Take the Elevator
This podcast is purely about elevating people through individual life stories and experiences in the Elevator. In the Elevator, what's key is maybe changing your perspective; having self-actualization; embracing your purpose; and acting on it as we grow from one another. There is a whole different point of view when you look up to elevate.
Take the Elevator
350th Floor: Move from a Dreamer to a Doer Today
Are you feeling stuck in the cycle of planning and hesitating? March is upon us, and it’s the perfect time to break free and start pursuing your goals. In our latest episode, we dive deep into a powerful three-step approach: Get Ready, Set, Go. This episode is designed to inspire listeners who want to transform their dreams into actionable steps.
We delve into the importance of proper preparation—how gathering your thoughts and resources can lay the groundwork for success. You’ll learn how to create a solid structure for your time by setting clear accountability measures, ensuring that you stay on track. The conversation is enriched with personal experiences and insights that showcase how taking action provides clarity and momentum.
Join us as we encourage you to break free from procrastination and take charge of your goals. It’s time to embrace the concept that action creates clarity, and creating a pattern of continuous movement can lead to unexpected outcomes. March is your moment to rise to the occasion! Don’t just wait for the right time—make it happen today! Your journey starts here, so listen now, reflect, and prepare to elevate your life!
hey, it's jen the builder and cory and we are on take the elevator at the beginning of march, elevator at the beginning of March and Corey, we about to farewell, give some shout outs and just some things that we learned in February. It was crazy because I just asked you felt like February just started and I asked you almost immediately after hey, what are some wins? Let's talk about the highlights of February and if you guys don't already know, corey and I, that's a big part of our routine. When the month is done, we just kind of gloss over the month and call out things that you know really worked for us.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we got to do some reflections to make sure we are grateful for the right things and attentive to the right things that happen and making sure we don't make the same mistakes if we did make some in that previous month.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so a lot of February for me, which is funny because February, you know, the month of love and I felt like my relationships and connections were really elevated. Over the month I had so many different lunches and dinner dates and just hangouts with all the women of my life Maybe not all of them, but some of the more important ones and you know that was great. And then I had one new connection and her name Shirley and Corey. When I met her, I love that we took time to really network and connect because she owns a print shop, like she's been in it for decades.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:So she just shared with me that she bought a machine and she didn't really know what for and she felt like, now that she met me, that maybe the machine was for us because this machine takes the books met me that maybe the machine was for us Because this machine takes the books. You guys, it takes the books and it does what it's called bleeding, and so the whole page is the illustration. So right now, if you have our books and you look through it, you'll see that there's a white border around the pictures. Right, her machine will allow for full-on print of the entire page.
Speaker 2:I'm so excited so excited and so already.
Speaker 2:So already yes, can't wait for that to happen and we're even thinking about doing some other things, but I'm I probably should not talk about that just yet. Okay, so february was pretty cool for me too, jen um, I got to spend some time with some cool friends that I've connected with and I'm strategically hanging out with people that I know are going to be valuable in my life and I can be valuable in their life. It's not just the kind of hangouts where we're just we're just talking, just to talk, or, you know, going over sports or stuff like that, and that's good from time to time, but you want to put people in your life strategically so that you can have some motion in your life, so you can elevate, so you can elevate, there you go.
Speaker 2:Another really cool thing is something that I'm looking at right now is a brand new bass guitar.
Speaker 1:Hey, that's right.
Speaker 2:I got an Epiphone, a Jack Cassidy version. If you get a chance to look that up, man, it's a beautiful bass guitar and I've been eyeballing this sucker for a moment now, so it just played perfectly for me to bring that into my life, so I'm happy about that. Another thing Well, what did?
Speaker 1:you name her.
Speaker 2:Well, you named hery because it's a ruby red color.
Speaker 1:Yes, so we've got ruby uh.
Speaker 2:And the last thing that happened, but just not one of the best parts of life for us right now, is we got our first renderings of kelly kanga. Yes, the new book being released on mother's day this year. So so excited, how'd that feel jen oh, I am elated.
Speaker 1:Um, this book really is special to me because kelly kanga is all about the mom and child relationship, and it's so much fun. Yeah, it's so much fun, I'm gonna. I, I love all the books and I love the books that we're creating for future.
Speaker 2:Um, this one's very special to me, yeah I think it's special to both of us, um for different reasons. Yours is because of the mother child relationship. Mine is because this is our first female character in the spotlight.
Speaker 2:So I've been waiting for that for a minute. It's special, it's very special. So what are we talking about today? Jen, you know it's March and it's something new and I wanted to talk about some things that inspired me. You inspire me, something you've done inspired me, and there's a whiteboard or a chalkboard in your room and you wrote the word down start. And that's very inspirational for me, because a lot of people just never start. So what we're talking about is how to get the ball rolling. And, since it's March, and if you're listening to this episode of Take the Elevator and you're trying to do something new, you're trying to write a book, you're trying to start a podcast, you're trying to make a major move in life. This podcast is for you, so let's talk about it.
Speaker 1:Let's do that. So we know that starting, I think the main emotion that a lot of people express to us is that it feels overwhelming, right? So today, on Take the Elevator, corey and I are really going to break it down into simple, clear steps to make it easier. And so if you've got a pen, pencil paper or if you can write these things down, that would be great, because today we're walking through a simple three-step framework and here it is and you've heard it time and time again but we're going to break it down in such a way that it's going to elevate, it's get ready, set and go.
Speaker 2:That's it, just that simple. And if you're thinking I'm always stuck in the waiting, hesitating, never ready to get it all the way going, this is going to be great for you, so let's just get it in. Let's do it.
Speaker 1:I love it All right. So let's set up the first step, which is get ready, or laying the foundation. So this is all about preparation, and I know that sometimes we might just like kill you with this concept, but it is so important. Might just like kill you with this concept, but it is so important, and what we want to say today is that it's not in a way that gets you stuck or keeps you in that space, but it's actually in a way that sets you up for success.
Speaker 2:And a lot of people are always stuck in that get ready mode or being stuck forever Like I'm about to do. Do it, I'm getting ready to go?
Speaker 2:I I've been thinking about this waiting for the right moment, right right, and it's an endless space to be waiting in. So you just got to clarify your, your vision, what you really want to do, identifying the basic resources that you need. Uh, just getting enough to begin is good enough. You don't have to have the whole thing already set and go in stone. And you got to get out of that dream killer mode, which is the I'm ready, but you never move.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think that's also called like overthinking. That can be the killer of a dream. Thanks for pointing that out, Corey. So let's make this real. So you and I have started quite a few projects, but since we're on Take the Elevator right now, right here today, let's think about when we started Take the Elevator and what getting ready looked like for us.
Speaker 2:Well, the first thing is we knew we wanted to inspire people. The second thing is that it was a very difficult time, which was during COVID, when COVID first started, and so a lot of people were spending time at home and not going into work. So we needed to be able to inspire people, keep people's minds on things that are positive and things that were going to be elevating to them. Not to mention, this was your baby from day one let's make no mistake about that and I was going to be a sideline person, just watching and supporting and even producing, but it came a time that I realized that we need to be side by side in this podcast. So that's where we stood, that's where we stayed, that's where we've been and that's where we are today that's where we've been and that's where we are today.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I remember that I told you months before, like man, I think I'd love to do a podcast, and that's what I want to say here is that when you get ready and you're laying down the foundation, these are already things that you've thought about. You already are clear on what you need to do, so now we are figuring out the how, and I'm going to say that I feel like, corey, with you, I have the upper hand because you're a sound guy, right. So you need the best mic, you need the platform we should use. So that was something that we already had. But I think this is key, because some people think they need, like, a full-fledged business plan, like every single step has to be mapped out or every potential problem already needs to have a solution, right, but that's not how real success works, no, so let's break that cycle.
Speaker 2:Today, let's just write down three simple things and keep it simple. Okay, no complicating it.
Speaker 1:Right. So what are the three things? The three things that they need to get ready right For their goal. Okay, so just three things to get started. Is that what we're asking for?
Speaker 2:That's what we're asking for. That's it.
Speaker 1:I love that. So, after you've written that down, we're now getting into step two, which is set, and this is positioning yourself for success. I love that word positioning because you're setting yourself up. Think of it like this You're at the lineup at the start of a race, and whenever I think of race now, corey, you know I think of ruffles. Oh, yeah, right, because it was all about a race, so you wouldn't just show up and do this sprint without the stretching, without getting in position and preparing yourself mentally.
Speaker 2:That's a great way to put it and that's a great way to start. So, when you're about to take off, you want to have sustainability. That's, that's the first thing. And then you want to have the momentum. Little steps equal more momentum and more sustainability.
Speaker 2:Um, then you want to structure your time, make space for your goal and set a schedule, set accountability tell someone about your goal, who you can check in with and who can check up on you and then remove all the obstacles that are, you know, potentially going to stop you from doing this thing, to keep you, uh, to get you in your success mode.
Speaker 1:I love how thoughtful that is. So one thing that really helped us was making it non-negotiable. Helped us was making it non-negotiable. So what I mean for that um is, like us and take the elevator was never a maybe we'll do it thing, but it was a commitment and you and I were gonna hold each other accountable, even to this day. Right, four years later, you're like jen, what time are recording? Yeah, man, because especially during the weekend, that's. It's like I just want to rest right now I'm trying to get ready for Monday, but we are committed to have an episode every week. So we created a routine, we held each other accountable and we didn't give ourselves the option to back out of doing the podcast.
Speaker 2:Yes, and if you don't create space for it, it won't happen. It's just not going to happen on its own. You got to make it happen, and so you got to create that space and that time so you can get in there, do the work, and then it begins to manifest. I'd say this pick a date to start, make sure you start and go. I'd say this pick a date to start.
Speaker 1:Make sure you start and go Right. And you know I'm just going to get a little playful here, because right now we're telling you to pick a start date, write it down, tell someone about it, make it real. And, corey, this episode is coming out on March 3rd and you know how I am about the two digits, three, three Like this is the time to make this happen.
Speaker 1:Right, I love it. So step three this is the final step. So we've gone over, get ready, set, and now we're and go, and this is taking action. Oh, let's go. So now we're at the part that separates guess what the dreamers from the doers.
Speaker 2:Oh my god, because that's everything is the doing yeah, and here's where a lot of people get stuck. They plan, they've prepared, but when it's time to move they hesitate. Why fear procrastination, overthinking imperfection, all these things are just riddling your mind because you don't want to get stuck on that thing, you want to just get it going.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So let me say this loud and clear, because I'm so excited about this piece is that action creates clarity and it seems counterintuitive. But trust us when we say that you don't figure things out by waiting. You figure it out by doing, by doing.
Speaker 2:And that's so true, jim, because when we started this podcast, let's be honest, we had no clue how to do a podcast. I mean, we heard a few of them, but we didn't really know where to start. We had to do a bunch of things as we did, it being the doer, and so when we, when we were doing those things, we learned on the go, but the learning on the go was the best thing that could ever happen to us yeah, and then we just improved over time, right, and there were times, guys, if you listened, I don't even know.
Speaker 1:I think today this episode is 350, which is mind-boggling. But if you listen to all 350, we had moments where I thought we started off stronger than an episode that we did more currently. So it's like this ebb and flow, the ups and downs, but we got to get out of our heads thinking this wasn't as strong as the other episode, because we trust that the episode that we're releasing is exactly as it should be.
Speaker 2:And to our shock, there has been times when people have approached us and said, oh, my man, that was the best episode I've heard and you're like, wow, we struggled on that one. Yeah, best episode I've heard. And you're like, wow, we struggled on that one. Yeah, but I mean, you can't make that determination for what's gonna move someone or help someone?
Speaker 1:yeah, absolutely so. If you've been waiting for permission, this is it guys permission granted, just start, even if it's messy, even if you don't feel 100% ready and even if you're scared. You have our support. Hopefully you have support from somewhere else too. But this is it. Just do it.
Speaker 2:So go ahead and take your first step, not tomorrow, not next week, but today. Get it started today.
Speaker 1:Yes, I'm so inspired. I'm wondering, like, what are the things that I need to do, that I need to do today? And I have quite a few things, and so I'm just going to be very real, corey. We've got other projects, like this other book that I'm writing. We're creating more content and expanding. We're creating more content and expanding, and there are so many things that go into my mind like, oh, we're too busy on this, this is going to put us over the top or it's going to cause an imbalance in our lives. But I don't know if anyone is feeling this sense. We've talked to a couple of business people over the weekend and there's like this sense of urgency and I think that's why this is so important. Today is like we got to get started on the thing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I believe in dreaming big. If it's not big enough for me, then then I just keep dreaming and I wait till it gets to a point when it's so big that people are literally looking at me going is he crazy? Does he really think he can do that? And I'll just give you one thing I want a Disneyland-sized amusement park based on the book. That's huge, and I know it's huge, and that's what I'm dreaming for, and so you heard it here first, and I don't share this with people. Yeah, that's I'm dreaming for, and so you heard it here first and I don't share this with people.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, that's a super vulnerable space for you. We've never shared it, yeah, yeah. So let's recap real quick. So we went over three steps get ready, set and go. Get ready is get clear on your goal and gather what you need, and then the set is structure your time, build accountability and remove the barriers. Go is about taking action, moving forward. No more waiting.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I just want to go back to that very first one that she said, because a lot of people focus on what they want and not what they need. You got to just use what you need in the beginning, because you may not have what you want Like everyone isn't a sound man, so you might not have the perfect mic. You might have just an everyday average mic that is going to get you through those first couple of episodes. And then you get paid and you say you know what? I'm going to invest in another mic. I knew that when we started that we were going to do this for the long haul. I planned to be in this five, six to 10 years of podcasting. I didn't plan on doing a couple episodes and then checking out, but that's how I plan. I plan for the long term, absolutely.
Speaker 1:I plan for the long term. Absolutely, we're all about that. Long-term impact and behavior change, I think, is super important too on this journey. So these are just some tidbits, guys. We went over the main pieces on the get ready, set and go. I just want to do some moments of reflection, things that really make sense for us to share with you. For me, it was in the doing that I actually learned the most, and on top of that, it was in the mistakes I made or the things that I missed that helped me in the next projects to come or the next launching of something new, you know.
Speaker 2:Right, you know.
Speaker 1:And so I'm so grateful that we have each other to say okay, we're, we're jumping in, we're going. And sometimes, corey, you're taking lead on that, because, I'm not going to lie, sometimes I feel half ready, but when you've got someone holding you to accountability, you're saying I remember you said this and and we know that you got this. And that's. The thing is that everything big starts small. The most successful people aren't necessarily the smartest or the most talented. They're the ones who start and keep going.
Speaker 1:So I really love when you brought up sustainability, because that's huge is you start and you just keep going Like, don't stop, get your momentum. I love that March.
Speaker 2:We're starting with momentum March momentum and, jen, I feel very compelled to bring this to the forefront and I hope this doesn't put a Debbie Downer on anything that we've talked about. But I'm just very conscious of the temperature of the water, I'm very conscious of what's happening in our society, in our world. I'm very conscious of what's happening in our society, in our world, and I'm not saying that your job is going anywhere because it may be here for the next 50 or 100 years, but there's always a good chance that something could happen.
Speaker 2:And if you have nothing to fall back on and nothing to lean into, then you find yourself in this very uncertain space and state of mind. So if you have the ability or you have the creativity or you have the knowledge because sometimes it's not about ability or creativity, it's just having the knowledge on how to move the needle in a direction to where you can become an entrepreneur we're always going to push that first, before anything, because anytime you're generating money for yourself, it's always going to be a better situation for you.
Speaker 1:Yeah, especially that passive income. That's a whole nother episode.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's making money when you sleep. It's making money when you're at work. It's making money at all times.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so the way I process what you just shared is having a contingency plan. Yes, right, that's part of the prep too. Like I was in a meeting and one of the people in there said, well, you know, I like when we get correspondence every week from our boss, because then it lets us know what to prepare for as far as the changes within the American government. And I just thought, oh, what would be ideal is if you went ahead and did the research yourself and stayed on top of it, instead of counting on someone to give you or feed you the information that you think you need.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we have to grow into the mindset where we are the giver. We have the information, we have the knowledge to give to people and then, when the questions come about, we're providing that information. When you become that person, then you're no longer reliant on someone else, you're just solely doing the research or you're studying to show yourself approved so that you can be the provider and not the receiver.
Speaker 1:That's right, that's right. So, speaking of receiving what we plan on giving in March, you know cause there's this theme, right? So today is March momentum. We're going to go into March Madness and someone listened to the episode Corey, on taking care of your aging parents, and there were quite a few requests actually to go deeper into a couple of the areas. So we're going to go into that this month of the areas. So we're going to go into that this month. Also, ladies, look forward to March. Menopause it's a very real thing and I think we've said this maybe once or twice on the on the podcast is that women aren't talking about menopause enough to give each other support. So I've got a guest, or we've got a guest coming on and again, she is so super easy to talk to, she is a major in communication, so I just, every time she talks, I'm very drawn, so we're going to have her on the podcast as well.
Speaker 2:And let me tell you something, guys I'm not going to hesitate to ask the tough questions. I'm going to ask everything that I can think of and then I'm going to do some research so I can even ask the further questions. And here's why, you know, jen hit it on the head. Women, men, children are going through tough things, tough times, and we're mum on all this stuff. And what's the purpose in being mum when people can help one another get through these tough times? And that's why it's so poignant that someone is asking for more information on this taking care of your aging parent because if you're not able to get that information, then what are you going to do? You're just going to fumble your way through it in the dark and hope that you get it right. We can't do that with life anymore. This just too much information, too much knowledge out there. So let's roll this stuff out so people can have access to it.
Speaker 1:I love that. Let's roll it out. We have another episode to you. That's a bit of a surprise, but if you found this episode helpful in the areas of get ready, set and go, please share with someone who needs that extra push. We all have goals and sometimes we just need a little encouragement to get the ball rolling. So we hope y'all have a good week. We're really counting on March to be something special. Remember to look for the glimmers. We're going to have our challenges. That's to be expected, but just stay on top of it. Surround yourself with people Like Corey. What you said earlier is plugging in to the right people to give you that support and to encourage you.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I don't normally do this, but I've just felt a little bit compelled to do this today. If you haven't got your book that Jen and I wrote together, which is Sheriff Slinky Snake, you can find that on Amazon. You'll find the other two books on there as well, and we're really pushing to get these books out to as many kids as possible and to as many families as possible, because we believe that this message is really going to help them and move the needle. So I just want to put it out there and hope you guys enjoy that. Again, it's on amazoncom and you can find Jen's author page. You can find my author page and even read up a little bit about the illustrator, which is a wonderful individual named Vanessa Montano.
Speaker 1:Yeah, great plug in. And parents, if you're wondering what Sheriff Slinky stinks about, if you've got kiddos that are going through um friendships and you know kids can be kind of ruthless as far as um, well, let me let me rephrase that we all can be. We can. We all can be about gossiping, about taking bits and pieces of someone's story or something that you think you know and coming to a conclusion that's actually very harmful to that person and to the community that that person's in like. We really want to drive that lesson home, and that's what the book's about. So there you have it. I think you should get it.
Speaker 2:I think you should too uh, last but not least, the shameless band is going to be performing at the september's tap room and eatery in rialto on the 14th yes and then we're going to be in rancho jucamanga at the september's tap room on the 28th and the 29th. Oh so, back to backs and man show, back to back, and I will definitely put some stuff up on social media.
Speaker 2:You can follow us on shamelessband095 on Instagram and the shameless band on Facebook. You can follow Jen the Builder on or you can email her on Jen the Builder. And then we have our website that is up and going now called thegencocom. And then, if you're interested in following the fuzzy furry forest and guys, I'm telling you we got a lot of stuff, it's a whole lot.
Speaker 2:It's a lot of stuff. We got animation coming, music coming, uh, more books coming, the whole nine. But you can follow that on the website which is, uh, the fuzzy furry forestcom. And I gotta put these plugs in when I can, because who else will do it.
Speaker 1:I'm going to make sure it's on the notes because it's a lot to take in, but thank you anyways for being here. And you know us. At Take the Elevator, we say look up and let's elevate, elevate.
