Personal Development Interviews

Hey, Mark here with a quick update about this evergreen interview series and my other podcast, The Podcast Accelerator (https://www.markasquith.com/listen).

In this episode I discuss why I'm putting Excellence Expected on a hiatus. For more information, read “Why I Stopped Podcasting & 5 Lessons I Learned Along The Way“. Don't forget, the more you expect from yourself, the more you WILL excel! The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode151/ (The End of The Road As We Know It) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

How would you define the entrepreneurial spirit? Would it be the ability to zone in on problems and provide solutions? Would it be the knack of finding exactly the right product that flies off the shelves as soon as it’s stocked? Or would it be a flair for marketing and salesmanship? Well, all of those… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode150/ (Become a Go-Giver with Bob Burg) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

When running a small business, it can be hard to say no to new opportunities that present themselves. Your friends and colleagues will always be introducing their latest ideas to you and deciding which ones are deserving of your time can be tough. Entrepreneurs are like magpies, dazzled by the latest shiny new object. We… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode147/ (Dealing with Opportunity: The Simple Question that Will Make Every Business Decision Easier) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Running a small business at the same time as looking after a family can place huge demands on your time. Add in a couple of hours a week (if you’re lucky!) for yourself and there really isn’t a great deal of time to deal with anything unexpected or urgent. If something like that occurs, something… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode145/ (Productivity Optimisation – A Mindset, Not a Technique) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

How many things are you focusing on right now? If you’re anything like most other entrepreneurs, it is probably far too many and it still might not feel like it’s enough. This magpie syndrome that most of us have is both a gift and a curse. We’re idea machines, but it can be so tough… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode140/ (Focus Pocus – The Magic in a Customised Focus Process) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Regardless of who you are or what you do, there are going to be times when you get stuck. It’s an inevitable part of life that everyone goes through from time to time. What’s not inevitable however, is getting unstuck. Some people just can’t get going again and others can’t even tell that they are… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode139/ (Become Deeply Effective with This Powerful Perception Shift) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Creating a business is one thing, but growing a business is quite another. Very few of us are content with ticking along. We all want to experience as much growth as we can and we want to achieve it as quickly as possible. We’ll often try lots of different things to make this happen, but… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode138/ (Kickstart Your Business Growth with 3 Personal Tweaks) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

The interconnected world of today has made living our lives and running our businesses a lot more straightforward. Keeping up with international clients, monitoring cash flow and sharing ideas with colleagues are just some of the business activities that can be handled at the touch of a button. However, as we become more connected, we… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode135/ (Secrets from The Dark Side of the Web) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

If you were asked to think of adjectives that best describe the experience of being a small business owner, what would come to mind? Easy? Peaceful? Relaxing? Not likely! Entrepreneurship is inextricably linked with stress, late nights and burnout. Of course, there’s a huge amount of positives that go with being your own boss and… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode132/ (Creating Emotional Resilience for Long Term Success) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

When most of us think of happiness, there are two words that often creep into our minds. ‘If’ and ‘when’. If I can achieve x% growth this year, I will be happy. When I reach x amount of clients, I will be happy. Amongst small business owners, happiness is always seen as a destination, somewhere… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode130/ (Happiness Before Success, and the Surprising Results!) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

As much as we like to think that we’re in control of every aspect of our lives, most of us are prisoners to certain patterns of behaviour. Think about how often the same thoughts run through your mind and how hard we have to fight to overcome them. We fall into those patterns of behaviour… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode126/ (The Feminine Addiction Trap that is Killing your Career) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

The life of an entrepreneur or small business owner can be stressful for so many reasons. We’re often tired, pushed for time and thinking of the next task to be taken care of so it’s easy to overlook the negative effects that stress can have on our bodies, minds and relationships. What’s more, if you… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode124/ (Staying At the Top of Your Game in Todays Stressful World!) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

As small business owners, we like doing things our own way. That is, after all, why we chose to strike out for ourselves. Taking care of all aspects of the business is exciting and, in the early days, we very seldom have a choice. But as our businesses grow, we need to learn to let… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode121/ (Learning to Let Go) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Building and growing a small business can be tough. Every aspect of day-to-day operations comes down to you. You need to be accountable for every decision you make, whether big or small and there often seems like there’s no one else you can turn to for advice. It can be a lonely road to walk… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode118/ (Lonewolf Syndrome & How to Beat It) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

We all want to be better, don’t we? We want to see improvements in ourselves and our businesses each and every day. It’s in the DNA of all entrepreneurs regardless of your industry or the scale of your business.  Nobody gets into business to stagnate or move backwards. Progress and growth are what it’s all… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode117/ (Rise to Mastery with Cameron Benson) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Building and maintaining valuable relationships is vitally important in life and business. We all want to make the best relationships with people that we can but it doesn’t always come naturally to us all. Some people are more talkative, some are more reserved. Some people are never off the phone and other prefer to communicate… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode112/ (Mastering the Art of Relationships with Jason Treu) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

When you’re a small business owner or solopreneur, it’s easy to become gradually isolated from those around you. You need to rely on yourself and make sure that everything gets completed on time. This can see you eating at your desk. Your friends don’t have the same worries as you and you don’t want to… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode110/ (Overcoming Small Business Loneliness & Entrepreneur Isolation) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Everybody knows that the first twelve months of a new venture are always the hardest. Make it through that year and the chances of making it through the next year begin to look a little better. There’s so much on the line, from financial wellbeing to physical health. Nobody will look more tired than a… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode109/ (From Sleeping in My Car to Retiring at Age 30) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Every small business owner out there wants to be successful. Nobody starts their own business and puts in hours of blood, sweat and tears to just do ‘OK’. We all want to do the very best we can for ourselves and our families. Success means different things to different people, of course, but entrepreneurs often… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode107/ (Success & Significance with Aaron Walker) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

It seems that, these days, everyone has an idea for a book. As small business owners, we’ve all accumulated a heck of a lot experience, both good and bad, and we want to share that with others. But next time someone talks to you about their book idea, dig a little deeper and find out… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode106/ (The Entrepreneurs’ Roadmap to Creating Your Elusive First Book) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Adversity is a part of life and it’s something that we all have to deal with. As small business owners, it can sometimes feel like we are having to deal with more than our fair share. The pressure can often seem insurmountable and if we let it get on top of us, we can suffer… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode101/ (When The Going Gets Tough: You Grow, You Prosper) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

As small business owners, it’s easy to convince ourselves that we’re too busy for certain activities. One of the first things to get dropped from the schedule is exercise. It seems like a time luxury that we can ill afford so we get our heart rates up by taking difficult phone calls and expend our… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode97/ (Chris Brogan on Entrepreneurial Fitness Without the Excuses) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

We often hear that businesses care about transparency, that they are investors in people and that their customers are number on. But once you get beyond the marketing and the clever copywriting, how many businesses have you experienced where this is actually the case? Our guest for this episode of the number one small business… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode96/ (Simon Biltcliffe: How to Achieve a Stress-free Life as CEO of a Successful Business) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

It’s the age-old question, isn’t it? How do you achieve a balance between your family life and running a small business or startup? There is, of course, no perfect work-life balance. Everyone’s situation is different and there are too many variables to take into account in each individual case. What works for one person will… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode93/ (I Successfully Started a Family and a Business Together – Here’s How) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Freelancing offers us the chance to use our specialist skills and interests to succeed in business, but it can also be one of the toughest ways in which to be a small business owner. We’re relying on ourselves to handle every aspect of business from creating content and products to marketing and promotions. Finding clients… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode88/ (The Roadmap to Success – Finding Your Dream Customers) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

We live in an increasingly connected world and it’s never been easier for us to make contact with others around the globe. Whether you want to make new contacts in your industry or niche, or if you want make connections with people who work outside your own field, technology has revolutionised this process. However, the… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode85/ (Allied For Success with Emmy Winner Kare Anderson) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Having a great idea is one thing, but getting it out there and making sure it’s being heard by the intended audience is quite another. The tools that have allowed us to spread our ideas more easily have also made it more difficult to be heard. We’re all exposed to a torrent of media on… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode82/ (It’s Your Time to Break Through, with Dorie Clark) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

We all have heard the phrase: work/life balance. But in real life, it doesn’t work like that. You need to adjust the scales as necessary. Instead of balance, find harmony. How can you raise great kids when you are an entrepreneur or business owner? How do you know what you need to give to your family?… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode78/ (You Can Raise Great Kids AND Run a Business) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

What do you do when things go wrong – when the sh*t hits the fan? How do you deal with it in a way that benefits your business? Everyone makes mistakes, but it's not about what went wrong, but about what you do as a result to improve. A working mentality and mindset is important.… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode76/ (It’s All Gone Wrong – Now What?) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Think back to your high school days. Remember the cool kids? Wonder what they are doing now? Well, cool can be a curse and often prevents people from taking a leap due to a fear of failure. However, the uncool people get on with their lives and inherit the Earth! Uncool people are often branded… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode71/ (The Outside Edge with Robert Kelsey) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Many people are so focused on just being able to pay their bills and get ahead in their business. But you must have the right mindset and be receptive to ideas/opportunities; you must be happy and not focus on fear – can you honestly say that describes your approach to doing business? Transform and shift your… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode68/ (Become a Force for Growth with Justin Verrengia from Enlightened Entrepreneurs) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

We all do jobs for the wrong reasons – you don’t want to let people down, perhaps you don’t know how to say ‘No’, and hey, doesn't everyone need cash in the bank? However, if you are unhappy and frustrated, stop what you are doing – even if it is your own business. Stick to your guns, follow your… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode66/ (When To Leave Your Own Small Business) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

There's no doubt that when you have an idea and want to take it to the next level, you need buy in and people to support you. You need to be perceived as someone that people know, like, and trust. As you develop those three pillars – you become a person of influence. But are you… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode64/ (Growing Your Influence The Right Way For the Long Haul with Jared Easley) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Traditional routes into business are starting to fade. In the next 10 years, millennials will make up 75% of the workforce. What can millennials do to make themselves more employable in tomorrow’s business? They are going to play an important role in business! How do companies engage them and get them excited to work so… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode62/ (Intrapreneur – The Evolution of the Young Entrepreneur) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Books have become the new business card. Books are something that people keep, they can use them, and they make people think of you! People are likely to throw away business cards, but not books. However, a lack of confidence, insecurities, doubts, and other factors keep people from writing books. Who’s gonna buy it? Who’s… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode58/ (Self-Publish Your Way to Success – Writing the One Book We All Have In Us) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Most people have a sexy, romantic view of becoming an entrepreneur – quit your day job and be happy and live your dreams. Well, being an entrepreneur actually involves hard work, early mornings, tough days, etc. It is not for everyone. Sometimes you get hit hard and don’t get back up. Your business fails. Instead,… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode55/ (Just Start! Building Your Business On the Side with Brendan Hufford from Entrepreneurs and Coffee) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Feel like you are in a rut? Is your business facing a plateau or roadblock? When you hit a plateau, how do you make progress and reach the next level? Symptoms of a plateau include being stressed out and anxious; not prioritising tasks but only dealing with urgent matters; having self-doubt and no one to… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode53/ (SMASH Your Business Plateau NOW!) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Scaling your business is a nice problem to have, yet it is still a problem. Entrepreneurs get so focused on delivering one thing that they can’t see other options. They need to learn how to pivot their businesses. How can they grow into something more? When scaling a business, entrepreneurs need to measure results and… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode52/ (3 Steps To Scaling Your Small Business Safely) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

To be successful in business, a university degree is not necessarily required! School is not for everyone, and entering the business world right away may be a better option. Get a job. Build your skills. Gain hands-on experience. Rather than taking the traditional route of going to university, it is education from another perspective. Getting… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode51/ (The Route to Success Is Your Own – Education or Entrepreneurial Spirit?) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Gratitude is rarely spoken about and often overlooked in business. In business, be grateful for any opportunity that comes your way. Be grateful for getting a job interview, be grateful for finding new clients, be grateful for your staff of employees. Show gratitude in your voice and actions. You want to create a culture of… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode50/ (Small Business Success Through Gratitude – Why it’s Time to Change Your Attitude) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Innovation is a word that most businesses use, but don’t really “get”. So, what is innovation? Well, according to Dominic Irvine – innovation is creativity with a job to do. But why innovate? Don’t stand still or you are going backwards. Innovation is a process that includes several steps. You need to continue to evolve,… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode49/ (REAL Innovation Demystified – Creativity with a Job to Do) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Everyone has problems and struggles. No one is perfect. Yet, sometimes many people cannot overcome the imposter syndrome. They present this false confidence and bravado. They pretend to be someone they are not. We live in a world that is becoming so much more exposed due to social media and other outlets. You have an… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode47/ (Overcoming Imposter Syndrome) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

In today’s world of social media, accountability, and transparency – being a brand means so much more than the products a business puts out. Brand or image is manufactured to create an impression in customers’ minds. A brand is something businesses can manage – their image, what you say and don’t, etc. However, reputation is… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode44/ (Your Reputation, Your Currency) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

We live in a world of technology, and start-ups are so prominent. There are many different challenges, and things can scale very fast. Start-ups are very serious business. Here's how you can learn from one of the tech industry's brightest ventures and scale your business quickly, effectively and for longevity. Most of us have the notion that start-ups… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode43/ (How to Scale Your Startup or Small Business for Uber Success with iCracked CEO & Forbes 30 Under 30 Entrepreneur AJ Forsythe) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

In the past few years, many of us have experienced a slump and downtime in business. We have faced downsizing and the need to change and diversify. What can we do in the next few years to get back on track? Aaron Walker is a life and work coach who can help us thrive and… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode39/ (Reach New Heights with Grit & Determination from Aaron Walker) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Are you stuck in a rut? Get your head out of the sand! Get unstuck so you can move forward and past obstacles in your life and business. Mark Asquith and Rémy Chaussé each share three tips to help you get unstuck! Rémy’s Tips: Doubt always has a message about your own values. You have… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode37/ (Get UNStuck with Remy Chaussé – Co-Hosting Bonus Show) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

We are so competitive – we gotta keep up with our neighbours. We have to have the biggest house, the most expensive car, the best clothes, etc. It is envy and greed that drives many of us. We want to make as much money as possible.  But what do we sacrifice to make more money?… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode36/ (Money: God or Gift? Put Money in its Place with author Jamie Munson) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Leverage – what does it mean? How do you leverage the different areas of your life? Leverage is defined as the power or ability to act or influence people, events, decisions, etc.; as well as the use of a small initial investment, credit or borrowed funds to gain a very high return in relation to… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode35/ (Success is in the Leverage: Learn How to Succeed for YOU with Jason Hartman from the Creating Wealth podcast) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Just too busy to exercise and live a healthy life? Are you too distracted because there is so much happening all the time? Take a step back. Ask yourself, “What am I doing, does this matter?” Gain perspective on the important things in life and develop a better use of your time.  A lot of… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode26/ (Dominate Your Day Before Breakfast with Jeff Sanders from The 5AM Miracle) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).

Robert Kelsey is motivated by his own perceived failures. Something that actually, we all draw motivation from even if we aren’t aware of it. The author of 3 Amazon bestselling personal development books, Robert changed his life by beginning to understand why he measured himself so harshly and has made a successful literary career through helping entrepreneurs like… The post https://www.excellence-expected.com/episode24/ (A Guide to Overcoming Decision Making Paralysis with Robert Kelsey, Bestselling Author) appeared first on https://www.excellence-expected.com (Excellence Expected, by Mark Asquith).