Big changes are coming to the StoryBrand Guide program. It used to be that if you wanted the best in the business to help you ‘clarify your message’ you looked no further than your local Storybrand Guide. Well… those days are over forever.
Soon, “StoryBrand Guides” will be known as “StoryBrand Coaches,” a shift that marks a crucial evolution in the world of brand messaging and business strategy! With the rapid rise of AI in the marketplace, this transition is more relevant (and immediate) than anyone imagined.
Why the change? Let’s break it down.
Adapting to the AI Era
Donald Miller, author of Building a StoryBrand, originally released in 2017, has always emphasized the power of clear, customer-focused messaging. But as the business landscape evolves, so must our tools. This January, the best-selling book will receive an update alongside the release of StoryBrand.ai—a game-changing resource that will revolutionize how businesses create content.
The tool is out today and if you want the full checklist of what it can do (and what you should have for your business) we’d be happy to send it to you.
With StoryBrand.ai, you’ll be able to input critical information about your business, and the tool will generate everything on the checklist from website copy to lead generators and nurturing emails.
It sounds like magic, right? But here’s the catch: What you put into the tool directly influences the quality of the output.
Want to know another secret…? You’ll still need to take what the tool produces and edit and build it out for your business!
The Human Advantage: Curating vs. Creating
As Donald Miller wisely states, “AI can create, humans curate.” It’s not enough to rely on technology alone. You need a strategic mind that knows how to tailor and refine AI-generated content to fit your business’s unique needs and the marketplace. A well-trained StoryBrand Coach is not just a copywriter; they’re a strategist and an advocate for your brand’s long-term success. They’ll ensure the content produced isn’t just passable but exceptional, resonating deeply with your target audience.
At Tributary Coaching®, we understand that great marketing isn’t just about spinning words. It’s about developing a comprehensive strategy that supports your business’s growth and leadership WHILE ALSO bringing your team along for maximum alignment and authenticity. We’re here to help you use AI tools to their fullest potential, crafting messaging that inspires action and sets your brand apart.
Why You Need a StoryBrand Coach
Many businesses think a website or clever marketing copy will be their golden ticket to growth. The reality? It takes a comprehensive approach that aligns your messaging with your business goals, team dynamics, and future aspirations. That’s where a coach comes in—not just to craft content, but to elevate your entire strategy AND put it into action.
Navigating the murky waters of business growth is no cakewalk. Countless “gurus” may promise quick fixes, but only a seasoned coach can dig into the heart of your operations and leadership. We work alongside you, ensuring every move is strategic and geared toward sustainable growth.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Don’t settle for just a good storyteller when you could have a business partner who’s invested in your success. Building a StoryBrand’s updated version will soon be available, and you can purchase it through our resource page. But why wait to get started? Book a free call with us today to clarify your message and learn how to maximize existing AI tools for your business.
Hire a coach, not just another copywriter. Your future self—and your business—will thank you.
Download the new StoryBrand Marketing Checklist
From Chaos to Calm: My Personal ‘Time Management’ Turning Point,
and How to Invest Your Time Effectively
Want to get control and bring some calm to the craziness that is entrepreneurial life by understanding how to invest your time effectively…?
Read on to overcome ‘The Time Management Myth’ and discover the proven system for how to invest your time effectively and with purpose like a leader, rather than simply spending it in reaction mode.
The turning point was one of necessity. It was clear I could no longer just ‘wing it.’ I remember the moment because I was flooded with a sudden rush…A whirlpool of emotion really, with a healthy undercurrent of embarrassment thrown in for good measure.
I mean… I had already passed out in the first week of birthing class, and now I was the guy jumping out of his seat in the middle of class and running out of the room, leaving my wife to explain that the text I had just received from my sister Erika would change everything for our family.
It simply read: “We got the heart.”
I’m still not fully sure why I passed out the week prior, but it might have had something to do with everything that was going on that month. (Plus, I still maintain it was WAY too hot in that classroom)
Our house was half taken apart at this point because it turns out… ‘nesting’ is really a thing.
We were moving a bathroom, adding a laundry room on the main floor, and completely gutted our main bedroom so our moms could have a place to stay when they visited the new grandbaby. With just weeks to go, Kate was right in there prying things apart with a pry bar and literally hammering away to make the project happen before the big day. It was all hands on deck, pregnant or not!
I was also staring down the biggest work event of the year that was scheduled 3 weeks before our due date. We were coordinating with the Coast Guard, flying coaches in from all over the world, registering over a hundred eager paddlers, and wrangling sponsors for the biggest rough (or ‘Lumpy’ as it was called) water sea kayaking symposium in the world.
Now, amidst all of it, I knew I’d be making a big trip back to St. Louis to be bedside following our mom’s heart transplant.
The Call that Changed it All
She’d been on the list for just 2 weeks when she got the call. Now, in a matter of a few hours, she would be under the knife, and everything felt like it was hitting at once. The next time I would see her would hopefully be in the ICU… Hopefully.
The house still needed to be finished. Our baby was coming soon! The event my whole job revolved around was happening either way, but nothing was going to keep me out of that ICU.
The only way I could survive the next few weeks was to do two things…
- Accept the help of INCREDIBLE friends who are more like family.
- Figure out how to invest my precious time effectively.
Somehow, I needed to get twice as much done in half the time AND stay organized enough to tell willing friends how they could help us (and when!).
The Time Management Myth: “Why You Can’t ‘Make Time’—And What You Can Do Instead” to invest your time effectively
Psssst… I have a secret…
No matter what they claim, no one can improve your ‘time management’ because managing time isn’t actually a thing! (feel relieved yet?) 
I can assure you that this is especially true when you’re hurdling down the wormhole of YouTube clips explaining what time actually is when you should be writing this blog post. (Not recommended if you want to get anything done ever again)
At that point, time ceases to exist, except for maybe that handy 2X speed option and however long it takes to microwave that other frozen burrito you’re calling lunch because you’re “too busy” to stop and eat a proper meal. Hey, I’m still not perfect at this whole productivity thing, but bear with me…
You may find yourself in a similar ‘must make’ situation some day. Perhaps you are facing challenges that you’re not sure how you’re going to handle right now! Maybe you’re even fortunate enough to have people around you that want to help, if only you knew how to best utilize their generosity.
If only…
If only we could 2X speed button our big projects so we had more time to do the things we yearn for!
If only we were organized and clear enough about our needs to allow others in to help.
If only you could overcome the time management myth!
What would that mean if you could…??
Would it mean you could be done working when your kids get home?
Would it mean you could mentor and train leaders at work to take things off your plate?
Would it mean you could plan more date nights and be a better partner?
Would it mean you could train to finally run that marathon or paddle down that river?
Would it mean you could coach your kid’s team or volunteer in your community?
Would it mean you could start that new business you’ve been dreaming of?
Time is a constant (and a constantly dwindling resource if you’re a business leader).
You can’t ‘make time,’ but we certainly all waste some of it each day.
I often hear my coaching clients say they don’t have enough, but I wonder…
What if instead of ‘managing time’ (or worse, just spending it without thought), we focused on properly allocating and INVESTING it instead…?
I wonder what would happen if, instead of a to-do list, you had an easy-to-implement system for getting more done in less time and with less stress!
For now, you don’t feel like you have enough as it is, so let’s get into the goods quick to learn how to invest your time effectively and, as a result gain control of your life!
The 46-Hour Challenge: “Where Does Your Time Go? A Breakdown” showing it is possible to invest your time effectively
How much time we actually have:
- Total Weekly Hours: Each week gives us 168 hours to play with (24 hours per day times 7 days).
- Sleep Takes Its Share: If you aim for a healthy sleep pattern of 8 hours a night, that’s 56 hours a week spent snoozing. Now, we’re down to 112 waking hours.
- Daily Living Activities: Consider the time needed for essentials like eating, grooming, and general self-care. It’s not uncommon to spend about 2 hours per day on these activities, which sums up to 14 hours a week. Now, we’re left with 98 hours.
- Work Commitments: For those with a full-time job (say, 40 hours a week), that brings our available time down to 58 hours.
- Errands and Chores: The average person spends about 1-2 hours a day managing life—grocery shopping, cleaning, or running errands. Let’s estimate 12 hours a week here, reducing your time to 46 hours.
The Remaining Hours To Invest With Purpose:
Common Pitfalls: “The Silent Productivity Killers: Multitasking, Indecision, and Social Media”
That’s 46 hours left in your week. It might sound like a lot, but those hours are often the ones we mismanage or let slip away. The real culprit is usually time leakage: scrolling endlessly on social media, battling indecision, or inefficiently switching between tasks. This is key to learning how to invest your time effectively. When you realize how precious and finite your usable hours are, it puts into perspective the importance of making intentional choices. It’s about being proactive, knowing where your time goes, and designing your days to align with your priorities.
The distractions of modern life are a massive drain. Studies suggest that decision fatigue and multitasking make us significantly less effective. The American Psychological Association reports that task-switching can cost as much as 40% of your productivity. We also spend an average of 2 hours and 31 minutes daily on social media, adding up to over 900 hours a year lost to scrolling.
The Solution: “A Hybrid Digital and Analog Approach to Reclaiming Your Day and
overcome the time management myth”
But it doesn’t have to be this way. By being more intentional, you can reclaim your wasted time and reinvest it in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment. It’s about making conscious, meaningful decisions that serve your life’s bigger purpose.
The Digital vs. Analog Conundrum: A Battle of Dopamine, Distraction, and the REAL reason most productivity planners and tools don’t work.
Why not just use an app, you ask? Well, digital productivity tools have a dark side. Research shows our phones are distraction factories. Social media notifications, emails, and the black hole of the internet are just a swipe away. You open your calendar app, and suddenly, you’re watching yet another hilarious dog video. Oops.
Meanwhile, an only-analogue approach has its limitations too. Ever tried scheduling a meeting with a paper-based planner when everyone else is digital? It’s like trying to write a letter in Morse code during a Zoom call—unnecessarily complicated and there is no way to truly coordinate with you in real-time. Plus, who wants to cart around a clunky planner book everywhere they go?
The science: Our brains engage differently when we write things down by hand. Kinesthetic activity, like taking notes, has been shown to improve memory retention. That’s why old-school note-taking in class remains effective. Then there is the satisfying joy of crossing things off (Thank You, Dopamine)**
Let’s face it: there’s a primal thrill in drawing a line through a completed task. That simple physical action triggers a dopamine hit, rewarding your brain and making you want to do more. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, emphasizes the power of this feedback loop. It’s a concept rooted in neuroscience: when we associate actions with rewards, we naturally reinforce those behaviors. You’re literally training yourself to be more motivated. (maybe those dog training videos were on to something 😉
Apps can’t replicate that. Sure, you might tick a box, but it doesn’t carry the same punch as a pen scrawling a triumphant line across a task. That physical connection fosters intrinsic motivation, making you feel accomplished.
By combining the benefits of both digital and analog systems—and embracing the power of physical rewards—you create a more balanced, effective method for managing your time and attention.
The best part? You’re more likely to keep it up because your brain loves a good reward. So, go on and soak in those little wins!
The Proven Plan: “How I Plan My Day to overcome the time management myth (and Teach Others to Do the Same)”
Ready to master your time and focus? Let’s turn those ‘must-make’ moves into a lifestyle of success and enjoyment by learning how to invest your time effectively.
Truthfully, I didn’t just come up with all this that day in birthing class when I got that text about my mom’s heart transplant. It was something that had been evolving over the years as my kayaking and coaching career was ramping up. This was an evolution over about a decade as I moved from a life of just drifting downstream to one I took seriously enough to put real intention behind.
Perhaps you currently find yourself where I was or somewhere along a similar progression.
Here’s how it’s evolved over the years for me:
- Floating thoughts – I used to do my best to just remember the important stuff, but inevitably, things would get missed, and it just got too overwhelming to remember it all.
- Random to-do reminders – The next obvious step was to write down the really important stuff on random to-do reminders or sticky notes, but it was sporadic at best, and soon, I had a mosaic of pink and yellow scattered across my computer, wall, and calendar.
- A full to-do list (brain dump) – At some point, I knew I had to just get it all down in one place, so I would do periodic brain dumps onto long unorganized lists loosely categorized as either “work” or “personal”
- Pulling from the to-do list for a daily to-do list – Once everything was braindumped out, I could pull things to form daily to-do lists, most of which I’d only finish a fraction of, leaving a sense of failure even when I had accomplished most of my list for the day.
- Numbering the to-do list items in the order I would do them – To be sure I didn’t waste time deciding which to-do to do next, I started numbering the daily list in the order I would complete the tasks. Of course, I’d tend to start with the easy stuff, leaving little time to actually dig into the most important (and usually most challenging) tasks.
- Putting the top tasks first (eat the frog, as they say) – Realizing the importance of starting with the most important things, I started getting wiser about how I’d order my to-dos, creating a fairly effective action plan that helped me get the keystone items moving first, but with very little structure or organization based on the realities and demands of the day, I often ended up feeling cramped for time still.
- Putting my daily plan to a time based system (every 30 mins) – This was a BIG step that really changed things for me. I remember my coach, Rob Yates, sharing his daily worksheet that included plotting actions in 30-minute chunks throughout the day. Suddenly, I knew exactly what I needed to be doing all day, and it forced me to be realistic about how long things actually take. Game changer…. But still not enough.
- Starting to make tomorrow’s plan the prior day – Once I had the habit of planning out my days in 30-minute intervals, it only made sense to put some thought into the plan for tomorrow so I could start my day already knowing what I needed to do (and when!)
- Projecting out a full week on Monday morning – I started to realize how much calm and peace having the daily plan already organized brought to my days. I was able to better visualize the day ahead, so why not look just a little further out? This was the step I knew needed to happen when we got that faithful text about my mom’s heart.
- Setting a meeting with myself at the end of the week – It wasn’t until years after that I started having my weekly planning meeting with myself on Friday evenings, so I could feel at ease over the weekend knowing I didn’t have to worry about the next week. I had a plan. So long for good Sunday Scaries!
For the last 5 years,
I’ve been using this time planning system to teach Tributary Coaching clients ranging from executives of billion-dollar companies to solopreneurs looking to make a leap from corporate to self-employment, to busy professional athletes, to leaders of elite first responder units, how to invest their time effectively.
Where do you find yourself along this progression? Now, you can finally skip some or all of those steps I had to take and instead jump right to what has been proven to actually work!
It’s easy…
- First, get the planning tool AND the proven process below…
- Set a 30-minute meeting with yourself this week
- Complete the Planning Sheet so you can take back your time (and your life)
It’s that easy!
Call to Action: “Take Back Your Life Today: Download the Time Planning Sheet”
and start investing your time effectively!
In the end, thanks to those incredible friends willing to pitch in to help when we needed them most, an unwavering commitment to making it all happen, and some focused energy backed by the planning system I share with you today, we pulled it all off!
Mom got her new heart, and I was able to be there with her in the ICU every single day. The house project came together JUST in time. We pulled off a wildly successful international event and got to greet our first baby boy (who happened to arrive right on his Halloween due date, as if it was scheduled to be all along!)
Imagine, just for a moment, that instead of your days slipping through your fingers like sand, you had a firm grip on how you invest your time. What could that mean for you?
Picture this:
A life where those 46 extra hours aren’t just “survival hours” spent treading water. Instead, they become your time to thrive. It’s about more than just ticking boxes; it’s about savoring sunsets, coaching your kid’s team, or launching that dream business.
No, you can’t hit a magical “2X” button to speed things up like in those guilty pleasures YouTube binges we all love. But you can hit pause, recalibrate, and decide what really deserves your precious time here and now.
Ready to turn the scattered chaos into strategic calm? It won’t happen in a day (or even a weekend). But, armed with your newfound understanding and the right approach, you can transform how you live, a half hour at a time.
Because in the end, investing time wisely isn’t about getting more done; it’s about making more room for what truly matters. Now, go on—take back your hours and make every moment count.
Download the Time Planning Sheet and start investing in life today!
Remember, you’ve got this.
It’s time to eliminate excuses and embrace the flow. It’s time to finally move past the Time Management Myth but instead invest your time effectively!
Give it a go, and let me know how it works!
-Paul Kuthe
Elite Performance Coach
A few years back, we worked with an inspiring business owner leading a fast-growing healthcare team. She had big hopes and plans for the new year, and her team was eager to hit the ground running…
But, when it came time for their annual ‘all-team’ planning meeting, she found herself struggling—trying to keep the meeting on track while also sharing her own ideas and vision as she tried her best to be sure everyone had a voice in the discussion.
“I felt like a referee instead of a leader,” she told me afterward. “I was so focused on making sure the meeting ran smoothly that I barely had time to contribute or soak in anyone else’s ideas. In the end, I ended up with a giant to-do list and even less time to do it all.”
This is a common challenge I see with leaders. When you’re responsible for both facilitating AND participating, it’s easy to get pulled in too many directions. That’s where bringing in an outside coach as a facilitator changes EVERYTHING. It lets leaders shift their focus to what matters most—being fully present, sharing their vision, and guiding their team toward success!
Why a Team Planning Session is Essential
Starting the year without a clear plan is like setting off on a river rafting trip without paddles—your team will drift along wherever the current happens to be going, but it will never take you where you actually need to go.
A well-structured and facilitated team planning session ensures your team is aligned, prepared, and ready to navigate the challenges ahead TOGETHER.
Here’s why it’s so important:
- Align Personal and Team Goals
When individual goals connect with the team’s mission, each member feels personally invested in the overall success and can better integrate team goals with their own. - Clarify the Team’s Mission
A shared mission statement provides a clear destination for everyone, ensuring the whole team is paddling in the same direction. - Set Expectations with Clear Agreements
Defining roles and responsibilities from the outset promotes accountability and minimizes miscommunication. - Create Consistency with Messaging
When everyone knows the message—including the company one-liner—your internal and external communication stays on point. - Identify Key Marketing Strategies & Promotions
With a defined plan, each team member knows how their individual marketing efforts contribute to the bigger picture and where it’s going. - Equip the Team with a Customer-Focused Approach
By learning the StoryBrand framework, your team will know how to position the customer as the hero, making your offerings more compelling and easier to sell (especially for those who don’t like “selling”).
A team planning session provides clarity, alignment, and focus. It’s your chance to prepare the team, overcome obstacles, and build momentum—ensuring everyone is ready to paddle in sync toward success in the new year.
The Problem: Leaders Can’t Do It All
When you’re leading a team, it’s easy to feel like you have to manage everything—steering the boat, watching the currents, and paddling all at once. But if you’re busy keeping the session on track, you can’t focus on sharing your insights or participating fully in strategic discussions.
Facilitating a team planning session requires structure, focus, and neutrality. It’s not just about following an agenda—it’s about reading the room, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard, and keeping the momentum going. If you, as the leader, are tied up with logistics, it’s hard to be fully present, connect with your team, and contribute meaningfully.
Trying to both facilitate and participate leads to:
- Split Focus: You’re juggling the meeting flow and your role as a leader, making it harder to contribute effectively.
- Missed Opportunities: Important ideas and insights can be lost if you’re focused on keeping the meeting running smoothly.
- Burnout: Managing every detail alone creates unnecessary stress and can drain your energy for the work that truly matters.
- Being left with a giant ‘to-do’ list: When you’re so wrapped up in leading the meeting, you can end up left at the end with a giant list of to-do’s (and a little regret for good measure) rather than delegating and getting committed action from the team.
The reality is that leaders shouldn’t have to do it all. Your role is to inspire, strategize, and lead—not get bogged down in the mechanics of the session. That’s where having a coach as a facilitator can make all the difference.
The Solution: A Coach as Your Session Guide
Bringing in a coach to help plan the meeting flow and act as the facilitator allows the team leader to fully engage in the discussion rather than manage the flow. The coach keeps the meeting on track, brings innovative activities that bring out the best ideas, ensures productive conversations, and creates space for every team member to contribute, allowing the leader to focus on strategy and vision.
With a coach facilitating the session:
- The Leader Can Participate Fully: Instead of juggling logistics, the leader engages in meaningful discussions and shares their vision.
- The Meeting Stays Focused and Efficient: The coach ensures that the agenda flows smoothly, with no one derailing the conversation.
- Everyone’s Voice is Heard: The facilitator encourages input from all team members, building alignment and trust.
- The Leader Builds Stronger Connections: Shifting from facilitator to participant allows the leader to collaborate openly with the team, fostering trust and engagement.
The coach’s role is to bring structure, focus, and direction to the session. While the facilitator handles the logistics and guides the conversation toward actionable outcomes, the leader can concentrate on sharing insights and contributing to the team’s success.
A facilitated session not only reduces the leader’s burden but also strengthens team collaboration. With clear goals, focused discussions, and shared accountability, the entire team moves forward in alignment—ready to tackle the new year with confidence.
Remember that stressed-out leader who felt left out of her own planning session at the beginning of this post? Check out the testimonial after she brought us in to run the meeting the following year: “We’ve been able to grow our team and open a second location… I could go on and on and on…I feel MUCH more confident as a business owner and leader” -Kendall Hagensen, Founder of Vancouver Wellness Studio.
Ready to Start the Year Strong? Time to Plan Your Session
The most successful teams don’t just set goals—they create a clear roadmap to achieve them. Let us know if you need help to guide your team through a powerful planning session so that you, as the leader, can focus on leading without distraction.
Let’s talk about booking your all-team planning session today and get ready to start the new year with purpose and alignment with your team!
Feel free to email me at paul@tributarycoaching.com or book a call here.
You may have noticed already, but conferences are back in a big way!Long gone are those post pandemic days when people were hesitant to show up places in-person. Folks are signing up in force to attend live and in person again! Since it’s been a while, for this month’s blog I thought it would be fun to share some ideas about how to get the most value from your next conference experience.
It’s been too long since I’ve been in the mix of a live, high-energy conference, and this one’s going to be epic. The lineup of keynote speakers is incredible: Megan Hyatt Miller, Tiffany Aliche, Michael Bungay Stanier and Will Guidara are all set to deliver game-changing insights. I’m not just attending; I’m ready to dive in, connect, learn, and bring back fresh strategies that can make a real impact.
Let’s face it: attending a conference can be intimidating. Walking into a room full of strangers, navigating endless sessions, and trying to make meaningful connections can leave anyone feeling overwhelmed. Whether you’re worried about making the right impression or just unsure how to start a conversation, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out while everyone else is hitting their stride. But here’s the good news—you don’t have to wing it. With a little preparation and the right mindset, you can turn those nerves into opportunities and make your next conference not just another event, but a game-changer for your career. Ready to tackle your next in-person conference with confidence? Here are my top tips to get you there.
Get ready to squeeze every last drop of goodness out of the experience…
1) Buddy Up
Consider making happy hour plans or dinner plans with fellow attendees to compare notes and share stories from the day. It can be easier to meet new folks when you’re not flying solo. Get yourself an event buddy. Share your goals and who would be a good contact for you, and then rock that next event as a team!
2) Don’t forget your business cards or…
My newest preferred move is to have a QR code on my physical cards that directs people to your digital business card for the best of both worlds.
3) Prep your ‘One-Liner’
You’ll be memorable, and engaging, and you’ll be giving away your business cards faster than the wait staff can hand out bacon-wrapped dates!
4) Establish your key objectives
These events can feel like a whirlwind. It can be like drinking from a firehose!
Be sure you take a moment before the conference (and at the beginning of each day) to identify and write down some key objectives for your time there. It can be easy to miss BIG opportunities because you simply failed to anticipate them.
Pro Tip: Try anchoring each of the 5 things to one finger each so you don’t forget them. Assign a couple of new contacts, something you are going to take away for a client, one thing for yourself, and one for the business…
By assigning each of them to one of your fingers, you’ll be sure to remember them all!
It’s been said that “Luck is the combination of preparation and opportunity”
Take a few minutes to write down your goals for the event and then share them with your conference buddy so you can both be looking out for each other and helping one another achieve as much as possible and share in the high-five moments!
5) Lean into the social opportunities
You’ll be glad you did, and you can bet opportunities will flourish from the experience if you embrace it with the mentality of a guide looking to help others win the day.
Whether we feel ready or not, conferences are BACK in a big way, but don’t worry… everyone else feels a little rusty at these, too. Embrace the discomfort and the opportunity with these tips in mind, and you’ll get the most out of your next conference.
Use story to accomplish your goals
I remember the first time I arrived in the Pacific Northwest as a 20-year-old kid just trying to figure out how to keep himself alive much less run the premiere whitewater extreme race on the West Coast.
One of the many jobs that landed in my lap along with The Oregon Cup, was to kayak to the start line of the Canyon Creek Extreme Race to run timing for the event. This meant I had to somehow get myself and a synchronized stopwatch not just to the biggest waterfalls on the river, but safely start over 40 racers and then run the course for the first time blind, and solo.
I remember the moment I started the final racer. I had been too occupied with getting accurate times and managing the event it hadn’t struck me until that moment. I was going to have to run the biggest waterfall I had ever done for my first time all alone.
Everyone else was well downstream. I closed my eyes and imagined every stroke. I imagined the sensations, the timing, the balance and tension I would need inside my boat. I imagined the mist rising up to hit my face as I fell toward the pool below bracing for impact. Every. Single. Detail was there with vivid realism, to the point where it felt like I had already run the drop.
At the highest levels of sport, athletes and coaches have long been harnessing the power of the human mind for elite performance. We often hear about athletes visualizing their moves and outcomes before they compete.
Years ago, as a wilderness guide and action sport coach teaching people to run waterfalls in kayaks, I started having my athletes run training sessions in their minds just as I had at the big race. They would ‘practice’ sticking the moves they needed to win, or simply survive.
By creating something the human brain engages with, you create the potential for action. By telling a goal-focused story, you practice sticking the moves you need to win too.
Creating a detailed goal story can help reveal someone’s why, and what truly motivates them. It’s a great tool for strategic planning, and can help bring partners together toward a common goal. (Even if they never intend on running a waterfall in their lives)
Give it a shot. A simple story could change your course for 2022 or maybe even your whole life!
As for my first big waterfall… each stroke fell into place on the slow approach to the lip. Soon the stark horizon line sank lower and lower beneath the front of my boat until I could see into the depths below. With one giant stroke and tightly held breath, I came crashing down into the pool at the bottom of the drop with a victory cry I’m pretty sure they could hear all the way to the finish line! Phew! Made it…
Visit: https://mailchi.mp/tributarycoaching/the-goal-story to create your very own Goal Story!
Everyone has heard of the Wright Bros, but very few remember hearing the name “Samuel Pierpont Langley.” The reason why could surprise you. It could also be the thing that helps your business do something you never thought possible. Take flight!
“Public interest was high. Experts were eager to contribute. Money was readily available. Armed with every ingredient for success, Samuel Pierpont Langley set out in the early 1900s to be the first man to pilot an airplane.
Highly regarded, he was a senior officer at the Smithsonian Institution, a mathematics professor who had also worked at Harvard. His friends included some of the most powerful men in government and business, including Andrew Carnegie and Alexander Graham Bell. Langley was given a $50,000 grant from the War Department to fund his project, a tremendous amount of money for the time.
He pulled together the best minds of the day, a veritable dream team of talent and know-how. Langley and his team used the finest materials, and the press followed him everywhere. People all over the country were riveted to the story, waiting to read that he had achieved his goal. With the team he had gathered and ample resources, his success was guaranteed. Or was it?
A few hundred miles away, Wilbur and Orville Wright were working on their own flying machine. Their passion to fly was so intense that it inspired the enthusiasm and commitment of a dedicated group in their hometown of Dayton, Ohio. There was no funding for their venture. No government grants. No high-level connections. Not a single person on the team had an advanced degree or even a college education, not even Wilbur or Orville.
But the team banded together in a humble bicycle shop and made their vision real. On December 17, 1903, a small group witnessed a man take flight for the first time in history.”
So how in the heck did the Wright brothers manage to beat the better equipped, far better funded and even better educated team of Langley’s?
It wasn’t just by chance. The Wright brothers and Langley both were regarded as highly motivated. Both had a robust work ethic. Both had sharp scientific minds. There were in pursuit of precisely the same goal, yet only the Write brothers were able to inspire those around them and truly lead their team to develop a technology that would change the world. Only the Wright brothers chose to coach their team to victory rather than manage them. It’s important to not just lead your team, but inspire them. By framing their interactions as collaborative coaching exchanges and starting with “why” they succeeded where Sam Langley did not.
If you’re interested in learning to coach your team, be it business or sport, rather than simply manage them; reach out for a complimentary free session. We look forward to sharing the key concepts that will change how you look at leading team forever.
“Activate Your Life” launched on October 23rd, 2018 and almost instantly went to the top of the list on Amazon. We hit #1 in the Self-Help category across the United States, Germany, Canada, UK, Australia, and others. The book rose to #5 overall on Amazon for non-fiction and was #70 in the entire Amazon store. How did we do it?
“Many hands make light work…” The organizers and publisher of the book were able to collaborate and leverage the marketing power and collective creative genius of this amazing community of coaches across the globe. With the coordinated efforts of many motivated people working together we were able to reach more people and affect more lives with our work. Everyone benefits especially those who buy the book and start putting it to use in their lives and businesses.
Check out our top 5 tips for getting your book to #1 on Amazon after you click the link above to pick up our book! 😉 Shameless we know…
1) Combine efforts for HUGE impact
A group of motivated coaches makes for an amazing team. Even great coaches need help at times avoid the pitfalls of procrastination. (Check out our vlog post on eliminating procrastination)
By working as a team with regular check ins and deadlines to hit we all felt the pressure to take action month by month. When it came time to actually launch the book we were able to work as a team to promote and market the book and push it out to all of our networks. Yes we were able to combine our collective talents and strengths developing the project, but having that coordinated push on a specific day was essential to satisfying Amazon’s algorithms.
2) Go global
By collaborating with authors and contributors around the world, we were able to reach #1 across several categories in several countries! You can find our book on the shelves of some very unique corners of the world. Because of the range of time zones we were working from, it allowed us to keep the downloads and purchases flowing. It’s helpful to have people working the grass roots ground effort around the clock. We live in a global community. There are like-minded people wherever you go. Seek them out. Sit with them. Share stories. Build that community!
3) Treat it like sex
Yeah I said it…because it’s true! You want to have the launch of the book be part of the process not the start of the process. Creating anticipation and taking your time to fully appreciate the value of the build up makes for a far better experience and improves your odds of success. By documenting the process with things like videos, live social media posts and blog posts celebrating milestones along the way you keep people aware and engaged with your project. They are along with you for the ride, so when it’s time to hit that purchase button for the book or a launch party invite they feel a vested interest in your success. Get a close circle of book reviewers ready to review the book too. You’ll likely be able to get a copy of the book to reviewers in time for them to read a good portion of the book so they are ready to write an authentic review on launch day increasing the chances other people will choose it.
4) Give it up
Amazon’s algorithm works on an hourly cycle. In order to rise to the top of the rankings you need a concentrated period of activity immediately after launch. Once you build enough anticipation leading up to launch day, announce a free download period that only lasts 2 days or less. Give people a reason to flood your item and make it easy for them find the link they need. Having a digital version of your book for the kindle store and for Amazon increases the likelihood of hitting #1 tremendously.
5) What’s the status?
By now you get it. You NEED to get your message out on social media. Hopefully you’re already building a tribe and reaching people with your message. To keep the rankings moving up the line on launch day you’ll need to clear your schedule and get ACTIVE on social media that day especially. Keep your readers and potential downloaders aware of your rising ranking. People love to be part of something that is moving in the right direction. As the book launches and rises in the ranks be sure to screen shot it and spread the word. Get people excited and get ready for it to sky rocket.
Follow these tips and you’re well on your way to being an International Best Selling Author!
You’re doing it again aren’t you? You’re cruising the interwebz instead of getting down to business. Well I’m with you. I’ve been meaning to get this blog post written for weeks now. In theory the new website is going live in less than a week!! If we can pull it off, it will be running smooth in time for the big book launch party on Thursday night. “Activate Your Life” hit number #1 on Amazon across several categories almost instantly so we actually have something to celebrate!
So why is it so down to the wire? Admittedly I likely pushed the timeline of a year’s worth of work into 3 months to take full advantage of the visibility of the new book. When a good wave finally emerges you ‘turn on it’ and try to have the best ride possible whether you’re feeling ready or not. That said, I could have worked on it for 10 minutes here and there over the last few weeks and it would have been done and I could be hanging out soaking in the few remaining days of sun here in Portland, Oregon.
In this video we explore some thoughts as to why we tend to put things off and what we can do to activate our natural tendencies as a species so we take on the behaviors that will truly serve us. Give it a watch but (here is a top tip) Use the options on the video to speed it up so you can get back to taking the actions that will truly allow you to feed the flow of your life and business!
