Do You Stitcher?

Do you like apps for your phone that make you smarter? C’mon, we all want to be smarter right?

If you are in sales or run a small business, you should always be looking for tools to make you more productive.   This is especially true in the world of insurance sales.

I love finding the newest apps to make my life easier, increase my knowledge, and to help me become more productive. I wrote about three of my favorite apps for collecting and sharing content recently, but what about apps that help you listen to great content?

stitcher radio

There are many solid options, but as far as listening to news, podcasts, and other enlightening information, I go to one source: Stitcher Radio.

Stitcher Radio is like brain candy. It’s the utopia of audible content all at your fingertips.

The best part of Stitcher Radio is that you can listen from anywhere. I mainly listen to Stitcher on my iPhone, but it’s also available on iPad, Android, and desktop.

You select your preferred topics, current news, or favorite shows and Stitcher does the rest.

There are a number of awesome features on Stitcher, but here are a few of my favorites.

  1. Favorites menu. I have about 14 podcasts that I listen to regularly whether I am at home, at work, on the road, or maybe even in the shower (don’t judge).  stitcher radio 2013-05-21T20-00-35_1One of the best features is that my favorite shows are always updated and ready to go automatically.  You can check out some of my favorite shows with the image on the right.
  2. You can download the shows to you phone. With just a simple update all of your shows can play without streaming. If you are worried about using too much data or don’t get great service from certain locations, this option is awesome. When you are done, poof, you can clear all downloads.
  3. Smart stations. Once you start listening to your favorites, Stitcher will start recommending other shows and information that may be of interest to you. Let’s face it, there is a huge amount of listening content available. Finding what you like can waste valuable time. Smart station helps you get to the stuff you like.
  4. Resumes episodes across devices and platforms. This is so cool and convenient. I can be listening to a show on the phone in my car, resume it at the office on my desktop, and then finish it on my iPad in bed at night. All without missing a beat. Like most busy professional people, I don’t usually have time to listen to a full 30-60 minute show at one time so this feature has been extremely useful.

These are the just a few of the cool features I love about Stitcher. The best feature though is that it provides a one-stop shop for all content across multiple platform and devices.

If you are looking to catch up on the latest news, learn from engaging content to help grow your business, or just need a chuckle, check out Stitcher today.

No, Stitcher Radio didn’t pay me to write this, but they are welcome to contact me and I accept cash!

How you do consume audible content? What are some of your favorite apps? What shows do you love on Stitcher? Please share.

Don’t Quit, Recommit

How many times have you committed to something and not followed through?

If you said zero you are either a liar or you have never committed to anything.don't quit, recommit

If you commit to a goal there are typically two options.

  1. Success
  2. Failure

You generally either reach your goal or fall short. Right?

Let’s face it, we will all fall short of some goals throughout life.

It could be a weight loss goal, a sales goal, or trying to break a bad habit.

The magic is in the recommitment

I believe there are more options than just success or failure when trying to accomplish a goal.

I think often times it looks more like this.

  1. Success
  2. Failure

*RECOMMIT

  1. Success
  2. Failure

*RECOMMIT

  1. Success
  2. Failure

*RECOMMIT

……..repeat until goal achieved.

Anyone can commit to a goal. Some will succeed and some will fail. However, it takes true perseverance, grit, and desire to fall short and then recommit and try again.

We often put off recommitting to a goal for a long period of time or maybe even forever after we fail.

Why?

…..Because failure hurts.

…..Because failure looks back at us in the mirror

……Because trying again means that we might fail again.

That’s where most people stop. They commit, they stumble, they quit. Game over.

As I wrote in a previous blog post, it’s the journey not the destination where we can achieve the most success.

Failure is the Best Learning Tool Ever Invented.

I have been insurance sales for 13 years. I definitely have had my share of success and failure. While I much prefer to learn from success, I can say the pain of failure has been a huge learning tool.

I can think of numerous examples where I have failed in my business and personal life.

In the past year, I placed a “former” client with an insurance program that was 100% the wrong fit. It wasn’t intentional, in fact, at the time I thought I was a hero, but after numerous complaints and months of frustration, my client left me. No, it was not 100% my fault, but the bottom line is that I failed and my customer fired me. Believe me when I say, “That hurts.”

I certainly would not repeat this process if I had to do it over again. I felt terrible for my “former” client and lost credibility. All that being true, the lessons I have learned are priceless. I have dissected what went wrong, what could have been improved, and how I could have handled the situation differently.

As John Maxwell says, learn to “fail forward.”

It’s easier to just blow by failure. Walk past it, ignore it, or pretend it doesn’t exist.

After a setback, you can throw your hands up in the air and say “oh well,” or you can face the pain, recommit and push forward.

One may be easier, but the other option is worth it the long run.

Don’t give up to soon. A setback is only temporary.

Don’t quit, recommit.

What’s your recommit story?  I would love to hear it.

Prospects Don’t Want Facts and Figures, They Want Heart and Passion

heart, flames, passion

Salespeople are filled with facts, figures, and reasons why their product or service is so great. Here's the reality. Most prospects and customers could care less. Prospects and customers don't care nearly as much about your facts and figures … [Continue reading]

Why I Don’t Kiss on the First Date

050913_2143_WhyIDontKis1.jpg

Imagine this scene. You are on a first date. You have some dinner and shallow conversation. Things are going ok, but there is no type of connection at this point. Even though the timing is not right, you reach over to land a big smooch. Can you say … [Continue reading]

Do You Have a Inverted Marketing System Funnel?

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If you sell a product or service, you need a marketing system. Period. Most sales people have heard of a marketing or sales funnel. It typically looks like this. This type of funnel has been around for a long time and makes sense. The … [Continue reading]

Life’s a Journey, Not a Destination

Journey

"Life's a journey not a destination, and I just can't tell just what tomorrow brings" If you are a rock & roll fan, this blog post title may remind you of the Aerosmith song, "Amazing." I loved that song when it came out and it's still … [Continue reading]

My #1 Tip for Hesitant Bloggers

Just Start

Just Start There it is. Two words and they worked for me. I know there are business owners and insurance professionals who want to start a blog. They know it's a good idea. They know it will help them build credibility, provide value, and help … [Continue reading]

Book Review, “EntreLeadership” by Dave Ramsey

Entreleadership

Many people think that you are either an entrepreneur or you are a leader. "EntreLeadership" by Dave Ramsey says a successful business has both characteristics. Let me first say that I am huge Dave Ramsey fan. His money principles have changed my … [Continue reading]

Utilize Your Strengths to Win

Do you know your strengths and emphasize them or do you struggle with your weaknesses? In business, everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. There are task oriented people and there are relationship oriented people. There … [Continue reading]

Three Reasons Why Many New Insurance Agents Fail

Despite what some people may think, the insurance industry is a highly noble profession. So why do new insurance agents come and go? Why do so many new insurance agents fail? The insurance industry offers amazing career opportunities for those who … [Continue reading]