Pebblestorm

I’ve received all kinds of questions about the Unique Genius Superhero Program… here is a list of 30 common ones.  Have any more?  Leave a comment at the bottom!

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Q: How much time is required?

A: I would recommend at least an hour a week. It’s all recorded, so you can put down the program for awhile and come back to it anytime you want.  I include a mini-course on time management and organizational practices in the program.

Q: I have an abundance of gifts, but am not sure how to combine them and clearly brand/state/market these gifts and skills to an open and appreciative target audience.  Will the program help me do this?

A: Yes, most definitely, as you might have seen a sample of in the “5 Ways To Make Money On Purpose” Unique Genius Video on increasing your value.

Q: What if I don’t know my purpose or passions?

A: That’s what this program is for!

Q: I don’t know what I want to do.

A: That’s what this program is for!

Q: What if I don’t know what I’d be good at enough to charge money for?

A: That’s what this program is for!

Q: What if I already know my purpose?

A: Awesome – then you should have a head start on making money with it!  But – keep an open mind, because everyone always learns new stuff about their purpose and passions through this work too.

Q: I’ve tried other programs like this and nothing’s worked. How do I know it’ll work for me?

A: If you have a really important door that you want to unlock and you have a ring of keys, do you stop trying to unlock it because the first few (or dozens) of keys didn’t work? Or do you keep looking for the right key, knowing it’s out there somewhere?

Q: How do I know it’ll work for me?

A: I don’t, but I can make it as simple, doable, effective as possible (and include a 90-Day Unconditional Happiness Guarantee).  And it’s worked for all kinds of other people already, as I’ve shared examples of in the Unique Genius videos.

If you’ve succeeded at anything in your life (whether in business, school, relationships, health…any area), you have the capability to succeed at this.

Q: What if I miss part of the course?  I’m going to be traveling for a few weeks during it.

A: The course is all online, and you get LIFETIME ACCESS so you can work on it at your own pace over months or event years   Along with lifetime access is a lifetime guarantee.

You won’t miss anything if you’re gone for a few weeks.

Q: Admittedly I would love to “get rich quick” I think we all would. But over the years I have come to understand that “getting rich” is simply doing what you love. If you do what you love it is no longer work and as long as your needs are met you can hold on for the long haul and build it into the empire we desire.

A: I cheated here – no this isn’t a question…I just thought this was an insightful comment from Sean Allen

Q: How is the program delivered?

1. The core of it is in online training videos, similar to the free Unique Genius training videos.
2. Action guides & cheat-sheets with supplement the videos.
3. Orientation + regular support/Q&A calls.

Do you have a payment plan option?

A: Yes, there is a 3-month payment plan option.

Q: Is this for new entrepreneurs only?  I have been in business for several years already.

A: Not all of the content is for you if you already have a business, but most of it is. For example, Rich Walker has been a software CEO for years, and loved the program (his testimonial video is on the registration page, or see it on youtube here).

If all you want to do is grow your current business and aren’t as interested in more fulfillment, check out www.PredictableRevenue.com.  If more fulfillment is just or more important as the money, then Unique Genius is for you.

Q: Does the program explain for example how to start a business, or is it just around finding your purpose?

A: The course will show you (the simple ways) of how to start a business, if you don’t have one already, and to start making money with it.

Q: I can’t afford the course right now.  Will you run the course again in the future?

A: Yes, next year I’ll run the program again, though I can’t say when or if it will be the same price or more or less.  If you miss us this time, I’m not going anywhere.

Q: I’m worried about not being able to feed my family.  Is this course worth investing in?

A: Rather than this program, is there a full or part-time job you can get to create more conventional financial stability?  This isn’t a ‘hail mary’ or get rich quick program.

Q: Is there some mechanism built in the program that will hold participants accountable?

A: No.  We, for now, only  do that with people who hire us for private or group coaching.  What I do in the online Superhero courses is my best to:

• Make the information as simple and doable as possible
• Share it in bite-sized chunks
• Help you create a more compelling vision for yourself and your work, to inspire you to create some better habits

Also, I will have some simple ways to encourage people to buddy up. The BEST way to create some accountability is with the buddy system.

Q: I’m someone with seemingly hundreds of interests and don’t have one real big interest or purpose, which seems to me a requirement to be successful with a program like yours. Will the program work for me?

A: First – if you really can’t focus at all because of “Shiny Object Syndrome”, you’ll have problems succeeding at anything, right? (Whether it’s my program or someone else’s).  So –

Second – you CAN most definitely find that “one thing” that underlies all your interests, as I talk about in Video #3: “7 Step Process To Discover Your Purpose”.

I have a ton of different interests, and my frustration in trying to do them all is what actually led me to create Unique Genius…so the program is most definitely designed for people like you who are tired of scattering their energy and want some RESULTS.

Q: Is the program just for people who want to start a coaching or writing business?

A: Heck no.  I categorize businesses into a few key types:

1. Teaching (experts, training, programs, coaching, speaking, authors)
2. Experiences (events, travel, experiential seminars)
3. People Services (time-based consulting, healing)
4. Online services (web-based services or products, online communities)
5. Products (digital or physical)

A Unique Genius business can be any kind.  (Actually, a Unique Genius business, once it evolves & grows, ends up including all five pieces.)

The teaching model is USUALLY the best place to BEGIN for people, because you can make money before you spend money, it forces you to get really clear on your value, and it can lead to any other kind of business in the future….but you for sure don’t have to begin there.

Q: I don’t have extra money for start-up costs for a new business.

A: Do you have a $100 – $150?  You don’t need more than that (though it doesn’t hurt to have more of course!)  The course is designed to help people move forward in creative ways that don’t require much money (as I have done with my businesses).

Here’s a recent Wall Street Journal article with three examples of businesses that were started for less than $150: “WSJ: Start-Ups on a Shoestring”

Q: I’m concerned that If I make money from what I love, I won’t love it as much.

A valid concern…if you stay focused on bringing your passion into work but without creating a dependency on having to only make money through your passion, you can make money through your passion while still enjoying it.

Q: Can I make enough money from a Unique Genius business to replace the money I make now and more?

A: First, if you need to earn money now, I always recommend that you keep your job or do part-time consulting to create a stable financial situation while you incubate your Unique Genius business on the side, with even an hour or few hours of work a week.

You can replace and improve on your current income, though I can’t say how long it will take you – as fast as a year, or as long as several years.  It took me about three years to make more than my old corporate job.

The sooner you begin, the sooner you will do it!!

Q: I can’t compete in my line of work – how would Unique Genius help me?

A: If you feel that you can’t compete, it’s likely that you aren’t different from the competition, you aren’t unique.  One thing that makes you unique in all the world is your story, your values, your superpowers…your Unique Genius.  Get clear on that and competition will disappear.

Q: I’m worried about what people will think of my purpose and passions.  I’m hesitant to share my ideas with people, either family or coworkers.

A: This is just a phase.  AT FIRST it’s often challenging for most people to share what’s coming up for them through the Unique Genius process.  I went through this myself, worrying about what people would think, because it was SO different than anything I’d done or was known for.

I have two whole steps in the ‘7-Step Discover Your Purpose Process”, “Share & Listen” and “Accept”, that help you get through this phase as easily as possible.  Again, remember you’ll get through this phase.

Q: I have a fear that starting my own business will make me unhappy, either 1) because I fail and suffer embarrassment and ridicule or 2) because I succeed and I get trapped by a lot of unfulfilling work.

A: That’s a tough trap you’re boxed into – damned if you do, damned if you don’t.  I guess if you’re happy with what you have today, it doesn’t matter…but if you aren’t, here’s what I’d suggest.

You have to try something and experiment, or else you’ll never make progress and learn how to thread the needle of these fears.

Even if you do something and it doesn’t work out as you wish, you will at least have learned more about what works and doesn’t work for you.  You can do this without making big commitments, in baby steps.

And besides, I’ve already written the book “CEOFlow: Turn Your Employees Into Mini-CEOs”… I know that I (and you) can’t get trapped by work or having employees!

Q: I’m concerned that I’m going to miss a step, most specifically as it relates to any kind of licensing needed / taxes / etc…all the legal stuff.

A: Those ‘business mechanics’ are tricky if you start with a business that deals with physical products, or a store… but if you begin with an information or teaching business, you don’t have to worry about 90% of that stuff!

Q: I have a very clear picture of the life I want to live but am having a hard time breaking the limiting beliefs I have to achieve my goals.

A: Everyone has limiting beliefs – I have had them, and still do   Much of the course is actually about breaking limiting beliefs – as you may have seen in the “How To Start A Business That Can’t Fail” video.

I had a ton of limiting beliefs that held me back before I started PebbleStorm & Unique Genius.  There’s no reason you can’t break ‘em with some help from myself, the guest trainers & encouragement from other PebbleStormers.

Q: I don’t have any skills, gifts or passions that are valuable, in terms of being able to get paid for them.

A: This is what the course is for – to help you recognize the skills, gifts & passions that you have but are buried or that you don’t recognize in yourself.  This is a common and natural phase to begin at, because you take yourself for granted.  The irony with superpowers is that they’re often too natural to you (like breathing) for you to notice J

If you’re at ‘ground zero’ with no idea or confidence in your gifts, you can still unlock your Unique Genius.  It takes commitment, baby steps and patience, because part of what you’ll be doing is changing your mindset and habits.

I’ll bet though that you’ll surprise yourself at how quickly in the course you’ll get some clarity & see where to mine your value!

Having said that…being totally honest with yourself, if you are pessimistic, I would recommend that you not register for Unique Genius.

Q: I want some more personal, 1-1 help from you.  What are my options?

If you want more help than just in the Unique Genius Superhero Program, contact me through www.PebbleStorm.com/coaching to set up a session so we can get to know each other.

Q: Is the Program more than just the worksheets, items from the blog, “package” into the modules? I realize the bonuses are different, but the true core of the Program…?  Besides the calls, are the exercises more in depth than the blog?

Yes, definitely.

More Q&A In The Comments

Enjoying this Q&A?  Check the comments below, because there are already 10+ more detailed questions and answers there.  Feel free to leave your own questions there.

To Find Out About Or Register…

Unique Genius Superhero Program Registration Page

Best,

Aaron Ross

if you’ve been struggling for quite awhile now in figuring out what you want to do for work, what is your purpose, and how you can make money at fulfilling work that feels good…

you are not alone in this!

from coaching hundreds of people on figuring this out, i have some helpful insights for you so you can see that all your struggling means you are exactly on the right track, and what to do about it. And… I promise you do get through the hard part at some point, just like the image of this arrow.

you see, i think unfulfilled people have a hidden perception or belief that goes something like “finding my purpose is hard, but once i find my purpose and i know exactly what i am meant to do with my life, everything will be easy…i will have everything all figured out.”

ironically, it is the opposite that is true!  finding your purpose is the easy part.  it’s doing it, living it, actually BEING it, that is hard (which is why you unconsciously avoid finding it).

it’s sort of like physical health.  you know what to do to be healthy, you should eat vegetables, drink water, move your body, sleep and meditate, etc.  The hard part is doing it

what if i told you that when you find your life purpose:

• it might cause you to divorce your spouse; or get back together with an ex-spouse
• you might have to move states or countries; or move back home
• you will move on from 9 in 10 of your current friends and coworkers
• you will estrange yourself from your family; or you will become loving friends with your family if you’re already estranged
• you’ll have to start your first business or organization
• you will have to shut down your current business if you have one

like a forest burning now, leaving ashes, so that a new, fresh forest can grow.

and the best part is that when your forest burns down and you’re left are living more on-purpose, guess what?  it’s the best thing that’s ever been ‘hard to do’ in your life.   (the hardest things in life – like a divorce, bankruptcy, etc. – can be the most rewarding, later.)

why? because I know when you get through the (next) hard part,  your life is more fulfilling and rewarding.

so, even while I’m saying it’s ‘hard to live your purpose’, it’s even harder not to live it at all – like being trapped in a dying relationship or business.  in the end, it’s totally worth the challenge and life changes, because then everything gets aligned and can flow… but it can take years to get there… that’s where the ‘hard part’ comes back in.

i could go on, but here is the point: for most people (not all), “who you really are” is very different than the “who you are currently being/living”.

so if you find your purpose, your life will get turned upside-down over the course of 1-5+ years, while you change your whole life around so that it reflects who you really are… (don’t get me wrong, eventually you’ll live a get through it and be glad you did)… but until then…

this is scary shit for most people!

hence the importance of baby steps, meeting supportive people, and building your self-acceptance and confidence.

if you’re struggling with finding your purpose, that is the good news, because it means you care about it, and it’s an early step in the process.   i’d only be worried about you if you weren’t struggling, because it’d mean you are apathetic.

so what to do?

the best step: talk with NEW people!   this is hard to figure out on your own.  usually it’s not that helpful to reach out to current friends and family, as they are more interested in keeping you ‘the same’ and know you too well…except if they are the super-supportive types.

what are some key steps to start with?

• journaling and meditation help ‘quiet your mind’ so that you can hear yourself
• read a book such as True Purpose (if you’re spiritually-minded), Marc Allen’s A Visionary Life, Abraham-Hicks’ Ask & It Is Given, Is Your Genius At Work by Dick Richards,  (by the way: if the book doesn’t ‘grab’ you, put it down)
• coming in 2013, my next book: “The Unique Genius 21-Day Program”

here are some suggested Unique Genius resources:

• the Unique Genius Manifesto
• check out my “Have More Great Ideas – Unique Genius Guide“
• listen to some Unique Genius Superhero Interviews, especially from Brian Johnson or Marc Allen
• watch the free Unique Genius training videos, like “Start A Business That Can’t Fail”

good luck, and remember “finding and living your purpose” is a lifetime, never ending process.  no matter where you get to or what purpose you discover, there is always something more beyond it, a ‘next level’…you never finish it.

[Update: we're also now expecting a new baby girl in Feb 2012!]

Have you ever had a perfect day?

A recent one was my wedding on May 8th, when I married Jessica Henning Ross.  The day was incredible on its own…and even more so since it came together so quickly (in less than two weeks), naturally and was fun!

We enjoyed the planning of it, the wedding day itself, and afterwards.

A Few Reasons Why I Love Being With And Married To My Wife Jessica

• We make each other laugh every day!
• Jess is the most honest, authentic and inspiring person I know – I and anyone else around her grow and learn through osmosis
• We have a lot of fun and fulfillment in parenting our two kids, Valentin (6) and Aurora (8)…even though parenting often feels challenging for both of us
• We totally support each other in living our dreams -I help her, and she helps me (it’s not unbalanced)
• We can be 100% ourselves and authentic and open with each other (no secrets)
• Our relationship only gets better with time, as we get to know each other and share more and more of life’s downs and ups
• We celebrate together all of life’s “little things” that makes us happy…our inside jokes, funny moments, stories and such
• I know Jessica and I will grow as partners, not break, from the challenges that life will share with us in the coming decades
• We get to shoot more guns, fly more helicopters and do other fun stuff together as she launches and grows her Unique Genius business Bond Girl Bootcamp, helping women have fun being badasses and growing their confidence!
• Jessica doesn’t buy into the “happily ever after” BS fairytale myths about getting married and having kids…she knows what real life is like, and how to have fun TODAY and make a real-life relationship work.

Heh I could go on; now back to the wedding…

Planned In Two Weeks, On Budget and Lots of Fun!

In mid-April 2011, we decided to get married in early May 2011, yes just a couple of weeks away.  Why do that, instead of wait six more months?  the best way I can describe it was that we were called to do it…and it worked out perfectly.

Leap and the net will appear.

We ‘threw a rock’ and picked Sunday, May 8th for the wedding, giving us about two weeks to put it together.  Beyond that, we knew we wanted it to be small, fun for us, and not break our bank (less than $10,000).  Who wants to wake up after a wedding and start a new life with a mound of bills or debt that could take months or years to pay off?

Anyone who’s planned a wedding should think “Two weeks!  Are you kidding?”  Nope!  If you give yourself six months to plan a wedding, it will take six months.  If you give yourself two weeks to plan it, it takes too weeks.

Everything came together naturally, through a combination of ‘doing the legwork’ of putting the pieces together, plus trusting that no matter how it came together, it would be fun and perfect.

In fact, people who came were amazed, that it felt as if we’d planned it for months.  (Yes, I am patting my wife and myself on the back here, ha!)

Once we picked a date, other puzzle pieces could fall into place.  The “hardest” part at first was finding a venue, because so much of the planning depends on it.  We wanted to stick to a budget of $5,000-$8,000, and many places we looked at were $2,500 and up, and while nice, didn’t have that “we want to get married here” feeling for us both.

Luckily, or as fate would have it, a little more than one week before the wedding, Jessica ran into someone in an elevator who told her about the Santa Monica Annenberg Community Beach House…which ended up being PERFECT!  We rented the attached “Marion Davies” guest house there.  Not only could we get married on the beach, they had a venue right there for the reception, they had plenty of orange sun umbrellas (buddhist orange and white were our wedding colors), plenty of parking, and it was much less expensive than any place else.  It was a no-brainer.

Everything seemed to “choose us”: the dress, the makeup & hair, my ‘suit’, the people, the ceremony, the caterer and food, everything.  In each case, we would look at some options, be patient, and at some point one option would surface as the clear, best one.

We really didn’t struggle much at all.  There were some times where we had some anxiety about everything coming together – such as not having a venue and caterer until a week before the wedding!  However, we kept choosing to believe that it would all work out perfectly and that we couldn’t get it ‘wrong,’ no matter where it was, what her dress was, or what was served as the food.

One thing we didn’t do beforehand was register.  That wasn’t important to us at the time.  After the wedding, we started making some travel plans and registered with TravelJoy…a honeymoon travel fund.  We believe life experiences are more important than stuff, especially for the kids.

I feel like there are lots of business and life lessons here in putting energy into a project while letting it unfold naturally without forcing it

Fun With Guns

For my impromptu ‘bachelor party’ i went shooting with casey berman of LeaveLawBehind and eric galen of Music180:

(By the way, I did both the above videos in about 20 minutes each, for free, in Apple’s iMovie 2011 on my MacBook Air…their movie templates are great!  Speaking of which, of course I had to get an “Air”, ha!)

The Ceremony – & A Big Surprise!

Jessica had asked if we could spend some money on a surprise at the wedding.  Little did I know she’d be escorted out to the ceremony area on the beach by a troupe of Chinese Lions and performers! Now THAT was an incredible wedding entrance!!

Some other highlights:

* I can’t explain how much love and excitement i felt seeing her walking down the beach pathway, in her perfect, simple white dress, with our two kids leading the way, escorted by the Chinese troupe.  It felt incredible.  This was also one of her favorite parts.

* Our friend Christie Cole led a 5-minute buddhist chanting session to start it off…I have to believe no one there’d ever done that at a wedding!  It set the whole tone for the day of doing it our way, fun, peace, surrender and meaning.  it was a perfect way to start the ceremony.  (If buddhist chanting intrigues you, check out the 10-million strong SGI organization, which my wife is a part of.)

* Another best friend, Rich Walker, agreed to be our minister.  Iit took him a whole 60 seconds to officially become a minister online through the Universal Life Church).  By the way, I recommend Rich’s new book.

* Our vows (download here to read) were originally written by my Unique Genius business partner/exec asst (and entrepreneur / life guide) Kristine Sloane for her wedding.  By the way, thank you Kristine for taking such great care of me!

* During the vows and ‘I do’s, I either cried or was about to, looking at my wife and best friend, someone who feels like a twin soul and that we’ve been together in other lifetimes.  I felt incredible and in so much love…

More Pictures: see the whole album of wedding pictures on Shutterfly.

Our photographers were the fun and talented couple of Danial and Kendra of Triple Scoop Photo – we highly recommend them!

Jessica’s Favorite Parts

I asked Jess to share some of what were her favorite parts of the day:

• “Walking down that long walk and just looking straight at you, with everything happening around, I just kept focused on you.”
• “The approaching with the music, seeing all of our friends everyone clapping.”
• “When we said our vows and seeing you almost crying.”
• “When you grabbed my hand at the top of the house when we walked out for the first time as husband and wife.”

Yes, yes and yes

The Future

I can already tell how much I’m learning from having fun and being a husband and father, and that what I learn from family life will be a big part of my writings and teachings.  For example, there are many parallels between my CEOFlow book and in guiding a family.

If you can inspire adults, you can inspire kids, and if you can inspire kids, you can inspire adults – people are people!  It’s funny seeing how much we have in common, and how much I and other adults can learn from kids and in being parents.

Want To Learn, Connect & Grow With Us?

In addition to my blog, I have started a subscription-based, intimate newsletter called “Fresh Air”  (‘air’ is my nickname).  It’s a place I can easily share more often and ‘in the moment’ the the little things during a day that lead to big business and love/family breakthroughs – and the parallels between the two.  I will also be sharing details in it on how to grow a business while traveling with family, as we plan on doing this year.

To sign up, go to: www.Letterly.net/Fresh-Air

If you want to find out more about Jessica and her business, check out www.BondGirlBootcamp.com.

Thank you!

-air

The Unique Genius Superheroes Interview Series is about ordinary people who have created businesses they love around their purpose.

Everyone has a purpose (or “calling”), and there are always ways to turn your purpose, any purpose, into a business you love. It’s easier to live your purpose daily when you do it for work!

Today, I’m interviewing Cath Duncan, Creator of Agile Living.  Her purpose is to help entrepreneurs and professionals to be more adaptable, resilient, motivated, confident, creative and clear in their work.

She calls it ‘agile living’ because the people she works with know how much their work affects other areas of their life – they know that life and work changes often go hand-in-hand when you’re looking to create a better quality of life for yourself.

Last year, Cath and her husband got pregnant after being married for 12 years… and after a few months, as they got incredibly excited, before she was born, they learned the baby’s heartbeat had stopped.  Also, she learned her kidney challenges could prevent her from ever naturally having a child.   She’d lose her daughter, a vision of motherhood, and her energy and inspiration.   Cath just recently started “coming back to life” after grieving for five months.  We talked in depth about these topics, and how it especially related to her as an online entrepreneur…

Here’s some of what we covered in the interview:

• how she transitioned from being a social worker to online entrepreneur
• how her pregnancy hurt her kidneys and put her and her daughters life at risk
• what it was like to find out her daughter’s heartbeat at stopped
• a big fear while grieving and slowing down in life – “im getting left behind”
• how after 5 months of grieving and no motivation she decided she’d have to find inspiration again
• how ALL of us are “half-baked” (works-in-progress)
• the ridiculous and unfair comparisons we make on facebook (“compare and despair”)
• undoing her beliefs about what it takes to be happy and successful
• how we can heal from the most awful things

Cath also shares how the simple practice of walking became a big part of her life.

Listen To Or Download The Interview

Want to download the interview?

Click here to download…

More About Cath Duncan

• KidneyRaffle.com
• AgileLiving.com
• Blog post:  What I’ve Been Up To – Walking Through Loss
• Blog Post: Is suffering a private matter?
• Giveaway: 12 Inspiring Author Interviews

About Unique Genius

There’s a process to discovering your purpose and turning it into a business. Find out the latest at www.UniqueGenius.com

How Have You Dealt With Loss?

Please leave a comment!

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hi there,

it’s been awhile – in my mind – since i’ve written you.

i started to feel some guilt over it, as in “i need to write you again” in a blog post.

but you didn’t even realize i was ‘missing’ and hadn’t written you for awhile until i came back and told you i was missing, right?

funny!!!

i made up all the “i should write” guilt in my own mind.

all your guilt and “shoulds” you make up in your own mind. you create it all for yourself.

• i should look for a new job
• i should start a business
• i should work more/harder
• i should make more money
• i should have more fun
• i should be a better parent
• i should write another blog post
• etc etc etc

sometimes it is better to take action and do something (like writing a blog post).

sometimes it is better to do something “internally” to tell the ‘guilty voice’ in your head to SHUT UP… maybe literally, or by going and playing, by meditating, or whatever your own practice is to retrain your mind…such as studying and practicing patience. (patience is such an under-appreciated quality, in both life and business!)

no matter what, guilt is toxic and the more you can let go of it, the happier, fearless & more productive you’ll be.

i’ve been working for years to create a “guilt free zone” in my own life and in pebblestorm.  it’s a ‘great work’ in progress

i would love to eradicate guilt…but in the meantime, like an unwanted visitor, i’ll settle for letting it visit less frequently, and when it does pop up showing it the door faster.

speaking of which, in a couple of weeks i’m re-opening the Unique Genius Superhero Program.  the Program is actually a bundle of four courses (“Light Your Fire”, “Discover & Declare Yourself”, “Make Your First Dollar Through Your Purpose & Passsions”, and “Make As Much Money As You Want”).

so if the idea of creating work around principles like patience, baby steps, trust, fun and integrity is appealing, 1) keep an eye out, and 2) check out the training videos that are up on www.UniqueGenius.com.

you can make money through enjoyment!

in gratitude ‘n’ good stuff,

-air

aaron ‘air’ ross

The Unique Genius Superheroes Interview Series is about ordinary people who have created businesses they love around their purpose.

Everyone has a purpose (or “calling”), and there are always ways to turn your purpose, any purpose, into a business you love. It’s easier to live your purpose daily when you do it for work!

Cameron Herold is one of the country’s most innovative business leaders and was a leading force behind one of the most successful new business ventures of the last decade, 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

He was Chief Operating Officer for nearly seven years and his innovative business leadership helped enable the company to build a presence in 46 states, 9 provinces, and 4 countries.   During his tenure, numerous MBA programs studied the company, including the prestigious program at Harvard.  He helped grow the company from $2 million to over $100 million in revenue!

One of the many things that I admire about Cameron is that he knows building a successful brand and hyper-growth business isn’t about personality or luck. It’s about having the right systems. Cameron can give you the framework and proven solutions that will accelerate your revenue, build your profitability, and help you avoid costly problems. It really IS like having a COO right in your back pocket.

Cameron’s Unique Genius is: “to lead and energize people by using quick, intuitive alternatives to build plans that reverse engineer their dreams.” ~ AWESOME!

Here’s some of what we covered in the interview:

• how writing 20 minutes a day and making lists led him to the work he loves, his dream business
• how clearly & specifically Cameron describes his ideal clients (awesome!)
• a great story about how he got over being chicken and fired someone he’d needed to fire for six months (ps – his mentor gave him the advice that ‘you’ve been stealing his life from him by not firing him’)
• why his “painted picture” visioning is so important for clients, and why he started it after learning how olympic athletes used visualizing
• his three key areas of vision, people, and focus

Cameron and I also talk about his last chapter called “Letters To Myself”…which includes all kinds of advice to his ‘past selves’!  That section of the interview and in the book you do not want to miss.

Listen To Or Download The Interview

Click here to download…

More About Cameron Herold

• Back Pocket COO
• Double Double, the book
• Cameron’s Ted Talk: Raise kids to be entrepreneurs not lawyers
  .

About Unique Genius

There’s a process to discovering your purpose and turning it into a business.  Find out the latest at www.UniqueGenius.com.

What Was Your Favorite Part Of The Interview?

Please leave a comment!

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The Unique Genius Superheroes Interview Series is about ordinary people who have created businesses they love around their purpose.

Everyone has a purpose (or “calling”), and there are always ways to turn your purpose, any purpose, into a business you love. It’s easier to live your purpose daily when you do it for work!

Today I’m interviewing Jennifer Lee, the author of  The Right-Brain Business Plan.  She helps people really get clear about what they want in their life and their business, AND she makes what people really want happen!  Jennifer is a certified coach, writer, artist, yogini, and the founder of Artizen Coaching.  Before pursuing her own passions full-time, she spent time in the corporate world, consulting for ten years for companies such as Gap Inc., Accenture, Sony, and HP, helping leaders and organizations manage change.

Now she is on a mission to empower people to awaken their innate creativity and make a living doing what they love (sounds familiar, doesn’t it?!).  I was honored to talk with one of my fellow empower-ers on how she helps people.

In the interview, Jennifer shares about:

• how she fell in love with life coaching in 2003
• how she reached her limit and finally made the leap out of the corporate world in 2006
• how she integrated her art and creative side to become a source of revenue
• how what “services” you in the corporate world might “sabotage” your passions
• the pitfall of “compare and despair” when creating your business
• how to engage in “income and expenses” in a fun and artistic way
• how making a visual business plan can help you perform more effectively
• a few easy ways to bring more creativity into your life

And… she also shares the advice she would have given herself back in 2003 ~ valuable!

Listen To Or Download The Interview

Want to download the interview?
Click here to download…

More from Jennifer Lee

• her website: the Right Brain Business Plan
• Artizen Coaching
• get free playsheets from Jennifer’s book
• on amazon: the Right Brain Business Plan

About Unique Genius

There’s a process to discovering your purpose and turning it into a business. Find out the latest at www.UniqueGenius.com.

How are you making your business plan “visual”?

I did my own version of a visual, circular version of a business plan here.

Please leave a comment below!

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have you or a friend ever had an idea to start a non-profit?

i have a very serious question for you (if you still have to work for money) – WHY was it going to be non-profit rather than a for-profit business?

i’m really serious, why does it HAVE to be non-profit?

whenever someone comes up with a passionate idea about how they want to give back and make a difference, they always want to make
it non-profit! WHY?

(the hidden assumption/belief is that making money is ‘bad’, that you can’t really help people while you make money.)

did you know there are ways to take ANY non-profit idea and make it for profit, in integrity? (i’m not saying you should, just that you can.)

i’ve been thinking about this a lot since i spoke on a panel at the “Stanford Women In Business” conference yesterday, on the topics of bringing new ideas to the non-profit world.  

i recorded a couple of quick videos afterwards, about how the desire to start a non-profit is a GREAT sign you’re on track with your purpose…but you are probably thinking “non-profit” for the wrong reasons, unless you are already financially free and don’t need to make money.

there’s just as much of a lack of integrity in the non-profit world in as for-profit world.  going non-profit doesn’t give you a free pass to fulfillment or happiness, and in fact can set you back.

in this one i share some thoughts and an example of how you can take your passionate non-profit idea and do it for-profit:

if you can’t see the video, click here

actually, many non-profits are started out of just as much fear as much out of passion:  a fear of failure, a fear of not knowing how to start a for-profit company, a fear of being rejected if you’re charging money, or being perceived as “it’s bad to make money from doing good”.

if you can’t see the video, click here.

going non-profit also feels simpler at first.  people – usually unknowingly and unconsciously – avoid the hard work at first of “what is the need, who values the solution, who will pay for it?” and go straight towards “i’ll just ask people for money,” with the false assumption that other people will be excited – even if it takes some work – to give you money.

i’m curious…i’m messing with people’s dreams here.  will people appreciate these, or hate them?  leave a comment below and lemme know…

enjoy

air

Get the Free Unique Genius ebook: “You Can Make As Much Money As You Want, Doing What You Love

The Unique Genius Superheroes Interview Series is about ordinary people who have created businesses they love around their purpose.

Everyone has a purpose (or “calling”), and there are always ways to turn your purpose, any purpose, into a business you love. It’s easier to live your purpose daily when you do it for work!

Today I’m interviewing Johnny B. Truant, a snarky internet entrepreneur with the fun catchphrase of “The Internet Made Awesome”!

Here’s why I wanted to share Johnny with you.  He runs a different kind of internet and coaching business.

What he does doesn’t make sense.  He doesn’t do internet marketing correctly at all, and his search engine stats are terrible. He doesn’t write about the things that make him money. He doesn’t have a big email list, and he doesn’t even contact the list he does have often enough, or in the right way. He has never spent a dime on advertising. He is known to swear too much and never, ever acts “professional.”

And in nine months, Johnny went from literally having never made a cent online to making five figures a month.

Here’s some of what we covered in the interview:

• why the biggest sin online is to be boring
• why it’s so hard to get johnny to work after 6pm
• why when he has a “slow business period” that surprises him, he relaxes instead of working harder
• why some people online have those “big long sales pages” that scream ‘buy buy buy’…and why he believes it’s not the best way to make money
• how johnny made his first $1 and how he made his $3000
• why it’s easier to make money “being yourself”
• the value of being scared outta his mind

And if that’s not enough, we’ll also talk about why Johnny’s doing “The Badass Project” about physically disadvantaged people who have accomplished ridiculously amazing things (like climbing K2 without legs??!)

Listen To Or Download The Interview

Want to download the interview?
Click here to download…

More from Johnny B Truant

• www.JohnnyBTruant.com
• “The Johnny Project” on Ittybiz
• The Badass Project

About Unique Genius

There’s a process to discovering your purpose and turning it into a business. Find out the latest at www.UniqueGenius.com.

What Was Your Favorite Part Of The Interview?

Please leave a comment!

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in my newsletter recently, when i announced my new unique genius ebook (my best work ever), titled “You Can Make As Much Money As You Want, Doing
What You Love,” i also mentioned that i’d be re-opening the Unique Genius Superhero Program soon.

i decided to postpone that re-opening indefinitely while i got my life in order in important ways.  that is, i am learning a lot about how i sabotage myself and my happiness in my love relationships.

in fact, about two weeks ago i thought about writing a post called “i’m a mess and exhausted”, or “embrace the shit”, or…

well, you get the idea

just because you figure out what your dream business is, and then build it, doesn’t mean life is all ponies and roses.

do you move from job to job, but are always dissatisfied?  or relationship to relationship, but none are good enough? perhaps the common theme is you, not them.

whatever challenges you have…don’t run from them – face them. conquer them now so they don’t follow you…and so doing you will find the silver lining / treasure / prize in them that will what powers your happiness and money/work.

it’s not easy.  it can be frickin’ scarey to look in the mirror and take full RESPONSIBILITY for your life and actions…

but it’s worse to live while lying to yourself and blaming other people for your own frustrations.

(yes, i have done and do that too, so i am speaking from experience.)

my great friend richard walker says, “true happiness can’t be achieved without experiencing true sadness and loss.”

you can learn the most from your failures, and feeling sadness creates the opening to feel more gratitude on the other side.

in other words, embrace the shit!

in gratitude,

aaron ross
(aka “air”)

—–

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I have a confession: “Make money doing what you love” and “do what you love and the money will follow” never inspired me.  They just don’t feel quite, I don’t know, expansive enough.  Almost as if it’s “yeah, you can do what you love, and make just enough money to get by.”  Not good enough!

After starting six companies, spending thousands of hours of mentoring and creating, and years of refining my teachings, I’ve finally simplified my vision for what’s possible for you into a simple, easy-to-ready ebook titled “You Can Make As Much Money As You Want, Doing What You Love.” I can unabashedly say it’s the most inspiring piece of work I’ve ever written. It’s an easy read, less than 30 pages, with simple ideas.

Download It For Free

CLICK HERE to download the free ebook (no opt-in is required).

After clicking the link, the ebook should download automatically.  If it doesn’t please leave a comment below on this page and we’ll get it to you.  Please share it with your friends and also leave a comment if something in it inspires you!

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Free Unique Genius Training Videos

You can find my free training videos on topics like “Two Life-Changing Questions”, “Starting A Business That Can’t Fail”, “A 7-Step Process To Discover Your Purpose”, and “5 Ways To Make More Money On Purpose” at www.UniqueGenius.com.

To Subscribe To PebbleStorm Updates…

Reminder: you do not need to subscribe here to get the ebook.  If you enjoyed the content and wish to subscribe to update and the blog, here you go…

There are few things as simple and inspirational as a quote.  I shared a Unique Genius-y Dr. Suess quote a couple of weeks ago (here) and my Superhero client Nate (of www.FearlessEndeavors.com) came back with one of his own favorite quotes that is SO PERFECT:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back — Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.  All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.  Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.  Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.  Begin it now.” -Goethe

Just awesome.  First comes commitment, then comes clarity.  So many aspiring entrepreneurs want clarity first before you make a commitment…but that’s not how it works    I know that all the companies I’ve started in the past began with a mental decision and commitment that “I’m going to start a company, even if I have no idea what it is yet.  The idea will come.”

An Example Of The Power Of Commitment

I asked Nate to share why he’s so inspired by the quote and he shared a personal example of how it worked for him, that I’m sure you will emphasize with…here’s his well-written take:

“To me, this quote is about setting intentions and taking action.  So many people, myself included go through the process of consume, consume, consume, but they never actually do anything.  You know…there’s no real commitment put in.  Why?  Fear…plain and simple…fear.

Speaking personally, it’s scary to put yourself out there and try something that might fail or that I don’t know will succeed.  It’s so much easier to question myself endlessly until I convince myself ‘yup, see, you can’t do that!’ or ‘nope, it won’t work, that’s a horrible business idea!’  It’s crazy, b/c I’ll come to those conclusions w/o actually trying something.

So..until you actually commit ‘f— it, I’m doing this….I’m going forward and nobody is going to stop me,’ then yes, you will hesitate and yes, you will draw back to innate, habitual patterns that have been built up over a lifetime.

Once you get over that though…well then, things start to happen.  They start to happen because you open up to allowing new things to happen.  Sure, you might open up to failure, but you also open up to succeeding and even if you ‘fail’ you’ve still learned and you can move forward from there.

It’s crazy….I work out on a pretty regular basis..or at least I thought.  At the beginning of the year I really wanted to focus on losing some weight in the belly area .  I’ve tried in the past, but I’m not sure I fully committed.  This time I did.  I picked a program, I’ve been watching my diet and really consciously eating better and b/c of that I’ve lost 9 pounds in the last 6 weeks.  It was through the commitment and initiative that I finally achieved results.

I’m trying to take the same approach with the Unique Genius work and thinking about businesses.  In the past I’ve read material, done exercises, created a blog, wrote blog posts….but I’m not sure that was really commitment per se.  A few weeks back I actually wrote down an intention on paper.

This is exactly what I wrote:

Goal Statement:

By July 14, 2011 I will have an established and profitable business idea that has made me $1,000 on the side.  I will work 7-10 hours/week to work on and reach this goal.  The ultimate goal is to have a side business that I can scale and grow, which will allow me to leave my corporate job so I can work when I want, where I want with who I want while being fully committed to helping others.

So everything I do now is related to the above.  Is what I’m doing now helping me work toward the above?  How?  It’s helping me focus a bit better when I’ve actually set an intention and a goal.

You can follow Nate at:
www.FearlessEndeavors.com

What Are You Ready To Commit To?

Have you been dancing around committing to something, but are sick of not making progress?  Write it down.

By the way, I applaud Nate for taking baby steps and not committing to some wildly unlikely goal of “make a million dollars this year”.

PDA It (“Public Declaration of Action”)

What’s a really important goal for you this day, month or year?

The best way to stick to a commitment is to publicly declare it.  So if you’re bold enough and really going to do it, leave a comment here and tell people what you’re committing to!

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I love this quote from Dr. Seuss about being a Unique Genius:

“Be who you are and say what you feel,
because those who mind don’t matter
and those who matter don’t mind.”

Here’s my imitation Dr. Seuss addition…

“What did you want to think, do or say,
But held back from expressing today?”

And one in haiku for kicks

It’s easy to wait
“Someday I’ll do what I love”
Someday never comes

What can you do TODAY to enjoy yourself at work?  How can you earn 10 Enjoyment Points?

-Aaron

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Coming Soon – A Free Unique Genius Ebook…

The Unique Genius ebook “You can make as much money as you want, doing what you love” is almost done…look for it in early March!

And it won’t cost a dang thing.

(Superhero & Mastermind Clients – email me if you want an early copy)

Have A Quote, Poem Or Haiku To Share?

Leave a comment below!

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In 2004, I got honest with myself that my marriage had failed.  Ouch.  Yet as painful as it was, it led me to a much happier, healthier relationship.

And I remember in 2007, working as an Entrepreneur-In-Residence at a venture capital firm in Palo Alto, when I first got really honest with myself: I admitted that I didn’t want to start a business that didn’t feel meaningful, no matter how sexy it was.  I admitted to myself that I didn’t want to start a company which required me to raise money.  I admitted that I didn’t want to do software anymore,  that titles and prestige just weren’t important compared to day-to-day fulfillment.

Raw self-honesty isn’t always comfortable, but it’s necessary if you want to live a full life and have a full bank account.

Being honest with myself that way changed my life forever, leading me to start PebbleStorm and create the Unique Genius work (how to make as much money as you want, doing what you want).

I originally recorded this video of the beautiful Brenda Owens to share with my Unique Genius Superhero Program clients, but this is a message everyone – including me! – should be reminded of…be honest with yourself!

If you missed it, I wrote a blog post in January called “How I Lie To Myself“.

More About Brenda Owens

Brenda’s one of five 1-1 mentoring clients in my “All-in” PebbleStorm Mastermind.  Here’s a little bit about her from her site, and where her inspiration comes from to help others…

“As an only child, I lost my mother when I was 27, I lost my father when I was 30, and then my marriage ended a couple of months later.  After that, I bought into the myth that unconditional love was no longer available to me, as I had no blood relatives or even a husband…

Today, I rarely feel lonely and live my life from the inside out.  I love and trust myself and am comfortable and confident in my own skin.  In my heart I know and believe if I could make such a shift, to live life from the ‘inside out’ that anyone can.  It really comes down to understanding that it’s our thoughts and choices that create our reality.  I assist people in feeling happy, loved, inspired and serene.  My purpose and passion is to motivate myself and others to take the next step to Live an Inspired Life and enjoy happy success.”

She’s a wonderful example of someone who’s honest and authentic both with herself and others.

You can find out more about Brenda and her story at www.BrendaOwens.com, and if you have a pet, check out the cute “Pet Blessings” name tags at www.PacificPetShop.com!

Brenda’s starting a new coaching practice, so if she ‘speaks’ to you in the video or in her story on www.BrendaOwens.com, reach out to her to say hi or find out about her coaching at Contact Brenda Owens.  She lives in Carlsbad, CA, so if you know anyone in that area who should meet her, please forward this on.

If You Were Totally Honest With Yourself, How Would That Change Your Work Or Life?

How are you settling in your work?  What would your life look like if you didn’t give up on what you really want out of work?  If you could be successful at anything, and started taking steps towards it?

I have never met someone who didn’t have a special gift or superpower that they could activate if they chose to.

How do you make excuses for not committing to finding your gifts / making more money / having more fun in life & at work / inspiring more people / making a bigger difference?

Please leave a comment!

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The Unique Genius Superheroes Interview Series is about ordinary people who have figured out how to make money through their purpose & passions to create fulfillment and freedom.

If you read my post on my Top 5 Big Goals For The Year, you know speaking is one of them (“Get paid to speak or get invited to speak at a TED event”).  Are you interested in speaking someday, but have a fear of it?  Listen to this interview!

I’d never heard of Richard Robbins until a friend recently introduced us – and I was inspired right away.  Through his passion for speaking (which used to be a great fear), Richard’s built a sales coaching and empowerment business that’s generated $50 Million in revenue over the past 10 years. He also has control over his time and days – his days don’t control him.  I resonated with his vision, integrity and balance of business success with daily health and enjoyment.

He’s like “the future Aaron & PebbleStorm 10 years from now” in many ways, because I’m following in his footsteps and building a business with a similar model to what he’s done.

If you’re an aspiring speaker (even years out), listen to this interview.  I grill Richard on different lessons learned, tips and what works for him….

• How Richard turned speaking from a great fear into a great passion (and how he now earns $25,000 – $200,000 per speech)
• How he gives 60-90 minute talks despite having “a poor memory”
• About his “Mediocrity Myth”: why success is only a price to be paid upfront, while mediocrity is a lifetime cost
• Why he set a goal to do 50 free talks in one year (and how he got them)
• How his free talks led to his next business
• The greatest advice he ever received about speaking
• About his weekly date night with his wife, and favorite times of the day in work and out of work
• What an perfect day in Richard’s life is like (beginning with two hours reflection time and exercise)

And more, of course!

Listen To Or Download The Interview

Click here to download…
.

More about Richard Robbins

• About Richard
• www.RichardRobbins.com

.About Unique Genius

There’s a process to figuring out how to make as much money as you want, doing what you want. Find out the latest at www.UniqueGenius.com.

What Was Your Favorite Part Of The Interview?

Please leave a comment!

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Now that January’s over and you’re ready to throw away all your new years resolutions, here’s a very simple practice I’ve found REALLY works in getting me to where I want to go without all kind of project planning and spreadsheets.

First, here two things that don’t work for me in goal-setting or changing my habits:

• New Years resolutions
• Having more than 7 important goals for the year, because it scatters my energy and I can’t easily keep ‘em all in my head & need to go back and review pieces of paper or spreadsheets – and I just can’t make myself do that
  

And the super simple exercise that does work…

Answer This Question:

“If you can only accomplish 5 things this year, what would they be?”

Do this in a thoughtful way and you will zero in on the few, most important things to focus on (whether consciously or unconsciously) for the year.  I can easily hold five big goals in my head, and having these makes it very simple to prioritize what to work on day by day.

The trick is focusing on a few SIMPLE and MEANINGFUL goals that you believe you can accomplish, even if they’re a bit scarey.  They should not be crazy, like “make a million dollars” if you’ve never made six-figures.  If you keep setting goals that you miss and take this too seriously, you train yourself to mistrust yourself.

Treat goals as happy experiments, rather than life-or-death things.  Be totally committed to what you want, but when a goal doesn’t happen, smile and learn from it as a happy experiment!

2010 Goals & Results

AARON’S 2010 GOALS
1. $250k revenue
2. Become a best-selling author
3. Create three signature products or events
4. Find a full marketing partner
5. Find a full assistant/apprentice

AARON’S 2010 RESULTS
1. Result: I did $190k in revenue, less than my goal but about double 2009
2. Result: I became an author, though not best-selling – yet
3. Result: I created two, including my “Unique Genius Superhero Program” and my “Call To Adventure” 3-day retreat
4. Result: Not a full-time partner, but found a partner on my www.UniqueGenius.com launch, Jared Krause
5. Result: Yep, Lex!

I feel like I hit about 80% of my goals, which was perfect – they should be a stretch, but not too much of a stretch and become paralyzing.

The best part – THIS IS SIMPLE!  It takes me a couple of weeks to flesh these out, but it is totally worth it.

This Coming Year’s / 2011 Goals

AARON’S 2011 GOALS:

1. $240k revenue (this time I want to beat it)
2. Get paid to speak OR be invited to speak at TED
3. PebbleStorm 2020 vision co-created with the community
4. Publish a Unique Genius book
5. “Aaron Life Manual” documented and I’m using it (this is a combination life vision, “Ideal Day”, core values, etc)

See how these are easy to remember?  I don’t need to check some complex excel sheet to know what is important.

Yours might be much bigger or smaller than mine – DO NOT COMPARE yourself to me.  This is about what is important to you.  A big goal for you this year might be to start a blog, learn a language or instrument, hold your first meetup, publish a first ebook – anything.  What is a big goal to you?

LEX’S 2011 GOALS:

1. Move to bay area
2. Develop a Personal Success Routine
3. Start a new project/product every 2-3 months
4. Make $25-30K
5. Write television pilot

With Lex having such a short list of key goals, it makes it easy for her to stay on track. AND…it makes it easy for me to support her in achieving them.

A 6-Step Process To Clarify Your “Top 5 Goals For The Year”

1. Brainstorm: grab a blank piece of paper and take 5 minutes and list out 10 or more goals.
2. Envision being one year out (say January 2012), looking back on the current year – what goals would be most satisfying & meaningful if accomplished?
3. Pick out the top 5 that resonate the most with you.
4. Write them down in a new place. Edit and play with them for a day or couple of weeks, until you feel solid with them. They should feel like a stretch but not too much of a stretch.
5. Tell people about them! Post them where you & others can see them.
6. Take a first step: what is one thing you can do to make progress on one goal? (And you can’t take a baby step that is too small)

See?  It’s simple.  You can do a first draft in five to ten minutes.

Is ‘Make More Money Doing What I Love’ In Your “Top 5″?

Did some version of “making money at doing what I love” come up on your Top 5?  If so, I love mentoring people on how to find your passions and turn them into an inspiring business!

If you’re committed to finding your fulfilling work and making a lot more money with it in ways that feel good, reach out and let’s see if you’re a fit for my mentoring and one of the PebbleStorm Mastermind groups.  We have groups both for 1) people who are “all-in” and fully committed, and 2) for people who are still nurturing their Unique Genius as a side-project.

To find out more, reach out:
Mentoring With Aaron

What Are Your 2011 Goals?

Please share and declare your own 2011 goals in the comments!

Sometimes I have rough moments or days and I try lying to myself, telling myself that I’m happy.  But in those moments or days, I’m not.

(It doesn’t really matter why I have those rough times, but mostly it’s because fear, uncertainty or doubt creep up on me and tackle me for a bit, before I can kick ‘em to the curb.)

I don’t mean to lie to myself, I do it automatically because I feel like I should be happy ALL THE TIME, given I have a clear life purpose, an incredible business, and an inspiring fiance.

I feel guilty during times I’m not happy, like there’s something wrong with me.  Especially with all the positives in my life, shouldn’t I be happy all the time?

That’s bullshit. I don’t know where my mind picked up the idea that I (or anyone) is supposed to be happy all the time, no matter how “successful” you are.  There will ALWAYS be an ebb and flow in your life.

That’s just not real. Part of being human is having a range of emotions, including forms of fear.

In fact, it’s the challenges you’ve been through in life, the downs, that allow you to truly appreciate the ups.

If I hadn’t worked in the corporate world (including starting a business and having it fail), I wouldn’t be as grateful for my fulfilling work with my authentic Unique Genius mentoring clients.

If I hadn’t gotten married and divorced (and had many other short-term relationships), I wouldn’t be as grateful for my inspiring partner & fiance Jessica.

So be grateful for the downs - especially if you’re in one now!

Learn something from them, and inspire, educate and entertain others based on what you learned.

What past challenges can you be grateful for?

PS: those challenges are, in some way, a part of your Unique Genius, and you can authentically help yourself by sharing your story and lessons learned with others.

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The Unique Genius Superheroes Interview Series is about ordinary people who make money through their purpose & passions. They’ve found ways to combine enjoyment, money and meaning in their work.

A tireless traveler and culinary eclectic, Rod Rotondi has used his unique experience and perspective to translate world cuisine into delicious and affordable raw, organic, and vegan offerings. Rod’s dream was to create an inclusive eatery, one so affordable and delicious that people would eat there daily and make a positive change to their lives.

Here are some of the topics we covered…

• Why Joseph Campbell’s book “The Power Of Myths” was so influential on Rod’s life
• What allowed Rod to create “Club Red”, a business that mashed up scuba diving, a restaurant, yoga, meditation, adventures and more…in the middle east!
• How he lost everything in it…and why he wouldn’t change a thing about it
• What’s so great about raw food?
• Rod’s best suggestion for how to start eating better / raw
• Why being afraid of your food (cooked or inorganic food) isn’t healthy either
• How Rod’s balancing making money and fulfilling work now with his restaurant, book and products
• A GREAT kernel of advice for those of you with kids: “When you’re working: work; when you’re with your kids: be with your kids”
• “If you’re not feeling fulfilled in your work, go and help someone else as a next step. You’ll feel better quickly”

To learn more about Rod and his healthy and wealthy ways of living, please listen to his interview…

Listen To Or Download The Interview

Click here to download…

More about Rod Rotondi

• Raw Food for Real People: Living Vegan Food Made Simple by the Chef and Founder of Leaf Organics
• http://www.LeafOrganics.com

What of these resonated with you? Let me know!

About Unique Genius

There’s a process to discovering your purpose and turning it into a business you love. Find out the latest at www.UniqueGenius.com.

What Was Your Favorite Part Of The Interview?

Please leave a comment!

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• “Baby Steps To Being A Lean, Mean, Optimum Nutrition Machine (Part 1 of 3)“
• “A Lifetime Of Baby Step Health Improvements (Part 2 of 3)“

Do you ever put people on a pedestal and think they’ve got it all figured out? Let me tell you, NO ONE has it all figured out.

It doesn’t matter how many millions they have, “successful” people have just as many issues to work on as you do.  I know I do.  Just ask my fiance, heh – she’ll tell you. (By the way, I got engaged on Xmas eve!  A video of the proposal)

So a “BS Meter” you can use with people is if they pretend to be perfect, they’re lying to you and to themselves.

For example, I procrastinated the hell outta finishing this post and health series.  I have been one lazy SOB the past two weeks, and have distracted myself with all the new shiny many iphone games I got for Xmas and my birthday. Whee

Plus, it didn’t help that I’ve been eating like crap since before Xmas.  But hey, I’m only human too.  I fall down. And I ALWAYS get back up and keep at it…

It’s probably better anyway that I waited to share this post until after the new year, so that your (and my) holiday gorging is done and you (and I) are ready to get back to the basics…

And now’s the “real” post – enjoy!

Aaron

——-

Food can be a big source of happiness in your life – or stress.  There are a lot of parallels with it and with work, how it as well can be a big source of happiness or stress.  I make a few specific parallels between the two below.

Authentically Enjoy Your Food & Drinkin’ (Whatever It Is)

<= The picture is of a meal from the super-yummy Leaf Organics restaurant in LA.  If you go there, get the mushroom-avocado burger with the onion bread (gluten-free), it is insanely good.  My fiance and I both LOVE it.  I also have a Unique Genius Superhero interview of the founder, Rod Rotondi. He has a fascinating life and business story.

Much of your health and happiness in life comes from your feelings around food and meals: your happiness goes up when you eat food that you appreciate, are grateful for and share with in good company.  So whatever the hell it is you eat – green or junky – do your best to really enjoy it and the whole experience.

(The same with work: As much of your happiness and wealth in life comes from your feelings around work – your happiness goes up when you have work that is fulfilling & satisfying, are grateful for it, and share with in good company.)

I would rather you had fun eating bread and cheese you love with good friends than having a “I don’t enjoy this but it’s good for me” raw salad miserably alone.

(The same with work: I would rather you had fun at a boring job with good friends than doing noble work in conditions – like doing it alone – that make you unhappy.  It can be lonely starting a company, rebuilding and recreating a work community around yourself…it’s not for everyone.)

Enjoyment from a “quick fix” of a candy bar or Frappacino doesn’t count – that’s a fix, not authentic gratitude or happiness that lasts.  (Unless you’re starving after doing a 28 day Utah survival course, and then get a peanut butter and chocolate milkshake – now THAT is gratitude!  Even though it didn’t stay down…)

A small digression…I did mention the hot chocolate exemption for all this, right?  Heh   While someday I might give up my hot chocolate habit, for now I truly do enjoy my Huckleberry hot chocolate, because 1) it’s “the real stuff” and feels like authentic goodness, and 2) it’s also an entire enjoyable experience beyond just the drink, because I ride my bike there, and/or share it with my fiance.  On the other hand, if I just walk into some cafe and get some crummy powdered hot chocolate, I do feel guilty.  By the way, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf hot chocolate is terrible – avoid it.

Find ways to ENJOY and be GRATEFUL for awesomely healthy food.  There is so much really tasty stuff out there.  And if you’re eating crap food, instead of feeling guilty, find ways to authentically enjoy it and be grateful for it too.

Guys – pounding on your chest about how much meat you can eat doesn’t count – that’s eating just to get attention. Unless you’re Epic Meal Time, the funniest cooking show on the internet, and the only guys I’ve ever seen who have turned fast food into sushi. Hilariously gross!

OK seriously, now on to the…

7 Ways Make It Easier On Yourself To Improve Your Nutrition (Or Find Your Unique Genius)

The easier you can make it on yourself to make progress, the more likely you’ll do it and stick to it, whether it’s around food or work.  In this case, I’m usin’ food examples:

1. Spend time with people who inspire you / you want to be like / learn from: Studies have shown that your weight and health is affected by your friends.  Want to gain weight?  Spend time with heavy people!   So spend more time with your healthy friends and family, and less time around your unhealthy friends and family.
2. Be adventurous: just frickin’ try something new, for God’s sake, it won’t kill you.  Many adults I know – are like little kids refusing to try a green food when they’re young, “it looks icky!”
3. Go for progress, not perfection as you experiment and try new things to learn what works for you: I don’t believe 100% vegetarian/vegan is for everyone.  Some people should eat meat.  You won’t know where you fall until you experiment.  And after you have a holiday gorging feast (or several weeks of them)…forgive yourself, appreciate it and come on back to the good habits!
4. Learn from people you trust, but don’t depend on one source (what works for them may not work for you).
5. Everything in moderation.
6. Buddy up: if your partner eats worse than you want, don’t criticize them and make them feel guilty – that’ll just make things worse.  Educate them, partner with them, find ways TOGETHER to enjoy being healthier – inspire them and you’ll get better results!
7. Be persistently patient (with yourself and your partner).  Adopting new eating habits that stick change as fast as your mind does – that is, not very fast at all.  It takes 21 days to change a habit, and as long as 9 months to really lay down new neural pathways stick.

Notice that all of these principles apply to finding your optimally fulfilling work (Unique Genius) too!

Take A Next Step

1. Read this book: In Defense Of Food, by Michael Pollen.  His sum philosophy: “Eat food. Not too much.  Mostly plants”.  Michael’s definition of food here is ‘real’ food not the imitation food we have now like energy bars and drinks; if your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize it, it’s not ‘food’.
2. Write out an “Ideal Health” vision for yourself. If you had NO LIMITS, what would your body feel like?  How would your family and friends eat, move, practice health?  Your community, the world?  The more you can emotionally connect with an authentic vision, and believe in it, the more likely it will stick as a big enough “why” to inspire you for the next step…
3. Commit to improving your health and taking baby steps!  Without commitment, it’s not going to happen.  Why is it important to you to do this?  First envision your life 10-20 years out following your current habits.  Then envision what life would be life if you keep improving your habits step by step over those 10-20 years.
4. A simple first way to start your day off right and add a lot of nutrition: making your own smoothies (not that Jamba Juice crap), especially green smoothies.  I have one almost every day, made from greens (spinach or kale or chard or collard greens), parsley, fuji apples, ginger, mint, a whole lemon with rind, flax/chia seeds, hempseed, maca, goji berries, spirulina, water as the liquid.  I blend it all up in a Vitamix Turbo-blend 4500, which was about $350.   (Also: a blog about Green Smoothies)
5. Have fun trying new things and exploring – isn’t that the whole point?
6. Have a quick laugh (or get so grossed out you’ll never eat fast food again) at Epic Meal Time!

So…

What’s Your Next Step?  Or Your 2 Cents?

I’d love to hear what you agree with, disagree with and what works for you – leave a comment below!

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This is the 2nd part of a three part series.  Part 1 was “Baby Steps To Being A Lean, Mean, Optimum Nutrition Machine (Part 1 of 3)“  (It’s no coincidence that I repeat “baby steps” over and over again…)

I still drink hot chocolate every day (you’ll see this come up in my post!), work out just twice a week, am almost 40 years old, but am leaner than I was in college or at any time other than when I was doing Ironman training (at about 10% body fat now)…what’s the deal?  Better and better nutrition habits, made over the years step by step.

For 20 years, I’ve been committed to slowly and surely improving my nutrition & health habits in baby steps.   When I hear about things I’ve mentioned in the past here, like Optimum Health Institute (raw food, wheatgrass ‘n’ enemas, oh my) or the “15-Day Reboot Fruit & Veggie Cleanse”, I’ll often try ‘em out to see what works for me, and what doesn’t.