by Dan Meredith
Look after those who have looked after you. This one pretty much speaks for itself. Don’t burn your bridges. The first part is to help yourself. You have to secure your own health, skills, finances and business first. Once that’s all in check, the next part of your duty is to help others.
THE END
Well, that was quite a ride, wasn’t it?
We’re finally at the end of a somewhat brutal, hopefully entertaining, maybe a little offensive but, if I have done my job right, useful journey.
Look. One thing I hope I have made clear is that I am not special. Neither are you. We’re just humans with similar wants, needs and desires. But what we all are is unique.
Whatever DNA soup your parents concocted made you.
That’s the difference between you and me.
There are things that, quite frankly, I can kick your arse on. Equally, there will be things that you can make me look a bloody toddler at.
The only difference right now (and if you are already doing this, you are a fucking hero) is the fact that I am doing. While you are thinking about doing.
I remember, back in my headhunting days, a guy telling me that he was an ideas man. That’s what I used to identify with: I’m extremely creative and can come up with some seriously different solutions to problems.
Thing is, any fucker can have ideas. What I realised when I got older was that every Tom, Dick and Harry (or, er, Sarah, Vicky and Kylie, if you prefer) has ideas.
So. Bloody. What.
What counts is you taking that idea, and making it a reality.
And how do you do that?
By doing the fucking work!
The books you can find online that tell you to follow your passion, go for your dreams and live a life of freedom are many. In fact, I read a fair few of them when I first got the itch about four years ago.
Boy, did they inspire me to change my life!
Did I though?
Did I heck!
It was only when I went balls deep, all in, made the relevant sacrifices in my life, invested in my education, skills and network, put time in every single day, and never, ever quit that my life began to change. And the ball started rolling.
As entrepreneurs we are always growing, and even I’m not perfect. Far from it. I’m going through the same growing pains that all entrepreneurs and business owners go through as they try to scale, reach more people, and keep making a profit without becoming a scumbag. At times I have had:
Cash flow issues
Staff issues
Health and fitness issues
Sanity issues!
But I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am finally doing the one thing that I truly believe I was put here to do – leading people by the hand, or kicking them up the arse, to get the shit they have been putting off forever done.
It’s rather fun, if I’m honest. Ha!
But fun aside, I’ve realised that I have been gifted a group of people who loyally follow me, invest in me, share my highs and lows and never falter. It would make me a selfish prick if I only used this tribe of quite frankly terrible (but awesome) humans just to line my own pockets.
It would make me, in fact, a dick.
So as of now, I am still trying to figure out exactly who I am, what the point of me is, and what impact I can make. And I’m going to apply this directly to my audience. With time, I am going to use this tribe of fruitcakes to create massive changes in the entrepreneurial landscape.
As always, I don’t know what I’m going to do, how I’m going to do it, or what it’s going to look like, but I know it will happen. It will happen because I will do the work that is necessary to make it happen.
I’m a nature-loving, miniature-painting, film-obsessed bookworm who is rather fond of his own company. I am actually an introvert, would you believe? What you see now is years of discipline, working on myself, hard work and being a relentless little shit who refused to stay in his place. I am not the Dan I was fifteen years ago. Fuck, I’m not the Dan I was six months ago!
What I’m trying to say is that you – and the shite that’s in your head, the stories that you are telling yourself – will be the only thing that holds you back from making the changes and going balls deep in what you truly want to do.
Don’t let your mind fuck you over.
On paper, someone like me shouldn’t really be doing what I am now. But I am. So in closing I want to say this:
Fuck the bullshit excuses that you give yourself.
Fuck the nonsense stories that you tell yourself over and over again.
Fuck the critics, the people who tell you it will never work or those who don’t believe in you or your vision.
Fuck the people who say it’s easy, doesn’t involve hard work or effort.
Fuck staying in your place.
Fuck the status quo.
Fuck being average, full stop.
Learn to embrace life, love work, see failure as a friend, relish the act of creating something out of nothing but your own efforts, apply discipline to your life, buck the trend, swim against the stream, have a vision, have a dream, have a fucking reason so powerful you can’t sleep at night.
And quite simply… BE AWESOME.
PERSONAL THANK YOUS
Personal thank yous to people who have helped me to get where I am, given me support and resources that I rate and whom I’ve learned from. (Please note – none of these people were consulted in the making of this book, so please don’t hold anything against them. They didn’t make me like this).
THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN MY NON-BUSINESS LIFE
Without you all I wouldn’t be the (amazingly, and quite surprised still) successful fruitcake I am now:
Debra and Nigel Meredith – I have literally no idea how you put up with me! Your parenting, relationship and how you deal with life’s blows have been an inspiration. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for better parents – thank you.
Anna Meredith – ahhh, Spud. You are the source of so much inspiration, yet also a pain in the arse! I know life hasn’t dealt you the best of hands, but your big brother loves you and will never, ever let you down.
Tobo, Chambers, Barnett, The Griffiths, The Collings, The Mighty Cake, Dave and Neil – we may not have time to hang out quite as much anymore, but you are top lads. Yes, I know I have never used that phrase before, but it’s my book so I can do what I want!
Ben Hazeldine – never would I think a walk around a marina would be the highlight of my day. Thank you for your belief – and smacking some sense into me from time to time. Lucky to have you as one of my closest friends.
Fran Dunne – you were with me for the toughest years of my entrepreneurial journey. You kept me going, you kept me sane, and you made sacrifices that many wouldn’t have done. I wish you every happiness, and I hope your adventures land you the sunny, happy (hair free!) life you deserve.
Judith Williams – you had belief in me, when virtually no one else did. You provided that crucial first investment that started the ball rolling. Wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for your faith/insanity!
INNER CIRCLE WORK PEOPLE AND THOSE WHO HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND
Tega ‘Teggles’ Diegbe. Never had a right hand man before – that’s what I’ve always been! I have never had anyone work so hard, be a shoulder, and personify loyalty and commitment. My chocolate brother, you are something else.
Sarah Louise Carter – trying to organise and manage me = a thankless task. As assistants go, I couldn’t ask for more, you wonderful and extremely tolerant human.
Andy ‘Mutant’ Davis and Cameron ‘F-rocker’ Shean – you took my fitness facility and made it shine. You have kept me – and my business – healthy, and have not broken anything yet either!
Mike Neck for giving me a fitness home when I had none, and opening up your gym and world to me when my life took a reset. Thanks, you big armed bastard!
Mike Samuels – one of my first coaching clients, and now partner in all things co
py. Your ability to show no emotion and balance out my manic ways is nothing short of heroic.
Sean Mysel – true friend, pain in the arse, and one of the smartest guys I know. You are a gifted human, amazing writer, and I’m proud to have had you with me on this rather daft journey
Anna Selby – what you can do with social media is genius, and quite frankly, if I don’t see you on TV one day I will be stunned. Thanks for supporting my vision, and giving me a kick up the arse when I need it – which is apparently very often.
Emma Melhuish – my first business partner! Small thumbs, but a genius with online advertising and even better friend. Uncle Dan – I promise – will be a bad influence on your little one, ha!
Mark Whitehand – long haired, northern, daft-as-balls soft-lad who happens to be an amazing coach, even better videographer and genuine friend who goes the extra mile. Proud of you.
Ollie Matthews – my first ever coaching client and now very good friend. You took the plunge. Your positivity is infectious.
Nayar Pervez and Alex Holowko – you believed in what I do, and have been with me on this ride since the start. Your epic talents with words and inability to say no is glorious.
Franc Feliu for being my partner in the craziest journey I have taken yet, and for forcing my hand to write this bastard book.
Ryan Levesque – the man the AMEX gamble was made for and the first man to take a real chance on me. Honestly, without you – 100% – I wouldn’t be here right now. Simple as that. I love you, man. End of. I will always have your back.
Ryan Lee for giving me my first proper shot at the stage in the entrepreneurial world. A supportive friend and someone I simply love to work with.
Ben Settle – even though you profess to be a tough S.O.B., I appreciate you giving me a shot – and for going the extra mile for a friend. What you have taught me is immense. That, and you like me, really…
Chris Burgess and Luke Johnson for giving me your audience in those early days when I was just starting out in copy.
Joe Gregory – epic levels of commitment to getting this book together, figuring out how to get the nonsense out of my head and into print.
Justin Devonshire, Stephen Somers, Jamie Alderton and Pat Divilly – couldn’t ask for a better group of lads to be on this journey with. Bloody geniuses, the lot of you. Thanks for all you have done – and continue to do.
Dexter Abraham – a mentor and friend like no other, both inspiring and terrifying in equal measure. You helped make me the man I am today, showed me what was possible and toughened me up. Thank you for believing in me and being there in the dark times – I know it’s been a thankless task at times, but I am more grateful than you can ever imagine.
THE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT NETWORK
Brian Grasso, Carrie Campbell, Shari Teigman, Rob Michon, Erik Rokeach, A J Mihrzad, Marci Lock, Dax Moy, Michael Lassen, Kirsten Roberts, The Wildes, Carly Jennings and Edi Tsang. Let’s face it, I’m as loopy as a bucket of frogs on LSD. Appreciate you being the buffers to my bowling lane of sanity.
Also – bloody hell, that’s a lot of you! Poor bastards!
THE COACHES AND MASTERMINDS WHO ARE, QUITE FRANKLY, THE TITS
John McIntyre – you made Titans weird, but without your introductions I would be buggered.
Derek Johanson for creating Copy Hour, showing me the ways of words and generally tolerating me during those early days.
Rob Hanly – my first ever coaching call! You are the epitome of class when it comes to coaches. Epic human all round. Also epic beard.
John Logar – my first ever coach! I don’t think I have met anyone who has over-delivered like you. You took some coal and made a rough-as-balls diamond, ha!
Doberman Dan Gallapoo – I had no idea why you took me under your wing in those early days. Still don’t now! Appreciate you, and your wife, ha!
Paul Mort and Tim Goodwin – you gave me my first taste of this world, and both deserve success in your ventures. Fact.
Tina Marie for giving me a shot at the big leagues and sorting out my utter lack of organisation in the early days. You have skills, woman. Massive thumbs up to Darren Casey for recommending you in the first place.
Jonathan Rivera for pushing me to podcast and being an epic co-host and producer. I do enjoy our chats.
Michael Lovitch and Hollis Carter for asking me to join the Baby Bathwater Institute and allowing me back. Amazing – the highlight of my year.
Brian Kurtz and Michael Fishman – you gave a newbie sage advice, and I have never forgotten ‘Don’t look down!’
Brian Noonon, Mike Gelblicht and Morgan Crozier – skilled coaches, reliable colleagues and friends. Solid and smart humans.
Joe Polish – the connections and friends I have made through GENIUS network have been invaluable. I’ll never quite forget that Halloween party, though…
Andy Hussong and Todd Brown – seriously smart mofos and utterly generous with their time and genius. I hope to be as skilled as you when I grow up.
Andre Chaperon – a truly gifted writer, but I’ll never forget that book you gave me. Changed it all for me, buddy.
IN CLOSING
To everyone who invested in me when I was fresh.
To the early adopters when I launched CLUB5.
To the truly brave and wonderful folks who came with me for a year in PLATINUM.
To the special folks who want more Dan in ‘Espresso With Dan’.
To the peeps who have joined and continue to pour into ‘Coffee With Dan’ every day.
To everyone who has lent their genius to my group for free to share their amazing talents.
To everyone I have met on this crazy journey. (And this sounds like such a dick move, but there are too many of you to reference!).
And finally, to each and every person who has ever invested in me, whether with your money, your time or simply by following me and supporting me on a journey that will end I have absolutely no fucking idea how.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
BOOKS AND COURSES TO GET HOLD OF
Yo.
I have referenced the amazing books and courses I have used in this book, as well as people you should follow. First of all, I would Google some of those folks – trust me on this, OK?
Secondly, I have so many damn books and courses and folks I’d happily recommend (no affiliate or commission crap – I recommend them because I have used them). If you get my business tips – www.coffeewithdan.com/118things – I’ll make sure to include a resources section at the back. That cool? There are too many to list here, and quite frankly, in the writing of this book I think I have forgotten how to use my brain!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hello. My name is Dan Meredith. I’m a plum.
I have somehow gone from worker bee and vaguely decent success across a variety of industries, including fitness, advertising and copywriting, to having a tribe of over 4,000 (probably more by the time you read this) entrepreneurs worldwide, hundreds of clients all over the world, a copywriting business, a gym, a stack of digital courses, a marketing agency…
And now a book!
You are holding it, by the way.
Throw in the fact that I count some of the most successful marketers, business people and pioneers as friends, and it really is rather silly.
Just a few years ago my choice was between petrol in the car and eating. Now, as long as I have my iPhone and Internet connection, I’m good to go anywhere in the world.
Pretty cool, eh?
But no matter how successful I get, how many places I speak at, how many people I help, I will still look like a fucking badly shaved bear. Swings and roundabouts.
You can get hold of me, join my crazy tribe and take part in the silliness too at www.coffeewithdan.com.
MY GIFT TO YOU
The fucking awesome cheat sheet – 118 tactics that can skyrocket your success. Like really – you know, 3, 2, 1 countdown, fire and spaceship, the full w
orks!
I hope you have enjoyed this book. It’s been in my head for quite some time, and as I said waaaaaaay back in the beginning, if you get just one thing from it, it’s done its job.
And I’ll be a happy plum.
But I know that I’ve read books before and got myself all fired up only to think, right, now what the fuck do I do?
I don’t want that to happen with this book. As it’s all about getting shit done. Not leaving you stranded when the tyres hit the road.
So to prepare this bad boy cheat sheet for you, I went full geek and devoured my ‘Daily Dose Of Dan’ posts in ‘Coffee With Dan’, all my trainings and webinars, and whipped out 118 of my best tips across a variety of subjects, including sales, marketing, product development, copywriting, mindset, networking, social media, advertising and tribe building (as well as quite a few more topics). And some great titbits from the awesome experts I have dragged into my world too.
This cheat sheet alone has cost me tens, if not hundreds (I lose count and keep going to more things), of thousands in courses and is the best of what I know, right now.
Depending on when you are reading this, the cheat sheet may be different. I’m not so arrogant as to think I know everything, because that would be complete horse shit. As I learn more stuff, I’ll update the sheet.
So, if you want to grab the best of what’s in my brain, simply head over to www.coffeewithdan.com/118things and I’ll send it to you right away.
It will be formatted so, if you want to, like me you can print it off, and it will look the tits as well. Might it be worth doing that? You can then keep it with you and highlight the tactics as something to do in your business. Or you might want to sit in your underwear and watch Netflix eating pizza.
Both are fucking awesome!
And, did I mention, I fuckin’ love pizza?
First published in Great Britain 2016 by Rethink Press (www.rethinkpress.com)