177: The Perfect Day with Craig Ballantyne

Overview

On this episode of Build Your Network, Host Travis Chappell interviews Craig Ballantyne, author of five books including The Perfect Day Formula and the new book Unstoppable.

Topics Discussed: 

  • About Craig Ballantyne
    • He wanted to be a strength and conditioning coach in the NHL.
    • He has a lot of introverted tendencies and is a bookworm.
    • He started writing for Men’s Health Magazine and online workout plans.
    • He built a big network and started helping people become more productive.
  • What brought you to the point you’re at now?
    • He did exercise science in college in an effort to work for the NHL.
    • He got critical credibility and wrote for Men’s Health Magazine for a long time.
    • He started making programs for himself and his friends and then decided to make one and sell it mass market.
      • This exploded in 2003 and he hired his first business coach in 2006.
    • What should we look for in a business coach?
      • Find someone who had been there, done that and experienced results.
      • Make sure they share your morals and ethics.
      • Have some initial communication and make sure you jive with their vibe.
    • Should a coach still be practicing in the area they’re coaching you in?
      • It’s okay for someone to still be studying the area in which they’re coaching, even if they’re not practicing.
    • Have you learned more formal education or informal education?
      • He learned a ton in the academic world, especially for his original career.
      • He didn’t learn anything about business in college.
    • When did you realize that things were taking off?
      • He realized he was making 6-figures and knew he couldn’t stay in the gym all the time.
    • How long did it take you to come up with the Perfect Day Formula?
      • The book came out in 2015 but he started developing the formula in 2006.
    • Talk about the epic battle for life?
      • We could spend all of our time working, so how on earth do you build a proactive approach to life?
      • If you don’t own your morning then you won’t have time to be with your kids and own your day.
    • What does your perfect day look like?
      • Wake up at 3:57 am (Like Mark Wahlberg and The Rock)
      • Start writing by 4:10 am.
        • He has the most discipline, willpower, and intention at this time.
        • He has to write 1,500 words in around 90 minutes.
        • He writes over 20,000 words a week.
      • At 5:30 am he does his meditation.
      • He does a short walk and has breakfast around 7:30 am
      • Prepares for meetings, calls, or does writing.
      • Does a workout.
        • Just weightlifting.
      • Podcasts and filming in the afternoon.
      • Done around 4:30 pm.
    • What does your nightly routine look like?
      • Braindump
      • Organize into a to-do list
      • Do planning on your top priority.
      • Goes to bed between 8 pm and 10 pm.
        • Average about 7 hours of sleep per night.
      • What happens when you stay up later?
        • His brain will probably still wake up at that time, but he wouldn’t set his alarm for 4 am, rather 5 am.
      • How are your energy levels throughout the day?
        • He’s never had a coffee in his life.
        • He has about 50mg of caffeine in the day from Zevia cola or tea.
        • The most important thing is getting up at the same time every day.
      • Give us some key takeaways of your book Unstoppable.
        • It will release in November.
        • This book is about helping entrepreneurs overcome anxiety.
        • Most importantly, it clears the clutter out of your head.
        • Internal misalignment will eventually lead to a panic attack.
        • His next, next book is how to create the perfect week.
      • Talk about how important and crucial its been to build relationships in your life.
        • He’s been able to overcome anxiety, be more of a leader, and be a better person.
        • Go hang around people who make you play up a level in life.
      • Do you have any tips for people who are introverted?
        • Do your research beforehand.
        • Stop thinking and have a normal conversation.
        • Have a position of strength.
        • People love when you ask them what they’re excited to learn.
          • Talk to them like a real person.
        • Talk about the importance of listening when you’re networking.
          • If you can repeat back a summary of what someone’s said, they feel that you get them.
          • We all have confirmation bias.
        • Do you believe that what you know or who you know is more important?
          • In most cases, it’s who you know.
          • Who you know will be the people who teach you what you need to know.
          • Position of strength is an underrated aspect of networking.
            • Anything you have in your experiences or expertise that you can leverage into changing the other person’s perspective of you, use that.

The Random Round:

  • What profession other than your own do you think it would be fun to attempt?
    • Work in the restaurant industry.
  • If you could sit on a park bench with anyone for an hour who would it be, and why?
    • His dad.
  • How do you like to consume content?
    • Books
  • What’s a book you’d recommend?
    • Viktor E. Frankl – Man’s Search for Meaning
    • The Art of Living by Sharon Labell
  • What is something that you are not very good at?
    • Talking to Strangers
    • Art
  • What is your go-to pump up song?
    • Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes
  • What is one place where we can find you the most?
    • Instagram @realcraigballantyne

Tweetable Quotes:

  • Some of the best coaches were not the best players.
  • We could spend all of our time working, so how on earth do you build a proactive approach to life?
  • Make your path smoother for the next morning.

Resources Mentioned:

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