Merri-jo Hillaker and the Successful Mindset – PTC 471
12/17/23 • 47 min
What we tell ourselves is often more powerful than what actually happens to us. Our mindset is a critical factor when it comes to determining our success.
(Get her guide Unlocking the Power of Podcasting to master your mindset at http://merrijohillaker.com/podcasting.)
HOCKEY
This weekend, the high school hockey team I coach struggled against a team we should have easily beat. It was all because they were focused on the wrong things.
Before the game, I encouraged my team to focus on the goal at hand while controlling what they could control. Don't get sidetracked by listening to that little voice in your head that wants revenge for a hard hit or a bad call.
During the game, the referees were making questionable calls against our team. Calls against the other team were missed just as I had predicted.
Things came to a head when one of my guys took a penalty and got into a skirmish with a player from the other team. Another player on our team came in to defend our guy.
The referee stepped in to separate the players.
Instead of maintaining composure, my guy yanks himself away from the referee in a motion that looks like he is throwing a punch.
That move resulted in a suspension.
Rather than keeping our eye on the prize and winning the game, we want to get back at a player for an action nobody will remember in two days.
How many times do you get derailed by the voice in your head? When was the last time you started focusing on minor details that don't move the needle rather than the 20% that produces 80% of your results?
It's all about mindset. Keep you head in the game to win.
MY UNICYCLE MINDSET
When I 8, I wanted a unicycle. I really liked unique things.
One Christmas, I found one in the Sears catalogue and put it on my list.
My unicycle was under the tree that year.
Over the next 8 years, I spent hours falling on my butt and cracking my head.
I would hold onto the tree branch above my head to get on. Then, I would start pedaling as fast as I could to see how far I could get before I fell.
Over and over. I would do it for a few weeks, then pack it away. The next summer, I would do it all over again.
It wasn't that I couldn't ride a unicycle. I just had to conquer the voice inside my head to get the mindset right. It was a matter of believing I would eventually learn to ride that unicycle if I just stuck to it.
JUGGLING MAGIC MINDSET
The same thing happened when I taught myself to juggle. Balls were dropped over and over again.
When I was learning magic, I failed time and time again until I perfected a trick. Only then was it ready to show anyone else.
If a trick isn't perfect, everyone will know how it's done. It takes plenty of failures before the trick is ready for prime time. And, it takes a strong mindset to work through that valley until you reach success on the other side.
FINDING SUCCESS
Huge success comes to those that push past the failures until they reach success. Far too many let failures disrupt their progress.
Mindset is the secret sauce. Rather than listening to the little voice in your head, tell yourself you just learning how to do it properly. It's all part of the process.
We can win or we can learn. There is no room for the failure mindset.
Many successful people have taken a position on the failure mindset.
"I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." ― Michael Jordan
"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail." ― Confucius
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." ― Thomas Edison
"Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly." ― John F. Kennedy
"The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure." ― John C. Maxwell
"You have to be able to accept failure to get better." ― Lebron James
"Failure is success in progress." ― Albert Einstein
"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it." ― Maya Angelou
"The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it." ― Rafiki (The Lion King)
MERRI-JO HILLAKER
Today, we talk mindset with Merri-jo Hillaker.
As an attorney, mindset coach, functional nutritionist, author, and member of numerous charitable boards, Merri-jo is committed to im...
What we tell ourselves is often more powerful than what actually happens to us. Our mindset is a critical factor when it comes to determining our success.
(Get her guide Unlocking the Power of Podcasting to master your mindset at http://merrijohillaker.com/podcasting.)
HOCKEY
This weekend, the high school hockey team I coach struggled against a team we should have easily beat. It was all because they were focused on the wrong things.
Before the game, I encouraged my team to focus on the goal at hand while controlling what they could control. Don't get sidetracked by listening to that little voice in your head that wants revenge for a hard hit or a bad call.
During the game, the referees were making questionable calls against our team. Calls against the other team were missed just as I had predicted.
Things came to a head when one of my guys took a penalty and got into a skirmish with a player from the other team. Another player on our team came in to defend our guy.
The referee stepped in to separate the players.
Instead of maintaining composure, my guy yanks himself away from the referee in a motion that looks like he is throwing a punch.
That move resulted in a suspension.
Rather than keeping our eye on the prize and winning the game, we want to get back at a player for an action nobody will remember in two days.
How many times do you get derailed by the voice in your head? When was the last time you started focusing on minor details that don't move the needle rather than the 20% that produces 80% of your results?
It's all about mindset. Keep you head in the game to win.
MY UNICYCLE MINDSET
When I 8, I wanted a unicycle. I really liked unique things.
One Christmas, I found one in the Sears catalogue and put it on my list.
My unicycle was under the tree that year.
Over the next 8 years, I spent hours falling on my butt and cracking my head.
I would hold onto the tree branch above my head to get on. Then, I would start pedaling as fast as I could to see how far I could get before I fell.
Over and over. I would do it for a few weeks, then pack it away. The next summer, I would do it all over again.
It wasn't that I couldn't ride a unicycle. I just had to conquer the voice inside my head to get the mindset right. It was a matter of believing I would eventually learn to ride that unicycle if I just stuck to it.
JUGGLING MAGIC MINDSET
The same thing happened when I taught myself to juggle. Balls were dropped over and over again.
When I was learning magic, I failed time and time again until I perfected a trick. Only then was it ready to show anyone else.
If a trick isn't perfect, everyone will know how it's done. It takes plenty of failures before the trick is ready for prime time. And, it takes a strong mindset to work through that valley until you reach success on the other side.
FINDING SUCCESS
Huge success comes to those that push past the failures until they reach success. Far too many let failures disrupt their progress.
Mindset is the secret sauce. Rather than listening to the little voice in your head, tell yourself you just learning how to do it properly. It's all part of the process.
We can win or we can learn. There is no room for the failure mindset.
Many successful people have taken a position on the failure mindset.
"I can accept failure. Everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying." ― Michael Jordan
"Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail." ― Confucius
"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." ― Thomas Edison
"Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly." ― John F. Kennedy
"The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure." ― John C. Maxwell
"You have to be able to accept failure to get better." ― Lebron James
"Failure is success in progress." ― Albert Einstein
"You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it." ― Maya Angelou
"The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or learn from it." ― Rafiki (The Lion King)
MERRI-JO HILLAKER
Today, we talk mindset with Merri-jo Hillaker.
As an attorney, mindset coach, functional nutritionist, author, and member of numerous charitable boards, Merri-jo is committed to im...
Previous Episode
3 Ways to Monetize Podcast Interviews – PTC 470
PROMOTE YOU VS PROMOTE YOUR GUEST
When interviewing others on your podcast, it can become difficult to tell your story and promote your business. On this episode, we discuss 3 ways to monetize your podcast interviews.
CHALLENGE WITH INTERVIEWS
Using interviews is a great way to create content on your podcast, because when you create an interview, you don't have to do a lot of the heavy lifting.
When you create an interview, you simply need to ask some great questions of your guest and then be a great listener. Allow your guests to tell great stories.
It's a super convenient and easy way to create great podcast episodes.
The challenge with podcast interviews is finding a way to highlight your expertise and demonstrate your authority on the podcast episode while making your guests look great.
Dave Jackson over at the School of Podcasting says, "If you want to grow your influence and authority, do a solo episode. If you want to grow your network, do an interview episode."
I prefer to combine the two and do both formats.
Occasionally, I'll do solo episodes. Occasionally, I'll do interview episodes.
INTERVIEWS CAN BE EFFECTIVE
But I don't think those interview episodes need to just be a write-off where you can't demonstrate your expertise and authority in your space while also making your guests look great.
It is a benefit to you when you make the guest the star. You benefit by association with the guest.
When you make your guest look great, you look great in return. You look great by association. When you interview amazing people on your show, you benefit just by being associated with those great people.
But you can't only rely on making the guest look great to drive your business.
When Oscar came to me for coaching, he had a great podcast. He is an expert in listening.
Oscar Trimboli hosts the podcast Deep Listening - Impact Beyond Words. That's also the name of his book, which is fantastic.
During our initial call Oscar said, "I have a podcast. I love doing it. But it's not doing anything to grow my business."
Can you relate to that?
So many coaches tell me they struggle to attract clients with their podcast.
I listened to an episode of Oscar's podcast. He did a great job interviewing his guests because Oscar is a great listener. Of course, he does a great job interviewing.
The problem was there was nowhere in the episode where Oscar told me what he did or how I could work with him, And that's the challenge.
3-STEP PROCESS
How do you create space for yourself to demonstrate your expertise and authority while making your guests the star and making your guests look great?
Create space for yourself by teaching a little bit before you get into the interview.
I use a 3-step process.
First, record the interview first. Sit down with your guest. Have a fantastic conversation. Make your guest look great during that conversation.
Then when the interview is over, record an introduction to the interview. It might last 5 or 10 minutes where you demonstrate your expertise and authority on the subject matter.
This introduction could be a broader topic.
AN INTERVIEW EXAMPLE
On last week's episode, I interviewed Kimberly Crowe. She is an expert when it comes to speaking to sell. Kimberly runs Podapalooza and Speaker's Playhouse.
She's fantastic. If you didn't check out the last episode, go back and listen to Episode 469 with Kimberly Crowe "Speaking to Sell". It's amazing.
Kimberly does a great interview on speaking to sell. Then I do a little teaching on speaking in general and the different kind of stages you could land for speaking gigs.
My teaching a little broader than what Kimberly talks about. I use her as a small micro example of the bigger topic I teach on the episode.
You might teach on something and use your interview as a case study for what you just taught. Take 5 to 10 minutes before the interview begins to demonstrate your expertise and your authority before you get into the interview.
Once you get your teaching done, you can allow your guests to shine. You've already done your work and heavy lifting.
The teaching allows you to make yourself the authority and the expert in your space. The teaching directs people to your call to action, getting them to your lead magnet, getting them to on your email list.
Do that all up front before you get into the interview.
Now the interview can still allow y...
Next Episode
Best of 2023 – PTC 472
THE TOP SIX EPISODES OF 2023
It has been an amazing year at Podcast Talent Coach. On this episode, I want to share with you the best of 2023.
These are the top six most downloaded episodes of 2023.
DECREASED DOWNLOADS
Have you seen a decrease in your downloads in the fourth quarter of 2023? It is probably due to a change with Apple Podcasts.
Apple released iOS 17 in September of 2023. That update came with a change to Apple Podcasts and how episodes are downloaded.
According to Apple, automatic downloads are paused when a device is out of available storage or when a listener hasn’t played a show they follow. If a listener hasn't played one of the latest five episodes for more than 15 days, downloads are paused.
Apple says pausing downloads is to preserve device storage. This change is communicated to listeners with a pause indicator on the follow icon located at the top right of the show page.
If a listener resumes playing that show, or changes the download preferences for that show, Apple Podcasts will resume automatically downloading episodes.
The big difference for your podcast is how previously unplayed episodes are handled with the listener resumes playing the show.
Before iOS 17, when a listener would unpause automatic downloads, the system would automatically download all unplayed episodes. Your podcast would then get credited with those downloads.
With iOS 17, Apple Podcasts will not download previous episodes and will only resume automatically downloading new episodes.
BRING THEM BACK
This change is why is it so critical to keep listeners coming back week after week, episode after episode.
It isn't enough to simply get people to subscribe to your show. You need to get them to actually listen consistently.
At the end of each episode, creatively tease your next episode. Create some intrigue and anticipation for the next show. Bring them back.
When you publish your new episode, tell your tribe about it. Share it on social media. Send an e-mail to your list and invite them to listen.
It is important that you tease here as well and not simply promote.
Promoting next week is info only. When I say, "Next week we'll talk with Dan Miller", that's promoting. It does very little to create any anticipation for the episode.
To creatively tease the episode, I need to create some intrigue. I might say, "Next week, Dan Miller joins us and will show you how to build a business with no money required."
A powerful tease opens the loop and gives listeners something to get excited about. However, it shouldn't be something you can Google.
I don't want to say, "Dan Miller will share his 48 Low- or No-Cost Business Ideas next week." You can Google "48 Low- or No-Cost Business Ideas" and find Dan's resource.
There is no reason to come back to the episode to get the answers. No need to wait. You can go get them now.
Tease effectively.
SUBSCRIBE
My downloads took a dip in fourth quarter like everyone else.
It would really help if you would subscribe or follow this podcast right now. Grab your phone. Let's do this right now.
On many podcast platforms, simply open the episode. Click that follow or subscribe button on the page.
Even if you think you are already subscribed, please grab your phone and check. It would be a tremendous help to me.
This week, get out and share your podcast with your tribe. Let's get those downloads coming back.
Now, the top six episodes of Podcast Talent Coach in 2023.
#6 BEST OF 2023
Number six is Creating a Custom Intro – PTC 433.
The introduction of your podcast is probably the most critical part of your show. A custom intro takes it to a whole new level.
A typical listener will give you between 90 seconds and a few minutes to entice them to stick around. Don't blow it. You can't catch up to a slow start.
When you create your intro, tell your listener how they will be better after listening to an episode. Your listener is asking, "What's in it for me?"
A custom intro adds show biz. It is unique to your show. And, it can be very affordable.
The opening of your show will have 2 or 3 parts. You can use a highlight clip from the show, which is optional. It will be followed by the voiceover introduction of the podcast. Finally, you will give the introduction to this particular episode.
...
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