Tag: conor kelly

Could this be the most overlooked success skill?

conorkelLeave a comment

I’ve been ruminating on the Arnold Schwarzenegger clip I shared earlier this week.

(I link to it below.)

All the books, audios, and courses I’ve ingested have more or less turned my brain into a search bar for self-help content.  Re: Arnie’s comment on it being ok to fail, the software of my memory turned up this little ditty…

I recall someone saying that the most remarkable thing about Fred Smith, the founder of FedEx, was his ability to laugh at failure.

Whenever one of their initiatives flopped, and many did, he’d get a wry smile on his face, shake his head and go “wow that really didn’t work.”

Then, he’d simply say “what next?”

If I was to rewind to when I started Evolution Fitness and catalog for you all the things we tried, it would fill a few journals (and indeed it does – I kept all my notes from that period).  Looking back, most of them didn’t work.  A few did.

It’s why we even had a business at all.

During my brief stint in stand-up comedy, I wrote pages full of set ups and punchlines.  I quickly realized about 10% of it was funny.  The catch is the only way to know which 10% to keep is to stand in front of people and let 90% of your stuff bomb.  Do that ten times and you wind up with five minutes of material that will do reasonably well with most audiences.

Call it accelerated failing.

The interesting thing is, in either case it never occurred to me those failures could be reasons to stop.  I just figured that was the process.  Sounds like Fred Smith had the same idea.

In fact, I’ll go you one further…

The more I fail, the smarter I get.

Besides, if that’s your approach, and every attempt results in either a win or a lesson…

Do we ever truly fail?

Here’s that video again:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNpEFf0I60M

Happy Failing,

Conor Kelly

P.S. Go here:

=>How I Get My Clients 3x-10x Their Email Marketing Results.

ENCORE: The TRUTH About Commitment

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Tips and secrets to double your sales with email:

Go here to subscribe to Conor’s email marketing tips.

***
Happy New Year!

The message below is from January 2017.  It got more happy replies than almost any other email I’ve sent.

I thought you might like to read or re-read it.

And in the P.S. I’ve included more on this idea from a fella you might recognize…

Best Wishes for a Happy, Healthy, and Successful 2019.

***

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.” – Marianne Williamson

With REAL commitment, there’s no debate.

There’s no longer equal opportunity for DO or DO NOT.

The decision’s been made.

(The root of the word “decide” is the latin decidere.  It literally means to kill any alternatives.)

All that remains is the steady forward march of implementation.

That’s why commitment is the ultimate ZEN.  It silences the chorus of opposition, and clears the path for unobstructed and pointed action.  It’s like water running downhill; it effortlessly curves to the shape of the terrain.

I’ve experienced real commitment only a few times.

Not because it’s hard.

Because it’s so easy it scares me.

There’s so much power in it, so much real-ness to our potential that I deign to use it only sparingly.

But I wonder sometimes where my life would be if I wasn’t afraid.

What if every decision was a FINAL decision?

Sure, you could re-evaluate long-term commitments to determine if they still serve…or make short-term commitments, and periodically re-commit…but what if, for the most part, that was that?  What if, in the Viking warrior tradition, you could burn the ships as soon as you land in new and unconquered territory? Could you gaze up the beach and know that beyond it are only two possibilities – victory or death?

All great gut check questions I’ve been asking myself as I hang up my calendar for another year.

As human beings, we’re capable of so much, yet we squander our powers.

For what?

Security?

It’s an illusion…a mere shadow of Mother Nature’s attempt to protect her children from an unpredictable ecosystem.  Safeguards placed into our brains by DNA.

We are no longer children.  We are the part of nature that is coming to know itself, and we stand face to face with the unboundedness of our existence.

We are free…

Anything is game.  There is NO certainty.  Trust me; you don’t need it anyway.  NOW is the time to find your center and live from that place.  Not fear, but opportunity.  Not what anyone says (much less what the media says), but what inspires you…

The future belongs to those who create it.

Let’s make it good.

Happy Committing,

Conor Kelly

P.S. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNpEFf0I60M

Why spellcheck might be killing your sales

conorkelLeave a comment

Here’s a strange story for you.

A few years ago a company called Porter Stansberry Research used a plain Jane video sales letter to sell a whopping $200M worth of subscriptions to their Investment Advisory.

The video was called End of America.

(You can watch it on YouTube if you’re curious.)

I mean this thing is ghetto.

It’s black and white, and conspicuous by its lack of images…in fact, there are no graphics at all, just words.

The late, great Eugene Schwartz, the Granddaddy of the modern copywriter was famous for saying:

“The ugly thing in the world of beauty stands out.”

(The video also tells a great story, topic for another time…)

Similarly, when most businesses are sending slick-looking, branded HTML newsletters with fancy graphics, your plain text emails complete with typos and all stand out.

I’d go as far as to say that trying to make your emails ‘professional’ is the kiss of death.

For one, professional is common, drab and uninteresting.  And it screams corporate – a good way to ensure no one cares about your emails.  Finally, many of the newsletters I review are busy, click-baited hot-messes that lack a clear call to action.

The best emails are simple and personal.

Like a message from a friend.

And most people that are not corporate mouthpieces write in a conversational tone, use imperfect grammar, and can’t spell worth a dime.

As hard as it will be for the graphic designers of the world to swallow, looking good and making sales – sometimes – are competing ideals.

To learn more about how my simple email system can generate a flood of new clients for you, mosey on over here to book your stress-free brainstorm call:

http://calendly.com/conorkel/emailincome

Happy Misspelling,

Conor Kelly

“The Muscle” @Marketing Muscle

A better brain when you bite this bitter bean

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Say my title six times in a row, fast.

I had fun with that one.

Why stop there?

That is not all.

I shall go full nerd, and to Dr. Seuss call…

As for the brain benefits, they’re a result of THIS bitter bean.

Click to allow images and you’ll see exactly what I mean.

Chocolate

This bitter bean is chocolate.  My favorite (pictured) much too dark.

At 100% cacao its taste is more like chewing to chew bark.

Its benefits are many, a food fit for kings and queens.

We now turn our tale to the brain and amyloid precursor proteins.

(Ol’ Seuss never had to rime that one.)

“Explain,” you say?

I will not delay:

Amyloid precursor proteins are agents of cell repair, abundant in the brain.  After the age of 25, bits of these proteins break away and form plaque buildup in nerve axons and the synapses between cells, impeding the flow of neurochemicals much like plaque in the arteries impedes blood flow.

Over time, as this plaque accumulates, it gunks up the machinery and leads to a loss in cognition and memory – even Alzheimer’s.

Polyphenols, found in chocolate (black tea is another source) have been shown to prevent this plaque from forming.  The best chocolate is organic, of course.  It doesn’t have to be 100% cacao like my Gratitude above, but the higher the better.

I recommend two squares a day of the highest percentage you still enjoy.

There you have it.

A simple brain tip – sussed out and Seuss-ed out.

Don’t forget…

When biting a bitter bean has a better brain as a benefit…

That benefit is a boon to any bright, bold believer that bites this bitter bean.

: )

Happy Chocolate Eating,

Conor Kelly

P.S.  Find out how I get my clients 3x-10x their email marketing results using simple, fun emails like this one.  Join the many that have already jumped and subscribe to my NEW newsletter with tips on how to make more sales from email (click the link below and you’ll automatically be added):

=>Click here to get The Conz’ email marketing tips.

The #1 most important line in any email

conorkelLeave a comment

What is the most important line in any email?

I’ll give you a hint.

It’s NOT…

*your opener

*your subject line

*your call-to-action

Or even your link.

Would you like me to tell you what it is?

Ok, enough suspense.

The #1 most important part of any email is…

The sender’s name.

That’s right.

WHO the email is from matters more than almost anything else.

It’s not that things like subject lines aren’t important.  Indeed, if you know your market well (and you should) there are ways to make your subject lines almost impossible to ignore – like an itch they simply have to scratch.

But if your subscribers know, like, and trust YOU…

THAT’s what ultimately gets them to open your emails and devour your words like freshly baked cookies.

You see, intelligent email marketing is about the relationship.

And relationships are like bank accounts.

Every time you send a funny, inspiring, or personal note with a story, a relevant tip, or an interesting fact, you make a deposit.

(And the great thing about email is it’s easy to make REGULAR deposits.)

If all you do pitch, pitch, pitch… or you’re (gasp!) boring…or if your emails are about your product or service and not your reader’s problems… you make a withdrawal.  Then you risk your sendee losing interest or worse, tuning you out altogether.

On the other hand, when the relationship account is sporting a healthy balance, the people on your list who vibe with what you do will be delighted to see your name in bold when it pops up in their inbox.  “More cookies, yay!” is what bubbles up from their subconscious.

Then, not only are you welcome to send them more emails, but you can sell them more of your service or product via said emails.

See how that works?

That’s accounting I like.

Remember, lead with a giving hand and you won’t go too far from the mark.

Before you hit send, ask yourself, “Will this serve in some way”?

Happy Depositing,

Conor Kelly

P.S.  Find out how I get my clients 3x-10x their sales by sending simple fun emails like this one.  Schedule your Email Income Consultation today by replying to this email or going here:

http://calendly.com/conorkel/emailincome

Confidence secrets of a 6-time Mr. Olympia

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Today, inspiration from an unlikely place…

The sport of professional bodybuilding.

When I first became interested in it, the guy at the top was 6-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates.  Widely credited with ushering in the ‘mass monster’ era of bodybuilding, Dorian brought to the stage a combination of dense muscle and conditioning (which means little-to-no fat or water retention under the skin, creating a peeled, anatomy chart look) that had never been seen before.

I recently came across a great interview with Dorian on YouTube.

In the interview, he’s asked about 8-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney.  At the time Dorian was coming up in the sport, Lee Haney had a lock on the title.  A living legend, he was arguably the greatest Mr. Olympia ever.

In a very telling segment, Dorian discusses the mental shifts that needed happen in order for him to believe he could unseat the ‘unbeatable’ Haney, a man he considered his idol.

The first was to give up this idol-worship.

He took this opportunity when he won his first big pro show.  He started asking himself, “why not?”  “Why couldn’t I beat him”?  In any achievement, that’s step one.  You see, often we want things for our lives – big things – and we get hung up on the question of *how*.  But this only makes those big things seem bigger.

What you should ask yourself instead is *why not*?

Admitting, as a bare minimum, that your goal is possible releases the big R – Resistance – and frees you to entertain new *how’s* you didn’t previously see.

The second confidence shift was a by-product of his preparation.

In Dorian’s words:

One thing I can guarantee is he does not train as hard as me.  He does not dedicate himself as much as me.  How do I know that?  Because it’s not possible.  It’s not possible to be training harder, or more consistently, or more dedicated than me, because I couldn’t give a single ounce more to any aspect of this thing that I’m doing.  So that makes me feel pretty powerful and pretty confident.  Because I know other people are slacking – sometimes.

Here’s what I love about this:

It’s 100% PROCESS FOCUSED.

As counter-intuitive as it may seem, the best way to reach your goals is to not have goals – at least not ones that are tied to outcomes.  Have an intention, or a vision of where you want to go.  Then, make your goals about things you can control.

You have zero control over what happens.

But you have at least some control over what you DO.

In 2006, when I finally ditched the fat suit I’d donned for ten years, losing over 30 pounds in four months, I didn’t once look in the mirror during that time.

Instead, I put my head down, attacked the process, and didn’t come up for air until four months later.

I made it my sole preoccupation to do everything I possibly could, training and diet-wise, and to leave no T uncrossed and no I un-dotted.

And boy did it work.

By the time I emerged from this deep dive into my plan I didn’t look like the same person.  And in only four months.  You could have stuck me on a conveyor belt that turns out lean bodies, if there was such a thing, and the effect would have been much the same.

I’m not saying what you want will happen in four months.  Whatever transformation you seek could take 6 months…two years.  Forget about the timeline.  Again, it’s counter-intuitive, but renouncing your attachment to outcomes often speeds up the result.

Instead, put your blinders on, and dominate your path.

This is not about perfection.

It’s about focus.

Simply give no time, attention, or energy to anything other than doing the best you can do – on the things you can control – at any given moment.  Do this moment well…and then the next…and then the next…things will turn out fine.

There is PEACE in the process.

There is POWER in the process.

YOUR CONFIDENCE is in the process.

Embrace it.

Dorian Yates never did beat Lee Haney.  He placed second to him in 1991.  Then, Haney retired.  Would he have beaten him?  We’ll never know.  But it was Dorian’s willingness to ask *why not* and his utterly ruthless dedication to the process that delivered him his own lock on the title for six years – and legendary status in the sport he loves.

Happy Process-Focusing,

Conor Kelly

P.S. You can check out Dorian Yates comments on Lee Haney here (very revealing):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVYIcigwPok

P.P.S .  According to McKinsey, you are 40x more likely to get a client with email than with social media.  For tips on how to get more clients with email, click here.

Hockey hall-of-famer proves The Conz’ wily ways

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I’m not gonna say I told you so…

Between clients the other day I decided to grab a quick sesh in the Four Seasons gym.

And who was beside me as I crushed a pec workout?

None other than legendary defenseman Scott Stevens.  If you don’t know, Scott used to be the captain of the New Jersey Devils.  He’s a multiple Stanley Cup winner, and a Conn Smythe Trophy recipient as MVP of the Stanley Cup finals.

He was in town for a Hall of Fame dinner.

Known for his physical style of play, at one time he held the record for both # of games played by a defenseman, and number of penalty minutes by a hall-of-famer.

So I hadz to know…

“Hey Scott, how’s your body these days?  Banged up?”

(I did notice he looks great, by the way.  Ripped.)

He said, “no all good, thankfully.”

Then he went on to explain that he attributes much of this to his #1 supplement: omega 3 fatty acids.  Apparently, he’s been taking them religiously for 20 years and the ‘ol joints are muy bueno.

Hmm.

Sounds familiar.

Where have I heard this before?

Oh right.

May 2007: I create my general nutrition guidelines which I give to every new client.  Item # 6 (of only 6) is ‘supplement with essential fatty acids’.

June 2009: The Conz tells a reporter from The Toronto Sun that essential fatty acids are my most recommended supplement.

October 2015: I write that if I was stranded on a deserted island, and I could have one supplement, it’s me omegas:

Click here to visit the article.

Must I go on?

Full disclosure…

I don’t think this supplement is the ONLY reason Scott’s still feeling good these days (he’s 54).  He’s obviously kept up much of the discipline he had as a pro athlete.

But it’s a factor.

Quash inflammation, release fat, boost immunity, lubricate joints, feed brain cell membranes, improve skin, hair and nails — all potential upsides of this badass nutrient.  Scientists estimate we consumed about 7,000mg of omega 3’s per day in our ancient diet, yet today the average is less than a fifth of that.

Of course it’s only one piece of the puzzle.

Get ye the rest here:

http://www.conorkellypersonaltrainer.com

Find out what other secrets I teach, that the venerable Mr. Stevens also swears by.

Happy Omega 3-ing,

Conor Kelly
Hall Of Fame Personal Trainer

…
…

Robert DeNiro: Legendary Actor, Idiot

conorkelLeave a comment

Not sure if you caught the Tony Awards last weekend.

But Robert DeNiro caused quite a stir when he opened his segment as a presenter by saying:

“F**k Trump”.

Got a big round of the applause, in fact.

It seems to be quite trendy in Hollywood these days for celebs to use award shows for a little indiscriminate Trump-bashing.

I gotta say…

As a somewhat-impartial Canadian observer (don’t care for the current administration’s tendency to dick with our trade agreements, hence the ‘somewhat’)…

I don’t get it.

Don’t these people understand that every time some pompous wind bag takes a stand on Trump (does anyone really care what DeNiro says?) it ENERGIZES his base.

Yet another member of ‘the elite’ telling us what to think.

(That’s how Trump supporters will take it.)

It’s this kind of stuff that got him elected in the first place.

When will Hollywood get a clue?

They’re playing HIS game.

And last I checked, he’s still President.

Mr. DeNiro, with all due respect, I’ve loved watching your movies over the years, you’re one of our time’s greatest actors, but THIS….not your best performance.

My point is not to defend Mr. Trump.

(Although I daresay DeNiro’s outburst doesn’t add anything intelligent to the conversation.)

I honestly can’t say that I agree with ALL of Trump’s policies.

(Some I do respect.)

Much less his tweets.

But I’ve never underestimated him, like, it seems, 50% of the population.  I was one of the few who called his election victory.  Seriously.  I told several of my clients on the eve of the vote to expect a surprise.

Anyway, that’s enough of this claptrap.

I’m not gonna hold it against ol’ Bob.

I’ll even borrow a page his book:

F**k newspaper ads.

Let’s do email marketing for your biz instead:

http://www.conorkelly.com/email-copywriting

Happy Tweeting,

Conor Kelly
The Muscle @Legal Marketing Muscle

P.S.  What’s your take on all this?  Am I wrong??  Leave your comments below, I’m curious.

…
…

Would a client-generating machine help your business?

conorkelLeave a comment

I feel I can share this with you…

I’m not always the most organized cat.

But I can recall a few occasions when I had the whole machine of my fit biz operating at near perfect efficiency.

My trainers had checklists for managing client programs, and reviewed them with their supervisor each week.  My admin had a handle on operations.  My CFO was ‘Count Du Money’.  My salesperson was crushing it.  And my marketing hummed like a finely tuned engine.

I could figuratively not do much more than enter the cockpit, tweak a few dials, and leave.  I remember coming to the office one day and realizing there was literally NOTHING for me to do.  So I went for a walk instead.

Of course, this wasn’t always the case.

(I can count on one hand the # of entrepreneurs I’ve met who’s whole existence is characterized by the utopia I tell of above.  They do exist though.  Bastards.)

Parts break down.

Employees leave.

Systems lapse.

But damn.

For a while there…

Life was goooooood.

That’s why I’m all about SYSTEMS these days.

Seldom will your business run 100% smoothly.

But for starters, what if you could systematize your client-acquisition process?

How much would be it be worth to you to know that new clients and prospects are finding you each and every week, on auto-pilot?

That the pipeline’s full of high-quality leads?

Think of the sheer peace of mind.

THAT’S what Google Adwords is…

It’s a client-generating machine.

A salesperson that’s fully automated and never sleeps.

Want one of those?

You betcha.

If you build it, they (clients) will come:

http://legalmarketingmuscle.com/freeconsult

Sleep well my friend,

Conor Kelly
A.k.a. The Muscle

Is it your turn for a BREAKTHROUGH?

conorkelLeave a comment

I remember a time when the weight loss record for my 16 week program stood at 43 pounds.

Along came Andrew S.

At 6’1″, Andrew tipped the scales at a hefty 290.

Two things I appreciated about this young man:

(1) He was referred by another client who’d had exceptional results, so his belief level was high.

(2) He was motivated as hell.

I’d picked up on the fact he was competitive and started planting some seeds about the record.

Soon I was pretty much egging him on.

Four months later, in the blink of an eye, he was down 45 pounds and had set the new marker.

Put the record aside for a moment.  Can you imagine what that must have felt like?  The lightness…the energy…the no-more-naps-after-lunch mental clarity…still nothing more than gravy on top of the simple exhilaration of reaching a dearly held personal goal.

Especially if it’s eluded you until now.

It brings me back to my own transformation in the spring of ’06 when I lost 35 pounds in the same time frame.

Very few things can compare to that feeling.

Expressions like ‘on top of the world’ are apt but don’t do it justice.

It feels like the air you breathe is different.

My personal belief is you’re experiencing the self-appreciation that occurs when what your inner being knows to be true about you (that you’re resourceful beyond words, powerful, a CREATOR) lines up with your a life condition you’ve created.

It’s the way we were MEANT TO BE.

If what I’ve just said sounds good to you in any way, you are being called to your own transformation.

The wiser (and not limited) part of you is rushing forth.

Don’t push it back down inside.

Don’t give into fear.

TAKE ACTION.

NOW.

Call or text me at (416) 826-4844 or simply reply to this email for your complimentary personal training consultation.

In truth, it doesn’t matter whether you contact me or not.

The point is take the chains off.

Be BOLD.

“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.  Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” – Goethe

Your breakthrough is calling…

Will you answer?

Happy Transforming,

Conor Kelly