07 Feb The Final (and most crucial) Single Step to Profiting from Your Blog (hint: it has nothing to do with the web)
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”
― E. James Rohn (Jim Rohn)
*Note: This week marks the final part to our “Monetizing Your Passion Online” series.
I can’t believe how much fun feedback I’ve gotten on these few posts. Glad it’s been helpful! And keep an eye out because later this week I’m going to share my full checklist that lead to a $31k product launch. It will be a free PDF download for you all 😉
Now it’s time to talk about the most fundamental and game-changing step of all…
*****
The one practice that makes all the difference.
Last week the Live Your Legend community hit a pretty exciting milestone.
It reminds me that when it comes to building anything, there is one thing that matters more than any other. But first a little recap of what happened:
I gave an incredibly fun talk to LoveSpring, a group started by the founders of TEDxSF that consists of a bunch of passionate entrepreneurs and world-changers in SF. The topic was on Making the Impossible Your New Normal. I hope to have the audio of it for you all soon. It was a true honor. Anyone in SF has got to check this group out. Thanks Taylor and Christine for the opportunity!
It all comes back to the people around you.
This event ended up highlighting one thing above all others that allows us operate on a level higher than we could ever imagine.
We’ve covered a ton in the past weeks. Everything from how this site makes money, to how to build a blog that actually matters, and then how to convert that passion into an online business. The combined length of those posts has been nearly 10,000 words – some people sell eBooks book that are that long. I’ve tried to give you everything I could.
I really want you to be successful – I want you to Live Your Legend.
But there’s one thing I left out. One thing that made all the difference.
It’s the one and only reason this site is what it is.
As I mentioned last month, for four years this site had zero growth. It stayed at 111 followers with dismal traffic, zero comments and everythig else that would make a wannabe web entrepreneur throw in the towel (and maybe even vomit on it).
Then I had a breakthrough.
One single thing happend just under two years ago that changed everything.
Since then, this site has grown by 160x, has turned into a business that comfortably supports my wife and me, had a product launch that sold over $30k in the first month (more on that later this week) and now has a community of tens of thousands of followers that come by to support our revolution every month.
Ready for the one thing responsible for it all?
The. People. Make. All. The. Difference.
If you take nothing else from this site, from the tens of thousands of words I share with you each month totally for free, please take this one concept to heart…
The people, the relationships, the network, the connections, are what did it.
It was my constant desire, interest and borderline obsession to surround myself with the most passionate and inspirational people I could find.
For those 4 years when I had zero traction, I also happened to know exactly zero people online.
I knew no one who was doing what I had dreamed about doing. I didn’t have discussions or trade ideas with anyone. In fact many of the friends and people I did hang around didn’t get why I spent so much of my time on this website that wasn’t going anywhere (little did they know I wasn’t doing it for the money – I was doing it to come alive, but that’s another discussion).
A number of them even made fun of me. So I talked about what I did even less.
Then two years ago something interesting happened.
I moved to San Francisco and started to meet dozens of people who had these simple websites (I later found out they were called blogs) that supported not only them but their families and incredible lifestyles. Three stand-outs, who have since become good friends, are Corbett Barr, Jonathan Fields and Leo Babauta.
My mind was blown, and I was inspired.
So I spent as much time as I could around dozens these people – they also happend to be really good ladies and gents whom I enjoyed having as friends.
Every week I’d meet some of them for beers, dinner, online chats or skype sessions.
I also joined the A List Blogging Club and spent hours upon hours meeting people in the online forums.
I was building meaningful and inspiring relationships as fast as possible – both online and off.
I constantly traded ideas with all these folks.
Then something really crazy happened.
The more I heard their stories of success, adventure and possibility, the more I wanted it for myself.
Suddenly almost everyone around me had successful and passionate online businesses.
Before meeting this new community I used to ask myself “how could I possibly build a business out of this little website.”
But after hanging out with them, my question changed…
I suddenly began asking “How could I not build this into a successful business?”
It not only seemed possible, it seemed likely. That’s when magic starts to happen.
Within 6 months of meeting my new friends, this site grew by 10x. Within two years it’s now grown over 160x.
None of it would have happened without the people. None of it.
You must brainwash the impossible.
The fastest way to start doing something you don’t think can be done, is to start hanging out with people already doing it.
That was the only difference between those stagnant four years and the utterly amazing last too.
There is nothing more importnat. Nothing!
You MUST surround yourself with passionate and inspiring people who believe the impossible is not only possible, but a way of life.
That is the fastest and most likely route to long-term success.
Find them in person, at work, at school or at your gym. Any and everywhere.
Start with one.
Many people neglect this step and for that reason don’t know where to start (and likely never get anywhere). But there’s seriously nothing more importnat. Get this right and the rest falls into place.
It’s simple. Start with one person.
Who in your life inspires you? Who do you admire? Who have you always looked up to or secretly been envious of what they have? Seek them out. Spend time with them.
Passion people hang out with other passionate people so as soon as you meet one I guarantee you’ll start to meet more. Ask them who else they know and watch the snowball form.
Nothing meaningful ever happens on it’s own. Get out from behind your computer and start brainwashing the impossible.
Everything was impossible until someone did it.
Think Nikola Tesla & Thomas Edison and what’s lighting your room right now. The Wright Brothers and how you got to your last vacation destination. Or Roger Banister and the 4-minute mile.
Or how about that crazy guy who wanted to put our whole world into a phone like the planet had never seen. The chip makers said it was physically impossible to create a chip with that much power that was small enough to fit in the phone he was imagining. It needed to be 1/4 the size. Steve Jobs said do it anyway.
Many of us now carry one of those ‘impossible’ chips around in our pocket every day.
Or on the more personal side:
- I thought swimming from Alcatraz couldn’t be done until I saw a group of 67 twelve-year old kids do it, then I couldn’t say no.
- I thought running a barefoot ultra marathon at elevation would cause my legs and feet to fall off (at the very least), until I hung around a bunch of people who did the stuff all the time. Then I crossed the finish line.
- I thought it’d be impossible to hike with a 50-lb pack for more than a few days in a row until my parents signed me up for a 14-day Outward Bound trekking adventure at 13 years old.
- I thought work was supposed to be prioritized over happiness right up until I spent a year living and working in Sevilla, Spain, and discovered the opposite might be a more useful strategy.
- And I of course thought having a web business, that supported my lifestyle and also helped the world in the exact way I felt I was meant to help, was a joke. At least until all my friends started doing it. Then it seemed obvious.
Surround yourself with so much evidence and proof that failure becomes nearly impossible.
That single practice will absolutely change your world.
We need a community to make the impossible our new normal.
And that’s why we’ve poured our heart and soul into creating our flagship How to Connect with Anyone course and community as well as our totally free Live Your Legend LOCAL meetup groups that now has monthly meetups in over 150 cities in 48 countries around the world. Find one near you!
Everything was impossible until someone did it. Everything.
Everything you thought you could not do, changed the moment you crossed that line.
Surround yourself with the people who are living squarely in their dreams and you’ll start to live in yours.
No equation is more simple. No equation is more powerful.
Look around you.
Do the people you see inspire you?
Perhaps it’s time for a change.
We’re here to help.
-Scott
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Images courtesy of tropicaLiving & foxspain
Rose Byrd
Posted at 13:50h, 07 FebruaryYour description and your encouragement to form a small support group is EXACTLY what I advocate in my adult fairytale series, much of it appearing at my website. How every wonderful to see us on the same page about this! I totally support your advocacy for group support in following your dreams.
Scott
Posted at 20:53h, 07 FebruaryAwesome to hear Rose! There is seriously nothing more important. That’s why this community here means so much to me and all of the other readers. Thanks for doing what you do!
Deacon Bradley
Posted at 14:08h, 07 FebruaryGreat advice Scott. One question I’ve been thinking over: Many of the successful people I follow are basically coaches. I feel like engaging them as a mentor or otherwise taking up their time to learn from them is basically what they sell.
Did you encounter any of that sentiment getting to know other teachers and coaches? Is it too much in my head?
Scott
Posted at 20:55h, 07 FebruaryIt’s a great point. The key is to approach these people by making genuine relationships with them. Take them to a meal, tea or a beer. Connect with them on a real and personal level. Most people really respond well to that and love having another person to help out in different ways. The key is to not just be taking from them. Always focus on giving. You can give in all kinds of ways. Think of their interests. Or just give them some entertainment and fun over dinner. Anything is fair game. But you must give more than you take. That’s why it should all come back to a friendship.
Nea | Self Improvement Saga
Posted at 16:25h, 07 FebruaryThis is so very inspiring. I do not believe in impossible. In the first few months of my blog, I wrote a post called Why You Shouldn’t Keep It Real: A Lesson on Unrealistic Living. I was shocked to get emails from people who criticized the boldness that I suggested. But it’s really what has made a difference in my life.
When people rode horses, I’m sure flying vehicles (airplanes) seemed impossible. The same is true for walking on the moon, transplanting organs, etc. Everything big requires someone with the guts to believe in something far bigger than their current reality.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and inspiring the masses.
I hope it’s okay that I leave a link in case you’d like to check out the post that I mentioned. You can find it here: http://blog.self-improvement-saga.com/2009/10/unrealistic-life-lesson/
Scott
Posted at 08:13h, 09 FebruaryIt’s really wild to think about how everything was impossible until someone did it, isn’t it? It’s one of my best sources of inspiration!
Alan Reeves
Posted at 19:28h, 07 FebruaryGreat post. It is so true that most things are only impossible in our minds. I am reminded of the 4 minute mile that everyone thought was impossible; humans couldn’t run that fast, you heart would explode, etc. After the first guy did it, within a few months there were several. Within 10 years, a high school student did the impossible.
And it all began with one person doing it first. Doing great things, legendary things, require hard work and support. It really is all about the people. We can’t do it alone. Would we really want to live our legend if we didn’t help people along the way? Thanks again for the inspiring post
Scott
Posted at 08:14h, 09 FebruaryMy pleasure Alan. I agree – that 4-minute mile story with Roger Banister is one of the most mind blowing of all. Awesome proof that so much of it is in your head.
Eden Rudin
Posted at 23:33h, 07 FebruaryGreat series Scott and I hope you don’t mind but I quoted you on my FB profile (and of course gave you credit and mentioned your site).
This series was a perfect start to 2012 for me as I begin a series of journeys (from launching my site/blog/products to moving countries) that will all encompass my passion!
I look forward reading more and following your journey in 2012 !
Scott
Posted at 08:16h, 09 FebruaryThanks for spreading the good work Eden! So glad to have you on board. If you are launching some things this year, you have got to check out the free workbook I published today on how to launch a product. It’s my exact process. Totally free download for all the subscribers. Enjoy!
Duncan Fawkes
Posted at 05:36h, 08 FebruaryHi Scott.
I fully get this, I think the people you surround yourself with are a vital spoke in your wheel of improvement. In LOYP when you challenge us to list 5 detractors I struggled – not because everyone I know is massively supportive (though funnily there are more that are than I expected :), but because I don’t think I’ve put myself out there enough, challenged people with my thinking. I guess people don’t have much to say about being in a rut, when all you talk about is how much work sucks, football, what you’re doing at the weekend, etc.
So now identifying my passion, moving forward and challenging people is when they are sure to come to the fore. I guess what I’m saying is that most of my relationships are “neutral”, not filled with detractors or go-getters, because that’s just what I’ve kinda fallen into. Recently I have found myself shunning possible relationships with negative influencers (the ones that always moan), and working harder on relationships that seem fruitful (those with ideas, with energy).
What I’d be interested in is your help with thoughts on how to find the right people and communities, finding coaches and mentors, joining and creating circles like you have (hey, we can’t all move to SF, or can we?!). Sadly in most of our daily activities we don’t tend to come across those with passion, and it’s difficult to approach those you do find at work because, hey, it’s difficult to ask them to help you leave, lol!
I’d love to join Johnathan’s course, but having bought yours and Corbett’s courses recently I think I need to focus on working through those and getting results before leaping on something else. There’s only so many courses one person can take and get use of at once, y’know? I may revisit the idea in the future.
Thanks again.
Scott
Posted at 08:21h, 09 FebruaryAwesome thoughts Duncan- thanks for sharing. And you bring up a very important point – how do we start to surround ourselves with those passionate people? I get this a lot and I do write about it from time to time but given all the questions I get, I am thinking I may create an in depth product/course of the exact process I’ve used to surround myself with these people. Nothing is more important when it comes to doing passionate work and I think this could be a good help. I am going to send a survey out soon to get ideas from all you LYL readers. Thanks for brining it up!
And I hear you on too many courses. Focus on Corbett’s and give that serious attention, then if at some point Jonathan’s makes sense, take a look at that too. totally your call.
Michelle McGray
Posted at 07:53h, 08 FebruaryHey Scott,
When I read this post I was reminded of the quote “You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with” (Rohn). Obviously your own consciousness has a huge impact on that average as well, but I think there’s a lot of truth to the concept that who we spend our time with has a powerful influence on how we experience and life and what we can accomplish. I also echo Duncan’s comment that it can be challenging to find people who will bring up your average. So worth it to put the energy into seeking them out though!
Scott
Posted at 08:23h, 09 FebruaryRohn was so right with that quote it’s crazy! I just read a psychology study that your friends have a greater impact on whether you’re overweight or not than even your husband or wife does. Your peers make ALL the difference. Choose them wisely!
Anne-Sophie
Posted at 23:20h, 09 FebruaryI agree with you, Scott, surrounding yourself with inspiring people is extremely important if you don’t want to live an average life, but want to succeed. Others can help you think outside the box and they will motivate you to reach for the starts.
I love hanging out with people who have already achieved far more than I have. You can learn so much by simply listening and observing.
This is why the mastermind concept is so successful. People can cheer each other on and motivate you to achieve far more than you could have ever dreamed of.
Scott
Posted at 22:27h, 12 FebruaryYeah it’s seriously contagious. All you have to do is hang around them and then most of the rest takes care of itself. Your standards will be forever changed.
Cheryl
Posted at 01:02h, 10 FebruaryHi Scott,
Firstly, I love the website and all of your content; it’s very inspiring. I just tried to get the trailblazer course through your affiliate link (I know leaving it to 11:50 PST is quite indecisive!) but it seems to be closed already. Have I missed out?!
Thanks,
Cheryl
Scott
Posted at 22:30h, 12 FebruaryWelcome to the party Cheryl- great to have you a part of what we’re building!
What a bummer about Trailblazer already being closed. I think you may have missed the window. Really sorry about that. But it will come again and the good news is we covered a ton in the past month that you can do on your own. Just look at the past posts. Live Off Your Passion is still available and that’s a very powerful start too.
We’re here to help however we can.
saltna
Posted at 16:38h, 10 JulyThanks for spreading the good work Eden! So glad to have you on board. If you are launching some things this year, you have got to check out the free workbook I published today on how to launch a product. It’s my exact process. Totally free download for all the subscribers. Enjoy!
brand
Posted at 23:04h, 22 DecemberI do not think I have it in me to keep up with maintaining a site like yours! Wonderful piece of work, I seriously would love to see you keep it up.
Malcom Dicerbo
Posted at 17:25h, 13 NovemberSo wonderful! I really like the earthy & classic tones of the wedding! I am so stealing the succulent idea. Wonderful bride, handsome hubby & bridal party. Awesome pictures as always Tammy!
www.truecompassconsulting.com
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