The Grind and Gratitude Show

Ep 15: The Pursuit of Living on Purpose with Jeff A.D. Martin

We all make mistakes but how we react to these is what sets all of us apart. You can either sulk in your problems or walk away from it happier. But how can you move on from a difficulty you’ve gone through?
Life can be a rollercoaster, we have ups and downs and in the midst of all of that, we are searching for more. We are searching for more meaning, happiness, success, love, acceptance and fulfillment. But what we are really searching for and pursuing our purpose. We want to live ON purpose.
In this episode Empowerment Speaker and Author Jeff A.D. Martin shares his journey to live on purpose and help others do the same. Jeff talks about dealing with a family member that got murdered, speaking to young people to empower them to find greatness, his journey with being a police officer, and being a best-selling author. This is an inspiring conversation that you don’t want to miss.
Jeff is a transformational speaker, critically acclaimed author and curator of Inspire Legacy Speakers and Inspire Legacy Student Character Curriculum.
WANT TO BECOME A BETTER SPEAKER? Let Jeff help you. Signup for his speaking course, Inspire Legacy Speakers Academy and get 25% off! This is exclusive for listeners of this podcast. Use discount code: grindandgratitude
        [06:59] We can really move mountains with the movement of what we’re doing here… It allows us to make such a bigger impact in places that we would never think we would reach.
        [11:33] I’m saving lives and i don’t say that in a cocky way. I say that because I’ve been able to walk in my purpose. And my purpose has been to stand up and to speak life into people who are going through difficult circumstances. 
        [12:04] All of us have gone through some type of trauma in our life. We’ve all gone through some type of difficulty. However, if we can learn to stand on top of our story, not to drown in our story, then there’s someone who can learn from your story and be blessed by it. And have their life changed & healed, have them recognize that their life is valuable and important. It all comes down to understanding and learning from your difficulty to push your life forward.
        [12:44] A lot of us have to learn lessons from things that didn’t go right in the past and learn how to walk through it stronger than before.
        [14:07] It is so important to learn not to allow our situations to hinder us but instead grow from them. There’s always a lesson within that story. We have to learn how to die to the old us so the new us can be born, the new me can be born.
        [16:38] It’s important for people to know that your life is bigger, it might take some time to find your gift or that one thing that you’re really great at but don’t give up on searching for it.
        [19:23] I decided to walk into my purpose, take the negative energy I had and turn it into something to make an impact on this world.
        [21:00] People need leadership. People need to hear the voice of people like you and me so they can find the direction they need to go into to make their life magnificent again.
        [22:51] 3 Questions you need to ask yourself everyday: Who am I? What do I want? And what’s my purpose? When you ask these 3 questions everyday, it brings you purpose. As we ask ourselves these 3 questions it starts to bring clarity. When we start gaining clarity on these 3 questions, we gain clarity on our purpose and guide us in life.
        [25:04] You have to have the discipline to follow your curiosity. How can you know your purpose if you haven’t tried other things? Whatever you feel you’re being drawn towards, you have to have the discipline to act on that because that’s where you’re supposed be at that time. We have to act on that curiosity.
        [27:26] There’s always lessons in your circumstances that you can use to propel yourself forward.
        [31:07] There are a lot of broken people in the world. They believe they are destined to be there. And because of that, their children are destined to be the same way. We need to learn that we can break that cycle.
        [33:40] I really believe that none of us are here by accident. We’re here for a reason and purpose. While we’re here, again as I spoke about earlier, the problems that we sometimes face in life - it’s a story. It’s a story that you can use to help and heal other people. I want to be able to help others change lives of others through telling their story. I’ve heard, seen, and done it. I know it works. I want to help people to do the same thing.
        [40:00] You have to seek out people in your life that are mentors, coaches, goal-getters to help you to level up your life. Find people who will inspire you to search for the greatness within you and take action on that.
        [44:59] The way the world works in my opinion is that we go to school, we graduate, go to university, graduate, and work for the next 30 years. If we teach kids, we teach them how the more independent than some of us are in the community.
        [53:07] You can start taking the steps right now to push your life forward. You can start today.
        [54:36] There are 2 great times to plant a tree, once is 20 years ago and the 2nd best time is right now. Today is the day to start.
        [01:00:41] Don’t try to be the impact in the world. Be the impact in YOUR world.   
        [01:00:17] No matter what your gift is, it doesn’t have to be something that moves people motivationally. It can be whatever gift it is that you have but you have to put it into this world because it can change the life of somebody around you and make their life better. And make your life better because you were here.
        [01:03:41] That is the lesson. It doesn’t matter what you do, it’s all about following that gift and just trying to serve and trying to do it to the best of your ability. Don’t ever give up on your dream. Don’t ever give up searching.
        [01:04:17] To grind means to wake up every single day and to chase your passion and purpose. It’s putting yourself into action so you could take even the tiniest of baby steps to get towards your purpose.
        [01:05:12] Gratitude is appreciating everything around you. It is when you can see something not for what it is but for what it can be.
 
Links:
Jeff AD Martin Website
Jeff AD Martin Instagram
Jeff AD Martin Facebook
Jeff AD Martin LinkedIn
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Danny Stone Website
Danny Stone on Instagram

Ep 14: A Black Woman in Tech With Tash Jefferies

Sometimes we are exposed to opportunities and we are scared of taking advantage of the opportunity because we fear change. Not everyone is a risk-taker. But have you ever thought of all the great things that could have happened if you just had a positive outlook in life and seize that opportunity? You have one life. Learn as much as you can and use it to improve yourself first and then make an impact on the world after.
In this episode, Coach Danny speaks with Tash Jefferies, the founder of Diversa.work. Her tech startup specializes in helping women and people of color get hired in tech roles. She is most-recently an Entrepreneur-In-Residence with 500startups.com and was based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she worked with founders across the MENA (Middle East North Africa) region.
In this episode she talks about being a black woman in the Tech industry and shares advice and stories that will help you move through challenges you may have in your life. She also tackles her experiences living in the Middle East and how it wasn’t a hindrance in reaching her goals. Tash talks about the power of developing your positive mindset and being patient. Maybe that's what you need too. If you have self-doubt, fear or other challenges in your life, you need to list to this episode with Tash.
[4:38] Ultimately, that’s why we buy things. You’re giving some kind of value, whether it’s intangible and something perceived.
[5:33] Whether you’re online and it’s a downloadable guide for something related to what you’re doing, that’s value.
[6:16] Value is key at every step.
[6:24] We’re living in the information age. People can get information, but the problem is it’s not packaged up in a way that they understand.
[7:33] When people start seeing how your brain is working, they get a sense of how you work and are more likely to close a sale.
[8:25] 500 Startups overall, are venture capital firms, so they fund startups in varying sizes anywhere from pre-seed all the way up to I believe we’ve got some startups in the Series A, B, and sequential range. Usually, we find people when we’re at the startup phase or the pre-seed or seed-stage, and what we also do is we have various accelerator programs globally where we take and incubate startups and help them to raise their seed round.
[9:18] It’s the reason why I started to go to work in Saudi Arabia. So that’s an ecosystem that’s new and up-and-coming. I call it the “Silicon Desert” because I think it has the potential to be a huge hub, especially for people of color and women. 
[13:35] I’m a risk-taker, and I think that’s a huge thing. Being an entrepreneur and a startup founder, you have to be. Because even for the fact you’re trying to build something that has not existed before and the way that you’re building it, you’re a pioneer. 
[15:30] Don’t listen to everything you hear because people can talk all they want, but if they don’t have the experience and they’ve never been there, they're just talking out of thin air.
[16:38] It took getting used to, but it opened my eyes to understanding a whole new culture, a whole new way of life. And again, it gives me exposure on how to deal with startups in that portion of the world because things operate differently.
[22:59] People will take anything out and try to hurt you.
[23:21] I need to follow my gut in life because when I do, really awesome things happen.
[27:09] I got one life. If I get an opportunity, I don’t care what it is. I’m going to say yes. If I think I only got 50% of what it takes to do, I’m going to say yes. And if they give it to me, I’m going to take it. 
[28:39] Many programs are built to help you get out of your own way, understand where your blind spots are in life and move forward to be your best self.
[28:51] If you know that there’s something in you, that’s just not expressed or not fully self-expressed, or something is holding you back, find a really good life coach. Somebody who can help you to bring out the best in you and understand where your blind spots are. 
[31:25] You have to wake up in this morning ritual. The way that you talk to yourself in the mornings and the way that you start your day. Like when you look in the mirror, you have to talk yourself up.
[31:50] I think it’s important for people to know that we had to grow into confidence, and that’s through a lot of self-talk, coaching, and surrounding ourselves with people that lift us.
[32:21] If you can’t tell yourself you’re beautiful, who do you think is going to tell you that you’re beautiful?
[32:56] When you’re looking your best, you can feel your best, and you can bring out your best.  
[33:12] I do it for none of you all. I do it for me, and if that’s something that I need to do on any given day so that I can be a reminder to myself that I am beautiful, worthy, amazing, and special, then I do it.
[33:35] I am my own soulmate. Like you have to fall in love with yourself.
[34:28] We expect other people to make us happy, successful, to give us joy, to give us peace of mind. But you own your own happiness. You’re the owner of your story.
[35:10] You have to fill up your own cup first. You shouldn’t be giving to others when your cup is half full or is almost empty.
[36:25] If you’re not bringing it why would somebody else want to? Bring your A-game all the time. Be ready.
[37:20] Start giving back to yourself before you try to run out there and be everything to everyone or live this lifestyle that you think people want you to live. 
[39:40] Reach out for help. Some people are always here to help you make sure you get the resources, and please don’t let a horrifying health incident be the driver for your life, for getting back in control in your life. 
[40:19] You have to put yourself and your family first. Your career and your business are second.
[43:58] Think about the good things that you have around you. 
[44:34] When you’re stuck, and all you can see is the problem, and you can’t find a solution, until when? Until you calm your mind until you relax your mind and then when you’re in that relaxed state, now you can get into the solution mode.
[44:58] If you’re a very pessimistic person, you miss opportunities, relationships, and blessings because your mind focuses on all the things that aren’t working. 
[46:41] Sometimes, you just need grounding. You just need to reconnect with the world and the energy and just be settled.
[48:21] The whole goal in life is to play more in a happy place than every other place.
[48:56] We’re born to serve.
[50:49] Know the difference between giving and serving and underselling and undervaluing yourself. 
[52:32] If you’re going to become a founder and start working for yourself, please don’t jump on the first thing you think will make you a million dollars or make you a million bucks.
[53:47] If you’re going to take that journey to become an entrepreneur, please let there be passion involved.
[56:14] If only people across the world build up that ability to have empathy by 1%, I think our world would look completely different.
[1:00:05] Life is not guaranteed. Where I’m going to be at is not guaranteed either. Stuff is going to happen, and so I’m just open to the experiences and what life is going to bring me, and I’m not attached to how that’s supposed to look.
[1:00:59] We have to stop being tied to the outcome of things and the way we want things to work.
[1:03:49] If you feel like you’re being pulled towards something, you have to answer that call.
[1:05:06] Reach out and ask for help.
[1:05:34] Make sure that you have people you can call on and remind you of how amazing you are, and you need to cultivate, love, and cherish those relationships.
[1:06:21] Grind means you do whatever it takes to make sure that you hit that goal that you’re going after.
[1:07:03] Gratitude is life. Gratitude is what helps you stay on track. 
 
Links:
Danny Stone Website
Danny Stone Facebook
Danny Stone Instagram
Danny Stone Twitter
Danny Stone LinkedIn
 
Tash Jefferies Instagram
Diversa Website

Ep 13: How to Get Back On Track When Life Has Gotten Out of Control

You may feel overwhelmed by all the challenges and struggles you face in these trying times. You might have gotten stuck or lost in your life and need help to get back on track. You have to realize that what you’re feeling right now is understandable. Everyone is going through tough times. It is not your fault. 
 
In this episode, I will give you seven tips that will help you get back on track when your life has gotten out of control. Maybe these tips can help you cope with the problems you're facing. You can try them and implement them into your life right now when you're ready. 
 
Talk to someone. Speak to a friend or a family member that you trust. Sometimes speaking to people that you love, know, and trust helps you to work through that situation.
Seek out professional help. Look for a counselor or a psychiatrist or even join a group of people who may be experiencing similar challenges.
Do a life audit.
Sometimes, we know that we’re stuck in our lives, or we know that we’ve kind of fallen off and we realize this, but we’re not willing to be completely honest with ourselves about where we are with that. And so, what we do is we end up avoiding it, not talking about it, ducking, and hiding from it. And when you do that, the situation always gets worse.
You have to be honest with yourself.
Determine what your ideal life looks like.
I tried to dream about what it would look like if I had the financial freedom that I wanted. I know it’s counterintuitive to do that when you’re struggling in some area of your life, but that’s what it takes. 
If you continue to focus on the problem, then 90% of your energy goes towards the problem.
If you focus on the solution and where you’re trying to go, then 90% of your energy will go towards that.
Ask yourself this one question, “What am I going to do to get my life back on track?”.
You have to find a quiet place to sit and relax your mind and relax your body. 
You take ten deep breaths in and out, and then you’ll say to yourself “I’m going to get through this. I’m going to get back on track. I will take control of my life.”
When you’re stressed, you can’t come up with answers to your problems. When you feel out of sync, you don’t know how to get back on track.
Look at those one or two areas that you maybe have fallen off the most and focus on those two things right now.
Set a timer for three minutes, and you just write everything down that comes to your mind then what you do is you go back over the list and you look for the ideas that you could implement right away.
The pen and the paper can be so powerful.
Even though the situation may be challenging right now, you can get through it.
Understand that this will pass.
You are the hero of your story. Like every hero, you have to go through challenges and struggles, but at the end of the day, you’ll break through those challenges and come through shining. You’ll save the day.
Be grateful.
When you’re grateful, and you show gratitude, you attract more blessings, you see more opportunities, and more things come your way.
When you have a mindset of gratitude, the universe pays you back.
 
Links:
Danny Stone Website
Danny Stone Facebook
Danny Stone Instagram
Danny Stone Twitter
Danny Stone LinkedIn

Ep 12: Stats About E-learning That Will Make You Start Creating Online Courses and Programs

It doesn’t matter at what age you start to become an entrepreneur, you’re never too young nor too old to share your own knowledge and skills online, reach more people, and make an impact on the world. You can do this at your own pace and with whatever means you’re comfortable in using. The online industry is getting bigger and you must take part in learning how it works, whether you run a brick-and-mortar business or you simply plan to start an online business.
 
In this episode, I’m going to give you stats about E-learning that will make you start creating online courses and programs so that you can help provide information people need around the world and at the same time make money from it without the hassle.
There are opportunities for all of us to turn our knowledge and our skills into online courses and programs.
The average entrepreneur in North America is 40 years old.
I want you to understand that as we’re going through this and as I start breaking down the numbers in terms of how people can make money online selling information, selling courses, selling programs, I want you to know that it’s never too late.
By 2025, E-learning which is the Electronic Learning industry, is going to be $325 billion.
It’s not just professional programs and courses, we’re talking about learning anything. So, you have the information that people need.
Mobile learning can grow to about $78.5 billion worldwide by 2025.
The more that you make learning accessible for people, the more likely that you’re going to get more people engaged in learning.
Self-paced online learning, that market is going to be about $15.86 billion by 2021, and this is only in the U.S.
You don’t have to know how to design a course, there are lots of people out there who can teach you how to design a course.
Even if you have a brick-and-mortar business, even if you have a storefront, even if you have physical products, you can still add an E-learning component to your business.
That’s the brilliance of having an online course or program or information. You can design it once, and make money from it forever.
In 2019, the U.S. Federal Government generated $2.2 billion in revenue through self-paced E-learning products.
If you love your job and you don’t want to leave your job, you can still develop E-learning products and courses and sell them online and it’s not going to interfere with your work. If you don’t love your job, then you can grow your E-learning products and services and advertise to reach more people so that you can scale that business, make more money, and quit your job.
You can help people. You get to help people change their lives, you get to make a greater impact in their lives, you get to see the results of your courses and your programs.
If you’re one of those people who aren’t comfortable being on camera, it’s cool, you don’t have to be. All you have to do is develop a slideshow or presentation or use a talking head and away you go. And that’s the awesome thing about this, it’s all about you and what you feel comfortable doing.
Regardless of the type of business that you have, you have the ability to add a course component.
Links:
Danny Stone Website
Danny Stone Facebook
Danny Stone Instagram
Danny Stone Twitter
Danny Stone LinkedIn

Ep 11: The only 4 changes you need to make to change your life

There are times when people feel stuck in life and uncertain about their future. They feel like nothing’s new and just constantly live in that everyday, ordinary life. Eventually, life gets dull. So why don’t you spice things up and make a change? Step out of the box and enter a new chapter of your life. Bring back the excitement and the thrill of how great it is to be alive.
In this episode, I’m going to give you 4 changes that you need to make if you want to change your life so that you get to try and do new things you never even thought you were capable of. Once you do, you get to learn and experience different perspectives and get fulfillment from achieving them.
[3:02] You're here for a purpose. You have a greater mission. You have people who are looking to you for advice and guidance and looking to see how you wake up and tackle this world every day. 
 [3:33] There's something special about you and you need to find out what it is and you need to pursue excellence and pursue your greatness so that you can be that leader and role model to other people who look to you.
[5:12] Even though I couldn't see it for myself, I thought there must be more to life than just struggling every day financially and emotionally. Struggling with my health, my personal development, and my personal growth. 
[6:27] Change the way you talk to yourself and about yourself. 
[7:30] It starts with you. It starts with you saying to yourself these very amazing and powerful affirmations or mantras.
[9:04] Anytime that you feel that you're about to say something negative about yourself or you have these negative thoughts about your situation, I want you to go to that positive statement. 
[10:16] If you can believe negative words, sentences, and phrases about yourself and you act as if they're true, why can't you switch that up? Why can't you tell yourself how powerful and amazing you are and start to walk in that truth? 
[11:53] Change what you do on a daily basis that isn't serving you in a powerful way. 
[12:43] You really have to do an inventory of how you spend your time and I promise you once you do that, you'll see that you can take that time and probably spend it in ways that are going to help you move your life forward and make it through a situation or get out of this rut you're in or whatever it is that you feel is holding you back. 
[13:20] If you want something different, you have to do something different. 
[14:54] Change your mindset. Changing your language and your actions are going to help you to change your mindset. Like we have to learn to program our minds for success and greatness and to create the life we deserve. 
[15:48] When you can visualize success, when you can see it for yourself, you don't necessarily have to know the "how" but you know that it's going to happen. 
[18:25] Create vision boards, put up images in your home, in your office, in your car, on your smartphone. Put these visuals up of what you're trying to create. 
[20:07] Change your habits. 
[20:14] Actions make habits. 
[21:17] Play more towards the habits that are going to move you through fear, self-doubt, challenging situations, and areas of your life that you're just struggling or you find challenging.  
[23:17] Massive action is necessary for massive change. 
[24:37] Habits are powerful because what you do every day automatically is going to determine your level of success, happiness, and joy in your life. 
Links:
Danny Stone Website
Danny Stone Facebook
Danny Stone Instagram
Danny Stone Twitter
Danny Stone LinkedIn

Ep 10: 5 Ways Coaching Can Help You Power Up Your Life and Business

People tend to make bad decisions and get lost in their goals. Usually, you seek out people that have similar experiences or mentors that have been there and done that. But what if that isn’t enough and you need a professional! Someone who is focused on helping you get clear about what you really want, identify your blind spots, and give you strategies to accomplish your goals and dreams.
In this episode, I’m going to give you 5 ways coaching helps power up your life and your business so that you can find clarity in what you want and reach your full potential to achieve.
[2:27] When you look at every successful person, regardless of their profession, of what they do, and of the impact that they make, every single one of them has a coach. 
[3:00] We need to go to people who have the information that we need that will stop us from making mistakes and struggling. 
[4:40] I was just fed up with living life in the middle that I began to consider coaching. 
[5:20] I want you to have the clarity that you're seeking. I want you to know what you want in all areas of your life. I want you to be able to build your own personal brand, to make a greater impact in the world, and to do what you love for a living. 
[6:17] Everything goes from you thinking things are impossible in your life, to possible, to you actually taking action in doing it, to achieving it. 
[6:53] Coaching can help you to gain more clarity in your life. 
[8:07] Once you're clear, now you can get focused. 
[8:36] Coaching really helps you to shift your mindset. 
[11:23] It's not always about knowing exactly what your next step is, it's about having the mindset to know that you'll figure it out along the way. 
[12:41] Coaching is all about accountability. 
[13:22] Really great coaches are only holding you accountable to do what you say you want to do for yourself and I think that's the key. Like with coaching, nobody's telling you what to do. 
[16:11] Accountability can move you quickly on the decisions that you know you already need to make. 
[16:32] Coaching can help you to realize your blind spots. 
[17:40] Sometimes you have these things that are holding you back that you don't even realize. They can be things from your childhood, from situations that you've been through, past failures, or failed relationships. Things that you might not see that a really good coach can help you to understand. 
[18:48] Coaching taps in your creativity. 
[19:27] We need to be creative, to be able to do fun things, to be able to color outside the lines, to be able to dream big. And when you can't do that, you feel limited. 
[20:52] Once I got permission and gave myself permission to dream big, to be creative, to be resilient, to explore, that's when my whole life opened up.
[22:15] You don't need a coach to tell you to be more creative or to give you permission to be creative. I'm just saying that they helped me to realize that I could become more creative. 
[23:09] With the right coach, you can step outside of who you are and start to see something bigger for yourself. 
[24:21] There are lots of different ways to get coaching. You can get direct coaching from somebody, whether it's one-on-one or group coaching. You can follow somebody, you can follow their work, you can take their courses and programs, read their books, and go to their seminars.
Links:
Danny Stone Website
Danny Stone Facebook
Danny Stone Instagram
Danny Stone Twitter
Danny Stone LinkedIn

Ep 9: How to Build Unshakeable Confidence

Lacking confidence is something that a lot of people experience that’s also keeping them from achieving goals. When a seemingly difficult or new task is coming our way, some of us imagine the worst-case scenario right away. This is what holds us back in our lives. This is what keeps us from becoming successful.
Let me share with you 8 tips from the lessons I’ve learned along the way into having that unshakeable confidence. All these tips have helped me make major shifts in my life and helped me to overcome my fears and self-doubt. 
[5:01] Spend time understanding who you really are.
[7:02] Catch, release, and replace negative thoughts.
[7:21] Ask yourself, why am I thinking this? Where does this come from?
[11:29] Do it scared. You just have to acknowledge that you’re just not in the most confident state right now. You’re still gonna do it coz you know you’ll make it through.
[12:23] The fear is not as great as you think. We always think about the worst outcome. Instead of making it the opposite and thinking how powerful and positive it could be.
[12:57] Keep an I am list. Make a list of all the amazing things you love about yourself.
[15:00] Stop thinking about the worst-case scenarios and start thinking about the best-case scenarios.
[15:29] Focus on how you will feel once you take action. Who you will become once you take action.
[15:55] Learn more. Learn more about yourself. Learn more about the situation. Learn more about the topic you’re presenting on. Learn more about the audience you’re speaking to. Learn more about the challenging situations you have to confront.
[16:22] The more prepared that you are, the more confident you will be.
[16:52] Preparation is knowing yourself.
[17:25] When you can speak about something from a position of understanding, you’re going to get more confident. You’ll be more confident than when you do nothing.
[18:20] Be around people who make you feel confident. 
[21:09] My mentors and coaches saved my life.
[23:22] If you’re the type of person who’s lacking confidence or lacking self-esteem, let me tell you, there’s something special about you. 
Links:
Danny Stone Website
Danny Stone Facebook
Danny Stone Instagram
Danny Stone Twitter
Danny Stone LinkedIn

Ep 8: How to Start a Business With No Money

You can become a freelancer or your own consultant right now, completely with no money down. All you simply have to do is sign up for a lot of these websites that already have people who are looking for somebody with your skills, apply for those gigs, and then start doing the work and start getting paid.
The world is changing. Most products and services are moving online. Digitizing brick-and-mortar businesses is something you must adapt to reach more people around the world. Figure out your own skills that could be shared online and use them to start a business.
In this episode, I’m going to give you 7 things you can do to start an online business with no money so that you can share your passion, help people with their needs, and at the same time earn from it in the virtual world.
[2:03] Find something that you are passionate about and figure out a way to monetize that. 
[2:58] You can sell your skills. 
[3:44] A large proponent of your business has to be digital or online because the world is changing. And also, having online services or products allow you to reach so many more people. 
[5:50] If you have skills, you can monetize those as a freelancer or as a consultant. 
[8:54] You can become a freelancer on your own and start applying to jobs either online or through word of mouth. 
[9:57] Affiliate marketing is about you, finding products and services that you like, promoting them, and getting paid to do that. 
[10:41] Affiliate marketing can be quite lucrative for some people, especially if you have a lot of followers on social media or you have a large email list. 
[12:59] A monthly membership is basically where every month, you decide that you're going to put out some information or teach something to a group of people. 
[13:25] Try an online membership. People pay a monthly membership then you do online teaching. 
[16:05] You can develop a step-by-step process, turn that into an online course, and you can start selling that course right now.
[16:35] Here's the great thing about developing an online course, you develop it once and you sell it forever. 
[18:20] The great thing about a coaching program is that you're teaching people to live again. It's kind of similar to a monthly membership but with a coaching program, there's more of a start and an endpoint. Monthly memberships can go on for years but coaching programs have a designated kind of start and end to a program. 
[19:30] Anything that you know, you can teach and put that into a program. 
[22:27] You can start by just getting a group of people together, on the phone, or on a video call and just walk them into a process. 
[22:44] Drop shipping is where you buy and sell other people's products. It's kind of like affiliate marketing except you can sell products that you don't even have. 
[23:29] The great thing about dropshipping is, a lot of it can be white-label, meaning that you can put your own company name on it, you can make up a company name, and get them to put it on your product. 
[25:13] Digital products can be information packages, e-books, and audios that you sell online. 
[28:13] Always start with something that you're passionate about, curious about, and lights a fire under you and then figure out a way to monetize that in some type of digital form or online, even if you are doing bricks and mortar. 
Links:
Danny Stone Website
Danny Stone Facebook
Danny Stone Instagram
Danny Stone Twitter
Danny Stone LinkedIn

Ep 7: The Power of Telling Your Story in Your Business

What is it that really makes a brand stand out? Why do people flock to certain brands? Is it the product or quality of the service or is it something else? Maybe it’s the story behind the brand or maybe it’s the story being told to the potential customer.
If you’re running a business or planning to start one, you must learn how to differentiate your brand from other competitors. Take a look at who you are and what you have to offer that would contribute to the success of your business.
In this episode, I’m going to give you 7 reasons why telling your story in your business gives so much power to your brand and at the same time to remind you to be unique for your business to stand out.
[1:40] Get an understanding of your own personal journey and the things that you've had to overcome, the wins that you've had, the things that you've learned. But also, to attract potential customers, to strengthen and deepen your relationship with your current customers. 
 
[2:42] Your story is powerful, regardless if you have a business or not. 
[3:00] There are people out there that need to hear your story, your personal story. 
[3:36] Sometimes, we have these blockers. Sometimes, there are things we've encountered in our lives and we just kind of lock it away. Because we lock it away, it stops us from moving forward in our life. 
[4:36] A lot of us need to understand that we have a platform. Whether you have social media, whether you have friends and family that you connect with, whether you have a podcast or a blog. 
[5:32] There are ways where you can deliver parts of your story. There are ways you can use that knowledge in your business to build your brand, to strengthen that relationship between your clients, or as a part of your Unique Selling Proposition. 
[5:55] Really knowing yourself as an individual can help you tap into the things that will make you successful in your business. 
[6:09] Think about it, every commercial, advertisement, and marketing funnel that you see, all have to deal with a story. They're all trying to tell you a story. 
[7:14] Telling your story in your business helps you realize your own journey. 
[7:31] We're not really acknowledging the strength, courage, and successes. A lot of us just keep it locked away sometimes because our past is just way too painful. But sometimes, even in that pain, we have to learn how to release that so it does not manifest itself in very negative and harmful ways. 
[9:06] You get to help others with your story. 
[9:59] No matter what you're going through or what you've been through, no matter how low you think you've been in your life or how high, there are people out there that need to hear your story because that will motivate and inspire them to keep going. 
[10:50] Once I started sharing my story, while I was working in the corporate world, people really started opening up about things that have happened in their own life. 
[11:44] I am who I am because of my mistakes, faults, challenges, successes, wins, and relationships. 
[12:25] Know your wins, what's important now. 
[12:55] Oftentimes, we just focus so much on the business that we get away from our wins. Then what happens is, other areas in our life start to suffer tremendously. 
[14:51] Sometimes, you're just going to be crazy busy growing your business. Other times, you kind of have to step back and take care of yourself, health, and wellness. 
[15:02] I have to start every day consciously. 
[16:07] Oftentimes, we're afraid to allow people to get to know us a little bit more. We're afraid to pull back the curtain and to share with people because there's this line of professionalism that we don't want to cross. 
[16:36] Once I started opening up to people, once I started sharing things about myself, personal things, that's when people really started developing this deeper connection with me. 
[17:57] There really is power in being vulnerable. 
[18:29] You have to make your "why" bigger than your whining. 
[19:10] You have to have this mission and this vision for what you're trying to create in this world. And it has to be so big, that nobody can talk you out of it. 
[19:29] A lot of times business owners lose sight of what it is that they're trying to achieve, they lose sight of why they started the business in the first place. 
[19:47] When you know your "why", you know where you're going and nothing can throw you off. 
[20:29] Tell your story in your business because it's going to help you get clear about your message and what you're trying to communicate with your potential customers. 
[22:45] Once you understand who you are and what you stand for, it's going to help you differentiate yourself from your competitors and also forge that deeper connection with potential customers and clients. 
[23:13] Your Unique Selling Proposition is what makes you stand out from your competitors. 
[24:43] You have value to add to this world, you have something to give, you have something to share. 
 
Show your support for the podcast and become a patron and member and receive exclusive content, resources, and coaching:
https://www.patreon.com/grindandgratitude
 
Links mentioned in this episode:
Goal-Achievement System
Danny Stone Website
Danny Stone Facebook
Danny Stone Instagram
Danny Stone Twitter
Danny Stone LinkedIn

Ep 6: Powerful Habits to Level up Your Life and Business

How do I level up my life and my business? A lot of people ask me this in one form or another. It’s not about one simple thing, it’s about developing the right habits. 
If you’ve been feeling stuck for some time now, this is the nudge that will get you to finally look at your actions and see if they’re healthy habits. Take charge of your life and make that decision to set yourself up for success.
In this episode, I’m going to give you 5 powerful habits and remind you of the most important thing you should be taking care of so you can complete all those actions required to achieve your goals.
[1:12] Successful people talk about their habits and mindset.
[2:38] I was feeling stuck in my life, I was feeling left behind, I was feeling forgotten. I felt like everybody was moving past me and I was standing still. 
[3:25] When you make a decision to do something different, when you make a decision that you are going to make a commitment to changing your life, to change your habits, one day at a time, then that's when everything begins to shift and you begin to go from everything is impossible, to maybe it's possible, to do it. 
[4:55] The morning ritual are the things you love to do, that you look forward to doing, that is going to really shift your mindset, create more peace and calm in your life, and really start your day on that positive note.  
[6:14] There are 5 Ms that I think most of us should incorporate to our morning ritual: Meaning, Meditation, Mantra, Movement, and Mindful Journaling. 
[6:53] When you wake up in gratitude, you program your mind to be grateful for the things that you have, then it's difficult to focus on the things that you don't have. 
[7:36] Meditation doesn't have to be this hour-long, sitting in silence, humming thing. There are so many different forms of meditation. 
[8:31] If you can take 3-5, to 10 minutes every morning and just meditate and clear your mind, it creates more peace and calm, reduces stress, and really increases your mental, spiritual, and physical health. 
[9:06] A lot of people believe in affirmations and mantras because you are what you say you are. 
[10:54] Most of us understand that affirmations work in the negative sense. 
[11:48] If you're gonna believe one truth, why not believe the truth is gonna serve you well. The truth is really gonna help you. 
[13:56] When I exercise, sometimes, I solve problems that I didn't know I could solve. 
[14:16] There is so much power in writing things down. 
[15:39] Having a bedtime routine sets up the next day for success. 
[18:03] When I started taking sleep more seriously, I realized the benefits of having a great sleep. I would wake up with energy, focus, and clarity. 
[19:20] If you want a new life, if you want to level up your life or your business, then you know you have to be a goal-getter. 
[19:56] You have to take massive action towards your goals and your dreams every single day. But first, you have to get clear about what it is that you really want. Then, you have to map it out. 
[20:10] Find the right people to connect with. Find people who are already goal getters. 
[20:30] Freedom requires discipline. 
[20:54] Once I started getting consistent with my goals, that's when my life really started shifting. 
[21:45] Health is wealth. Without your health, you have nothing. 
[23:48] Maybe you need to make your health and wellness a priority and once you do that, you'll notice other areas of your life improving as well. 
[25:18] We really have to focus on being of service to other people. There's that quote that says "If you wanna be a millionaire, help a million people". 
[26:32] Implement new habits into your life that are going to serve you well, serve you better than the habits that you have right now. 
 
Show your support for the podcast and become a patron and member and receive exclusive content, resources, and coaching:
https://www.patreon.com/grindandgratitude
 
Links mentioned in this episode:
Goal-Achievement System
Danny Stone Website
Danny Stone Facebook
Danny Stone Instagram
Danny Stone Twitter
Danny Stone LinkedIn