Stuck in 1999?

Your Guide to Think Smarter, Play Bigger, Build Faster!

Author

Will Gregg
January 17th, 2025

In partnership with

BOOM! We're back - and buckle up because this week is about to flip your business world upside down (in the best possible way) 🎢

Hey, Coach Will here…..

Stuck in 1999?

Remember dial-up internet and flip phones? Yeah, business has moved on, too, but maybe your methods haven't.

Look, I get it. You're working harder than ever, following all the "classic" business rules:

  • Chase every lead

  • Be available 24/7

  • Say yes to everything

  • Hustle harder.

But here's the uncomfortable truth: While you play by 1999's rules, your competitors play a completely different game.

(And spoiler alert: Their game is much more profitable... and way less exhausting.)

This week, I'm sharing the new rules of business success that let you work less, earn more, and finally break free from outdated habits that keep you stuck.

Ready to fast-forward to 2025?

First things first, though - we need to get you grounded.

Think of it like building a skyscraper: We need a rock-solid foundation before we can shoot for the stars. Otherwise, we're building a really expensive house of cards.

So grab your favorite thinking beverage ☕️, find your "do not disturb" zone, and get ready for some profound lightbulb moments.

What comes next is going to change EVERYTHING and shift your thinking.

Ever feel like you're sprinting through a maze blindfolded? Trust me, I get it. One day, you're crushing your to-do list; the next, you're drowning in tasks, wondering, "Is any of this actually moving the needle?"

Let's get real for a second...

As solopreneurs, we wear so many hats that we could open a hat shop. On Mondays, we're marketing geniuses; on Tuesdays, we're accounting wizards.

And somehow, we're supposed to keep our actual businesses running, too! It's exhausting, right?

But here's the thing—what if I told you there's a way to cut through all that noise? To finally see your business with a crystal-clear vision that will make every decision feel like a confident "hell yes" or "hell no"?

That's exactly what we're diving into today. No fluff, no theoretical nonsense - just battle-tested strategies that have helped countless entrepreneurs (including yours truly) transform chaos into clarity.

Stick with me, and by the time you finish this newsletter, you'll have the blueprint to:

  • Finally, understand what moves the needle in YOUR business

  • Stop second-guessing every business decision

  • Create a strategy that actually makes sense (and doesn't just look pretty on paper)

Ready to trade that overwhelming fog for laser-sharp clarity?

Let's dive in...

Clear as Mud……..

Ever had one of those moments?

You know the one - you're staring at your endless to-do list, coffee getting cold, and that knot in your stomach keeps asking: "Am I even working on the right stuff?"

(Don't worry, we've ALL been there...)

Here's the thing that nobody tells you: Those super-successful business owners you admire? They're not necessarily smarter or working harder than you. They just cracked one critical code first:

Absolute. Crystal. Clear. Clarity.

Think about it this way...

Last week, we geeked out about AI tools (and wow, your responses blew me away!). But here's the uncomfortable truth I need to share:

All those shiny tools? They're like letting your teenage kid drive the car without you in the passenger’s seat. You, the first thing you will do is step on the gas, most likely in the wrong direction!

It's a lesson I learned the hard way through years of building, selling, and transforming businesses. Success always leaves breadcrumbs, and the first one is always the same:

You need to know EXACTLY where you're heading before you step on the gas.

This week, I'm pulling back the curtain to show you how to get that needle-sharp clarity that transforms "maybe" decisions into "hell yes" or "hell no" choices.

Ready to stop second-guessing and start moving with purpose?

Let’s get out of the mud before we have too much fun and map your path to building a fantastic business!

Chasing the Rush…….

Want to hear something that'll probably make you cringe?

I burned through $100,000+ learning this lesson the hard way... Being busy doesn't mean you're being profitable. (Ouch, right?)

In fact - and this might sting a bit - when you're crazy-busy, it usually means something's wrong. Really wrong.

Let me guess...

  • You said "yes" to that client even though your gut screamed "no."

  • You're stuck in endless Zoom calls that could've been emails

  • You're doing "all the things," but your bank account isn't getting the memo

Nodding so hard your head might fall off? Keep reading...

I've got a little exercise that's going to blow your mind. (And possibly save you from the expensive mistakes I made!)

🔥 The "Reality Check" Challenge 🔥 (Takes just 5 minutes, but could change everything)

Grab a piece of paper. Like, right now. Don't just think about doing it - actually grab one. I'll wait...

Got it? Perfect! Now:

  1. Brain dump everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) you did in your business last week

  2. Next to each item, put these codes:

    🚀 E = Energizing (Makes you say "Hell yeah!")

    😫 D = Draining (Makes you want to crawl under your desk)

    💰 P = Profitable (Actually puts money in your pocket)

    ⏰ T = Time Sucker (Where did my day go?)

Warning: The results might shock you...

But sometimes, we need a little shock to spark massive change, right?

Here’s a cool graphic I call the “The Clarity Formula” to help show where you are in your business journey.

What About Mike?

Let me tell you about one of my clients, Mike...

Picture this: He owns a small specialty manufacturing business, newly relocated, drowning in work but barely staying afloat. Sound familiar? (I bet it does...)

Mike was living the entrepreneur's nightmare—answering every call, chasing every lead, and doing that exhausting dance we call "saying yes to everything." He was working 80-hour weeks like they were badges of honor.

"I'm busy all the time," he told me, shoulders slumped, "but I'm not getting anywhere."

Have You ever felt like you're sprinting on a treadmill going nowhere? Yeah, Mike was there too.)

Here's what his daily grind looked like:

  • Bidding on projects he secretly hated

  • Working until his eyes burned

  • Making just enough to cover his aspirin budget

  • Missing his kids' baseball games (again)

But here's where it gets interesting...

We didn't add fancy software, hire an army of staff, or even touch his marketing budget.

Instead, we did something so simple it seems almost ridiculous: We got CRYSTAL CLEAR on three game-changing questions:

  1. Who does Mike ACTUALLY want to serve? (Not just who he could serve)

  2. What makes him different? (Spoiler: It wasn't what he thought)

  3. Where should his time really go? (Hint: Less is more)

The transformation? Hold onto your hat...

🎯 NOW:

  • He cherry-picks only high-value aerospace projects

  • Works half the hours (Yeah, you read that right - HALF)

  • He spends evenings with his kids instead of his laptop

  • He watches his profit margins soar

  • He gets flooded with referrals in his new location

Here's the kicker: It's like having a business GPS. Those frustrating detours and dead ends disappear once you know exactly where you're going.

The best part? Mike's story isn't unique. This same clarity breakthrough is available to EVERYONE willing to ask the right questions...

🚨 Would you like to know those questions?

Let’s set the groundwork first and let AI help us.

But before we head down that path, ponder this for a moment. Would you give someone the keys to a Ferrari without knowing the destination? The same goes for AI - it's a superpower, but only if you know exactly where you want it to take you.

(Trust me, I learned this the expensive way...)

Here's the million-dollar secret nobody's talking about: AI isn't just another shiny tool - it's your personal strategic genius on steroids. But here's the catch: it's only as brilliant as the clarity of YOUR vision.

Think of it this way... AI + Fuzzy Vision = Expensive Confusion AI + Crystal Clear Vision = Pure Business Magic ✨

Ready to unleash this magic? Let's do it!

🎯 Your "Vision Clarity" Action Plan:

  1. Fire up your favorite AI sidekick:

    • ChatGPT

    • Perplexity

    • Claude (Pick your poison - they're all ready to rock)

  2. Think of it as "Hal" - your personal strategic advisor who never sleeps and never gets tired of your questions (How cool is that?)

  3. Here comes the fun part...

I'm about to give you my secret sauce—the prompt to help you achieve laser-focused clarity in minutes instead of months.

🔥 Ready for the game-changing prompt?

Just answer the questions in brackets where indicated, i.e., [your industry], etc., and copy and paste your finished prompt into your AI tool. Then, watch as your AI partner helps unlock your crystal-clear vision.

Warning: What happens next might blow your mind... 🤯 

"You’re a strategic business advisor who’s helped hundreds of businesses in [your industry]. I need your help getting crystal clear on my business vision. Here’s where I am:
My business: [Describe what you do]
My Goals: [What you want to achieve]
My Strengths: [What comes naturally]
My Challenges: [What’s holding you back]
My Ideal Clients: [Who energizes you]
My Unique Approach: [What makes you different]
Help me understand:
What should I stop doing immediately?
What should I double down on?
What am I missing that’s obvious to you?
Where am I making things more complicated than they need to be?"

Here’s my first pass using the prompt that gives you a great starting point using this powerful prompt!

AI: Let’s get laser-focused on your business vision. Share your details, and I’ll help you pinpoint actionable insights. Use this template to structure your response:

1. My Business:

(Briefly describe what you do. For example, "I help solopreneurs simplify their marketing strategies to grow their businesses with less stress.")

2. My Goals:

(Outline what you want to achieve, both short-term and long-term. For instance, "Build a sustainable six-figure business" or "Create a scalable digital product for solopreneurs.")

3. My Strengths:

(What are you naturally good at? Example: "Strategic thinking, connecting with clients, and breaking down complex ideas.")

4. My Challenges:

(What’s holding you back? Example: "Spending too much time chasing clients or difficulty narrowing down my niche.")

5. My Ideal Clients:

(Who do you love working with? Example: "Driven solopreneurs who value strategy and want actionable insights.")

6. My Unique Approach:

(What sets you apart? Example: "I blend strategy with mindset coaching, focusing on simple, actionable frameworks.")

Once I have these details, I’ll dive into:

  • What to stop doing immediately.

  • What to double down on for maximum impact.

  • The apparent opportunities you might be overlooking.

  • How to simplify your approach for clarity and momentum.

🔥 PRO TIP: This Is Where The Magic Really Happens...

Look, I could tell you to skim the surface and call it a day. But we both know that's not how game-changing breakthroughs happen.

Here's the secret sauce: Every time you think, "Hmm, that's interesting..." - DIG DEEPER. Every time you hit an "Aha!" moment - DIG DEEPER. Every time you feel slightly uncomfortable - you guessed it... DIG DEEPER.

Think of it like mining for diamonds:

  • The first layer? That's just dirt.

  • The second layer? Rocks. Nothing special.

  • But keep digging... and BOOM! 💎

The real gold (or diamonds!) comes when you start asking questions like:

  • "Okay, but WHY does that matter?"

  • "What if I looked at this completely differently?"

  • "What's REALLY holding me back here?"

Each question is like a flashlight, illuminating another corner of your business future. And suddenly... everything becomes crystal clear.

Remember: The deeper you go, the clearer your vision will be and the bigger your win will be. Keep digging. You got this!

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Alright, let's bring this baby home! 🏆

Listen up because this is where everything changes...

You've got two nuclear-powered clarity bombs in your hands right now:

✓ The 5-minute "Reality Check" (that isn't really 5 minutes, but hey, who's counting when you're transforming your business?)

✓ The Power Prompt that makes AI your personal clarity machine.

Here's the thing most people miss: Those head-scratching moments? Those "wait, but what about..." questions keeping you up at night?

That's not confusion - that's CLARITY trying to break through!

And trust me, the deeper you dig, the more golden questions you'll uncover. That's precisely what we want! Because each question gets you closer to that "Oh holy cow, NOW I get it!" moment.

🔥 But Wait... There's More! 🔥

Next week? Oh boy...

I'm dropping something so game-changing that it might just make your head explode. (In a good way, of course!)

We're talking about the ONE thing that will:

  • Transform how you run your business

  • Give you back hours of your life

  • It makes you wonder why nobody told you this sooner

But for now, block out some dedicated "do not disturb" time and dive into these exercises.

Your future self will thank you!

See you next week,

Coach Will

P.S. Seriously, block that time now—not tomorrow or later—NOW. Your business deserves this!

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." – Albert Schweitzer.

🤝 Join Our Tribe of Action-Takers

Do you know what makes this community unique? It's not just me talking to you—we all share, grow, and win together. And I want to hear your story.

🎯 This Week's Hot Question: "What's the ONE thing keeping you up at night about your business?"(And don't say coffee... though I'm guilty of that too! 😉)

Drop me your feedback: 👉 Hit reply to this email (I read every response) 👉 Jump into our private StartSmart Community and share, learn, and grow!

Why share? Because: • You might help someone facing the same challenge • Our community often has solutions you haven't thought of • Your story could be featured in next week's spotlight • Sometimes just putting it in words makes the solution clear

🔥 Where The Magic Happens: Join the StartSmart Exchange Community Here!

Remember: The most successful solopreneurs aren't lone wolves - they're part of a pack. And this is your pack.

Let's hear your voice!

Coach Will

Also, please reply and tell me what's currently challenging you. I read everything, and you never know what doors might open from a simple conversation.

Also, if you enjoyed this newsletter, forward it to a fellow solopreneur who could use a SmartStart to scale their business!

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