Resources For Busy Online Business Owners

You Need A Budget

YNAB is the #1 budgeting tool I recommend for both personal and business budgeting. It's intuitive, helps me plan for all future expenses, helped me focus to pay off a ton of personal debt, and is inexpensive. Using the Profit First system, YNAB keeps my business saving and spending on track. Check out their 34-day free trial.

Todoist

Todoist another incredible app for getting things done. It’s one of the best task management tools for personal productivity. It syncs almost instantly, understands human language input, is highly customizable, and  no other task management app integrates with as many tools as well as Todoist. Right now you can get 2 months of Todoist Pro free by clicking the button below.

Nozbe

For almost a decade Nozbe has been my go to app for getting things done. It’s one of the best GTD stye task management tools available and in my opinion it's the best for working with a team. I've quit using it several times to find something better, but I always come back. I actually liked Nozbe so much I learned everything about it and became a Nozbe Certified Expert to teach others just how awesome it is. If you're new to Nozbe to get started for free and get $15 toward upgrading when you're ready.

Toggl Track

With Toggl Track, you can easily track how much time is spent on specific projects and tasks. See what you are actually doing and how much time is wasted (or not). Toggl helps you monitor your productivity and find your common distractions so you make progress and focus on what's most important.

Overcast

Apple's native podcast app is clunky. That's where Overcast comes in. It makes listening to podcasts simple and easy in a way that's stable and reliable. One of the best features of Overcast isan effect called smart speed that removes dead time from each track shortening the time you spend listening to silence. Smart speed has saved me over 147 hours beyond just listening 2X speed.

Loom

Every single day I need to do a quick screen recording for a client or friend. My go to app is Loom because of how simple it is to record and send. Whether I'm trying to help them troubleshoot a technical issue, walk them through a project plan, or shoot a quick introduction video, Loom helps me quickly capture and send with a sharable link. Best of all, Loom helps me work asynchronously saving me hours every single day since I'm on fewer live video calls. Check out how easy it is below.

Evernote

Do you ever wish you could “Remember Everything?” I use Evernote as a second brain to capture quick notes or store any type of digital file. Notes are accessible wherever you are on all the different platforms you already use.

Workflowy

WorkFlowy is an online notebook for brainstorming, making outlines (with endless nesting), and keeping track of projects. It's incredibly simple, but flexible enough to use for creativity and productivity. Plus amazing search keeps everything top of mind. Whenever I need to just get things out of my head Workflowy is my go to "brain-dumping" ground.

Fluid

Not every tool I use has a dedicated Mac app. That's where Fluid comes in. Within seconds I can turn any web app into a real desktop app. This is how I access YNAB, Brain.fm, Toggl Track, and many other apps. 

Brain.fm

I've been using Brain.fm to help me get instant focus since 2015, and the app just keeps getting better. Brain.fm provides music that's scientifically tested to get you focused quickly. Start a track and you'll immediately improve your focus or your relaxation. One of my favorite features that beats similar apps is offline mode for those times I really need to cut out distractions or am flying.

Dropbox

Dropbox makes sharing documents, pdfs, and media files a breeze. By keeping files in sync across devices and storing local copies, you can work wherever you are even if you're offline. And best of all, Dropbox files can easily be added to Nozbe to keep all your files with your tasks.

Readwise

I used to struggle to get all my ebook highlights into Evernote. That is until I found Readwise. It took 10 minutes to set up, and now all my highlights from Kindle, Pocket, and even Twitter are just synced to Evernote without lifting a finger. Any time I add a highlight, it's appended to the same note, so I don't miss anything. I've saved countless hours on research by having everything in one place. I also love the daily review feature which helps me remember everything I've captured. Click below to see if Readwise is right for you and get a free month on me.

Mind Meister

MindMeister is an online mind-mapping tool that allows you to visualize, connect, share, and present your ideas. I’ve been using MindMeister for over 5 years and absolutely love it. It's great for brainstorming project plans, connecting ideas, and documenting workflows to streamline your processes.

Blinkist

If you’re anything like me, you probably have a stack of books that you want to read, but just can’t find the time. This is one of my favorite tools to catch up on reading. It gives quick summaries for hundreds of the top business, personal development, and productivity books and the list grows weekly. It gets straight to the main points, so I can start taking action. I love that I can get summaries in either text, audio, or even some in video and get the main ideas in around 12 minutes. Plus it has many of the books I recommend on this page.

Influence

If you've ever wondered what motivates people to take action, whether in business, social groups, or even your own kids, this book is a must read. Dr. Cialdini has written the textbook for how to ethically persuade. In this revised edition he shares a seventh universal principle that will change how you interact with others and drive for success.

Boundaries

If you ever feel like you're being used by the people around you, you might have a boundaries problem. This book does an amazing job at teaching you how to set firm boundaries in a loving way.

Atomic Habits

This book by habits expert James Clear teaches you exactly how to eliminate bad habits and easily build the habits that will help you be a better husband and father.

Essentialism

This is the #1 book to help you define what's most important and completely reshape how you think about work & life.  Greg McKeown takes you step-by-step through a process of identifying what's most important and creating a plan to focus on what matters most.

Free To Focus

After attending Michael Hyatt's live Free to Focus event, I was thrilled when he released the book. This book packs so much information into a quick and easy read. It will help you plan your days and more importantly rethink how you can get the most out of the time you have.

Eat That Frog

I know that sounds gross, but it works...If procrastination is something that keeps holding you back, Brian Tracy's book is for you. He shares 21 strategies you can use to defeat procrastination now.

Rest

As important as hard work is, it's almost more important to rest. Most of us struggle to actually rest. I'm not talking about lounging in front of the TV, but instead using active rest to help you improve in all areas of your life.

Gusto

If you're a small team and worried about the overhead of an HR department or managing payroll taxes Gusto can help you avoid the headache by taking care of the details for you. I've used Gusto as both an employee and as a contractor and it simply works. The fact that Gusto handles payroll, onboarding, benefits, and more leaves you the time to focus on growing your business or building your next product instead of wondering if you forgot some important piece of paperwork you've never heard of. Click below to learn more and see if Gusto is right for your business.

ConvertKit

When it comes to email service providers the only one I've recommended since 2015 is ConvertKit. As Subscriber #1,472, you could say I’ve been using ConvertKit for a while, and I just keep finding new possibilities. The team behind ConvertKit is incredible, support is quick, and I never have to worry about my emails getting to my audience's inbox. Advanced features are so easy to use, I've taught people twice my age how to quickly build advanced automations, segment their list, and create a great overall customer experience. Click below to learn more and get a free account for up to 1,000 subscribers.

ConvertBox

If you're looking for a way to easily collect leads on your site using great-looking forms that are automated but not annoying to your audience, I recommend ConvertBox. As far as form builders go, ConvertBox can easily replace a Leadpages or Optin Monster subscription and quite frankly is really easy to use. It's designed by the same team as ThriveCart and also has a LIFETIME offer going on right now. I grabbed a copy and can't wait to start sharing all the different ways it makes business easier.

Thrive Themes

Having a WordPress website is great, but it can also become a struggle to keep up with plugins, updates, site speed, and everything else that could go wrong. Let's just say I've been around the block when it comes to WordPress page and theme builders. Nothing comes close to Thrive Themes in ease of use and number of tools that are included. You can easily turn your website into a full-blown online business. The inexpensive annual price includes: a drag-and-drop theme and page builder, opt-in forms, testimonial tracker, quiz builder, course manager, and more. Click below to learn more and get started.

ThriveCart

Thrivecart is the #1 sales-page/funnel builder and shopping cart that I personally recommend and trust. Other companies are marketers who sell software, but Thrivecart is a software company first. Its amazing page builder, impressive integrations, affiliate management system, and security features make it stand out. They're currently offering a LIFETIME subscription (including all future updates). This one-time purchase paid for itself within a month and I never have to purchase anything again. Click below to learn more.

Rockin Productivity Academy

My friend Jeff is the author of The Free-Time Formula and The 5 AM Miracle, as well as host of The 5 AM Miracle podcast. Now he's offering a Premium Productivity Membership with step-by-step videos of real productive strategies, in-depth interviews, and custom coaching. Jeff wanted to make this membership is accessible for all my readers, so he offered me a discount to share that's over $100 off (that's 40%).

Thrive School Pro

If you want to turn your wisdom into wealth by building a thriving online education business then Thrive School PRO will be for you. My friend and mentor John Meese, former Dean of Platform University, knows exactly how to help you grow an online business from your real-world expertise. Membership includes Live Q&A, Monthly Training & Tactical Guides, and a private community of other business builders. Right now you can lock in founding member pricing (1/2 off full price ending September 30, 2022). Click below to learn more and join me.

Rethink Dieting

Mindset is everything in business, and your weight could be subconsciously holding you back. In this training, my friend Alan Thomas shares the simple five step strategy he used to lose 129 pounds and how he helps his clients reach their goals (even if they've struggled with weight their entire life). I recently lost over 30 pounds and am in the best shape of my life, including my time in the Army, because I followed the lessons Alan teaches. Click below to watch the free, no pitch, replay.

Peak Work Performance Summit

In this on-demand summit, the world's top productivity experts reveal their strategies for achieving health, happiness and success. The best part, you can watch all these incredible videos for free.

Find Affiliates Now

If you're looking for a way to grow your business but you're not ready to bring on someone to run your affiliate program, I recommend Find Affiliates Now by my friend Matt McWilliams. In this five day course that I helped design, he takes you through the exact process his team uses to find the right affiliates, how to reach out to those potential affiliates, how to get them to say "yes" to your program, how to set up your affiliate program, and how to get them to go all-in with promoting you. The lessons are short but actionable to help you get started right away.

Full Focus Planner

I've been using Michael Hyatt's Full Focus Planner since it was released at the end of 2017. It captures the core of Michael's productivity systems and actually helps you focus on the right tasks to make major progress on your goals. Sections for goal setting, routines, daily schedules, and even long-term planning keep me using this planner every quarter. Try it for 3 months to see how much it helps you achieve your goals.

Kindle Fire

As much as I love my iPad, it's too big to comfortably read a book on. As much as I love having physical books, I can't take my library with me when I travel. My Kindle Fire is my go to device for reading. That's its only purpose for me. And my favorite feature, I can have it read the book to me (without having to buy the audio version). Yes it sounds like a robot, but I don't mind.

FriXion Pens (Erasable)

Remember those erasable pens we had as kids that were absolutely miserable? These are not those erasable pens...These ones actually work. I use them with my Rocketbook.

Timbuk 2 Messenger Bag

This bag is deceptively sized. I’m 6’4” and have looked everywhere for a small bag that still fits my tall frame and still holds all my stuff. Though it looks small from the outside, it easily holds my 16” MacBook Pro, several books, a water bottle, all my charging cords, and other personal items because of how well planned the inner pockets are. The fabric is incredible too and the zippers are strong. Definitely buy this bag. You won’t be disappointed.

Rocketbook

It's a physical notebook that lives in the digital world. I love being able to take real notes, but sometimes it's hard to upload them to my digital systems. Rocketbook is a reusable notebook that you pair with their app to scan and one-touch send your notes to all your different digital systems at once. Don't forget to get the FriXion Pens so you can erase and reuse your pages.

Hydroflask - 40 oz

This is the best water bottle out there. It keeps your water cold or your tea hot all day long, and that's no lie! It's one of the biggest water bottles that is still easy to take along wherever you go. Plus, it helps me drink enough water each day. Oh, and one more thing, it's completely stainless steel, so it doesn't soak up any flavors (which means your water will always taste like water if you wash it regularly).