Ep. 185 How To Raise Entrepreneurial Kids, with Jodie Cook

Jodie Cook is an author, entrepreneur and professional powerlifter and in our podcast conversation, we discuss ways to build a thriving business and how men can have better relationships with themselves, their work, and their partners.

Dare to Compare

Comparing yourself to others is something we all do, but it's important to remember everyone is on their journey. Just because someone else seems to be doing better than you doesn't mean that you're doing anything wrong. 

Jodie’s mentality is not to compare yourself but identifies that there is some gold in the intention to align ourselves with other people. 

And when done the right way the comparison can be used as a positive and to motivate you to succeed.

For example, seeing someone who has achieved something that we want can be a great way to push ourselves to reach our own goals. It’s not about putting them on a pedestal but as a way to forge forward and meet them atop the next mountain.

Career Framework

In Jodie’s new book ‘Ten Year Career’, she talks about a potent framework for entrepreneurs.

And there are four main drivers: execute, systemise, scrutinise, and exit.

The first stage, Execute, is about taking action and moving forward.

In this stage, it's essential to focus on your goals and what you want to achieve. You'll also need to develop a plan of action and put it into motion.

The next stage, systemise, is about creating a process for everything you do.
This will help you stay organised and efficient as you move forward.

In the third stage, scrutinise; it's time to take a step back and look at what you've done. This is a time for reflection and assessment so that you can make improvements in the future. 

The final exit stage is about moving on to the next chapter in your life. This can be bittersweet, but it's important to remember that everything comes to an end eventually and if you’ve done everything right, you will end up with the results you desire. 

Now, not everyone desires to exit a business, but for some of us, it’s the goal that will allow you to open up that next stage of growth for you and your family. Even if you don’t think you will ever want to sell, it’s a handy mindset to have so you can keep all of your information and processes in great shape.  

Business Paradox

When it comes to being successful in business, you must do what you love.
It's not just about doing something you're passionate about but also ensuring that your business is always moving forward.

Focusing only on what you can control is the key to success.

This is what Jodie calls the ‘Business Paradox.’

In business, it is about finding the balance between doing what you love and ensuring that your business is always progressing.

It's about being passionate about your work and being realistic about the fact that you can't do everything alone.
You have to delegate, outsource, and let go of some of the control to move forward.

I've seen too many businesses fail because their owners were so focused on doing everything themselves that they didn't have time to focus on the essential things.
They were too busy putting out fires and dealing with day-to-day issues to take their business to the next level.

Redesigning Your Business And Lifestyle

Jodie encourages other entrepreneurs to think about what their line of genius is for their business and then reimagine their lifestyle, with hired help taking care of everything else. 

This is an essential step in your business because it allows you to focus on your strengths and outsource or delegate the rest. Doing this can create a lifestyle that works for you instead of against you.

It's a thought experiment that is worth trying out and I recommend grabbing a piece of paper and spending 5 minutes writing down everything you love to do and then everything you do, but would rather not.

What If Your Partner Is Not On Board With Your Business?

Jodie says that the best way to get one's partner on the same page is by constantly talking to them about it, ensuring they understand what they're trying to do. And this doesn’t mean to overload them with the negatives (we’ve all been guilty of that one) it’s about sharing the dreams, goals and plans in a way they would understand it. 

If your partner is not entirely supportive, chances are they might not comprehend the mission or purpose of the business.
So it is crucial to communicate effectively with them.
A strategy here might be to cook them dinner or take them out for a nice meal. Note: It’s important not to focus this totally on business and talk about other things too ;) 

Jodie believes that just because you think your partner does not support your business does not mean they do not want you to succeed.

Instead, it could be that they are just worried about you and want to ensure that you are taking care of yourself.

It is important to remember that you are in this together and that you need to be a team. And the more you can chat openly about the wins and the areas for improvement, the better your work and business life will be. 

Working Out Disagreements

Jodie's experience in business has taught her that it is important to be attuned to the small details in your mission and work. Doing so creates a more fulfilling and happier life for yourself. You can use effective communication to explore disagreements and figure out any issues that need to be addressed. Doing so can maintain a sense of happiness and fulfilment in your work.

Bonus: This is an amazing article on ‘Active Listening’ I’ll talk more about this in a future podcast but it’s essentially a practice to ensure you’re totally present and in the moment. Especially when you don’t agree with someone. 

Focus

When she’s not building business, Jodie is training to compete for England in Powerlifting. She talks about how the focus is important for business and entrepreneurship and that this is also super crucial when competing in elite sport.

To stay focused, it's important to have a mission at the forefront and know what you're doing. This will help you stay on track and achieve business, personal and sporting goals if that’s something you love too.

Focus is a great skill, but staying focused in today's world can be challenging. That's why having a mission and knowing what you're doing is crucial. In addition, staying focused on your goals will make you more likely to achieve them. 

If something doesn't support the mission, it's not worth doing.
Maybe that sounds harsh, but we do spend a lot of time with our focus floating about the place. 
This means being selective about what you allow into your professional life. Where possible, exposing yourself to information and people that are relevant to your mission and avoiding anything that could potentially distract you from your goal.
Limiting the amount of noise coming into your professional life allows you to focus on what's important and stay true to your passion.

Rekindling Passion

When running a business, Jodie believes it's essential to find that passion again if you’re finding yourself feeling flat or down. 

With all the distractions and opportunities around, it's easy to get sidetracked. To keep your business and yourself focused on what you're passionate about, it's essential to have a clear plan and goals. This will help you stay motivated and on track when things get tough.

If you're struggling to find that passion again, remember why you started your business in the first place.
What was it that drew you in and made you want to succeed?
Focusing on that can help you get back on track and find the passion you need to keep going.
When you love what you do and know where you’re headed, it shows in your work, which makes all the difference.

To read Jodie’s latest book visit  https://www.jodiecook.com/ 

And to listen to our full conversation, Click Here