TL;DR: This Week in The Digital CEO Weekly
✅ The real reason I'm building a Star Wars-themed movie theater... (it has nothing to do with business).
✅ The question that instantly shifts your relationship with your business – and unlocks a level of freedom where anything is possible.
From the Desk of James Wedmore:
I'm going to talk about how you can WORK LESS... and MAKE MORE. That should be the good, no?
I love sharing the stories and lessons of my real life encounters with my audience. I live from a Growth Mindset at all times. Life and the Universe is always there guiding, teaching and showing you, and I'm here to learn.
Recently, (as you maaay know), I dove into a new hobby: Prop Building.
Yes, I am building out a complete Star Wars Themed Movie Theater in my basement. And... hey! It doesn't matter if you don't like DIY projects, Sci-Fi or movies...
...that's not the point of sharing this.
The point is: have a f%$ life outside of business.
I can say that, because years ago... I didn't. I was in a very unhealthy marriage, and so I buried myself into work. It was how I hid from something I didn't want to face. I didn't see the 12-hour work days as a problem at the time... because work GAVE ME so much LIFE.
If you look at your VALUES (what's important to you) like cups... this type of business can fill a LOT of them: creativity, growth, connection, impact, fun, etc.
So, it was easy for me to become consumed by work. I didn't feel like a workaholic... and as I look back, I wouldn't describe myself using that word... because the work was GIVING me energy. I was having fun and helping people!
But... I was avoiding things in my personal life that I didn't want to look at... and I was trying to get all my needs met by my business.
And... that's probably not the best way haha.
The more of a codependent relationship you create with your business, the more your frequency/emotional state is at the whim of what happens each day.
When sales are up... you're up! But when they're down... what happens to you?
During this time in my career, we were in a massive growth phase (this is when I went from $2M to $10M in one year)... so it felt like I had the Midas touch. Everything turned to gold, which sounds great, but I just kept doing more, and more and more.
But I had no life outside of work. And don't get me wrong, it was a GREAT LIFE AT work... I enjoyed every moment of that... but no life outside of it. And sometimes we just don't know what we are missing.
If you're not careful, your entire identity gets wrapped into this business. And when you are "bored" you change things up, create new offers, more work and more drama.
Your business is NOT here to entertain you!!
My Spiritual Mentor Don Xavier has always shared with me that our own death and mortality can be our greatest teacher. When I get to the end of my life, what will I have been proud and happy with? Will I have lived a good, full life?
I quickly saw I wanted to experience so much more in life than JUST building a business. I didn't want it to be "the only thing."
So, the last 6 years of my life has been exploring other passions and hobbies... making sure I have a full life outside of business.
Jenni and I met and first fell in love in Film School. We've always had a passion for movies, so it was only natural we would want a little movie theater room in our house.
I just happened to have the crazy idea of making it Star Wars themed! And if you've known me for some time, I love DIYing!
So the idea of me building out this custom basement movie theater began.
And then... something happened.
As I worked on little projects down in my basement, I found myself in a creative flow state. I would get super present, get lost in the process and just... create. No end goal. No deadline. No... rush.
And honestly, I feel SUCH a state of joy and bliss.
It's a creative outlet: I get to work with my hands and I get to be proud of my work. It's pushing me and teaching me. And I love it.
So, look.
The point is: life is meant to be lived. Experienced. Life is NOT business. Business is here to give and support your life.
If you choose to live in Modern Society... you have bills to pay and things cost money. So, most people decide to DO something to generate that money. There's a million and one opportunities today to MAKE it... why not do something that is Purpose-Driven and helps others? That's what I chose.
But let's not lose sight of that fact that there's still life to be lived outside of business... and I'm not just talking about "hours." I'm talking about fulfillment. Experiences. Growth. Other hobbies and projects to bring you happiness!
The uncomfortable question to ask oneself is:
If you are happy now in your business, would you still be happy without it?
This offers a level of detachment and non-importance energy IN the business. And from this POWERFUL place, anything is possible.
A great example: people often ask why I'm never offended or get affected emotionally by negative comments, critics, or haters on the Internet.
It's so simple. I don't make this business significant or important enough to let that ruin my day. My happiness and well-being is more important. 1,000x more important. And when you do the same, not only will you BE happier, but I will bet your business revenue will go up as well.
Because, as you know, money doesn't make you happy. But being happy will make you money.
So, here's to your happiness. Here's to a life well-lived and lived fully. Here's to reminding yourself WHY you're building this business! And here's to opening doors to new opportunities you never knew existed!
Thanks for reading :-)
- James
Business Tactical Stuff:
Improve Your Sales By Removing Resistance
Now for some of that business stuff!
I made a POWERFUL video to help you instantly improve your sales by showing you how to remove RESISTANCE in your sales convos. This is like 90% of the work here.
It's on YouTube now. Make sure to watch it this week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW-wLuUrUZ8&t=1s
Also! We're doing a deal with the "Pink Deck" of Conversion Cards: this is 49 of our best-performing Hooks, Headlines and Subject Lines! When you grab your deck, I'll throw in the Complete 3-Hour Objection Training Masterclass (normally $497) for free! Get both the deck and the masterclass for just $37 bucks until tomorrow, March 31st at midnight PT!
Grab your deck here:
https://www.copyconversioncards.com/pink
New on The Mind Your Business Podcast:
Transforming Your Relationship With Money With Kate Northrup
On the topic of working less and making more... this also comes down to your relationship with money. Because your relationship with money will either free you from the cycle of living launch-to-launch OR keep you stuck in it – regardless of how much you're making.
My dear friend and money mindset expert, Kate Northrup, joins us today to show you how to shift that relationship, and what becomes possible when you do.
And don't miss this FREE 3-Day Workshop with Kate!
If you like this episode, you're gonna love what Kate's doing next.
She's hosting a powerful 3-day experience called Good With Money.
This is where you upgrade your relationship with money – by installing simple systems that actually support you so you can create income that feels steady and sustainable... without working harder.
Click here to get registered now.
