In Today’s Episode You’ll Learn:

We all have a dream about how we want our lives to be.

We all had moments where we couldn’t see how to rise above the circumstances and make that dream a reality.

We are all afraid to do that step, that scary first step where we dip our toe in the ice-cold water.

Kimanzi Constable is here to tell you that there is hope; That you don’t need to settle, that you CAN live the dream. We will not talk theories or best practices – every advice he has comes from a personal experience of turning a bread delivery guy into a public speaker, published author and a pure inspiration.

Before we got to the interview itself, I want to share with you the message that he chose to say last, before we wrapped the interview up:

Don’t Give up. If 2014 didn’t work exactly the way you planned – try again! 2015 is right around the corner and you CAN make it better!

If you take anything from this interview – take this. But if you want to find out how you can stop settling and start living the dream – let’s roll!

Today’s Superhero

Kimanzi has been an entrepreneur his entire life; From the age of 19 he had a business, and lived a life that can be well described as “existing”, and nothing more.

Due to the lack of business experience and knowledge, soon enough he and his family were in serious debt, and life wasn’t looking too promising. In fact, from where he stood – life were pretty much pre-designed with no hope for any change.

Having no ‘special skills’ or a college degree, Kimanzi convinced himself that there was absolutely nothing else he could do, so he continued to limp through life and business, even though it wasn’t his passion or desire.

Things came to a breaking point in the summer of 2011. He was over $100,000 in debt, his marriage was falling apart, and his children barely knew him because he was always working. He wanted out. He wanted freedom.

He took the journal he has been keeping for that entire year, and self-published it. You read correct – he took one of the most private things he had and put it out there for the world to read.

And it was a flop.

The book sold a whopping amount of 5 copies in it’s first 6 months of existence.

But he didn’t give up.

He learned a few things about internet marketing, social media and used some strategies that worked pretty well. He has been bootstrapping himself and his business ever since, and that has led him to become a successful published author, speaker, contributor writer to some of the biggest and most amazing sites out there, loose 170 pounds and move his family to Hawaii.

Kimanzi has turned a hopeless mediocre life into the life of his dreams, and today he is here to share how you can do it too!

Hero Q&A

1. Do you have a sidekick?

While Kimanzi has partners for the different projects he’s doing, he doesn’t have a permanent sidekick on his side. He admits that the main reason for that is him being a control freak who is afraid to give up the lead, and if you combine it with some bad experience he had with employees back when he was in the bread delivery business you get a recipe for zero trust.

However, after all the heroes we had on this show, I think we all know that when you NEED help, you find a way to ask for it – even if you are a true control freak with bad experience with employees. It’s all a matter of reaching that point where you understand that it’s either getting over yourself and delegating or compromising your business’ growth and future. Not everyone reach this point, and Kimanzi certainly hasn’t yet – but he does realize that getting help can allow him to work on things that have greater impact and would be a better use of his time and skill.

2. What’s your super power when it comes to getting things done?

Extreme focus was Kimanzi’s choice; Back in the day, when he had a 9-5 job (that never was, actually from 9 to 5) he had to learn to get in the zone whenever he needed to get anything done for his side business – he calls it “hustling mode” – and when he’s in it, there is no stopping him.

To anyone who is looking to obtain this super-power, Kimanzi’s best advice would be to shut down any distractions – notifications, email, tv, and even people. After that it’s a matter of commitment and practice!

I must admit, though, that after having this talk with him, I believe that Kimanzi’s super power is much greater than just the ability to focus at any place and time; He’s true super-power is the ability to take the leap of faith and put that first toe in the ice-cold water.

Through all his entrepreneurial journey, he has been able to put aside the fear and doubt and dip a toe, just one toe, in the water – and push himself forward.

3. What is your kryptonite, when it comes to time management?

Apparently when you have the ability to focus at will, you also need the ability to STOP and get away a bit to balance it out! Getting overboard is something that Kimanzi struggles with, and I think most of us, over-achievers out there, can relate.

To my surprise, Kimanzi defined himself as an introvert, and as a result many of his actions as well as reactions to opportunities are dictated by this feature. Thanks to his devotion to the message he’s carrying and to the lives that he’s changing Kimanzi finds the strength to overcome this on a daily basis, and I must admit that I think he’s doing an amazing job in conquering this kryptonite, because hadn’t he told me – I would never have guessed this nugget about him.

4. Name your top secret weapons for gaining time:

1. MacBook – Kimanzi switched from PC to Mac last year and he never looked back ever since. This is his #1 most used and most valuable tool, and he’s not giving it up.
2. Pandora – music is a big part of his life, and he can not imagine going a day without it. Pandora makes it easy!
3. Kimanzi’s wife – Her brutal honesty and determination to push Kimanzi forward makes her, aside from being his beloved spouse, to an amazing ‘tool’ for productivity and success.

5. What is your biggest secret, the one that helps you get more time?

This time, we’re going EXTREME! Kimanzi’s most outrageous way to keep himself productive was to hire someone to sit with him and slap him every time he got distracted, procrastinated or simply slacked of. SAY WHAT?! 🙂

6. If a genie gave you one extra hour every day for the rest of your life, what would you do with it?

This was an easy one to answer: Spending time with his family, while being completely present and aware to every little detail and conversation going on.

Mentioned Resources:

• Kimanzi on Twitter @KimanziC and Facebook
• “Stop Chasing Influencers!” – Let Kimanzi and Jared help you reach success!
• Kimanzi’s books on Amazon
• Amanda Hocking
• Kimanzi’s blog
• Pandora online radio
• HackTheSystem.com