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Building a Body of Work and Meaningful Life with Pam Slim – Episode 76

December 31, 2013 By Berni

Pam Slim is the author of the new book Body of Work, and is one of the most inspiring people I know. I met Pam in 2006 when she tried to leave a comment to win a copy of my book–on an old TypePad blog I had–but couldn’t because my e-mail address was wrong. YIKES! After being friends online for a long time, I finally met Pam live at World Domination Summit–one of the highlights of my time at WDS2013. In today’s episode, we got to talk to her about being a coach, what she’s afraid of, and so much more in this interview. So much learning from Pam Slim, for us. And now, for you.

~ Phil

Watch the show (uncensored & unedited)Listen to the podcast

Share Some Shut Up Love –> Creating a body of work that we’re really proud of is our life’s work. @PamSlim on #shutupshow (click to tweet)

Fun Facts:

Pam has been coaching early stage entrepreneurs for the last 8 years.
Prior to starting her own endeavor, Pam offered consulting inside corporations such as Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard and Charles Schwab coaching thousands of executives, managers and employees.
Pam has been an entrepreneur for 17 years and started working at the age of 12.
Pam’s first job was washing dishes for an ice cream shop.
Pam’s favorite ice cream is mocha chip on a sugar cone rolled in almonds.
Pam’s blog, Escape from Cubicle Nation, is one of the top career and marketing blogs on the web.
Pam’s book, Pam’s book Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur won Best Small Business/Entrepreneur Book of 2009.

Defining Shut Up Moment:

I’ve worked since I was 12. I have always enjoyed what I have done work-wise in different work modes. When I start to get bored is when I start to make a shift and do something else.

I was not in a healthy relationship at all in my 20’s. It was very scary and very confining. I have this one favorite place in the world, Phoenix Lake. When I finally decided I wanted to leave the relationship, I got this vision of going to this lake. I went to the lake after a therapist visit and I had this spiritual epiphany. I could feel this energy and pace and music in my head as I walked around the lake. I saw this one spot–that I envisioned in my head–and as soon as I saw that spot in person, I just burst into tears. I felt this indescribable experience. It pushed me forward. It was clearly the moment I made the break. Walking through that experience gave me incredible courage of being in control of my destiny and wanting to do more with my life. It was after that, I quit my job to start my business.

Shut Up Tips:

What spurred the new book idea is the light and dark side of the force. It’s a VERY simplistic view that entrepreneurship is the “light” and corporate world is “dark.” And it’s not right. – Pam

Creating a body of work that we’re really proud of is our life’s work. It’s not the things we create, but also the environment we create. What kind of environment do you want? – Pam

We forget the most important and juicy part: what are you actually creating? Who really cares what work mode you have? Choose a mode that supports you, that reduces your stress, and gives you the most opportunities to create what you want to create. – Pam

You can’t create meaning or innovate in your life without having fear. – Pam

Navigating uncertainty, creating opportunity is a very critical thing. – Pam

What’s cool about a bootstrapping approach is you need to make sure there is value and viability in your business model. That’s a good thing. – Pam

I don’t do any new endeavor without thinking, “who do I know who’s way smarter than I am in this field” to help me make decisions? – Pam

We are all equal. Nobody is higher or lower than another. Many problems come when we begin to segment. It’s not helpful. – Pam

What is your own definition of success and you’re own way of being you? – Pam

The edges are sexy, but they are scary as hell. You can be successful in the middle. The biggest lesson we all can take, life in the middle. How can you take your story and weave that through everything you do? – Phil

You want to design your own journey, your own craft and body of work based on what actually gives you meaning and pleasure. Contribute what you want to contribute. – Pam

My own definition of success is enjoying my life while I’m living it. To enjoy it means I have to be learning and pushing myself to be growing. – Pam

How are you designing something that’s really made for you that will allow you to build the kinds of things you want to build as a legacy? – Pam

Pam Recommends:

Body of Work comes out on December 31st, 2013! For the book promo, freebies and your chance to win a day of consulting and coaching with Pam, go to PamelaSlim.com/bodyofwork.

Find Pam:

Pam blogs at EscapeFromCubicleNation.com where you can get more of her awesomesauce!

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Dave Conrey’s No BS Approach to Building Community and Getting Creatively Published – Episode 68

December 11, 2013 By Berni

Today’s guest is fresh in the entrepreneurial scene having just lost his job 7 months ago. However, he is not new to the world of content creation. In just seven months, Dave Conrey has launched the Creative Business Podcast, evolved his blog into an online business offering programs and digital products to help creative entrepreneurs, self-published two digital books, and recently launched a FREE 3-part video series to help you self-publish your book. We love his no BS, straight-talk approach to doing genuine and good work and we know you will too.

Watch the show (uncensored & unedited)

Share Some Shut Up Love –> I can’t build a legacy, my son can be proud of, by not being 100% me. @Freshrag on @_TheShutUpShow #shutupshow (click to tweet)

Fun Facts:

Dave is an artist and art director with many years experience working in print media.
Dave is a business and marketing coach and strategist.
Dave is the founder and chief writer at Freshrag.com.
Dave is the founder and host of Creative Business Podcast, the audio addition to Freshrag.com.
Dave is married to a smart and beautiful wife and adorable son in Long Beach, California.

Defining Shut Up Moment:

In May 2013, I got a pink slip. But I look back on that now and I think to myself, that was quite possibly the second most important day of my entire life—the first one being birth of my son. It really gave me this kick in the pants to say, “You’ve been asking for this for so long and now here’s your ticket.” I always say that you put it out there into the world and the universe will answer you in spades. Here you go, you got your ticket to ride, go ride it. It’s been a roller coaster since May, building my business, starting the podcast, building courses and helping creative individuals like me build businesses. Now I’m able to do it full-time.

Shut Up Tips:

Everybody said stop worrying about the details or getting it just right—because you’re making excuses—just put it out there. If you’re getting it wrong, then you get it wrong. Nobody really cares that much, you just move on. – Dave

The funny thing about stepping outside your comfort circle and stepping past fear is that the scariest time is the first time. And the next time you do, it’s a little less scary. – Dave

Each time you fight fear, it becomes easier every time you get out there. – Dave

The more I do things for people out of genuine kindness, it just comes back. Being a leader [for my community] is by being as authentic and genuine as much as I possibly can. – Dave

People don’t inherently get that giving is a gift. There’s no metric to doing good. – Phil

I think that’s a huge fear we all have as content creators, “What if I’m not relevant anymore?” – Berni

Just keep plugging away and doing it with my flavor, that’s really what it comes down to. – Dave

If the only “why” I have right now is building a legacy my son can be proud of, I can’t build that legacy by not being 100% me. That’s what I’m striving for. – Dave

Dave Recommends:

Everything you need to publish your first book (with your OWN voice and flare)! Get instant access to the video series for FREE here –> CreativelyPublished.com

Find Dave:

Dave is all over the interwebs as “Freshrag”

Check out Dave’s podcast and web site at Freshrag.com

Keeping It Real and Finding Your Freedom In Action with Vasavi Kumar – Episode 67

December 9, 2013 By Berni

Our guest today reached out to our show after reading my life coach blog post that went viral the other month, which she stumbled upon through our dear friend Srini Rao of BlogcastFM. Vasavi pitched her story and immediately had me at hello. I was so thrilled that Phil and I finally got to talk to her after we had some scheduling conflicts. I’m even more excited we get to share her story with you today as she takes the biggest leap of her life as we speak!

Watch the show (uncensored & unedited)Listen to the podcast

Share Some Shut Up Love –> The only way out is by taking action. Nothing ever gets better by sitting on your ass. @AskVasavi @_TheSHUTUPShow #shutupshow (click to tweet)

Fun Facts:

Vasavi is Ivy League (every Indian parent’s dream) educated with a dual Masters degrees in Special Education from Hofstra University and Social Work from Columbia University.
Vasavi is a certified coach through Accomplishment Coaching, an International Coach Federation (ICF) accredited school.
Vasavi has spoken in front of hundreds of people on “Sacred Hustle,” “Addiction: Looking for God in All the Wrong Places,” and “The Inspiration – Action Gap.”
Vasavi is a bestselling author of Succeeding in Spite of Everything, written in collaboration with Sandra Yancey, Marcia Weider, Lisa Sasevich and Lisa Nichols.
Vasavi is the former “Keeping it Real Guru” on Kansas City Live and former radio show host of Deep Talk.
Vasavi has interviewed change agents like John Gray, Neale Donald Walsch, Ali Brown, Lisa Nichols, and Sonia Choquette.
Vasavi donates a portion of everything she does to benefit Bring Change to Mind, an organization whose mission is to remove the stigma and discrimination of those who have suffered from mental illness.
Most recently, Vasavi appeared several times as Tami Roman’s life coach on VH1’s Basketball Wives.

Defining Shut Up Moment:

ON BEING DIAGNOSED WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER: As I went on my journey of trying to understand who I was and not wanting to be scared… I went down a lot of different path to get where I am. I went on a path of using cocaine. I went on the path of drinking excessively. I went on the path of needing to feel loved and accepted and approved of by men. I went on the path of working my butt off and hustling. I would have all these accomplishments and degrees but I was never happy. It wasn’t until 2002, I was diagnosed with bipolar. I was a classic textbook case of bipolar disorder. When I got diagnosed, suddenly I was free. You would think this was a life long sentence. But it was from that moment on, I believe every obstacle that we’re given is intended to make us stronger, learn and grow. Learn from it and pay it forward. It was through my challenges and the journey I was brought on that now I can teach others how to do that.

ON BEING DIFFERENT GROWING UP: I knew two things from a very young age. I knew that I was different. I knew I was meant to do great things in this world. And I knew my life was put here to be of sevice to others in a big way. I just didn’t know how to act on that or express that. Regardless of what I’ve gone through in life, I always knew at the core who I was. I’m a good person, I have a lot to offer. No matter what anyone said, no one can define me. The way you get to that is being in solitude. I spend a lot of time reflecting and being here. The only person I answer to is myself and turning inwards. I’m very clear on my why. I don’t care what it looks like, I know that my life here I’m a vehicle for a message and a vehicle to inspire others. So when you’re clear about who you are and that you’re life was put here to make a difference in the life others, who cares what other people think?

ON TRANSITIONING FROM A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS TO GO TO CULINARY SCHOOL: I have my online business. I’ve done LIVE events. I do interviews like this all the time. I’m on TV. My business is automated. Things are great. We’re doing well. In September, I had that feeling something is missing… I know there’s more. I referenced my five-year-old—Vasavi when she was five. I believe our childhood version of self is the purest and most wisest being that we can ever to go for advice. I was raised in New York and we went to India every year. I didn’t understand why people in India had to starve. When I was five, I said when I grow up I want to be a vegetarian chef. I wasn’t allowed to go to culinary school. I’m a daughter of Indian immigrants. We don’t do that. We become doctors and we get Ivy League education and that’s what I did.

Fast forward, I told my husband food is love for me. If I cook for you it means I love you. On a Sunday I told my husband I want to go to culinary school. I got on the internet. There were only two accredited schools in the U.S. One was in New York and I didn’t want to move back there. One was in Austin, Texas. I said screw it. I literally applied then and there. Two days later I got in. I even applied for an entrepreneurial spirit scholarship. One week later, I got a $5000 scholarship because I told them my idea was to open a 24-hour kitchen in India to feed people. We’re moving in two weeks to go to Austin so I can start culinary school January 6th and that is what I’m going to be doing full-time. I’m so afraid that I’m gonna go to culinary school and I’m gonna love it so much and I’m gonna drop off the face of the earth and not be relevant anymore. I’m okay with that because I know this is where my life is leading and I trust that process.

Shut Up Tips:

Im a scared little kitten. The only difference between me and people who tell me I’m fearless is I take action. – Vasavi

I used to be the person who would say yes to everything because I wanted you to like me and I didn’t want you to think I was better than you. – Vasavi

I’m a total introvert posing as an extrovert. – Vasavi

I had to learn how to be real with myself and other people because nobody’s winning. Nobody benefits from not being real. – Vasavi

Every day is a practice for me. – Vasavi

The only way out is by taking action. Nothing ever gets better by sitting on your ass. – Vasavi

It is because I can do it that you can. – Vasavi

I said, how can I have it all without killing myself? – Vasavi

How badly do you want it and how stupid are you willing to look? I don’t care, I know I look crazy and that’s totally fine. But guess what? I’m going to be one happy, crazy chick and that’s all that mattes. – Vasavi

This transition… I’ve never experienced something so effortless in my life. It’s meant to happen. – Vasavi

I’m clear that my life was put here so as to impact others. I’m clear my story impacts others. I take it as my responsibility to keep doing this but I get to choose how it looks. – Vasavi

Vasavi Recommends:

S.O.U.R.C.E. of YOUR Success

Art of Taking Confident Action

Find Vasavi:

@AskVasavi on Twitter

On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VasaviKumarCoaching

On her web site at VasaviKumar.com

How to Be Whole-Assed & Awesome at Online Business Like Paul Jarvis – SUS13

December 3, 2013 By Berni

If you’re Srini of BlogcastFM, we owe ya 5 bucks (how ’bout a hard beverage next time we see you?) for helping us book this guest in record time. For everyone else, this episode packs thousands of more value than that after you hear what Paul Jarvis shared with Phil and me in our chat.

A few days ago I tweeted Paul “I want to punch you in the gut, you’re so awesome” because I recently stumbled upon a new song by his band (written with and sung by his lovely wife) that completely blew me away after I’ve already been a loyal subscriber of his entire catalog. After you watch this episode, you’ll share similar endearing sentiments because he is just that awesome at helping you understand how to be a “whole-assed” kind of person and also a great guy.

Share Some Shut Up Love –> You’ve got to push sometimes. You can’t know the outcome of things. You can’t let the outcome guide the process. @pjrvs #shutupshow (click to tweet)

See video blog and full show notes at https://theshutupshow.com/pauljarvis

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Srini Rao Teaches Us About the Art of Being Unmistakable – SUS06

November 24, 2013 By Berni

If you missed our pilot episode, no worries. In today’s episode featuring Srini Rao, I go into a little detail about why Phil and I launched The Shut Up Show. If you haven’t yet heard of Srini, he is a surfing “corporate misfit” solopreneur with an unmistakable story that will inspire you. Phil and I are so damn proud to call him friend. Especially since he unintentionally inspired me to stop stalling, shut up and make shit happen. I kick off the show by thanking him for teaching me bravery, not only through his words, but more importantly through his actions.

In this episode, Srini teaches us invaluable lessons about how to catch our own wave as we ride the school of life and learn the art of being unmistakable.

Share Some Shut Up Love –> When you’re afraid to push publish, chances are you’ve done some of your greatest work. – @skooloflife on @_theshutupshow (click to tweet)

See video blog and full show notes at https://theshutupshow.com/srinirao

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