What my biggest revenue month taught me about simplicity

The headset crackled in my ear as I leaned back in my chair, the CRM blinking with another row of calls completed. I should’ve felt accomplished. But instead, I felt like I was drowning below the surface of well-disguised busy work.

Each day started the same: opening my calendar, sorting through callbacks, organizing my notes.

Who answered yesterday? Who didn’t? Who said, “Call me back next week,” but likely wouldn’t even remember the conversation?

My system was immaculate. At least, that’s what I thought. Then one realization changed my entire view on this 'immaculate’ system.

It was 2 p.m. on a Wednesday and I’d been calling all day, trudging through the same process, when I realized something: all of my closes had been booked by someone I didn't have to chase down to talk to me. The callbacks, the follow-ups, the color-coded chaos? None of it mattered.

This immaculate system I had for each and every call was having me do double the work for the same end result.

Most of the things I was keeping track of had no bearing on my revenue.

I immediately deleted every unnecessary callback from my calendar. I stopped organizing follow-ups for people who hadn’t shown any real interest. I decided to focus on 1 thing and 1 thing only: booking calls with people who were ready to buy - or at the very least - ready to seriously talk about it.

For everyone else? I left a voicemail, gave them my number, and left the ball in their court. What happened next felt like magic.

For the first time in weeks, my calendar wasn’t full of a bunch of tire kickers that ended up no-showing anyway. It was full of people ready to make a buying decision, not just now - but - RIGHT NOW.

By the end of the month, I’d set a personal revenue record, damn near doubling the 4 previous months, all while working considerably less.

The change wasn’t in the work itself… I worked my ass off on both sides of the equation. It was in where I chose to focus that work.

Did you know that 80% of the results you get often come from just 20% of the effort to put in - yet most of us waste time trying to perfect the other 80%, convinced it’s the key to progress?

The same principle applies to storytelling in your business.

How often do we, as creators or entrepreneurs, overcomplicate the process? We try to build new stories for every audience, every platform, every situation. We think, If I just do more, something will eventually stick.

But it’s not about doing more things - it’s about doing the right things, well.

One well-told story can do the work of 10 ‘ok’ ones. Instead of spreading your energy thin, focus on refining and amplifying what already resonates your audience.

Here’s how to use my "Core Story Method” to uncover one powerful brand story you can use as the foundation for everything else:

• Identify the Signal
  Look at your past content. Which story, email, or post sparked the most engagement, feedback, or action? That’s your anchor.

• Design a Versatile Story Arc
  Break that story into components:

  • Challenge: What problem or struggle does it highlight?

  • Transformation: What change or resolution does it show?

  • Impact: What does it mean for your audience’s life, business, or goals?

• Map the Journey
  Use that story arc to address your audience at different stages of their journey:

  • Top of Funnel: Focus on the challenge to spark curiosity and relatability.

  • Middle Funnel: Emphasize the transformation to deepen trust.

  • Bottom of Funnel: Highlight the impact to drive conversions.

• Repeat with Purpose
  Tell the story with different leads in and CTA’s for each funnel stage. The same testimonial, case study, or anecdote can be used for different funnel stages with just a few modifications.

Why This Works

Humans crave simplicity and repetition.

By cutting out unnecessary complexity, you streamline more than just your processes - you create a clear, direct path for your audience to engage and act.

It also eliminates friction. Every touchpoint becomes purposeful. Every action feels aligned with what they need.

Simplification isn’t just efficient - it’s transformative. It creates momentum, allowing each step to drive results, all while making the experience effortless for everyone involved.

Here’s What You’ll Get Out of It

• Increased Efficiency: Spend less time chasing new ideas and more time refining what works.

• Stronger Connections: Repetition builds trust and familiarity with your audience.

• Higher Conversions: A clear, consistent story arc drives action faster than fragmented messaging.

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"Simplify to Multiply”

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Your Turn

Take five minutes to simplify your storytelling process:

1. Find Your Anchor: Look back at your most successful story or piece of content. What made it resonate? Write down its core message in one sentence.

2. Break It Down: Identify three parts of the story:

   • The challenge

   • The transformation

   • The impact

3. Adapt It: Map out how you can use this story at each stage of your audience’s journey:

   • Top of Funnel: Focus on the challenge to draw them in.

   • Middle of Funnel: Highlight the transformation to nurture trust.

   • Bottom of Funnel: Emphasize the impact to inspire action.

4. Repurpose It: Choose three platforms and adjust the format of the story for each one.

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Simplifying doesn’t mean doing less - it means focusing your energy where it matters most.

When you stop chasing distractions and start amplifying your core message, you don’t just work smarter - you convert better.

Prefer listening to reading sometimes? Want an extra layer?

Press play for the ‘Narrated Insights’:

Today’s Mega-Prompt: "Core Story Developer"

Paid members get to use today’s mega-prompt to uncover, refine, and structure a sophisticated brand narrative using the "Core Story Method." This helps create stories that engage audiences, build trust, and drive meaningful business growth across diverse platforms.

Here’s a sneak peek:
"Adopt the role of a visionary brand strategist renowned for crafting compelling story arc that captivate audiences and drive meaningful engagement… you will create a nuanced and adaptable brand story arc that serves as the foundation for all marketing and communication efforts."

Unlock the full prompt now to elevate your storytelling strategy and align your brand with long-term success 👇🏾