Bryan Elliott

What’s holding you back from doing that thing? My guess is that it’s some form of fear. Having the right amount of fear is healthy and logical. It’s biological and we are hardwired to survive. But fear might also be keeping us playing small. In my experience, and it doesn’t matter what it is— fitness; relationships; growing a business— anything worth doing requires a level of courage, effort, sacrifice and risk that comes with having to pay a price to earn the reward. That is, the rent is due every day for any form of victory big or small. As an example, I just worked on a TV spot with a big consumer brand that went way out of their comfort zone on our creative idea. This took courage and I know it hasn’t been easy for them. That said, the competitive landscape requires breaking away from the herd and being distinct. To break out of being a commodity product and into the category of legitimate brand requires bold moves. Author James Clear writes: "The problem with smart people is they can come up with a good reason for not doing anything. They are smart enough to find the cracks, to foresee the challenges, and to talk themselves out of the idea. They are experts at justifying their lack of courage or lack of action with an intelligent excuse. But there will always be reasons to not do something, and this is particularly true of anything worth doing. We value those moments in which we overcame challenge, not those in which we avoided it. Ultimately, action is a choice. The choice to emphasize the reasons for doing it despite the reasons you have for avoiding it." What’s holding you back from doing that thing?

Seth Godin (@thisissethsblog): if revenge or glory fuels your work instead of generosity, you will burn. As Brian Koppelman says, it doesn't burn clean. What fuels your work right now? Full episode on Behind the Brand.

Chris Voss: if someone says win-win in the first five minutes, they want something for nothing. The sharks learned the phrase drops your guard. Full conversation on Behind the Brand.

At 36, @robertgreene almost quit. His take: the worst feeling in life is dreams that never happen. Missed potential is true hell. What dream are you close to giving up on? Full episode on Behind the Brand.

Shark Tank asked Seth Godin (@thisissethsblog) to audition as the nasty judge. His reply: you want me to trade what I stand for to be famous? Not interested. What would you turn down to protect what you stand for? Full episode on Behind the Brand.

Chris Voss starts calls with "Is now a bad time?" People feel safe saying no, and a no gets you a scheduled call with full attention. Full conversation on Behind the Brand.

I asked Seth Godin (@thisissethsblog) about his 800 rejection letters. His answer: caring and attachment are different. Attachment never pays off. What outcome are you too attached to? Full episode on Behind the Brand.

Chris Voss's first way to say no: "How am I supposed to do that?" No refusal, no insult. The other side has to solve the problem. Full conversation on Behind the Brand.

Tomi Mikula thought car buyers cared most about money. His client surveys ranked money 4th to 6th, behind time, energy and anxiety. What matters most to you when buying a car? Full episode on Behind the Brand.

Seth Godin (@thisissethsblog): constraints are your friend. His blog has no pictures, no audio, no video. He made that decision once. Which constraint would help your work? Full episode on Behind the Brand.

Dan Reynolds has ankylosing spondylitis. Medication would alter his voice, so he spends 3 to 4 hours a day on joint rehab instead. Full conversation on Behind the Brand.

Chris Voss on how Mark Cuban tests a partner: a fastball at your head to see your A game. One Shark Tank entrepreneur flipped the script. Full conversation on Behind the Brand.

Tomi Mikula on leaving the car business: insiders call you a traitor. On January 3, 2023, nine customers told him they hated buying a car. He left and started Delivrd. What industry secret would you want an insider to share? Full episode on Behind the Brand.

Seth Godin (@thisissethsblog): likes don't mean people like you, and friends don't mean people are your friends. That's what they call the button. What did you make for the right people, not the most people? Full episode on Behind the Brand.

Rick Rubin told Dan Reynolds his song was boring. Then he handed him a basket of shakers and tambourines. Six hours later, Imagine Dragons had It's OK. Full conversation on Behind the Brand.

Former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss on bad news: say "you're not going to like this" first. Never say "I don't want you to react negatively." Full conversation on Behind the Brand.

Former dealer Tomi Mikula: skip the doc fee fight. Ask for another $500 off the car instead, and refuse tint, clear coat, paint protection and etch. Which add-on did you pay for and regret? Full episode on Behind the Brand.

Momofuku sent vegetarian Seth Godin (@thisissethsblog) to a restaurant a block away. He says that was the day Momofuku became Momofuku. They didn't need all of New York, only the right 2,000 people. Who are your right 2,000? Full episode on Behind the Brand.

Radioactive isn't about the apocalypse. Dan Reynolds wrote the song about his own depression and hid the meaning in metaphors. Full conversation on Behind the Brand.

Chris Voss: salaries don't build careers. Prices don't make deals. They break deals. Everything around the price decides a good deal or a bad deal. Full conversation on Behind the Brand.

Former dealer Tomi Mikula: the first offer is built to get a no. Bring three competing offers and a promise to buy if the dealer matches. Do you counter the first offer or walk? Full episode on Behind the Brand.