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šŸ’Ŗ I have a secret weapon. It's the reason behind my success... Oct 17, 2023

I have amazing friends.

Not just any friends; people that I could call at 2 a.m. (if I was in trouble) friends.

Today, one of those friends gets a little older.

This man helped me...

Launch my speaking business (8-years-ago) and my podcast (3-years-ago).

He's been there for me through thick and thin. ...

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Words Oct 17, 2023

Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words
Words

…matter!Ā  Choose them very carefully!

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BIG MISTAKE! 🤯 Oct 17, 2023

Constable & Robinson was the first publisher approached by J.K Rowling.Ā 

They turned Harry Potter down.

They suggested that Rowling take a writing class because they thought her work stunk.

She went on to sell over 500,000,000 books.

Just because some people don’t like your work, it doesn’t mean that ...

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The Story of BenefitsDNA Oct 17, 2023

When I finished recording this episode, I sat in complete silence because I had to fully process the stories that Justin Leader shared with me.

When your mission and vision are so powerful that you can bring people to tears, you know you're having an impact.

Check out the full conversation.

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Last year, I made a decision. 😬 Oct 10, 2023

At the time, it was a huge risk.

I made the decision while staring at El Capitan (in Yosemite) with my wife.

For those of you who aren't aware, a climber named Alex Honnold free-soloed the mountain, meaning he climbed without any ropes.

He was asked why in the world he would do such a thing, and he s...

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Wanna build a story right now? Answer this question… Oct 09, 2023

What is a secret you kept from people for way too long?Ā 

Here, I’ll go first.Ā Almost everything that I start, I have an inferiority complex with.Ā It took me hundreds of talks before I felt comfortable speaking, it took me writing an article every week for 2 years to feel comfortable writing, and it ...

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All of the dead bodies were clutching their tools. Oct 06, 2023

ā€œTool subductionā€ not only kills a climber's chance at reaching the top of the mountain, but it could also destroy your business.

You could be too focused on the ā€œtoolsā€ and not on the right strategy.

ā€œLack of strategic clarity leads to tactical frustration.ā€

-Don Schmincke

If you’re working you...

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Why Some Leaders Suffer | Stories With Traction Podcast Oct 06, 2023

SHOW NOTES:

SUMMARY: In this episode, Don Schmincke and Matt Zaun talk about why a lack of strategic clarity leads to tactical frustration.

DON SCHMINCKE BIO: For over 35 years, Don and his team have consulted and trained executives in North America, South America, Europe, and India. Additionally, the...

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Just a dozen days ā€˜til I speak at the Charlotte Motor Speedway! Oct 05, 2023

My 9-year-old son Elliot told me to buy some NASCAR stuff to get mentally prepared.

I’ll be doing 3 strategic storytelling workshops there!

If my audiences apply what I share, they’ll speed up their…

Sales
GrowthĀ 
and Impact

Can’t wait for these talks!

T-minus 12 days.Ā šŸšŸŽšŸ˜Ž

P.S. my son also took this pict...

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Don't tell people about all the great work you're doing. Oct 04, 2023

First they laugh.Ā 

Then they can’t believe it.Ā 

Then they deny that they doubted you in the first place.Ā 

Success zips a lot of mouths.  🤐

Don't tell people about all the great work you're doing.Ā  Show them.Ā 

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Scroll-stopping... Oct 04, 2023

...easy-to-read...Ā 

…and scannable...

This is the content that LinkedIn loves.

Writing outstanding content is not even close to enough; you MUST optimize your posts to stand out.

Here are 7Ā tips to create scroll-stopping, scannable, and easy-to-read content on LinkedIn...

1) Use simple words

2) Write sho...

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HAVING ANOTHER BABY! Oct 03, 2023

Creating this baby took work.

You all laugh, but it takes a lot of energy.

Oh, we’re not having another kid.

I'm talking about my new strategic storytelling course.

It's been my baby for the last couple of months.

My wife told me to focus on it.Ā She saidĀ lots of people are missing out on the storytell...

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I remember several years ago hitting rock bottom. Oct 02, 2023

I took a significant financial risk and lost, putting my family in a very difficult position.Ā 

The night it all came crashing down, I sat on my couch crying since I knew how tough the road ahead would be.Ā 

My wife sat down next to me and said, ā€œyou need to keep going. I want you to keep pursuing you...

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Today is Jimmy Carter’s 99th Birthday! Oct 01, 2023

He's the longest-living President in U.S. history. Recently, I was speaking in Atlanta and had the chance to check out his Presidential Library.

Many of you know how much I enjoy going to Presidential Libraries, regardless of which party the person represented.

So far, I’ve been to LBJ, Ronald Reaga...

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My 5-year-old has an issue. šŸ‘‡ Sep 30, 2023

He can't stand ā€œbad guysā€ in movies.

Freaks him out.

But aren't we all allergic to adversity?

In the moment, we want it to be easy.Ā 

That doesn't make a great story, though, does it?

Next time you have a difficult client that you figure out how to deliver for, you need to capture the story.

You can use ...

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ā€œPeople will judge you by how you look, speak, and write, so...ā€ Sep 30, 2023

āž”ļø Make sure you know how to dress for the situation

āž”ļø You know how to speak to connect

āž”ļø You write short, clear, and for impact

...that's what my Father told me when I was growing up.

When I went into business, my Dad’s words came rushing back.

Simple.Ā True.Ā Impactful.

Don't overcomplicate it.


Have a...

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3 quarters through the year with the Stories With Traction Podcast! Sep 29, 2023

I’ve learned so much from the stories and insights of my guests.Ā 

Ā 

Check out the episodes so far…


š—š—®š—»

Jan 6 - Part 1 | Six Figure Sales Secrets with Marcus A. ChanĀ 

Jan 13 - Part 2 | Six Figure Sales Secrets with Marcus A. Chan

Jan 20 - Be Intentional With Your Giving with Dan Koval

Jan 27 - Part 1 ...

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Strategic Networking | Stories With Traction Podcast Sep 29, 2023

EPISODES MENTIONED IN INTRO:

Stories of Leadership
How to Get Involved in Politics
How to Build a Legacy
How Hobbies Make You More Creative

SHOW NOTES:

SUMMARY:
In this episode, Terence Farrell and Matt Zaun discuss how to have intentionality and strategy behind networking.

TERENCE FARRELL BIO: Terence ...

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Share more stories Sep 28, 2023

ā€œMatt, what stories do I tell to connect with my clients?ā€Ā 

ā€œMatt, how much time do I need to focus on this?ā€Ā 

ā€œMatt, I already have some stories; why should I work on new ones?ā€Ā 

*that last one is my favorite.Ā 

As if I'm going to say, ā€œyeah, just keep sharing the same story your company has shared ...

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Lessen your chance of heart disease through shopping? Sep 27, 2023

Years ago, Meyer Friedman (a cardiologist) recommended something to his highly stressed patients who were at greater risk of developing heart disease.

He told them to take the longest line at the grocery store to practice inner peace.

Sounds simple, huh?

A peaceful mindset comes with practice.

I’m seei...

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Sex causes twice as many accidents. Sep 27, 2023

Ok, now that I have your attentionšŸ‘‡

In the U.S., there are approximately one million car accidents and 200 deaths each year because vehicles collide with deer.

During mating season, known as ā€œthe rut,ā€ deer are twice as likely to get hit by a car.

Why is this?

During the rut, deer are more focused on ...

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It's been a wild ride so far this year. Sep 26, 2023

I've worked my guts out for my clients. More miles flown and driven than I’d care to admit.

I've decided to get off the road for 2 weeks and spend time with family. My travel schedule will pick back up mid-Oct.

In the meantime, check out some cool spots so far this year...

-Miami, Florida
-Montour, Id...

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Can You Hold an Audience’s Attention? Sep 25, 2023

You probably don’t know who Max Martin is (without Googling). Don’t worry. Over the years, I’ve talked to hundreds of people about Max Martin, and I’ve never come across anyone who knows who he is. Although, if I were to ask you if you know who Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Britney Spears, Celine Dio...

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I've learned to appreciate when my Linkedin content bombs šŸ’£... Sep 25, 2023

1. It keeps my ego in checkĀ 

2. It teaches me what people don't resonate with

3. It gives me the opportunity to do better

We all want our content to be engaging, but sometimes it's not.Ā 

This isn't necessarily a bad thing; it's a great learning opportunity.Ā 


What's the #1 takeaway for you when your po...

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