The most successful people in business often seem magical. They create offers effortlessly, launch campaigns that attract their ideal prospects, and build businesses that thrive.
But what makes them magical? It’s not some innate talent.
It’s proximity.
I’ve learned that being close to the right people – those further along the path – changes everything. This is the story of how proximity took me from struggling to thriving – and the lessons I’ve carried ever since.
What I’d Tell My 1996 Self
If 1996 Jeff could meet the Jeff of today, he’d probably think I was some sort of wizard. Back then, I was a stay-at-home dad with two young kids. I hadn’t made an income in five years, and my family was supported entirely by my wife.
The idea of having people who couldn’t wait to buy from me?
That seemed impossible.
Fast forward to today, creating offers feels second nature. I can craft a campaign, launch it, and have people excitedly paying me for it – and it’s not really for the product, but for the transformation it brings to their lives.
But here’s the truth: It didn’t happen by magic. It happened because I consistently put myself in proximity to people who had the clarity, wisdom, and strategies I needed for growing a business.
A Massive Leap
Let’s rewind to January 2000, when I went to my first marketing workshop. The cost was exorbitant to me at the time, and I had to travel to Los Angeles for it. But I sensed that this could be the turning point I needed.
One of the speakers at that event was someone I had been studying for years. I’d bought all his products, consumed all his content, and admired his expertise from afar. Meeting him in person seemed like a distant dream.
On the very first day, as the elevator doors opened, there he was.
A Life-Changing Elevator Ride
I had never been good at elevator pitches, but in that moment, I seized the opportunity.
I shared a little about my business, how much his work had influenced me, and the results I’d seen from implementing his ideas. That short elevator ride turned into a brief hallway conversation, which led to a dinner the next day.
Over dinner, I explained my upcoming campaign, and he offered a few key insights. Those insights completely changed how I approached my campaign.
From $330K to Over $100K More
Before that workshop, my best launch had brought in just over $330,000. With the insights I gained from my conversation at the event, my next launch added more than $100,000 to my total.
That launch made it possible for me to put a down payment on my dream home.
And it all started with proximity. Proximity puts you in the same room with people who see the world differently. These are the people who’ve already overcome the challenges you’re facing. They can spot the obstacles you haven’t noticed yet, and they can guide you through them.
That’s why I’ve made it a habit to consistently put myself in proximity to those further down the path.
The best lessons happen in rooms where you’re surrounded by people who challenge and inspire you.
Whether it’s a small workshop, a mastermind, or even a one-on-one dinner conversation, proximity creates opportunities you can’t replicate anywhere else. It’s in those moments that you gain clarity, confidence, and the strategies to take your business to the next level.
Building My Own Circle
Over the years, I’ve taken what I learned at that first marketing workshop and applied it to my own events. Now, I get to meet entrepreneurs who remind me of myself in 1996 – hungry for growth, eager to learn, and ready to transform their businesses.
Some of the connections I’ve made through these events have become lifelong partnerships. Others have sparked massive breakthroughs.
The Lesson I’d Tell My Younger Self
If I could go back and talk to the Jeff of 1996, here’s what I’d say:
Anything is possible.
The challenges that feel insurmountable right now? They aren’t. The blocks you can’t even see? Someone else has already overcome them and can help you do the same.
This industry is built on shared wisdom. When you put yourself in proximity to those who’ve already done the work, you fast-track your growth.
Final Thoughts
The unexpected lesson proximity taught me is that growth isn’t a solo journey.
It’s about putting yourself in the right rooms, learning from the right people, and being open to the lessons they can teach you.
If you’re ready for your next step, find that event, that mentor, that room where growth happens. Proximity might just be what changes everything for you, too.
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