Share

It's a Good Life
Episode 007: An Interview with Sally Hogshead
“…to reach our fullest potential, we need to stop trying to change who we are and instead become more of who we are.” — Sally Hogshead
We live in an age of the short attention span. If you want to stand out in the market, it’s essential to differentiate yourself and show how you add value to your clients and solve their problems. At the center of this is the question: How does the world see you and the strengths you offer? In this episode, Brian Buffini interviews Sally Hogshead, branding expert and pioneer of the groundbreaking Fascination Advantage® system. A master communicator, Sally has conducted extensive research into the most common personality traits and has discovered how people and well-known brands can use their strengths to provide value and set themselves apart from their competition. You’ll learn why people have trouble identifying the value they offer the world, the two ways to tell if you’re motivated and how to develop the language necessary to separate yourself from your competitors. Here is your private code to find out how the world sees you:
- Go to HowToFascinate.com/YOU
- For the access code, enter BUFFINI
Inspirational quotes from today’s interview:
“In order for anyone to reach the absolute fullest potential, we need to stop trying to change who we are and instead we have to become more of who we are. The problem is that so many people professionally and personally water down their most distinctive traits.” — Sally Hogshead
“When a brand waters down its most distinctive traits it becomes a commodity.” — Sally Hogshead
“Every time we communicate, we’re doing one of two things—we’re either adding value or we’re taking up space.” — Sally Hogshead
“When you add value, people want to work with you, they seek you out because you do something that’s distinct.” — Sally Hogshead
“We want to make sure that we’re constantly adding value.” — Sally Hogshead
“It’s impossible for us to see how the world sees us objectively. We don’t see us as the world sees us; we see us as we see us.” — Sally Hogshead
“I help people see how they’re most primed to add value. Show them what makes them different.” — Sally Hogshead
“Different is better than better.” — Sally Hogshead
“If they can’t describe how you are at your best, they can’t refer you.” — Sally Hogshead
“Our value is so natural to us that we don’t see it.” — Brian Buffini.
“The more specific you can be, the more you can develop language.” — Sally Hogshead
“What is the client’s problem for which you are the perfect solution? If you can identify why you are the perfect solution, you can quickly and succinctly identify why you are of the highest value.” — Sally Hogshead
“I’m not a routine oriented person so I’ve surrounded myself with teams and systems to help. It reduces stress and allows me to do what I do best, which is to make connections.” — Sally Hogshead
“What do you need so that you can contribute at your highest value? Protect it like any other asset. If you’re not able to be seen at your best, you can damage your brand.” — Sally Hogshead
“Fascinate your customers so they don’t go to someone else in the market.” — Sally Hogshead
“No compassion without pain.” — Brian Buffini
Connect with Sally Hogshead and learn How to Fascinate:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HowToFascinate/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/howtofascinate
Buy the book: Fascinate: How to Make Your Brand Impossible to Resisthttp://www.brandfascination.com/book
Connect with Brian Buffini
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianbuffini
Twitter: https://twitter.com/brianbuffini
Buffini Show Insiders: http://www.thebrianbuffinishow.com/insiders
Love what you heard? Share it with your friends! http://bit.ly/BrianBuffiniShow
Click here to buy our Podcast theme music, “The Cliffs of Moher” by Brogue Wave.
More episodes
View all episodes

348. S2E348 A Minute to Think with Juliet Funt
36:38||Season 2, Ep. 348In today’s world, busyness has become a badge of honor – but it’s secretly burning people out, dulling their creativity and damaging their client relationships. That is especially true for those in real estate, who often feel they must be “on 24/7.” In this powerful conversation, Brian Buffini sits down with Juliet Funt, the founder and CEO of an efficiency firm, as well as the author of the book, A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Work, to talk about why we’re so addicted to activity. Drawing on her decades of research and work with top organizations, Juliet shares advice on how you can build more “white space” into your schedule. She also explains the concept of “hallucinated urgency” and how the “four thieves of time” hijack your day. Whether you’re a perpetually “on” entrepreneur, a frenzied realtor or a leader trying to refocus your team, this episode will help you slow down, think clearly and show up as your calm, confident best self. YOU WILL LEARN: What white space really is and why time “without assignment” is the missing oxygen that fuels your creativity, focus and long-term success. How to use strategic pauses and wedges to build brief but powerful moments of thinking time into even the busiest schedule. How to spot – and stop – the “four thieves of time” so you can reduce frenetic busyness, prioritize what matters and work with more focus and intention. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Free Business ConsultationA Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Work by Juliet Funt Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy NOTEWORTHY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “Why are we just doing every single thing as opposed to figuring out where our strengths are?” — Juliet Funt “White space is simply time without assignment – the open, flexible time that used to live between things and let us recalibrate.” – Juliet Funt “We all want to do every single project and plan, but we need to learn the gear of taking things out as well.” — Juliet Funt “If you do start dialing down into the population, there's a lot of people in much more pain than I would guess you're in because every single day is a chaotic, fearful, reactive flow.” — Juliet Funt “I have a practice all day long, I will stop and say, ‘What am I doing?’ And I just stop for a second and I'll see if the thing that I am actually doing is of value to my dreams. And a lot of times you catch yourself and it's not.” — Juliet Funt itsagoodlife.com
347. Quick Cut: S2E347 What I Learned From Og Mandino
10:28||Season 2, Ep. 347Click here to listen to the full episodeOg Mandino’s “The Greatest Salesman in the World” is a classic guide to success that has improved the lives of millions of people around the world. In this episode, Brian shares how Og came to be his mentor and how the timeless principles he taught changed his life forever. YOU WILL LEARN:Why life is a game. Why you should embrace failure. Why no man or woman is an island. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: “The Greatest Salesman in the World,” by Og Mandino “A Better Way to Live,” by Og Mandino “The Greatest Miracle in the World,” by Og Mandino “Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude,” by W. Clement Stone “Wake up and Live,” by Dorothea BrandeThe 10 Ancient Scrolls for Success Free business consultation NOTEWORTHY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “There are no secrets to success. It's a clear set of principles, not tactics and techniques.” – Brian Buffini “Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.” – Og Mandino “One day at a time, over time, produces transformational change.” – Brian Buffini “I will pause whenever I'm feeling sorry for myself today and remember that this is the only day I have and I must play it to the fullest.” – Og Mandino “Failure is nature's plan to prepare you for great responsibilities.” – Og Mandino “When in doubt, go. When in doubt, do.” – Brian Buffini
346. S2E346 How to Be at Your Best
27:15||Season 2, Ep. 346Brian Buffini shares insights on how to recognize and use your values, principles and motivation to become the best and strongest version of yourself, without burning out. He notes that it’s not always easy – any life worth living has its share of scars — but is worth putting in the time and introspection. YOU WILL LEARN: How a deep understanding of your values, principles and motivation will help you live your best life without burnout. How to determine and act upon your most important priorities. How to lean into the greatness that is inherent inside of you. NOTEWORTHY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “Doing your best starts with starts with your values, your principles, and your motivation — Brian Buffini. “Where do you spend your time and your money? Those are your priorities.” — Brian Buffini “Your values are your criteria for making decisions.” — Brian Buffini "You have a desire to be great...give into that desire and do it the right way. Not in a worldly way, in the authentic way you were designed to do it.” — Brian Buffini “Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls. The most massive characters are seared with scars.” — Brian Buffini
345. Quick Cut: S2E345 Peak Performance with Steven Kotler
10:25||Season 2, Ep. 345Click here to listen to the full episodeA state of flow is an optimal state of consciousness when we both feel our best and perform our best. In this episode, Brian interviews Steven Kotler, one of the world’s leading experts on human performance. Steven shares how to achieve flow and unlock peak performance – those moments in time when the impossible becomes possible. Topics discussed include: why our biology is hardwired for three levels of goals, why practicing distraction management is key and why there is power in invisible skills.YOU WILL LEARN:Why everyone can access flow.How to trigger flow.How to focus and achieve complete concentration. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Free Business ConsultationFlow Research Collectivehttps://www.flowresearchcollective.com/radio“The Art of Impossible,” by Steven Kotler“Flow,” by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE:“Peak performance is nothing more or less than getting our biology to work for us rather than against us.” – Steven Kotler“Whenever you see people accomplishing the impossible, you tend to see people in a state of flow.” – Steven Kotler“Flow is a massive amplification of skills.” – Steven Kotler“I work for the boss. The boss is who I am yesterday that made my to-do list.” – Steven Kotler“In peak performance, motivation gets us into the game. Learning allows us to continue to play. Creativity - creative problem solving - it's how we steer. And flow, which is a state of optimal performance, is how we turbo-boost the results beyond all reasonable expectation.” – Steven Kotler“If you use the system the way it's designed to be used, you just get farther faster with a lot less fuss.” – Steven Kotleritsagoodlife.com
344. S2E344 Help in a Hurry - a Conversation with Dr. Caroline Leaf
42:34||Season 2, Ep. 344Your mind runs your brain — and how you manage it determines your quality of life. In this fascinating episode, Brian Buffini interviews cognitive neuroscientist andbestselling author Dr. Caroline Leaf, who explains how to train your mind to work for you, not against you. Drawing from four decades of clinical research and her groundbreaking new book, Help in a Hurry: Simple Tips for Finding Peace When You're Overwhelmed, Anxious, or Stressed, Dr. Leaf shares powerful, practical techniques to quiet mental clutter, rewire toxic thought patterns, and experience peace and productivity in as little as 63 seconds. Whether you’re an entrepreneur navigating stress, a parent balancing it all, or simply seeking more clarity in today’s noisy world, this conversation will help you renew your mind and live with greater calm, purpose, and joy. YOU WILL LEARN: The difference between the mind and the brain — and why that distinction matters. How to manage the “messy mind” in the age of overstimulation and social media. A simple, science-backed 63-second technique that helps you reduce stress, anxiety, and toxic thinking. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Free Business ConsultationHelp in a Hurry: Simple Tips for Finding Peace When You're Overwhelmed, Anxious, or Stressed, by Dr. Caroline Leaf Drleaf.com NOTEWORTHY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “Your mind runs your brain — your brain does not run your mind.” – Dr. Caroline Leaf “We’re not in a mental health crisis; we’re in a mind management crisis.” – Dr. Caroline Leaf “You can’t control events and circumstances, but you can learn to control your reactions.” – Dr. Caroline Leaf “We're also living in an era of excess technology and not being taught how to manage it.” – Dr. Caroline Leaf “The non-conscious mind not only has the problems that we've created, but also the solutions, because that's wisdom. Wisdom is solutions.” — Dr. Caroline Leaf
343. Quick Cut: S2E343 Make the Impossible Possible - an Interview with Ben Nemtin
11:30||Season 2, Ep. 343Click here to listen to the full episodeHaving a bucket list is a really powerful way to help you realize your dreams. In this episode, Brian interviews Ben Nemtin, star of MTV’s The Buried Life and co-founder of The Buried Life movement. Ben shares how after he struggled with depression growing up and was forced to drop out of college, he created the world’s greatest bucket list with his three childhood friends. As they searched for more purpose in life, they managed to achieve the unthinkable and, every time they accomplished a dream, they helped a complete stranger to cross something off their list too.YOU WILL LEARN:•What inspired Ben to start his quest and his greatest bucket-list achievements.INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE:“The only way that we cross things off our list is through the help of other people.” – Ben Nemtin “I think purpose is one of those things that brings you that sense of well-being. And that's really what a bucket list is, it’s all the things that are going to bring you that sense of purpose.” – Ben Nemtin “A bucket list is bringing you back to your true self when everything else is pulling you away from that in life. And you just need reminders and devices to bring you back to those things that are truly going to bring you joy and happiness.” – Ben Nemtin“Surround yourself with people that inspire you.” – Ben Nemtin“I think that the good life is being authentic and honest with who you are and what you want and following that, even when it's hard. And serving others so that they can they can live their good life as well.” – Ben Nemtin
342. S2E342 How to Unlock Your Creativity with Kyle Scheele
41:27||Season 2, Ep. 342In this conversation with Brian Buffini, Kyle Scheele discusses how to tap into your creativity, be courageous, and try something new. In doing so, you can break free from the misconceptions you might have about yourself and reach goals you once thought unattainable. YOU WILL LEARN How to redefine creativity and then tap into it. Why curiosity and persistence are critical for innovation to prosper. How to take the first step toward your “crazy” idea and make it real. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE How to Host a Viking Funeral: The Case for Burning Your Regrets, Chasing Your Crazy Ideas, and Becoming the Person You're Meant to Be by Kyle Scheele NOTEWORTHY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE “I define creativity as broadly as possible. I think that anytime you make anything new, that is a creative act.” — Kyle Scheele "We're desperate for predictability, but we're also desperate for new. We're desperate for novel.” — Kyle Scheele "The people who changed the world, they weren't smarter than you, they weren't better than you, they were just curious and persistent and those are things that you can cultivate in yourself.” — Kyle Scheele "Sometimes all a kid needs is one adult going, ‘I don't know, man, give it a shot.’ I think that's some of the best advice I've ever gotten.” — Kyle Scheele "One of the things that I learned from surveying 21,000 people about their regrets is that people regret things that they didn't do way more than they regret things that they did.” — Kyle Scheele
341. Quick Cut: S2E341 Follow Up - The Key to Trust
10:13||Season 2, Ep. 341Click here to listen to the full episodeIf you want your business to stand the test of time, you have to build trust with your customers. In this episode, Brian explains how you can become a trusted advisor to your clients by always going the extra mile, not just during a transaction, but afterwards too. YOU WILL LEARN:· How trust is easily broken.· Why follow-up is critical.· How to create advocates for your business. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” by Dale Carnegie “Raving Fans,” by Ken Blanchard Free business consultation NOTEWORTHY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “Trust is the most critical factor to the success of any and all relationships, both in business and in life.” – Brian Buffini “In today's business environment, if you can follow up consistently, you'll be a shining star in the marketplace.” – Brian Buffini “If you want to be a profit-maker, you’ve got to be a promise-keeper.” – Brian Buffini “In life, silence is golden. In business, silence is deadly.” – Brian Buffini “Character and competence build trust.” – Brian Buffiniitsagoodlife.com
340. S2E340 How to Find Your Sweet Spot in Business
25:52||Season 2, Ep. 340In this session recorded at a recent Buffini & Company event, Brian Buffini discusses the importance of knowing your “sweet spot” when it comes to your business — that place where your genuine interests, skills, and opportunities intersect. He notes that this is not set in stone but can and often does change depending on the “season life” of life” you are in. Brian also shares powerful strategies on how to circle back to your authentic self so that no matter what season you are in, you’ll be able to bring value, expertise and joy to not only your clients, but also to your own life. YOU WILL LEARN: How to define and lean into your sweet spot, even when the seasons of your life change. Why knowing and honoring your own unique gifts — instead of trying to be someone you’re not — will help you create a business filled with passion and joy that lasts. Why new technology, especially AI, will enhance, but never replace, the value that you bring to your clients. NOTEWORTHY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE: “The magic happens when you find the sweet spot—where your genuine interests, skills and opportunities intersect.” — Brian Buffini “When we get busy and busier, we stop doing the very thing that we’re best at.” — Brian Buffini “Our sweet spot is who we are, but we also have different seasons in life. What used to fire you up may not fire you up anymore.” — Brian Buffini “All I will tell you is AI technology is going to speed the real estate business up, not slow it down. And it'll intensify the referrals, not weaken it. Because in the world we're living in today, we're in more need of somebody to trust, not less.” — Brian Buffini "Not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts.” — Brian Buffini itsagoodlife.com