Find My Catalyst Podcast

"I think as entrepreneurs, we need to build a real relationship with our audience, focusing on one-on-one connections instead of just chasing numbers."

Lou Mongello

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• Learn to shift your perception of failure and view it as a learning catalyst, enhancing personal development.
• How to cultivate meaningful relationships with listeners and audiences at various events, enhancing engagement.
• The importance of authenticity and its impact on attraction.
• How community and enagement can drive creativity and learning.
• Why it's important to be genuinely interested in caring at scale.

Lou Mongello

Lou is a keynote speaker, coach, and content creator on a mission to share the magic of Disney and help entrepreneurs build their brand and business.

He specializes in helping organizations leverage customer service strategies from Disney, and I love bringing unique and impactful “Disney magic” to events, companies, and schools.

Episode Resources:

• Lou Mongello's Momentum Conference - USE Catalyst200
• Lou Mongello
• WDW Radio
• This episode is brought to you by the G.A.M.E. Plan Notebook

Catch Up On Our Last 3 Episodes:

• Origin Story and What's Next with Mike Simmons
• Marketing with Cassie Tucker
• Podcasting & Sales - How They Go Together with Collin Mitchell

If you'd like information about the GAME Plan - check us out here - https://www.findmycatalyst.com/

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www.findmycatalyst.com

Amy Looper is a resilience coach and transformational leader. She focuses on helping individuals navigate through life’s uncertainties by fostering resilience and well-being. Amy shares insights on breaking free from the hustle culture, finding alignment with one's purpose, and the importance of self-care.

Three Key Quotes from Amy Looper:

1. "Resilience is all about navigating the uncertainty of life. It’s really the core of well-being."
2. "You have to give permission to yourself to receive... that's important for high performance."
3. "Self-reflection is a huge part of the catalyst for doing that because you have to process what you're actually doing."

Amy discusses her journey of building resilience and breaking away from the hustle culture. She emphasizes the importance of self-care, spiritual alignment, and the power of self-reflection. Amy shares practical tips for managing burnout and achieving a balanced, purpose-driven life.

Five Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Resilience:
   • Definition: Navigating life's uncertainties and making it a core of well-being.
   • Application: Building resilience through self-awareness and intentional practices.
   • Outcome: Achieving a calm and confident state, ready for new challenges.
2. Importance of Self-Care:
   • Permission: Allow yourself to take breaks and focus on personal well-being.
   • Routine: Establish a daily regimen that includes emotional, physical, and spiritual breaks.
   • Impact: Increased performance and a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
3. Breaking Free from Hustle Culture:
   • Shift: Move away from the 9-5 grind and embrace a more flexible, entrepreneurial mindset.
   • Leverage: Utilize natural rhythms and personal strengths to optimize productivity.
   • Result: More present time for family and personal interests.
4. Spiritual Alignment:
   • Practice: Engage in spiritual activities like prayer and reflection to align with a higher purpose.
   • Guidance: Seek direction from a higher power for daily decisions and actions.
   • Benefit: Enhanced clarity, focus, and a sense of purpose in life.
5. Managing Burnout:
   • Indicators: Recognize signs of burnout such as irritability, emotional instability, and constant busyness.
   • Prevention: Implement strategies like exercise, proper nutrition, and emotional breaks.
   • Recovery: Allow yourself to rest and reflect, breaking the cycle of stress and overwork.

Listeners are encouraged to share this episode with others who might benefit from Amy's insights on resilience and well-being.

Mike Simmons is a business consultant and founder who specializes in helping organizations streamline their processes to achieve better results. With a focus on decision-making and communication, Mike provides actionable insights on how to eliminate unnecessary steps to accelerate progress.

1. "The most common mistake with communication is believing that it actually occurred." - Jody Mayberry
2. "Start with a couple of questions. Validate understanding. Confirm that you've heard it properly."
3. "Apply the right tool in the right place to create leverage and accelerate speed to impact."

In this episode, Mike Simmons discusses the importance of eliminating unnecessary steps before accelerating progress in business. He emphasizes effective communication, proper decision-making tools, and the need to validate understanding. By organizing information and applying the right tools, organizations can improve efficiency and achieve better outcomes.

1. Effective Communication
   • Validate understanding to avoid miscommunication.
   • Ask questions to confirm the message was received correctly.
   • Identify and involve the right people to solve specific challenges.
2. Organizing Information
   • Break down tasks into manageable clusters.
   • Prioritize steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
   • Use collaborative tools to gather and organize data.
3. Decision-Making Tools
   • Use a two-by-two matrix to reduce blind spots and improve decisions.
   • Implement a hexagon framework for problem-solving.
   • Apply a simple square model for communication challenges.
4. Eliminating Before Accelerating
   • Identify unnecessary steps that hinder progress.
   • Focus on the most critical tasks first.
   • Use the right tools to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
5. Adapting to Challenges
   • Be prepared to face and overcome adversity.
   • Stay committed to your goals despite difficulties.
   • Continuously evaluate and adjust your strategies for better results.

These takeaways, rooted in the theme of finding a catalyst, provide practical steps to improve communication, decision-making, and overall business processes. By eliminating unnecessary steps and applying the right tools, organizations can accelerate their path to success.

https://findmycatalyst.com/speaking

Joe Aurilia is an operations expert with a deep understanding of how community involvement, leadership roles, and efficient processes drive business success. With experience in various leadership positions, Joe shares his insights on the importance of collaboration between COOs and CROs, the role of operations in business, and the value of mentorship.

1. "When you stay in your silo, you block yourself from having new ideas and new back and forth. I didn't want that to happen."
2. "The COO is supposed to be there to allow the CEO to do their vision and their dreaming...to eliminate them from the day-to-day."
3. "The lack of a curator exponentially increases the quantity of tribal knowledge. When someone walks out the door, that tribal knowledge is lost forever."

Joe Aurilia discusses the critical role of operations in business, the need for community involvement, and how COOs and CROs can work together for success. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and continuous learning, sharing his experiences and practical advice on achieving alignment and efficiency within organizations.

1. Importance of Community Involvement:
   • Community groups provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.
   • Engaging in communities helps prevent isolation and stagnation of ideas.
   • Asynchronous communication in communities can foster continuous learning and collaboration.
2. Role of the COO:
   • COOs support the CEO by handling day-to-day operations, allowing the CEO to focus on vision.
   • They act as the glue between different teams, ensuring smooth operations.
   • Effective COOs enable businesses to streamline processes and reduce deal cycle times.
3. Collaboration between COO and CRO:
   • Successful collaboration is essential for business operations and revenue generation.
   • COOs and CROs must communicate effectively to address pain points and streamline processes.
   • Flexibility and maintaining compliance are key to overcoming challenges in this relationship.
4. Mentorship and Leadership Development:
   • Mentorship within community groups like Pavilion helps aspiring leaders grow.
   • Exposure to various leadership roles enhances understanding and collaboration within the C-suite.
   • Continuous learning and knowledge sharing are vital for personal and organizational growth.
5. Knowledge Management and Curatorship:
   • Effective knowledge management prevents loss of critical information when employees leave.
   • Organizations need curators to manage and maintain essential knowledge.
   • Utilizing AI tools can aid in managing unstructured data, but human input remains crucial.

Tracey Cesen is the founder of Forever Human AI, a professional services company focused on ServiceNow solutions. With a background in both business and technology, Tracey’s ability to connect the two has defined her career. In this episode, she discusses her journey as an entrepreneur and the lessons she's learned balancing business and family.

1. "You're not just raising kids; you're raising adults. That mindset shift is important in both parenting and business."
2. "Busy is a word we throw around too much. The real question is—are we focusing on what matters?"
3. "Starting my own company gave me the chance to create something I believed the world needed, even if it was scary."

In this episode, Tracey Cesen, founder of Forever Human AI, shares her journey as a first-time business owner. She talks about balancing family, overcoming challenges, and bridging the gap between business and technology. Tracey also highlights the importance of purposeful actions over being "busy" and leading with empathy.

1. Entrepreneurship Takes Courage
   • Starting a business is exciting but also filled with moments of self-doubt.
   • Entrepreneurship is a dream Tracey held since childhood, despite becoming a teen mom.
   • It’s never too late to chase your dream and build something meaningful.
2. Bridging Business and Technology
   • Tracey excels at connecting business goals with technical solutions, creating more value for clients.
   • There's a high demand for professionals who understand both sides of the tech-business spectrum.
   • Building empathy between teams can lead to smoother communication and better outcomes.
3. Parenting and Business Are Similar
   • In both roles, you're focused on the end result—whether it's raising capable adults or running a successful business.
   • Clear communication is crucial in both family and work environments.
   • Decision-making and time management are critical in balancing personal and professional life.
4. Purpose Over Busyness
   • Tracey challenges the common use of the word "busy," urging people to focus on meaningful tasks.
   • Setting clear priorities helps avoid the feeling of being overwhelmed.
   • Regularly checking in on your goals allows you to reassess and adjust where necessary.
5. Adapting to Changing Work Models
   • Fractional roles allow professionals to bring their expertise to multiple clients without long-term commitments.
   • This model can offer companies flexibility and experienced professionals without the overhead of full-time staff.
   • The gig economy offers new ways to work and deliver value.