The Same *New* Story

A small moment in Japan reminded of a hard lesson learned.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Issue #53 | August 29th, 2023 Hi, It's Pat! I recently got back from my first trip to Japan, and WOW! What an incredible experience! I feel like I could write an entire book about Japanese culture through the lens of an entrepreneur. I was inspired, surprised, and delighted on several occasions, which left a huge positive impression on me. With that said, I’d like to pinpoint one particular moment that reminded me of a hard lesson I learned back when I first started out as a creator and entrepreneur, one that I want to pass on to you. And this story involves an elevator. It’s time to level up (see what I did there) — let’s get unstuck. QUOTE OF THE WEEK “The customer’s perception is your reality.” – Kate Zabriskie THE STORY The Nihombashi Takashimaya Shopping Center in Tokyo is 7 floors of goodness, offering a range from authentic Japanese street food to the highest-end clothing stores — all in one spot. And I wanted to see it all. While on the first floor, I saw a Japanese woman dressed in a uniform standing in front of the elevators. She was saying something while slightly waving her hand in the air. After she was done, she looked around and went back into the elevator to greet whoever had just stepped on. I didn’t think much of it until I saw and heard her again on the 3rd floor, then on the 7th floor, and yet again on the 8th floor while I was shopping around. The same spiel, every single time. Hours later, after I finished lunch and was on my way out, there she was again. “Boy, that’s got to be the most boring job ever.” That’s what Pat Flynn from 10 years ago would say because that’s exactly what I thought when I had to do something similar multiple times. After a year of guest podcasting, I started to get tired of telling my story over and over again. “I’ve said this a hundred times," I told myself. I wanted to get through the intro and into the good stuff, so I began to rush my story during interviews. “Architect turned entrepreneur, and now I blog and podcast at SmartPassiveIncome blah blah blah…” I brought this up in a Mastermind group, and I was instantly corrected. “Wow Pat, that’s a selfish way to approach a podcast interview.” It’s what I needed to hear (and it’s also why I love my mastermind groups). By thinking about how many times I had to tell the same ol’ story, I was thinking about how the podcast interviews felt to me. I had forgotten that every new episode on every new podcast is going to reach people who have never heard of me before. Because of that, many listeners got the quick story with no emotion, no connection, and no relatability. Opportunities to serve were now lost. It didn’t take long for me to correct my approach and realize that, much like the greeter in the elevator in Japan, new people use the elevator all the time, and everyone deserves an amazing experience. I now approach every new podcast interview with excitement because it’s a new opportunity to tell the story to new people, and it’s an opportunity to tell my story even better. Before I left the mall, I took the elevator up to the roof to enjoy a cold drink, and the same woman greeted me on the way in. Her smile was joyful, and although I had no idea what she was saying, I was grateful that she treated me with the same kindness and warm welcome as she treated everyone else. CALL TO ACTION Think about the repetitive moments you have with customers and subscribers. Whether it’s a story you tell, or a transaction of any kind, remember that although it may be your 1000th time doing it, it’s likely that person’s first interaction with you. Instead of focusing on how repetitive the task is, think about how you can make the next one better than the last. Serve first, and you will be rewarded. I promise. SPONSORED BY CLICKFUNNELS Struggling to Get a Constant Flow of Customers? Test-Drive ClickFunnels For 30 Days FOR FREE!!! ClickFunnels is the #1 tool small business owners and entrepreneurs use to attract a constant flow of customers to a website or store and turn them into happy paying customers. And right now, you can test-drive ClickFunnels for 30 days completely free! ClickFunnels gives you everything you need to build, launch, and scale a business online from scratch, including websites, funnels, analytics, pre-built templates, cart pages, email automation, courses, membership areas, and much much more! No coding or tech experience required either! Our fun drag “n” drop platform means literally ANYONE can build a business online. Click below to grab your limited time, Pat Flynn exclusive, 30-day free trial of ClickFunnels and you’ll be on your way to growing your business online faster and easier than ever before. [CLICK HERE](=) SPI NEWS AND EVENTS We work hard at SPI to remain unstuck and consistently provide you with the best ways to support your business. Check it out: Elevate your network! Join us on September 13th from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT for an immersive virtual networking event. This is a great opportunity to connect with the vibrant members of the SPI communities and our dedicated SPI team. Learn about exciting businesses, create valuable connections, and fuel your inspiration during this engaging hour. [Reserve your spot now]( for a chance to expand your professional circle. Are you eager to dive into the world of podcasting, but not sure where to start? Join us on September 19th, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM PT, for our "Podcasting the Smart Way" webinar, hosted by the podcasting expert himself, Pat Flynn. Gain clarity and confidence as Pat guides you through the step-by-step process of podcast creation. Learn how to break down the complexities into manageable stages that pave the way for a successful podcast launch. [RSVP now]() and set yourself on the path to podcasting excellence! Discover the untapped magic of in-person events! In the latest episode of the Smart Passive Income podcast, join Pat Flynn and Dan Franks as they discuss the importance of fostering real-life connections. [Tune in now]() to gain insights into conquering uncertainty, starting small, and forging powerful connections through epic gatherings. Are you ready to infuse your workspace and wardrobe with a dash of inspiration? Look no further than the SPI Merch Store where you'll find premium notebooks, eye-catching posters, and stylish shirts featuring Pat Flynn's iconic sayings. [Visit the SPI Merch Store today](=) to explore the curated selection designed to inspire and ignite your journey. DAD JOKE OF THE WEEK I've started a small business building boats in my attic... Sails are going through the roof! Did a cool person forward you this email? [Sign up here for free](. Want to reach over 125,000 entrepreneurs? [Become a sponsor](. [Link to SPI's Website](=) [Link to SPI's Twitter Account]( [Link to SPI's LinkedIn Account]( [Link to Pat Flynn's YouTube Account]() You are receiving this because you signed up for Pat Flynn’s newsletter at [smartpassiveincome.com](=). If you'd like to adjust which emails you receive or update your name and email address, click here: . If you'd like to stop receiving all emails from SPI, click here: . No hard feelings. 10531 4S Commons Drive, Suite 524, San Diego, CA 92127