What if success doesn't make you happy? There is an often unspoken challenge of feeling bored and unfulfilled despite achieving your entrepreneurial dreams. Through personal stories and insights from Mark Nichols, a seasoned Chick-fil-A owner-operator with over 33 years under his belt, we explore what to do with boredom and burnout.

Key Takeaways:

• How do you get the best payoffs while bored?
• How do you move forward when you're bored?
• The path to get successful and bored
• Ways to get out of the boredom mindset

“When you obtain that goal you've been working towards for years, that doesn’t scratch the itch like you thought it was going to.” If you're successful and thought you'd be happy by now, here what these guys in their sixties with years of experience have to say about pursuing happiness and finding real fulfillment in your life.

Through candid conversations, we emphasize that taking a step back to adjust your "why" is not only okay but essential for achieving long-term fulfillment. Learn how to use breaks as a tool for gaining clarity and rejuvenating your passion for both work and life.

Connect with Mark Nichols by joining the ISI Community:
Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://isibrotherhood.com/community

Connect with Big A and Wally:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/

“We’re all just one bad decision away from ruining our lives.” What has led you down this path, and where do you go from here? As entrepreneurs and business owners, there is a level of disconnection that we have with our wives because oftentimes they don't get our business or what we're going through. They don't understand us... et cetera, et cetera, right? The lies and excuses get us to a point of no return.

If you're about to have an affair or are in the thick of one now, this episode will help you discover what pitfalls to watch out for and how to move forward. We discuss everything from emotional intimacy to sexual frustrations and how if we're not proactive, we will make a bad decision that was never intended in the first place.

Key Takeaways:

• Good intentions, safeguards, and bad decisions
• 3 core problems and how to prevent them
• If you're deep in pornography
• How to protect the sanctity of your marriage

Marriage is a journey filled with love, endless learning, and even temptations. We share candid stories of what happened in our own marriages to push us to record an episode like this. Whether it’s about learning to express personal needs or the subtle ways temptation sneaks in, we aim to reassure and guide you through the complexities of sustaining a strong marriage.

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://isibrotherhood.com/community

Connect with Big A and Wally:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/

What if your distractions are sabotaging your closest relationships? Open your eyes to the hidden costs of the digital age with Derek Champagne, who joins us to discuss the urgent issue of loneliness and the power of meaningful human connections.

Derek brings a fresh perspective with engaging stories and powerful metaphors, challenging us to rethink our approach to abundance and sharing in our daily lives.

• What distractions are doing to our bodies and relationships
• Are you emotionally unavailable for your family?
• Why fixing isolation is a LEADERSHIP conversation
• How men of faith can strive for an abundant life

There is an alarming rise of loneliness especially among young adults, and its severe health implications are enough for us as leaders to bring human connection back. Listen in to hear how we can have a role in breaking isolation.

By prioritizing relationships and removing unnecessary interruptions, you can create a life filled with success and significance. Join us as we uncover the courage required to break free from the digital chains and craft a masterpiece of meaningful connections in your life.

Resources:
3 Amigos Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trMOanQQIJ8
Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://isibrotherhood.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter

Connect with Derek Champagne:
Derek's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theartistevolution/

Connect with Big A and Wally:
Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/

There is an abundance of mastermind groups out there–which one is right for YOU?

Today we're discussing how to tap into a powerhouse of knowledge and support to transform your business journey. We'll unravel the various decisions you must make before choosing the ideal mastermind group for you. We kick off with personal tales of our own initial skepticism about mastermind groups, revealing how vulnerability and transparency can become unexpected allies in your success story.

Listen as we explore the criteria for selecting the most fitting peer advisory group, whether you're seeking a business-centric circle, a holistic growth experience, or a balance of both.

Key Takeaways:

• Foundational criteria of different types of masterminds
• Questions to ask yourself when choosing a mastermind group
• Types and categories of masterminds and peer advisory groups
• Downloadable guide with categorized groups, links, and more

Navigating the business landscape alone can feel like being adrift in uncharted waters. Reflecting on our own experiences, we’ve faced the challenges of entrepreneurship without mentorship, missing out on the invaluable guidance that peer advisory groups provide.

Listen as we dissect the overwhelming plethora of options out there and arm you with the tools to make decisions that will enhance accountability and drive your progress forward.

Mastermind Group Guide: https://isibrotherhood.com/whichone
Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://isibrotherhood.com/community

Connect with Big A and Wally:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/

"Without vision, the people perish." Ever wonder why some businesses end up flushed down the drain? We discuss how to avoid the most common traps entrepreneurs find themselves in that often lead to dead-end companies with no way to scale or grow.

We lay out the ways of maintaining a consistent vision and a direction in your business and how that lays the groundwork for passionate and talented employees that keep the business running smoothly.

If you're ready to change these 3 things, your company will flourish. Learn how to keep your team aligned and motivated, ensuring everyone is clear about the destination and the route to get there.

Key Takeaways:

• Watch out for these traps that lead to a failed business
• How to delegate to your team wisely
• What's a Chief Reminding Officer?
• #1 Reason you're not going to scale your business

Through examples like Chick-fil-A's success, we highlight why identifying where your time is best spent can amplify your impact. Discover how understanding your customers and adapting to market trends can significantly elevate your business, keeping you relevant in today’s ever-evolving marketplace. Tune in for a treasure trove of insights to help you minimize the risk of failing.

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://isibrotherhood.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group

Resources:

• "Traction" by Gino Wickman
• "The E-Myth Revisited" by Michael Gerber

Connect with Big A and Wally:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/

Should you turn your hobby into a business? Jim Cockrum joins us on today's episode to give us a fresh, Biblical perspective on whether or not you should follow your passion–and his countercultural answer will probably surprise you!

Jim is convinced that the key to business success is explicitly much easier than you think, although it might ruffle some feathers. Hint: It's not about whether your passionate about your business or not.

Key Takeaways:

• Why you're asking the wrong question
• How to decide on turning your hobby into a business or not
• Rethink the role of passion in your professional life
• The PROVEN way to find fulfillment and success in business

Join us for an enlightening session as we explore a countercultural way of doing business with our guest, Jim Cockrum, who wrote Silent Sales Machine 9.0. He provides a wealth of wisdom on navigating this transformative journey from hobby to business (or not?) in order to be successful.

Our conversation boldly questions conventional ways of creating a business idea, proposing that true fulfillment in business emerges from a much different angle than the world comes at it. Through compelling stories and real-life examples, we share how passion often follows one key idea which Jim reveals in today's episode.

In the final chapter of our discussion, we challenge you to rethink the role of passion in your professional lives.

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://isibrotherhood.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group

Connect with Jim Cockrum:
Jim's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcockrum/
Jim's Free Business Owners Community: https://silentjim.com
Silent Sales Machine 9.0 Book: https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Sales-Machine-9-0-Cockrum/dp/0692516603

Connect with Big A and Wally:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/

"Most people are looking to cut–how can we make just a little money? It's all about the bottom line." Are you running yourself into the ground every day to make things work? Most business guys are working overtime to make the extra dollar and 10x their financial situation by the end of the year. Some are overworked just to make ends meet.

How can these guys 10x their lives? How did Big A succeed in having several successful businesses by the age of 50? Today's episode is all about making the most of your life–and how to do it when you're in the trenches.

Key Takeaways:

• The paradox of rest and growth
• 3 ways that seem counterintuitive to making your life better
• Does less really equal more?
• How and why should we value rest when we're already burned out?

These counterintuitive strategies aren’t just business tips; they’re life-changing methods to enhance personal satisfaction and family life. We challenge the conventional 10X growth mindset, urging you to aim for holistic improvement as a businessman, husband, and father.

By prioritizing what truly matters and minimizing distractions, you can achieve a deeper impact.

Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://isibrotherhood.com/community
LinkedIn Group: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/group

Connect with Big A and Wally:
View From The Top Website: https://isibrotherhood.com
The ISI Newsletter: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/newsletter
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/

"You’re okay to go bankrupt for the sake of helping somebody?" For Tony, our mystery operations manager, the answer is, unfortunately, yes.

Tony is waging war against himself in this episode of THE FORGE. His employees aren't showing up for work, his "compassion" is running the show, and his customers are suffering for it.

How can he fire people he wants to help? Isn't compassion worth the cost of quality control? Him and the business he works for is in a cycle of indecision and conflict avoidance because Tony desires to help guys in rough situations and provide them with a job... but what happens when these guys don't show up?

Key Takeaways:

• The tragic cost of avoiding conflict
• How to fire people that don't align with your values
• Why your business' mission is critical to everyone's success
• What compassion REALLY looks like for employees who don't show up

We tackle the complexities of aligning personal preferences and skills with job responsibilities, especially within family-owned businesses. This episode is packed with practical advice on decision-making, personal growth, and the power of open communication, all aiming to help you overcome procrastination and conflict avoidance to achieve a fulfilling and balanced life.

Join the Iron Sharpens Iron Community: https://isibrotherhood.com/community

Connect with Anthony Witt: witthouse.com or anthonywitt.com
Anthony Witt is a professional licensed counselor and a business owner with a deep understanding of how entrepreneurship impacts personal health and those around them. Having bought, sold, and started multiple businesses, he has gained valuable
experience at the intersection of personal health and business. His belief that "a healthy business owner creates a healthy business" underscores his approach to helping entrepreneurs thrive.

Connect with Bret Barnhart:
Barnhartexcavating.com
Bret’s Calendar Link
Bret’s Linkedin
Bret Barnhart, Jr. is the fourth generation in his family to start his own excavation company. He began Bret Barnhart Excavating (BBE) in 2002 with $1,500, a single backhoe and truck, and a trailer. Since then, BBE has grown to an entire fleet of heavy machinery and trucks, averages just under 20 employees, and grosses $4mil annually. Being specialized, along with having a personal mentor and joining a mastermind, has helped shape not only Bret's company but also himself as well. Bret and his wife Crystal have been married for 16 years and have two children, Cole and Adelyn.

Connect with Big A and Wally:
View From The Top Website: https://www.viewfromthetop.com/
Big A’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
Wally’s Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwallenbeck/
What Do I Want Challenge: https://go.viewfromthetop.com/whatdoiwantchallenge