997: The One Thing That Can Change Everything

Speaker A: Hi, I'm your host, Jeffrey Shaw, and welcome to the Self Employed Life Coaching break. Take a short break from your very busy day running your own business so that I can offer you some coaching on business strategies, personal development and daily habits that you need to create sustainable success. If you want to find out more ways that I can support you, hop on over to jeffryshaw.com and learn about my speaking and check out my small business consulting and branding services, the Self Employed Life. This is business with a soul.

Speaker B: Um, as we're closing in on the very end of the Self Employed Life with just a few episodes to go, I've been thinking a lot lately about what is, what is it that I most want to leave you with, what might serve you the best as we part ways as host and listener. Now, having said that, I do have a new podcast that's launching in September. It's called Selling Luxury and I invite you to hop on over and join me on that show. I'm not migrating subscribers from this show to that show. It's not a rebrand, it's literally a whole new show, a new RSS feed. So this show, the Self Employed Life, will be stopping and I will be launching and building a whole new audience. And the reason being, because a few people have asked, is that, you know, while I absolutely believe that, uh, that non traditional luxury businesses will learn so much from listening to Selling Luxury, it is by and large a show specific about selling luxury, uh, hence the name. So I do encourage you to consider joining and subscribing for the new show Selling Luxury, even if you're not in the luxury space. Because, you know, it's part of, part of the mission of my work, if you will, is to get, is to imagine what if you were the luxury version in your field, in your industry? What if you gained the wisdom, the insights and the strategies of the world's top luxury brands and implement them in your business? Just think about how exceptional your business could be, how much you could stand out. So without a doubt, I think there'll be very valid information there. I just don't want to force subscribers by, by just dragging them over to the new show. I think it's a little inappropriate, sort of like just adding people to your email list. So not going to do that, but definitely invite you. I think September 16th is currently the launch day, but, you know, give or take a week or so, again, it will be Selling Luxury. You're definitely going to want to, I think, check it out and then decide if you want to subscribe now, having said all that, I am also aware that for many listeners, um, as this show ends, we may be parting ways and I'd love to leave you with something that I think is going to truly serve you moving forward. And so I've been thinking about this a lot and lo and behold, as is often the case, the most obvious thing popped into my mind. You see, we were just wrapping up an 11 episode series where I interviewed each of the members of my current High Achievers group. This High Achievers coaching group consists of group coaching twice a month, one to one coaching every month. And we have two live retreats every year. So this goes on for a whole year. It's very in depth, amazing, amazing participants at all different stages of business. And I was so excited to share the uniqueness of each of our members with you over the past episodes. And then it stood out to me. What I could share with you today is also the promise of the High Achievers group. You see, the promise of my group, High Achievers is that it's the year that changes everything. The year that changes everything. And that's what I love so much about this group, is that I know I have a whole year to work with each participant, each member and the group as a whole. And with a year that gives us substantial time to really take action on really, uh, many, many things. But really going into it, defining what is the one thing that can change everything over the next year? And that becomes my challenge to you. And what I am asking you to ask yourself, what is the one thing that you can change that will change everything over the next year? You could begin today, you could begin, uh, the beginning of the next calendar year whenever it feels like to you. But give yourself a year now for the next High Achievers cohort. We begin March of 2026. So and we have all but two spots filled. And already I'm in conversation with each member to really establish what is the one thing over the next year that can change everything. And the greater percentage of members of next year's High Achievers are in this year's group. But we've done so much work, but there's still one thing that can change everything for the next year. So that's what I want you to ask yourself. What is the one thing that changes everything for you? That doesn't mean that you won't be doing many, many things. Uh, by no means am I suggesting that you should focus on one thing that contrary to common advice, the reality in a self employed business is that you Know you can't focus all on one thing, but I guarantee you there is one thing that can change everything. You may see it yourself and very likely you won't. When, uh, people reach out to me to consider joining High Achievers, that to me is the real criteria as to whether I invite them to join the group or not is can I determine, can I see in them, man, the one thing, if we change this, this is going to change everything. And more times than not, it might be kind of on the, in their peripheral view, it might be, you know, part of their to do list or the goals, but they may not see the strength of what I'm saying. It's like. But I can see it far more clearly because I'm on the outside and I'm a trained coach and as a photographer, I see what other people don't see. But that's the point. It often does involve engaging outside help. But you can begin by asking yourself, what is the one thing that will change everything? I'll give you some ideas based on past members of High Achievers, things that are pretty common. Often they have something to do with clarity. So what can change? Everything is getting absolutely clear on your core topic, your expertise, the thing that you are so good at, the thing that is your unique perspective. Because chances are it's not something the world isn't talking about or the world hasn't seen before. But I guarantee you have a unique perspective on it. Probably a collection of insights that you've gained over the years. So one thing that absolutely changes everything for someone is when they get clear on their topic to the point where, uh, the phrase I like to use within High Achievers is that you're so clear on it, you can't unsee it. Everything you see in life, you can somehow point to your expertise. Everything in life becomes a lesson. Everything becomes an opportunity for you to share your perspective, which is in return, pointing people to your expertise. It's definitely one of the things I see over and over again. That is the thing that changes everything, is helping my participants get really clear on their topic and their expertise. Hello, friends.

Speaker C: I'm very excited to announce that my

Speaker B: latest book, Sell to the Rich, the

Speaker C: Insider's Handbook to Selling Luxury, is now available everywhere you buy books, if you're currently serving the luxury market, aspire to or want to sell, stand out like a luxury brand and be exceptional in your field. This book is for you. Or as I like to say, this book is for those that want to elevate everything, including themselves. Because what you'll find out. One of the many inside secrets is

Speaker B: that to sell to the rich, you have to rise to the level of those who expect more. And you can.

Speaker C: Sell to the Rich is available everywhere you buy books and@selltothrichbook.com it's more than a business book. It's your call to greatness.

Speaker B: The other thing that shows up pretty common is a new direction. Most members of my High Achievers are shifting. You know, maybe it's a sharp shift in that they've left a corporate job and they're starting all over, or maybe it's their expertise. Business hasn't quite taken off there. Whether it's their speaker or a consultant or a coach coach, it's trucking along. But it hasn't really taken off. And usually, as I can see it, it's because their topic is just a little bit off. Like what they're marketing and putting out there as a brand message is just not quite there. And that's when I see, ah, uh, if we can fix that, that's the thing that will change everything. So often clarity about a new direction makes a tremendous difference. So you're not just continually heading in the same direction, but working with a group, working with me as a coach, you can see that there's, uh, a slight right turn that when changed, will make a huge difference and change everything. Often that relates also to brand message. Often the complete messaging of your business when changed, can be the thing that changes everything. You could be saying, you could be saying, you know, speaking to the right people, but not saying the right things to the right people. Or you could be saying the right things but not to the right people. Often a problem again, when I meet someone, if I can see that, I'm like, that's it. That's the one thing that can change everything. Other members come to me pretty far down the road of clarity and where they're headed. But what they need is the fundamentals of building a business. So often structure, the actual business model can be the one thing that changes everything. Often, uh, clients and participants of High Achievers come to me with a lot. They have a lot of the pieces. In fact, they will often say, I have all the pieces. It just hasn't come together yet. And that's because what has not been applied is a structure, a business model. And that, of course, can absolutely be the one thing that changes everything. Another example of the one thing that can change everything that you can consider for yourself is recognition. You know, a lot of people feel like they're they're uh, the best kept secrets in their field. And that's because they, they just haven't gained the recognition that they need to get the attention to get the clients to unveil the mystery of who they are and what they're all about. Often that is the one thing I see that can change everything. It's like, you're amazing, you've got a great message, you're on point. The problem is the world doesn't know you're there. If we can change that, that will change everything. Sometimes it's as practical as the development of services. I have participants that come to me that are really strong. Let's say, for example, they're a speaker and they're doing really well as a speaker. But the problem is there's no backend services to their speaking. So therefore their business is very much a, uh, roller coaster. Feast or famine. I can often identify. It's like, well, you've got a lot going, right? But if we can develop additional services, extensions that don't necessarily mean a lot more work. But just where do people go after they saw you speak on a stage? What can be developed that can round out your business? That of course can be the one thing that changes everything. The last example I will offer you is far more personal in that sometimes what I see in people when they come to me is, uh, the one thing that can change everything is they need to get something out of their way, right? There's a way in which they're blocked. They've got incredible potential, but perhaps they lack the discipline to apply it. Perhaps they are all over the place. Perhaps they have, uh, huge distractions in their life. Maybe a big personal life that's taking way too much attention. Not that you can shut it off or ignore it, but how can you learn to manage it? Sometimes it's just something that's in the way. It's uh, usually a mindset. It's usually, uh, a way of thinking, a way of seeing the world. But without a doubt, I can often see that in clients and participants of my high achievers group that when they reach out is like, I can just see. It's like, if we can get this mindset out of the way, if we can get this mental block that you're holding out of your way, if we can get this antiquated belief system out of your way, you can see that this can become the year that changes everything. So there are many things to look for. And again, we're not narrowing your life or your business down to doing one thing. But I do want you to recognize what is the one thing that if you took care of that it can change everything. I guarantee you it's there. I see this with clients all the time. It's one of my greatest joys actually, is when I first meet someone, when they reach out out to me to join high achievers. And knowing that this is the promise. The promise of high achievers is that it's the year that changes everything. And I am not under any circumstances going to let that promise not be fulfilled. The way I look at it is I have been handed responsibility for not just one, but all the members of my higher cheers group, which is why we limit it because it's a lot of capacity. It's my responsibility to live up to that promise and to make sure that my clients honor that promise that this is the year that changes everything. So do yourself a favor and kind of step back as far as you can. Look at yourself, look at your business subjectively. Hire someone, reach out to a coach if need be. Because it is easier for people to see in you what you can't see in yourself. You're way too close to your business. Or as I like to say, you can't read the label from inside the jar. So you often need that outside set of eyes. But what is the one thing? Is it clarity? Is it a new direction? Is your brand messaging? Is it a business model to pull it all together? Is it recognition so that people know that you exist? Is it, Is it developing additional services? Or is it something that you need to get out of your way? What is the one thing that taken care of can make this the year that changes everything? Remember, you might be in business for yourself, but you are not in business by yourself. Be your best self, be proud and keep changing the world.

Speaker A: It.