Episode 192: Become a Disciple of Discipline

Welcome to the Unstoppable Profit Podcast. This podcast will give independent insurance agents all of the tools to grow your business and live life on your terms. Wherever you are today, if you're starting with nothing or well on your way to the success you desire, with the right people, processes and promotions in place, you will be unstoppable. And now I'd like to introduce your host, Mike Stromso.

Foreign.

Welcome to the next episode of the Unstoppable Profit podcast. And something came up earlier this week. Real life, real business, real activity within a high achieving business. And it reminded me that just be out of the gate this year on the right track to make sure that you are 100% focused on, on being more profitable and being more productive with your people, processes and promotions. I said great opportunity to give everybody a real live example of how we're using a tool that is one of the most important tools in all of our tool chests in upp. And I was working with the unstoppable Anita Hernandez and, and she mentioned to me how she's also using this tool, how it's changed everything for, for her. And so we're going to uncover some of the secrets for you right here today so you too can take immediate action on this very, very vital tool and strategy. Anita, welcome to the podcast.

Mike, thank you so much for having me. I love how this unfolded and I'm able to kind of share on, on my perspective how I, how I use this tool. We were filming money making strategies and I was, you know, being the newest member of the team, just soaking in all the information that, that you provide and this one particular.

Idea really sunk into me and really kind of gave me that aha moment that we always talk about and it was the segment or the end episode plan, your plan. And it sounds so simple in, in so many ways, but when I was thinking about when I start my day and what I do daily, I realized I don't, I, I didn't plan my, my plan. So when I finally took a step back and I was able to make that plan, your plan sheet for me and how I like to work with it and the most, the best, the best golden nugget that I received was the night before. Totally different. Instead of the day tackling me, I'm able to now tackle the day because I already have that set in notion.

Let's make sure everybody's clear on that. Two gold nuggets and let's repeat those just so everybody doesn't miss it. Right? Yes, you plan your plan When? Now?

The night before, the night before.

And there's something subconscious that works within people and you and me and everybody else who actually takes the action. It works for us while we're sleeping and we're thinking about the things that we have coming up subconsciously and we are more on our game.

Yes. It sets for no excuses, especially the life that I live and I know a lot of people. Things are always changing, always moving. And having this one plan, your plan sheet, and however you mold it is going to make you more disciplined and stop providing excuses and being able to know what your day is going to look like the night before.

Yeah. So if you're taking notes, get ready because we're going to share some details with you in just a minute. But the other gold nugget that you mentioned was you control your day, the day doesn't control you. Repeat that for everybody.

So I tackle my day, the day doesn't tackle me.

Aha.

It's is incredible feeling.

Now, this is a proactive stance versus a reactive stance, right?

Yes, absolutely.

Super, super critical. So, friends, this may seem very simple. It is very simple, but so vitally important in the consistency plus focus plus discipline category to your higher achievement and ultimately higher business success. So, Anita, let's dive in the weeds. I mean, we were working just the other day on some information for the Unstoppable Nation for the upcoming Mastermind sessions. You and I.

Yes, we were.

And we have some information that we needed to put out to them. We were working together on it and we actually both had our planning, our plan sheets working in unison, not knowing it because it's become a daily habit, literally. Right?

Yes.

And so, you know, I had it on my top six to connect with you on the flyers and we got done what we needed to get done and I shared with you. Well, I'm just going to move you down to the people I'm waiting on category and you go, aha. And. And that's where we had this little collaboration that, wow, tell me more about this and when did you pick it up and how did you start using it? And that's when this whole idea to share with all of you from real time information from the trenches currently, how we're using it, came about to get you on the podcast. So thank you for allowing me to, you know, share with you in that realm. But in talking about it more, I said tell me a little bit more detail about how you're using the planning. The plan sheet. Planning your plan sheet. And I'm going to give you some detail here in just a minute so everybody can have a takeaway from our session today, from our podcast episode. So, planning your plan sheet, you've put it on to a different technology platform because that's what works for you. So you took the concept and put it onto a technology platform. Share a little bit of detail about that, please.

Yeah. So you're playing your plan. It has your plan, and then who you need to speak with, and then who you're waiting on is. Is the gist of kind of that movement. And so the night before, I look at my calendar, which I use Google Cal as well as Outlook, but they integrate to one another. And I look at it, I see my meetings that I'm with, I see my list that I need, I'm waiting on, and I just utilize it in my calendar, because then the next morning when I see it, one, it gives me reminders, because I think some people do need the reminders. Maybe not Mike, but some I. I need him. Okay.

I just learned to mask it well over the years.

Yes. So it's really helpful because it allows me to use that tool that I'm already using every day. And I'm just implementing the structure of the plan, your plan template, and putting it in a tool that I already use, which that was incredible, because for me, this is what I. That's my habit. And I'm able to just kind of put two habits together to. To be able to create a discipline and a daily habit.

That is fantastic. Thank you for your willingness to share those details. I hope everybody out there, if you're watching this on YouTube, great, you're seeing all this. But if you're just listening, I hope you'll be able to envision this and strongly encourage you to jump onto YouTube. When you get in front of a computer and watch this, just Simply go to YouTube, search Unstoppable Profit producer. Go to that page, click on the videos, and all the podcasts are right there for your viewing pleasure. You can see Anita and I sharing this in detail. Speaking of detail. Hey, everybody, let me give you some detail on the planning, your plan sheet. This tool was developed actually in our insurance agency business. I will suggest to give a time frame how long we've been using it. Five years ago, maybe a little bit more. After we invested in ourselves to go to a training event to get better in business. And this is where we learn the thought processes. And Andrea and I came back to the office, we put it together. It's a singular page sheet. Okay. And it's Got a super complicated title called planning your plan. Right. And we learned from Ben Franklin. Right. If you're failing to plan, you're planning to fail and many others. So we're going to give you some other strategies to take away as well. So it's got the priorities for the day, the things I must complete today no matter what. Okay. You list your priorities and to dos they got to be that need to be accomplished today and do these before getting trapped in your inbox.

And other people's agendas.

Other people's agendas come across your path too, Anita.

They, they tend to as well. Even as team members. They, they.

It happens even on a daily basis, huh?

Yes.

So anyway, so list the top six and you should do this the night before. Okay.

Yes.

And then there's two sections on people, priorities one people, two people I need to reach out to today. List of people you must reach out today no matter what. And then people I'm waiting on people who need something from. Who you need something from to move forward on. Or you might be waiting to hear. Or it might shift from priorities down to people I'm waiting to hear from. Like the example you gave earlier. And then you've got a section down below for notes. And at the end of the day, move the data to tomorrow's planning, your plan sheet for continued implementation if not done. And if you want to go ahead and share transparency transparently as well, I will first. I mean, look, some things that are on my priority list don't get done every single day and I just move them to the next day. Nobody died, we're good, we're going to move on. It's reality. It's, you know, business life and life in general, period. Right. So anyway, just move it to the next day. On we go. Right. Is that happening with you as well?

Absolutely. And especially if I see that big goal every day, I like to have the big goal every day and then the two tasks that I'm going to get closer to that goal. So just seeing it is beneficial.

Absolutely. And here's another comment at the bottom of the form. It's a one page form by the way, not complicated even me. And you are able to use it because it's pretty simple, right?

Yes.

So it says be aware of your inbox. It's nothing but an organizing system for the agenda of others. Meaning that dreaded email inbox. Right. And do you have the discipline and the confidence and the EQ and everything else surrounding that to just close your inbox for two or three hours? At a time.

The world will not end if you do that thought process. Okay. Always keep the main thing. The main thing. Focus every day, follow one course until success. So, Anita, you're using the plan to your plan sheet every day?

Every day.

The night before, night before. Good, good. So can I ask you an unplanned question, and I don't intend to make you uncomfortable, but just. What?

I'm ready for it.

Are you ready?

It's because you care.

Exactly. We've gotten to know each other and working together for about a year now. And we are, by the way, everybody. Anita Hernandez is one of our team members in upping. She works with myself, Andrea Wyatt and Joel McKinley to serve all of the agents out there across North America. She does a phenomenal job. Thank you for being part of our team, by the way.

Thank you for welcoming me. And it's incredible community to be a part of.

Yeah. So my question for you is, do you use it seven days a week or so?

I kind of shift a little bit on the weekends. I still use it, but I don't use the people portion. And. And I use mainly the weekend as.

More of personal goals, like exercising more discipline on that. So I shifted a little bit, but I still utilize it on Saturday and Sunday because it's again, there's still days.

A hundred percent important.

I still want to tackle those days, but it just may shift a little in my mindset of more personal than professional.

I agree. And. And I use it seven days a week as well. There's always something going on every single day that I need to tackle, that I need to get done, et cetera, et cetera. I do a fair amount of planning work on the weekends, and this way I don't miss anything that might be vitally important, including. Including our Rowing in the Same Direction series.

Well, I was gonna say Sunday night's actually the. The most. I think one of my most efficient nights. One, because we received the rowing in the same direction, and two, it just sets the tone for the week as well, which is beneficial.

If you're wondering what the Rowing in the Same Direction effort is within our organization, I will share that on an upcoming episode if I haven't yet, or in more detail because it continues to evolve and it's become. I don't know how you feel. Anita, go ahead and give everybody a comment on this and say whatever you need to say. It's becoming super, super important to our continued progress.

Yeah, I value the rowing in the same direction. Mike. I will give a quick, quick little Tidbit as a team member, he provides his week in great detail. And also our scorecard and his intentions for the week, which as a team member, that is so valuable because it lets us know how much he cares that he's putting it out for us and that we know the same goals and that we are targeting those goals.

So.

So for, for us, it's so beneficial if you are a leader at an agency, to be able to do that because it gives me and it makes me feel like I'm a part of the goal and we are part of the goal. So that's a little part of the goal. My point of view as a team member, when he, when he talks about rowing in the same direction, it has been very valuable, I believe, especially since we're remote. It gives us a part of always feeling like we're all on the same page every week.

Vital part of the goal. So thank you. Thank you for sharing. Transparently unexpected. And the other thing that we attach to the Rowing in the Same Direction series is our Vision Organizer.

Yes.

And our Tangible Desires list.

Oh, I love that list.

Yeah. And. And I love everything about that. Born out of study. And I learned that from a serial entrepreneur who has, you know, to high acclaim, mastered a lot of business functions through his high achievement. So listen, the day we stop learning is the day we stop growing, right?

Absolutely.

Yeah. And it just came from learning and growth and desire. Continued ongoing consistency, focus and discipline. Desire to continue learning every day. So shall we help everybody continue to learn, by the way, and continue to get better with that most precious thing called time?

I think so.

We all have the same 24, 7, 365. I've been searching for that time machine for years. I haven't found it. Have you?

No, unfortunately not.

Not even in other parts of the world. You haven't found it there yet either.

I'm looking. We'll see. I'll let you know.

Time in a bottle. I'm looking behind you, but I don't see your marketing assistance. That's good. Must be out there in pursuit of the time machine, right?

He. He is. He is indeed.

So anyway, so let's give everybody a couple takeaways. A companion document that we provide to everybody in Unstoppable Nation along with the planning your plan sheet and teaching them exactly how to use it in their positions based on their current vital functions, personal gifts, talents, etc. Right. Is our Time choices checklist. So should we share with them some of the things on that Time choices checklist for their Continued implementation?

I think so. I think they're ready to hear it.

Yeah, I know you're ready to hear it. If you're not ready to hear it, hear it anyway. And don't think it. Ink it. Because you got to ink it to sync it up to your mind for your ongoing daily habit implementation. So, one, remember the whole reason why you're working so hard. It's to generate a profit or produce a result.

Aha. Right. So on your planning, your plan sheet and their priorities, is it doing that generating a profit or producing a result?

Two, have a plan and work the plan. That's why you have the plan in your plan sheet. Mary Kay Ash said most people spend more time planning their vacation than their careers.

If this is a career for you, if it's your livelihood, it's your life's journey in business. Shouldn't you invest some time making sure it's rock solid?

Absolutely. Yeah.

Yeah. Right. Stop doing things is the next tip. Yes. Stop it. According to Bob newhart. Go to YouTube and search Bob Newhart. Stop it. Video.

Game changer. Have you seen that, Anita?

I have not. I'm going to have to go do this after this podcast.

I think you should, but go to YouTube. Bob Newhart. Stop video. He's a psychologist in an office setting. It's a number of years old, but it's hilarious and it's so true. Okay, stop it. Next.

This is a hard one for people. Start saying no.

Look, it's not because you don't care about people. It's just. It's not on your priority list.

Right?

Or not today. And the definition of no is. Do you remember this one?

Oh, I don't have it off the top of my no.

That's okay. Let me over communicate it, please. Next opportunity. The definition of no is Next opportunity.

Next opportunity.

Next. Make sure your to do lists are short and focus on critical outcomes. Hence, that's why we have the plan in your plan sheet. Ding, ding, ding. Next. Know where your time is going. Every minute of it. We all have the same 24, 7, 365. It's what we do with our time that makes all of the difference. Right?

Do a stellar, focused job of managing your email and Internet use. Again. Shut it down. The world is not going to end. Next. Eat your vegetables first.

So you got to keep your time healthy. Right? There's no substitute for getting the most important things done first. Even if it's what you would not like to do, you've got to get it done first. That's why you have the priority list, the things that make the greatest impact, right?

Yes.

That's why I'm so happy we're working on the Mastermind activities as the highest priority, which is serving our members.

Exactly.

Yeah, yeah. So don't multitask.

Listen, you got to stay focused. Follow one course until success every day, focus.

Watch all of the interruptions coming your way.

Savvy, focused, successful leaders schedule interruption time. Let's face it, it's going to happen. What can go wrong, will go wrong has been said. So set aside that time for interruptions or. I mean, Anita and I work extremely well together, producing MMs and a lot of other things. Money making strategies, by the way, a weekly opportunity for you to learn and become more. But we have scheduled time together to talk about these things. And lastly, you must have the discipline of follow up.

We were talking about that yesterday in our growth. Right. The book that I'm currently reading.

We Must become. Do you remember what it was? That's okay.

No, you repeat it.

May I over communicate again, please? We must become disciples of discipline.

Yes.

Become disciples of discipline.

So important and not so easy sometimes, huh?

No, but it's also, it's like a simple discipline is. It's an oxymoron, but it's also the truth. It's. Discipline can be hard, but it's. If you, once you start getting to it, it's going to be. So it's simple.

Yeah.

Which is amazing.

Exactly. Speaking of amazing, you are amazing as well, Anita Hernandez. Thank you for coming on the podcast and sharing from the trenches strategies that you've learned and implemented from our tool chest at UPP that have made so much of a difference. Thank you.

I am grateful for you, I'm grateful for the community. It is amazing to be at a place that you work and you get to soak in all the knowledge. And I am, I'm very grateful. So I, I thank you, Mike Stromso.

You are very welcome, Anita Hernandez. And thanks to all of you out there in unstoppable nation for showing up again, relentlessly, continuously, consistency, consistently with focus and discipline. Become a disciple of discipline. And I like that, by the way, I mean.

Be disciplined with your time. You are in control of it. All right. And by the way, if this is your first time on our podcast, whether you're listening to it or watching it on YouTube, welcome. My name is Mike Stromcel. I'm widely recognized as a leading author, speaker and coach for the independent insurance agency industry. You can learn more about all that we do to Serve agents at Unstoppable Profit Producer. If you're interested in one of our virtual or live events, our virtual events are at uppfaststart.com and our live events are at bunstoppable boot camp.com but all of our events and both of these events are designed specifically to share with you our best money making strategies developed over 35 years of research in your industry, 100 of the time as a proud independent insurance agent. And we just want you to grow your business, create wealth and have more freedom to live life on your own terms. And that's what we share and so much more. Everything that we've learned and if you loved everything you heard on the podcast, please go to unstoppable profit podcast.com go up to the top. Click subscribe so you don't miss one valuable episode that comes at you weekly to share all of the tips. Just like everything we were sharing today t help you create an unstoppable path for your future. And if you enjoyed this so much, please exercise the law of reciprocity. Share it with somebody that you care about. Just send them to unstoppable prophet podcast.com and they can watch all of the episodes. I don't know if you heard about this or not. We were at Mastermind last Mastermind sessions. There was an agent, a newer agent, who became a platinum coaching member. And he said, I watched every episode of the podcast. I said 181 of them. He said, yes. I said, wow, that's super disciplined. He's definitely a disciple of discipline, right?

Absolutely. That's amazing.

I said, what did you get out of? He goes, oh my gosh, I am so ready to be unstoppable now. I love that. So anyway, Anita Hernandez, thank you for joining us.

Thank you so much. Have a great day.

This, we hope this is going to launch your coming year into absolutely, incredibly triple unstoppable status. And when you get control of your time and the priorities that you're working on, you too will be unstoppable. Until next time. I'll see you in the next episode. I need to thank you everybody. Get, get out there, make a difference, be unstoppable, leave no regrets, and most importantly, implement, execute and take action. You got this? We believe in you. I'll see you in the next episode.

Can't get enough of the Unstoppable Profit Podcast. Come join our next live three day boot camp in warm, beautiful San Diego. Invest in your ticket today at bunstoppable boot camp.com that's be unstoppable. Bootcamp.

Com.