so you buy stuff you don't need. Your exhaustion is their profit.

Don't worry, when the results come in, you'll hear about them. Until them, let them do their thing. You have your own thing to do.

Nov 04, 202004:39
Ep 99 - The Sun Will Still Rise Tomorrow
Nov 03, 202003:35
Ep 98 - Stay On Task

Ep 98 - Stay On Task

Join the conversation on our Facebook group Confident, Connected, and Influential


When people fail, it is often not because they give up. It is because they get distracted. They get Shiny Object Syndrome.

They lose focus on the fundamentals that drive the project.

Money. Revenue. Clients. Recruiting.

Once you have a little success, it's easy to start getting excited and jump into all these other areas. Diversification is fine, as long as you keep the core in mind.

But it is so easy to get distracted from that core, because other parts of the business may be more exciting and more fun.

I love making these videos. They are so much fun, but they bring in a tenth of what my focused prospecting activities bring in.

I got distracted with all these whizbang technologies and techniques and got away from the simple, core strategy that got me started. Whizbang is great, but don't give up the tried and true for it.

We all need a reminder now and then.

Nov 02, 202005:45
Ep 97 - These Are The Good Times

Ep 97 - These Are The Good Times

Join the conversation in our Facebook Group.


We often do not recognize the times that we'll look back on wistfully when we're going through them.

We're fixated on challenges and stress. So much so that we miss those moments that we long to return to.

This is especially true if you have kids. If you think back on when your kids were younger, or maybe when you were with that lost love, you will probably hold onto some wonderful moments.

You may be vaguely aware that you didn't make more of those moments because you were busy, but many people can't even remember what seemed so important at the time.

What moments are happening today? What in 2020 will look look back on longingly? Are you letting them slip by because you are choosing to focus on the worry and the stresses? Or are you enjoying them while you are here?


Learn more about Michael Whitehouse at http://www.guywhoknowsaguy.com

Nov 01, 202005:02
Ep 96 - Just Take Action
Oct 31, 202005:12
Ep 95 - Raise Your Own Minimum Wage

Ep 95 - Raise Your Own Minimum Wage

Join the conversation on our Facebook page.


There is a lot of talk about minimum wages and living wages. That's a political issue, but shouldn't you have your own minimum wage?

Why would you sell your labor for less than you need to live on? Especially when there are opportunities to make your own money entrepreneurially.

The key to being able to set your own minimum wage is having options. Having your own business and side hustles create options, but having a powerful network creates options as well.

This is why I have created the Networking to a Job in 21 Days program.

It is designed to teach you skills and strategies to build the network that will give you the confidence that you can find a better job, while also providing accountability and motivation to keep you on track while you build it.

Find more information at http://jobseek.guywhoknowsaguy.com

Oct 30, 202004:11
Ep 94 - You Should Not Fear Losing Your Job

Ep 94 - You Should Not Fear Losing Your Job

Join the conversation at our Facebook group.


You should not be in fear of losing your job or your significant other unless something is wrong.

If your partner kept you in constant fear of losing them, you would describe that relationship as unhealthy, yet people allow their bosses to keep them in constant fear all the time.

They have the leverage to do this because so many people don't know how they can find another job if they need one. They don't have a personal brand, they don't have a network.

My mission is to empower everyone so they have confidence that they could find a job if they ever needed one, or, if they are jobless now, could find one quickly.

I have created the Jobseek program and Networking to a Job in 21 Days course. For more information, classes, and FREE strategy guides, visit http://jobseek.guywhoknowsaguy.com

Oct 29, 202004:37
Ep 93 - Kicking Stress and Anxiety

Ep 93 - Kicking Stress and Anxiety

Are stress response system is built to allow us to fight a wild animal or run from a wild fire. Fight or flight.

Cortisol and adrenaline are released to focus our attention, overcharge our muscles, enhance our endurance so we can run or fight to our maximum.

But our monkey brains cannot tell the difference between a lion or a fire and an angry boss or an unexpected bill, so it responds the same way.

Adrenaline is designed to be used. There is not a good mechanism to flush it because it is consumed with physical activity. This is why we get stress and anxiety.

Exercise is a powerful solution to stress because it is what the body is built to do. We are built to encounter threat, release stress chemicals, then go all out to deal with the threat, consuming the chemicals. Like most machines, if you don't use them as constructed, you will have difficulty.

The job market is similar. The 21st century job market is no longer built for job sites, cover letters, and resumes. If you or someone you know is having trouble finding a job, it's not you're fault. You're just searching like it's 1985.

Visit jobseek.guywhoknowsaguy.com for free resources and an exciting new program that teaches you how to find a job in 2020 in 21 days or less.

http://jobseek.guywhoknowsaguy.com

Join the conversation in our Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/groups/confidentconnected

Oct 28, 202005:58
Ep 92 - Stuff Is Expensive. You Should Charge More.

Ep 92 - Stuff Is Expensive. You Should Charge More.

I meet people all the time who don't charge nearly enough for their work. They tell me they don't know what to charge, or they think that no one will pay them what they want to charge.

Then I go to Staples. Cheap notebooks with cute sayings on the cover: $15. Package of colored pens: $12. Fancy looking pens: $20. Office Chairs $300 and up. A box of paper is $50-$90.

Have you ever shopped furniture? A new couch is $1,500 to $3,000.

Think about what you have to offer. If you're an artist, is your original work worth more than a ream of blank office paper? Is it worth more than a pack of colored pens? Yeah. Probably.

Do you offer a service that makes people's lives better? Does it make their life better than a couch? You can get a couch a the Salvation Army for $100. A nice, comfortable couch, but people spend $3,000.

Would their life be better if they bought the Salvation Army couch and hired you? If the answer is yes, then you should charge what you're worth!

Need some help knowing what you're worth? Let's get on a free coaching call. freecoaching.guywhoknowsaguy.com

It'll be worth more than a pack of pens!

Oct 27, 202003:44