Braveity is the brief moment when you have made the decision to act brave. It only takes a moment but has a tremendous impact.
In 30 seconds, you can share how much you appreciate someone.
With only a quick video, audio message, email or text, you can have a powerful impact on someone's day while also building a relationship.
In this episode, I share 3 personal examples of short videos of appreciation and how you can apply this method right away.
Jeff Noel joins me on this episode of The Jody Maberry Show to ask me three questions.
Here are the questions Jeff asks:
Why did you drive a day and a half round-trip to go to Glacier National Park?
Jeff Noel asked me to meet him at Glacier National Park. It was an offer I couldn't refuse. In total, I spent more than 30 hours on the road driving to meet Jeff. Time is the most valuable gift you can give to someone. Especially if it is not easy time to give.
What's our most impossible dream?
At the moment, I don't have an impossible dream. But just a few years ago, I would have thought what I get to do now is impossible. So I know the impossible can happen, I just haven't set my sites on one big dream.
What do you love about being a parent?
The long term project of watching all the work you put in help kids develop into humans.
Jeff Noel even snuck in an extra fourth question. You will have to listen to the episode to find out what it is, though.
If you enjoy hearing Jeff on this episode, check out his new podcast If Disney Ran Your Life.
This episode of The Jody Maberry Show was inspired by a recent iTunes review of the podcast.
Part of the review states, "Jody is a bit like the Garrison Keillor of business podcasting..."
Reading that reminds me of the time I met Garrison Keillor in Seattle.
After one of his live events, I had the chance to get some books signed by Garrison. He took the time to admire my tie. He told me I married the prettiest girl in the San Juan Islands. He made an effort to make us feel special, even though we were there to see him.
You can take the time to do the same for people around you. Call it service. Call it going the extra inch. I call it a Beau Geste, or a beautiful gesture.
All it takes is one beautiful gesture to have an impact.
Aaron Walker joins the Jody Maberry Show to talk about working with a Mentor
Here are the 5 Things I remind myself every day.
"Do your best and forgive yourself" is a quote from Admiral Payne.
And it is included in one of the questions I answer this week.
Mike Simmons, from the Catalyst Sale Podcast, asks me three questions;
Who is your favorite Marvel character and why?
What are the 3 key themes you have noticed through all of your experience?
What does "Do your best and forgive yourself" mean to you?
For 2019, I am playing by new rules.
Here are the new rules for 2019;
Urgency
Play
Sleep
I Will
One Thing at a Time
On this episode of the Jody Maberry Show, I examine how it only takes 5 minutes to create magic for customers.
Jeff Noel has preached how you don't have to go the extra mile to Wow a customer. All you have to do is go the extra inch. Do that one little thing you don't have to do.
During a visit to LensCrafters, someone went the extra inch and it absolutely delighted me. And it made me realize all it takes is five minutes to do something special for a customer.
One inch in five minutes and you can create a situation where a customer tells other people about you.
To go deeper into the subject, I talk with Dan Cockerell - former Vice President of the Magic Kingdom, Phil Gaines - former Director of South Carolina State Parks, and Lee Cockerell - former executive vice president of Walt Disney World.
On this episode of The Jody Maberry Show, we are joined by Jeff Noel.
Jeff shares a story about the Magic Kingdom that illustrates what happens when you give employees the freedom to create magic.
While on a family road trip, we listened to the book Ask an Astronaut.
My kids loved the book and have been asking questions about space. It all reminds me of how curious I was about space when I was a kid.
And that reminds me of a time a few years back when my son attended a space camp at the local library. On the final day, Astronaut John Fabian came to speak to the students.
No way was I going to miss the opportunity to hear an astronaut speak, so I snuck into the room.
On this episode of the Jody Maberry Show is about what I learned when John Fabian spoke to the kids about his time in space.
Recently, my daughter came with me on a trip to Nashville. We had a tremendous time together, but it wasn't all about having fun.
Here are the lessons I learned from traveling with my daughter.
R&R will help you catch your breath: When I saw R & R, I am not talking about rest and relaxation. Instead, I mean reconsider and refuse. In order to bring my daughter on a business trip with me, I needed to reconsider what work I am doing and refuse some projects. Doing so allowed me to catch my breath and enjoy my trip.
The Way Things Are Supposed to be is Getting in Your Way: Just because things are done a certain way doesn't mean they should be done that way. Policies, procedures, and tradition could be getting in your way of getting big work done.
I need to Make it Worth Your Time: If I am going to be on the road and away from my family, I need to make it worth your time or I am wasting my time.
Don't let perfect get in the way of done: Too often, we let the pursuit of perfect get in the way of just getting the work done.
We need to play more often: Sometimes all we need to do is play.
Ask for Advice not a job: If you ask for a job, you will get advice. If you ask for advice you will get a job.
Time is more important than anything else: Forbes Riley told me she had everything she wanted, now all she was after was more time to enjoy what she has. Her comment inspired me to pursue the time to enjoy now, rather than later after I feel like I have accomplished everything I wanted.
Anna Powers returns this episode to ask me three questions.
What is your favorite color?
There is only one color that has gotten me a hug from a stranger because I was wearing it. How can that not be my favorite color?
What is my favorite country I have visited?
Canada. Outside of the United States, Canada is the only country I have been to.
What is next for Jody Maberry?
In 2019, I have 3 projects I am looking forward to; my upcoming course about podcasting, the book I am writing, live events with Lee Cockerell.
You can use your experience to help people achieve their dreams.
Anna Powers is an example of how you can tap into your experience and knowledge to help someone else.
Anna achieved her dream of becoming an attorney, but a book became a thorn in her side that led her in a new direction.
Dan Miller's book, 48 Days to the Work You Love, caught her attention. Anna purchased the book so she could prove you could not find work you love in only 48 days. It took her 7 years, after all, to become an attorney.
By the time Anna had finished reading the book, she realized the message in the book was true. And she was inspired to become a coach to help other people find work they loved.
As Anna transition from being an attorney to coaching other people, she realized how important her time and training as an attorney helped her help other people.
Nothing is wasted. Experience and knowledge from your past will propel you into your next adventure.
Take your own background and skills to build what you have now.
You don't need to be an attorney or park ranger to bring your backstory into what you do today. Whatever your background is, you picked up skills you can bring forward to your new stage in life.
Energy is not generated by a bolt of lighting. It is generated by friction. Get out there and make something happen.
Ann has created this Sales page template to help you create a sales page to give you a place to start.
You can find Anna Powers the web, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.
Recently, Lee Cockerell and I hosted a one-day mastermind event in Orlando.
Twelve people from around the country joined us to discuss opportunities and challenges they have in their business.
Even though I help Lee host the event, I know I walk away learning more than anyone else. Here are six lessons I learned during the mastermind.
Choose the better story: When faced with two options, choose the one that will create a better story for you or your family. T
Take care of yourself: You can't take care of others if you haven't taken care of yourself first. Take care of yourself, then your family, then your career.
Quit Feeling Guilty: Do your best and then forgive yourself.
Let it go: You don't always have to have the last word or always be understood. Let it go. And the more often you let it go, the easier it will be to let it go next time.
People aren't always happy for you: When you become great, not everyone will be happy for you. Be great anyway.
Talk behind people's backs: Start saying good things about people when they are not around and see what happens.
In the last episode, Jason Swenk joined the Jody Maberry Show to talk about being recommendable.
Now, Jason returns to ask me three questions.
What was my scariest moment as a park ranger?
You will have to listen to the episode to hear this story. But I will tell you there was one night where I was concerned if I was going to make it back home to see my family. But faced with a tough situation, you have to find the courage to take the next step.
What is the one thing holding me back from launching my book?
Myself. It is that simple. But the book is in process and slowly coming along.
What is your worst client story and what would I change?
Once, I had to fire a client. Also, once, I was fired by a client. Both had similarities. Understanding what happened in both cases led me to understand how important it is to have clarity. Clarity in the work and expectations. But also clarity in who I should and should not work with.
Are you on Instagram? Me, too. You can find me here.
Jason Swenk was recommended as a guest by Aaron Walker. I mention that because I turn down nearly all requests to be a guest on the podcast. Since most episodes are just me, there simply is not room to have many guests. Usually, if I have a guest, it is already someone I know and have a relationship with.
But when Aaron Walker suggested Jason Swenk as a guest, I considered it. Once I did research on Jason, I knew he would be a great fit for the show.
Even though Jason has accomplished so much, the conversation has to start with the recommendation, though. What is a recommendation worth? What does it mean to recommendable?
Here is the other important thing about this interview...I messed it up. We recorded once and I strayed from my system and deleted the interview. I had to go back to Jason and let him know I made a mistake and ask if we could record again.
Jason creates so much content he is on a different level than most of us. In this interview, Jason explains why he creates so much content and what he does with it to serve more people. As Jason creates more and more content, it becomes easier to find out who he is and what he believes.
And that takes us back to the recommendation from Aaron Walker. Creating as much content as Jason has, someone like Aaron can get to know him. You can tell he is different and has something to say. Creating content has made Jason recommendable.
There lies the secret of this conversation...keep creating content until you have something to stand on. Keep creating until you become recommendable.
Once you get recommendable people will recommend you.
Here are all the places you can find Jason.
Recently, I had the pleasure of spending a couple days exploring Glacier National Park with some friends.
During my time in the beautiful mountains of Montana, I noticed a few things. Of course, I am going to share what I learned with you.
Here are the lessons from Glacier National Park;
Every day is a gift
Policies and procedures can get in the way
What you put out comes back to you
Time is the most valuable thing you can invest in someone
Are we connected on Social Media? You can find me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Recently, I returned from the Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop in Austin, TX, hosted by Great Escape Publishing. I team up with Great Escape Publishing to host their podcast, Great Escape Radio.
While I was at the Workshop, something big happened. The 20th anniversary of the day I moved away from my hometown of Peoria, IL was while I was in Austin.
On the day of the anniversary, I posted on Facebook to commemorate the special day. The post got some wonderful responses from people;
"I Love This"
"What a great story"
"You're amazing!! You carve out the life you wanted to live...proud of you!!"
There were many comments like this, all cheering me on for such a bold move. And someone sent me a private message asking me why I left everything I knew and set out with no money and no job prospects.
In this episode of The Jody Maberry Show, I examine why my big move still gets so much fanfare 20 years later. Why do people congratulate me? Why do people ask me why I did it?
We will discuss that and more on this episode.
During my time as a Park Ranger, I learned many lessons that still serve me today.
One Ranger taught me how a smile can save your day. In this episode, I tell the story of a Park Ranger who got stuck in an outhouse.
How did she get out? And how does it impact you?
To get the story, you will how to listen to the episode. Below, are the 4 lessons I took from the story.
Patterns are important. There are times when the right processes and procedures will get you out of trouble.
Avoid Patterns. The safety and routine of patterns can keep you from the creativity and ideas you need.
Celebrate. Take teme to celebrate. With so much work to do, we don't celebrate enough.
Smile. If there is one thing we learn from Ranger Sims, it is that a smile can save your day.
On the last episode, John Saccheri joined the show to talk about building a brand based on your personality.
Now, John returns to ask me three questions.
What did you do before you do what you do now?
Financial Analyst. I measured interest rate risk for a commercial bank. This job was as exciting as it sounds. But it did give me a strong background in numbers, which serves me well today.
Park Ranger. Becoming a park ranger was the fulfillment of a boyhood dream. I would not be who I am today without having been a park ranger.
Marketing Manager. This job was the catalyst for launching my own business to help businesses with marketing.
John asking this question reminds me, your background is not as important as you think it is. People are concerned with what you are doing now and what direction you are heading. Your background is not as important as you fear. Or as important as you hope, depending on how you look at it.
Don't let your background get in your way.
When was the last time Lee Cockerell surprised me with something he said on Creating Disney Magic?
Although I do know what direction each episode of Creating Disney Magic will go, every once in a while I am surprised. As an example, we did an episode where we talked about people who get by doing as little as possible while they wait for retirement to arrive. Lee's opinion on the topic was stronger than I expected it would be. You can listen to that episode here.
How important is family?
This could either be the easiest or hardest questions anyone has asked. Easy because my family is the most important thing in my life. Hard because how do I explain it? Well, I do my best on the episode to explain what family means to me.
John Saccheri has built a brand based on the power of his personality.
John, also known as Big Fat Panda, has created a YouTube channel based on weaving his personality into his love for Disney.
The creation of the Big Fat Panda brand is a story of love and hard work. What began as John creating videos to show his experience at Disney, has led to getting added to the Disney media list. Now, John can be found at all of the Disney events, invited by Disney because Big Fat Panda has become an influential brand.
John was just being himself when Disney noticed him and the work he was doing. This is an important lesson for anyone trying to build a personal brand. Be yourself. Your personality is the best thing you can bring to any of the work you do.
John advises us to put more of yourself into your videos, blogs, or podcasts. If you are working on something you love, you are more likely to infuse more of your personality and opinion into the work.
John on Facebook - Big Fat Panda
John on Twitter - @BigFatPandaShow
John on YouTube - Big Fat Panda Show
Phil Gaines, Director of South Carolina State Parks, recently retired after 27 years with the agency.
On his last day as Director, Phil did one final act of leadership that has people talking. What does a true leader do on his last day?
Well, if that leader is Phil Gaines, he returns to the same park where he began his career, 37 years to the day he first worked at that park. He didn't return to the park for a ceremony.
Phil Gaines spent the day working. He cleaned the bathrooms. He picked up trash. He talked with campers.
Phil orchestrated the perfect ending to a great story.
On this episode, Phil talks about his final day with South Carolina State Parks.
Phil also offers advice to leaders;
1. Focus on the Journey. Joy is found in doing, not finishing.
2. Leave Your Mark.
3. Document your journey and enjoy the ride.
We are celebrating on this episode of The Jody Maberry Show.
This episode marks the milestone of 100 episodes.
To help me celebrate three people join me.
Jared Easley from Starve the Doubts podcast and the Co-Founder of Podcast Movement.
From Jared we get 3 lessons:
Mike Simmons from Catalyst Sale joins us to talk about his experience with the Catalyst Sale podcast.
And Mike Kim, who was with me on the first episode of the Jody Maberry Show, stops by to say congratulations and tell us what he has been up to the past few months.
After talking with all three people, a common theme emerged about just sticking with it and the opportunities will come.
I also noticed that all three of them started with an idea and then made something happen with it. The difference is they decided to act today.
This could be the day it all changes for you, too. Today could be the day where it all begins. You just have to decide so and then make the first step.