Every time I think about how I chose to release my most recent book, of not needing to do anything more with it, of trusting that it is now out in the world doing its work, the word that comes to mind is “liberated”. By changing the rules of how a book is released, and what my expectations are, I liberated myself from all sorts of pressures of what I’m “supposed” to or “should” be doing now...
I was chatting with a reader of my recent book (Unorthodox Success, Secret Shame) and they shared something with me. “Reading about you wrestling with your shame made me reflect on where I had shame in my own life. I realized I’ve been too ashamed to admit I’ve been in an abusive relationship. I was too ashamed to admit it to anyone, including myself. Once I realized that, I left my boyfriend.”...
This past week I was reconnecting with a colleague and she shared her difficulty with scheduling creative time. “I find I fill it with busy work, not particularly creative”, she said. I realized in that moment I never schedule creative time. I simply allow myself enough free, unscheduled time, to seize the creative spark when it hits. For example, today, as I’m writing this, I have a single thing...
I’ve been very intentional about how I refer to the expectations of my book. I had a “release”, not a “launch”. The book has a 10 year mission. I will evaluate its impact and success only after 10 years. I’ve asked readers to share the book with the people in their lives that will benefit from reading it. I’m giving the book the space it needs to let that...
Most traditionally published books’ successes are measured with how well they sell within their first 9 months of release. Just like with movies, it’s seen as either a hit or a flop immediately. Most publishers and agents won’t even speak to you about publishing your work unless you have a built-in audience of social media followers (hundreds of thousands or bigger) that you can sell your book to...
This quote is most often attributed to the late founder of Apple, Steve Jobs. It popped in my head last night as I move on to the next phase of my book. I received the feedback from the last of 5 beta readers. Each of them had suggestions to make the book better, and none of them found huge fundamental problems with the book. It means that after spending another day or 2 with my book, I’ll be...
A couple of weeks ago I handed over the first draft of next book (Unorthodox Success, Secret Shame) to my wife, Robin, to edit and review. When she was done, she had sent me the file back with notes. The next morning as I reviewed the notes, I immediately began to start doubting myself. What were Robin’s constructive and instructive feedback, I saw as evidence that I had bitten off more than I...
There’s a feeling I trigger often in people. Maybe you’ve experienced it yourself. When you’ve been in the audience for one of my events, one of my Zooms, read one of my articles, or watched a video of mine. I didn’t even realize I was doing it, until very recently. It was instinctive in me, I make myself feel good when I do it, without realizing it. My superpower is: I elicit awe in people. I do...
I was sharing with someone this week some advice. If I had to share only one thing, it would be these 3 words: “What scares me?” That prompt is responsible for so many of the big stories in my life. I did the scary thing, and something incredible happened. And here’s the actual scary truth of it: Once done, that thing ended up being no big deal. It’s amazing how big a...
Every time I get caught in a thinking trap about what I’m thinking I “should” be doing or am supposed to be doing, it’s because I’ve fallen into comparing myself with other people. I’ve never sold a company. I don’t know how to “exit”. Everything I’ve ever done in the past I ran until I was complete and I moved on and did something else. I abdicated instead of delegated and reduced my role...
I’m really practiced at gratitude. It’s with me all the time. I took an entire year to practice gratitude and that lesson has stayed with me in an automatic way. These past couple of weeks there’s been a lot of articles and discussions marking the anniversary of when everything changed from covid. My local newspaper had a headline that I found particularly striking:...
After writing for my blog for over 3 years and 170 articles, I have come to some truths about myself. I value peace and freedom in my life above everything.I’m in a privileged place where I don’t have to do anything (I recently started thinking of myself as “retired”).I live a decelerated life.I like using technology, but try to avoid being used by it. That means I don’t use any social media...
There are 92 people on the email list for this blog. Of that, approximately 35% open each email. That gives me a weekly readership of 32 people. By any standard metric that seems tiny. Email lists are generally measured in thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands or even millions. Followers on social media sites are measured the same way. 32 people reading what I have to say barely...
During the years I felt like an imposter, I was under tremendous fear of my ideas being ripped off. I would go through such lengths to hide and obfuscate my innovations. At the time I believed it was the only thing I had. That if someone copied it, I was useless/worthless/replaceable. Recently I watched someone share in public their business building strategy. I know this person, have spoken to...
I was inspired to create this tool by how I’ve been choosing to see 2020 as one of the best years in my life, and how I might be able to share that with others. I know a lot of people can’t wait to get out of 2020, but what if it were possible to transform how you see it? I also realized how creating lists has been such a powerful tool for me. To be staring at the overwhelming evidence in front...
I’ve had an incredible 2020, there is no getting around it. On every metric – personal, financial, business, mental, family, health, happiness, everything has come together this year in a way I’ve never experienced before. I don’t claim perfection, everyone will have their challenges, but I do practice focusing on the positives and this year has been an incredible one for me. That...
Chris Frolic · The Scariest Thing I Did This Year If 2019 was “My Year of Gratitude”, 2020 was my year of “What Scares Me?”. I continued to put myself in hot situations, specifically doing the thing that scares me. It has gotten a lot easier over the year, and now because of all the benefits of each of those actions I’ve become addicted to doing the exact thing I’m frightened of. Only good comes...
I enjoy doing things never done before. I enjoy doing things BECAUSE they’ve never been done before. Something about making the impossible seem possible really fires me up. I can sense the joy it sparks in me. I like to state it as: I eat the words “It can’t be done” for breakfast. I love my role in sharing that with others. One of my favorite “easy” tricks is to ask someone...
“I’m out of here!”, my 12-year-old shouted. “Kevin, there’s a freaking pandemic going on, we’re in lockdown!”, I responded back. “I don’t care”, he replied. “Kevin, I love you and will support you”, were the last words I said to him. Kevin put on his jacket and walked out of the house. I had no idea where he was going to go. Kevin had reached his...
I recently hosted a Zoom titled “I’m not a coach”, for coaches who want to create businesses as unique as they are. In preparation on the day of, I chose to cut my news diet down from an already very small daily amount. Normally, I allow myself 7 minutes to scan my local newspaper websites for news of interest for me. I don’t use social media and don’t consume much news outside of regular...
This event has past, instant video replay is now available – request yours below! I’m hosting a free Zoom for those who practice coaching and aren’t comfortable with labels and want permission to build a business as unique as they are. This is an exclusive invitation-only event for a select group of attendees. I am also accepting referrals. During the call: I will share the results of all...
My ability to create something from nothing is what makes me valuable. It’s not about teaching you to do what I do, or do what I did, but it’s about facilitating an environment that supports you to create something new yourself. That is what I bring to the table. It isn’t about labels or simple easy steps. And I love that I don’t have to pretend to be anything I’m not. I refuse to act as if I am...
I’m going to model something right now. Take from this what is of value to you. I have a very small email list. Mostly because of the decelerated life I choose to live, I don’t participate in social media and all the usual ways people generally are reached these days. I’m co-founder and co-owner of a successful business that pays me monthly dividends and I have stepped away from daily duties. I...
I wrote and shared this with my children at the dinner table. I’m now sharing it with you. Dear Gavin & Connor. Daddy wants to share 5 things I’ve learned that will help you live an extraordinary life. 1. Take action. Most people don’t. They give into their fears and never find out what might have actually happened had they just done it. They find busy work to pretend they’re doing...
I used to be ashamed of doing things different from everyone else. Now it gives me pleasure. I learned this about myself and can now just tap into it. I literally get a perverse pleasure when I do things that are completely contrary to everyone else. All I know is I don’t want to follow the rules, so I’m not going to. I give the best I’ve got to my blog. I enjoy sharing my...