Interview: Jonathon Kendall, COO of MentorBox

If you’ve been reading PPC Ian for a while, you know that MentorBox is the platform I leverage to read, absorb, and take action upon two books per month! More than that, MentorBox is also a community of like-minded individuals who are all investing in themselves. Whether it’s via in-person meetups or the virtual Facebook Mastermind group, I always enjoy conversations with those in the MentorBox community.

Jonathon Kendall, Ian Lopuch, and Alex Mehr

Jonathon Kendall (COO of MentorBox), Ian Lopuch (PPC Ian), and Alex Mehr, PhD (CEO of MentorBox)

Each MentorBox typically includes a bonus lesson workshop. One of the workshops about five or six months ago was all about reaching out. The workshop discussed the theory behind reaching out and how it’s powerful to simply reach out each and every day, to those connections who could take your business and life to the next level.

This lesson helped me form a brand new habit, and I now routinely reach out to prospective connections. In fact, this lesson helped me land a mentor. It also helped me get in contact with both Alex Mehr, Ph.D. (Co-Founder and CEO of MentorBox) and Jonathon Kendall (COO of MentorBox).

It all started with an informal meeting and lunch, and my relationship with the MentorBox team has flourished ever since. (In fact, I have a variety of exciting updates that I’ll be sharing with all of you in 2018, as my collaboration with the MentorBox team is now at the next level!)

Today, because of reaching out, I have the opportunity and honor to interview Jonathon Kendall. One of the sharpest minds around and an incredibly successful entrepreneur and leader (at a young age), Jonathon’s story is sure to resonate with everyone here. His positivity, quest for knowledge, and ability to teach others is admirable. Without further ado, let’s give Jonathon Kendall a warm welcome!

Ian: Jonathon, thank you so incredibly much for being here today! Thank you for sharing your personal story, and the MentorBox story, with PPC Ian.

Jonathon: It’s a pleasure. Thank you for the opportunity.

Jonathon Kendall, COO of MentorBox

Ian: As one of the main faces behind MentorBox, everyone who’s a customer knows you well. Your leadership and interview style is second to none. Before we get to MentorBox, however, I want to learn more about you, the leader, entrepreneur, and student. What was college like for you? How did you get started in business, Jonathon? How has your life story unfolded?

Jonathon: I’ve always been a bit obsessed with reaching for outrageous goals. I clearly remember religiously practicing sit-ups in order to break my grade school record. In middle school I trained (wrestling) at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado. In high school I competed at a national level in Speech & Debate. In college… You can see where this is going.

Gun to the head, the origin of all this was my mother telling me: "Jonathon. Where we live (Ohio), you will most likely be the darkest person in your class. And that’s okay. Good, even. But here’s the thing – if you do well – 'Jonathon' will do well. But if you screw up, it will be 'that Mexican' kid. So always remember, you not only represent yourself, but you represent your family: your grandma and grandpa who picked berries so that you would be able to live a better life, your sister, me and your father. What you do is not for you, it is for us."

My mother would say that the above exact wording is slightly off (the fishes are always bigger as the years pass, are they not?). Nonetheless, that’s how I remember it. My life has been a series of "proving myself" moments, that when aggregated, have resulted in my present position.

The details of my education are boring, I think. I read a lot of books. Went to college. Read more books. Etc. The difference (if there is a difference) is that I’m not-so-secretly obsessed with the meta-lessons of "learning how to learn", "habit formation", and "productivity", as much even, as I am with the hard-skills of marketing, product development, and management.

I’m almost allergically averse to "because that’s how it is." Like a physicist, I like unpacking everything all the way down as far as possible.

Why are we here?
What is right versus wrong?
What should we do?

These are my questions. And towards their answers: this is where my education, hopefully, is taking me.

Does that answer your question? 😊

Ian: Incredibly fascinating answer, Jonathon. That certainly does! You clearly have a passion for reading, Jonathon. How did you get started reading? How has your passion evolved over the years?

Jonathon: The first book I ever read that knocked me on my ass was "Johnny Got His Gun" by Dalton Trumbo in 10th grade. I grew up in a family that valued education, but not so much reading. I know that sounds odd but this sentiment is common, I think.

"Get an education," parents say (while they watch television 5 hours a day).

…the consummate "do as I say, not as I do."
Alas, I didn’t grow up reading. I grew up being asked about my grades…but not about reading.

Nonetheless, sometimes it just takes the right book. The right idea. The right "aha" moment to wake us up from an intellectual slumber. For me, that was definitely Johnny Got His Gun.

It was banned. About war and death. About the efficacy of war. The definition of death. The importance of caring about what is actually important. It deconstructs honor, patriotism, the flag: the meaning of life.

Hence: "knocked me on my ass."

Thereafter I was hooked. Pretty much read everything I could get my hands on and still do. I’ve got through phases where I only read fiction, only read specific authors, only read non-fiction, only read philosophy, old books, contemporary, books about writing, books about books, short stories, and the longest novels ever written. The Russians. The Americans. The French.

Reading is like treasure hunting. Or gambling, even. Once you get that first big win…you’ll never stop looking.

There’s more to say, of course. There are books to deconstruct and theories to analyze. But reading doesn’t necessarily have to be complicated.

My reading motto is the same as Nike’s: just do it.

Ian: I really like that analogy of treasure hunting and finding big wins. Thank you so much for sharing. What are some of the greatest lessons you learned in your early (pre-MentorBox) days? What are the lessons that have helped shape your life strategy, and how did you learn these lessons?

Jonathon: After college I took a job with a startup in Guatemala that completely revolutionized my conception of reality. My mother says, "you came back a different person," and I trust her. Mothers know their sons.

In a word, what I learned was: gratitude.

The understanding that my life was cake. That my privilege, even though I came from a "poor" family, was profound. On account of my passport even. My native language. My education.

…profound.

I won’t get into the details because such platitudinal descriptions worship at the feet of actual experience. But suffice to say – it’s a whole different world down there. So much so, that it’s impossible for that frame not to permanently tattoo itself onto your psyche, forever.

Gratitude.

That’s the lesson which first changed my life.

Ian: While you’re now the COO of MentorBox, I was also incredibly impressed to learn that you were MentorBox’s first hire! How did you meet Alex Mehr, Ph.D., Co-Founder and CEO of MentorBox? How did you even find out about MentorBox at the time? A busy serial entrepreneur and leader, I have to imagine it was difficult to get Alex’s time (let alone land the job as his first employee). What did it take? (As a side note: Many readers here are career oriented, so I believe your response to this very question will be a game-changer for the audience.)

Jonathon: I wanted to be a writer before I was good enough to be a writer: a classic chicken or the egg dilemma of being an artist…

How does one practice writing full time (what it takes to become good), without getting paid for it (what it takes to live)? How does one play that paradox?

Well I took Tim Ferriss’ The 4 Hour Work Week to heart, and moved to Mexico in order to take advantage of the dollar-to-peso translation. I’d work for 4 months in the US, living like a hermetic popper, saving all my money, so that I could give myself off the other 8 months of the year.

I thought of it like an athlete would.

If I wanted to win ("win" meaning: get paid to write) then I’d have to consciously practice. I’d write every day for hours. Ask for feedback. Read everything I could get my hands on. Deconstruct. Analyze. Watch. Listen. I took every class I could find. Basically everything and anything in order to maximize my efficiency.

Which is what brought me into the world of self-development.

Learning how to learn with Cal Newport and Barbara Oakley.
Habit formation with Charles Duhigg.
Motivation with Tony Robbins and Tim Grover.
Etc. Etc.

And so I created a system for myself – a daily routine that would (I hoped) lead me to being a professional writer.

…which worked.

I eventually took on clients full time, ghostwriting books for business leaders and professional athletes. Which, full circle, lead me to MentorBox…

I was just finishing up with a client, when I saw an ad Alex placed, needing writers for this new company out of San Francisco: MentorBox.

The rest is history. From there Alex and I built MentorBox into a giant.

Ian: While I believe most readers here know about MentorBox since I’ve been talking about it quite a bit here on PPC Ian, could you please give a quick overview of your product? I think it would be helpful for the audience to get a summary of MentorBox directly from the source.

Jonathon: Some people stick with the status quo. They live their lives like hamsters in a wheel. And that’s fine. If you want to simply "maintain," then by all means go ahead. No judgement from me.

But if you want to become the best version of yourself (for you, your family, and community) then the science is unequivocal: you must obsessively continue to learn. You must stay on the cutting edge. You must evolve. You must pursue greater and greater goals.

Which…we know.

So that’s not the hard part. The hard part is the HOW.

HOW do I constantly improve? WHAT do I learn? And from WHOM?

These are much more complicated (albeit important questions) and MentorBox answers them for you. We teach you what you need to know, taught by the best in the world in every field, in an incredibly efficient/automated system.

Ian: Thanks, Jonathon. Since you started at MentorBox, your career has grown and evolved. You have taken on more responsibility. If you don’t mind me saying, you are one of the youngest COOs that I know and have experienced a very fast-paced career. What has been your secret? Can you offer the audience the career tips and insights that have propelled you to COO of one of the most amazing startups around?

Jonathon: I think of my professional career as would an athlete training for an Olympic gold medal. What are my competitors doing? What are they not doing? What can I do today to get 1% better? What else can I learn? How can I improve?

It takes a complete shattering of one’s ego to live like this. I understand this and know that it’s difficult. It’s much easier to guard yourself against criticism. But unless you want to rely on luck, which I don’t, this relentlessness is my trick.
One of my favorite definitions of success is this: "Successful people are willing to do what unsuccessful people are not." That, I think, sums it up quite nicely.

I’m where I am because I manifested my reality into existence.

Also…I may have gotten a little lucky too. 😊

Ian: I want to shift gears a little. I don’t know how you do it all, Jonathon. You read more books than anyone I know, you complete a multitude of interviews (and, believe me, I know how much work is involved to pull the off successfully), I understand that you like to run, and you have now taken an increased level of responsibility in the operations of MentorBox. On top of all of that, you have made it this far at a young age compared to most. What’s your time management secret? In life, sometimes it’s about the things you avoid. Anything you consciously avoid to keep focused and manage your time effectively?

Jonathon: I’ve created a bit of a forcefield around myself…

I have very few friends. I have very few activities I do or care about. I say NO to mostly everything. Which, I understand, is strange. But I think such laser focus is essential for creating an incredibly meaningful and fulfilling life: one which not only checks off the hedonistic boxes, but also is one that leaves a positive impact on the world.

I doubt Edison was worried about the next happy hour.
I can’t imagine Elon Musk feeling obligated to watch a television show.
I don’t think Michael Phelps hung out with bozos.

I tell myself this all the time: "Guard your energy, Jonathon. Guard your energy."

Because, here’s the thing, people who accomplish incredible feats are by definition, strange. They are unique. And so…I don’t worry about shutting out everything else.

Noise is noise, I say. I’ve got better things to do.

So that’s step one: cut out distractions.

Step two is a modified version of what Gary Keller’s The One Thing promotes: create a daily success list and do those things first.

I mean, really, I hate to be a bummer – but none of this is all that hard. If everyone who is reading this just actually DID the things they knew that they should do every day – they would be years/decades ahead of where they are now. The trick is, yes, to set the right schedule. But deep down in your heart of hearts, most people know what that "should" is. They know the list. But…

They just don’t do it.

So, I guess, I’ve just built up a habit of setting a very specific agenda every morning based on where I’m currently at, and then actively checking off those boxes. If you do this every day, your life will change in a flash.

Ian: You seem to have a thirst for knowledge. You seem to be on a quest! In your MentorBox video interviews, it seems like you are always trying to pull back the layers of life to uncover meaning. Have you always had this thirst for knowledge? How does it feel right now? Have you discovered the truth, or does it feel like your studies are just beginning?

Jonathon: I used to think that I’d eventually find "the answer" but now I’m equally as convinced that I won’t ever find it. Meaning: I think one of the meta-rules of life is that "it all depends." The devil, as they say, is in the details.

Because even some ethical rule as benign as "be kind" is contextual. Sometimes being kind is not the answer. Sometimes people need hard love.

Or how about compassion? Sure, but isn’t there a line? Even as a society – can we unconditionally forgive everyone in all contexts?

That may not be completely articulate, but I guess my point is to say that no I don’t think there are any hard and fast rules. I have rules, granted, that I live by. But I’m not religiously or dogmatically aligned with them.

If I’m proven incorrect, then I’m proven incorrect. That’s fine. Good, even. I seek out such revelations. So too should everyone, I think.

Though, if you’re interested, my current life mantra is: choose to choose. As in, don’t be passive. Don’t be a zombie. Know why you do everything you do. Be conscious. Make decisions. Be a decider not a reactor.

"Choose to choose."

Ian: I love your "Choose to choose" mantra, Jonathon. Thank you for sharing that! You also have a strength in teaching others. You have this ability to take complex concepts from books and, with the help of your white board, teach the audience in plain and simple-to-understand terms. How did you learn to teach others? How has your teaching style evolved over the years?

Jonathon: Practice.

I know it sounds cliché but it’s true. In high school I competed in Speech & Debate. Then in college I competed in poetry slam. After university I worked as marketing manager, then as a waiter for a very long time…

All of this is communication.

Until when, now, it is literally my job to teach: so I just apply the same intensity to it as I do to all things. I teach a class as often as I can and ask for feedback from my team.

How did I do?
What did I do wrong?
How can I do it better next time?
What should I have said?
Etc.

It’s not a from-the-sky gift, it’s that I’m obsessively and consciously trying to improve.

You can see that this is a theme by now. 😊

Ian: MentorBox keeps growing! Each and every day, I’m amazed at how quickly the MentorBox Facebook Mastermind group is growing. How has the product evolved since you started? Where do see MentorBox heading in the coming years?

Jonathon: I agree. It’s incredible. I’m so grateful every day for our growth. Truly…I tell the universe thank you every single day for our success.

It’s an honor and a privilege to teach our members.

As for the product: it began as a physical product and eventually evolved into the online platform we currently have. Now we also do consulting work, we hold monthly in-person roundtables, have started a marketing agency, and have cultivated an incredible VIP cohort as well.

We iterate quickly so depending upon when this is published we may have already moved on, but as of right now we’re translating MentorBox into Spanish for the Latin American market, and partnering with a few larger companies to fulfill their corporate L&D training for them.

Lots to do. Lots to learn.

Ian: MentorBox has changed my life for the better, without a doubt. That’s the reason I blog about it so much here on PPC Ian (and on my YouTube channel too). Any other success stories you’re able to share? I always enjoy hearing how others are growing and improving. Have any of your customers written in with their own MentorBox success stories?

Jonathon: One of my favorite stories is Tom Jones. He’s a professional endurance athlete and world champion kickboxer, who so persistently emailed our support team with praises, that we just had to meet him.

Like you (Ian), we eventually brought him in for a workshop called "Quit Proof."

Tom grew up in an abusive foster home and never had the opportunity to have a proper education. Never read, he said. "Just put one foot in front of the other." Which works for someone who ran across the US multiple times.

But there was always something lacking, he said. Until he became a MentorBox member…

The fact that we can touch the lives of unambiguously world-class performers, I think, is the reason why I love this story. To bring someone from negative to positive is one thing. To bring someone from good to great is amazing. But to take an elite world-champion performer to even greater heights: now that is truly special.

Ian: It all starts with a great culture. I truly see how Alex and you have fostered an incredible culture at MentorBox! Has this been a conscious decision? We have many folks reading who lead large teams (or even entire companies). Any tips for hiring, empowering, motivating, and growing employees?

Jonathon: I believe that everything in life is a fractal. Meaning: what works for an individual works for a couple works for a company works for a community works for a nation works for a world.

So (Extreme Ownership style) it starts and ends with Alex and I. How we behave is a guiding light for the rest of the team. If we take our mission seriously, so too will the team. If we value creativity and input, so too will the team. Etc. Etc.

So first off, my advice is to look in the mirror and get your own house in order before anything else. Clean your room. Exercise. Be kind. Think hard about why you do what you do. Align your values with your actions.

And then, and only then…

Will you be able to lead a team with any conviction.

After, it’s actually quite easy. Hire for strengths. Hire for values. Hire for energy. And be a human, not just a boss. The rest will take care of itself.

Ian: What’s your favorite book of all time and why?

Jonathon: The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday (nonfiction) and On The Road by Jack Kerouac (fiction).

Ian: What quality do you most admire in great business leaders?

Jonathon: Purpose. I respect leaders who view that business is a tool, not an end.

Ian: The process of interviewing others on video is truly an art and skill. I know this first-hand, as a YouTuber. While my individual videos have been somewhat easy (they have improved over time, but they have generally come natural to me), I found that interview-style videos are a whole other ballgame. Can you offer any tips and strategies for those looking to get into the world of video (especially interviews)? How has your style evolved over time?

Jonathon: This applies to more than just interviewing but this is honestly the best advice I can give: overprepare.

Alex calls this bringing "overwhelming force."

When deconstructed, conversations are quite predictable. They start with breaking the ice, then move onto obvious surface level topics, then the two actors eventually drill down into maybe one topic, until finally, hopefully, reaching some meaningful endpoint "aha" moment conclusion.

You begin with "Hello my name is Ian, welcome to this edition of…" and you finish by talking about some personal detail of your life which hopefully illuminates a fundamental(ish) truth to life. Right? That’s how (good) interviews go.

So…if that’s the case. If we know that going into it. If we know that there is an equation. Why not bash the equation and get right into the good stuff as quickly as possible?

And the only way to do that…is to not ask the interviewee a series of banal predictable questions that no one cares about. And the only way to do that…is to earn their respect/trust as quickly as possible. And the only way to do that…is to show them that you took the time to dig in deep to their very personhood.

If you value them to begin with…they will reward you with trust…and that trust will manifest itself in the form of an incredible conversation.

In short: if you stay on the surface, so too will they.

Ian: I fun question for you, my friend. I personally found MentorBox via social media. (Your team’s social media marketing is second to none, by the way.) I was originally exposed to MentorBox via the Tai Lopez podcast (the other MentorBox co-founder along with Alex Mehr., Ph.D.). Then, I received ads promoting MentorBox on Facebook! Needless to say, I was immediately intrigued. I quickly signed up, and I think I’m one of your original customers from month two of the business. Alex, Tai, and your digital marketing team are true leaders in the social media marketing space. However, I have noticed that you personally take a different approach. And, I like that! You do not have as much of a presence out there on social media. Is there a reason for this? Is there a philosophy behind your lack of social media? Is it a time management thing? Would love to learn more about your strategy as it pertains to personal branding and social media marketing.

Jonathon: It’s a time management thing. Eventually I’ll probably take over the MentorBox branded social media accounts: teaching short lessons here and there. But for now (since Tai and Alex are already so powerful), it feels like a redundancy.

We look for paradigm shifts.

At some point, the micro optimization of me building out my own personal brand will completely make sense, but right now it’s unnecessarily redundant.

Ian: I truly believe that we all learn through challenge. Basically the words that Ryan Holiday shares in The Obstacle Is The Way truly resonate in the human experience, in my opinion. Have you faced any challenges in business and/or life? How have these challenges shaped you?

Jonathon: I think my biggest challenge was after I published my first book, The Evolution of Strangers. Before publishing, I thought "being published" was the answer to all my prayers. The clouds would part. Etc.

But that didn’t happen. In fact, many people told me the book was "well written" but boring and even a bit self-congratulatory. "Trying to be Kerouac." "You’re too young." "No one cares."

Which ultimately led me to fanatically pursue writing like an athlete.

So much so that I even lived in my car for months at a time, working 80 hours a week at seasonal restaurants, saving all the money I could so that I could take the rest of the year off to practice.

It was a bit of a self-imposed obstacle: but living in my car for three consecutive tourist seasons was a pretty intense decision.

Many of my friends didn’t understand at the time. But here I am. I knew what I was doing.

Choose to choose.

Ian: Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Jonathon: Oh man. I used to love that question but now I couldn’t tell you. I’m just focused on the next task at hand – ever reaching for that 1% better every day.

Though gun to the head: in five years I want to be embarrassed by who I am now. I want to have become such a better version of myself, that my present manifestation is but a ghost.

And as such: I don’t think it appropriate to let this now version of me, who still has so much to learn, decide on behalf of my future, better self. In five years I’ll let future Jonathon decide. He’ll know better, I’m sure.

Ian: Where do you see MentorBox five years from now?

Jonathon: A revolution.

Ian: Jonathon, I want to sincerely thank you for taking the time to connect with me and all of my PPC Ian readers today! It really means the world to us. I know you are a busy guy, and the knowledge you have shared is truly helpful and inspirational.

Jonathon: It was and is an honor.

Ian: If someone here at PPC Ian wants to learn more about MentorBox, what’s the best way to get started? As a related question, if someone here at PPC Ian wants to reach out to you, what’s the best channel for doing so?

Jonathon: The best way is to become a member and stay active on the mastermind group. It’s rare that I’m able to reply to direct messages since I receive so many these days, but I check the mastermind group every day.

Ian: Thanks again, my friend, for this interview and everything you and your team do to inspire. Wishing you all of the success in the world!

So there you have it everyone, I truly hope you enjoyed today’s interview with Jonathon Kendall, COO at MentorBox. Jonathon is an entrepreneur and leader to follow. His career has already flourished from the start, and I only see big things ahead for this leader. I am personally even more impressed with Jonathon post-interview than pre-interview. What an amazing story he has shared with us!

As you probably know by now, I love MentorBox, and I leverage this program to read two books per month. If you’d like to learn more, I encourage you to head on over to the MentorBox Website.

Also, if you’d like to see how a recent MentorBox book literally changed the game for me, you may want to check out my post covering My Favorite MentorBox Book So Far. Last, for those interested in seeing what it’s like to receive the physical MentorBox each month, I just uploaded a new video to YouTube featuring my very own MentorBox Unboxing.

Jonathon Kendall, COO of MentorBox

Affiliate Disclosure: I am a MentorBox affiliate. If you purchase MentorBox via my affiliate link, I will earn a commission and be grateful for your support. That said, out of respect for the time and effort that Jonathon has invested in this interview, I have not included my affiliate link within the text of today’s interview. (I don’t want him compensating me for any new members/sales that may be generated directly from the hours he invested in sharing his insights and responses with everyone today.) The two text links to MentorBox within the text of this interview are non-affiliate links.

MentorBox Book Review: My Favorite Book So Far

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Dec 23 0

Those who have been following PPC Ian for a while know that I love MentorBox. A program co-founded by Alex Mehr, Ph.D. and Tai Lopez, MentorBox provides a truly unique self-education platform. As a paying customer, MentorBox got me reading again, and has me consuming and putting into action two books per month! These are books that are taking my life to the next level. I’m investing aggressively in my self-education.

MentorBox Mastermind Meetup In San Francisco

Having written a variety of posts here on PPC Ian about MentorBox and having filmed a variety of video reviews on YouTube, I often receive questions about the program. One of my recurring questions goes like this, "Hey Ian, it seems like MentorBox offers a variety of books, mainly around sales, marketing, and professional success in business. However, I was wondering: Does the program also mix in books about other topics as well?"

Today’s post is a response to this very question. In short: Yes, MentorBox absolutely provides value above and beyond sales, marketing, and business. I’m on the physical box product and love the randomness of the books I receive spanning all different topics. As the most avid readers I know (including Tai Lopez, the man who reads a book a day), I truly enjoy how the MentorBox team chooses books for me each and every month. Most books are ones I would have never picked on my own – how amazing! (It’s this curation of books alone that provides a tremendous value in my life, but I’ve already covered that in length in my other reviews.)

You. Are. The. One. By Kute Blackson

Just recently, I received a book about spirituality called “You. Are. The. One.” by Kute Blackson. While I have enjoyed all of the MentorBox lessons that have come my way, this book is my favorite so far. In fact, I not only enjoyed the cheat sheet, study guide, nearly 2-hour video interview with Kute himself, but also read the book cover-to-cover. I don’t read all of the books in MentorBox, but I do from time-to-time when the topic really draws my interest.

An Adventure In Spirituality

I consider myself a spiritual person, increasingly so over the last few years. Spirituality has become an important component of my life, and one that I want to develop substantially. Spirituality brings comfort, motivation, big ideas, energy, caring for others, purpose, and so much more! As soon as I received this book, I knew it was going to be a great one!

Kute Blackson: The New Voice of Spirituality

Let’s start with the author. I’m really impressed with Kute Blackson. Not only is his message powerful, but his delivery is even more powerful:

Upon watching the video with Jonathan Kendall (COO at MentorBox) and Kute Blackson, you can clearly experience and appreciate the power of Kute’s delivery. Having grown up in a large church environment, Kute is a master of public speaking. In fact, for years he went to his father’s church in the middle of the night to practice preaching. I truly appreciate the preaching style of Kute’s delivery. He’s a pastor for the Internet generation.
Kute Blackson really has a larger-than-life presence. His approach is grounded in confidence, knowledge, power, and caring for others. MentorBox adds a completely new dimension to Kute’s work because the video allows us to all experience Kute’s presence (and this presence does not come across in reading the book alone).
It is a personal goal of mine to smile more frequently, so I really enjoyed seeing Kute’s smile throughout the video. Experiencing Kute’s smile and his ability to toggle between serious and happy topics is truly unique.
Kute’s life experience is incredible and is the source of his great wisdom. I suggest enjoying this book to learn how real-world challenges and life experiences have shaped Kute’s philosophy and timeless wisdom.

Lessons Learned From You. Are. The. One.

I cannot even begin to summarize this book, because the lessons are so incredibly bountiful and deep. However, I want to take this opportunity to share three of my favorite insights from You. Are. The. One. (and the accompanying MentorBox materials).

Lesson 1: Follow Your Authentic Self

Kute explains that we all have greatness encoded in our genes. Literally, he says, "YOU ARE THE ONE." We also all have gifts, passions, and dreams. We have everything we need!

The world does not owe us anything. Nobody owes us anything. Rather, we all owe the world our gifts. We are in a unique time in human history, and the world needs our gifts more than ever before.

It is no coincidence that one has a particular dream. It is not by accident. Your dream has chosen you. Go after that dream with everything you have. Make sure that your dream aligns with doing greater good for society. It’s time to serve others!

Lesson 2: Your Thoughts Are Not Who You Are

How many of you reading have negative thoughts come up from time-to-time? How about de-motivating thoughts, ones that tell you that you are not good enough or may never live the life you want? Reality check: Everyone has these thoughts. And, they are absolutely not real.

Kute explains that thoughts are completely different from who we are. They are a representation of our brains trying to be cautious and protect us, a relic from old times. We need to observe our thoughts, but we do not need to dwell on them. If a de-motivating thought comes up, it’s important to realize that it’s just a thought. And, it’s important to give it no power!

On a higher level, Kute asks us to challenge our entire way of thinking. Are there certain beliefs that we hold because of our conditioning? It’s important that we all seek our own truth. We should not allow our minds to take away our freedom and dreams.

Lesson 3: Spirituality Is Everywhere

If you’ve been reading PPC Ian for a long time, you may remember that I like to Pray While I’m Running. In a similar way, Kute explains that life is a meditation. Spirituality is everywhere. Spirituality should be a part of every moment of one’s life. There is no separation. Life is about enjoying the ordinary moments, and there is deep meaning in all moments.

Thanks MentorBox, For An Incredible Book On Spirituality

I truly enjoyed this book, and hope my review helps illustrate the diversity of titles and topics within MentorBox. (MentorBox is definitely not only about lessons in sales and marketing.)

Each year, I’m a big fan of giving holiday gifts to business partners, friends, co-workers, and family. The Five Minute Journal has been a favorite gift to give, and I always have a stack of them ready to go. In fact, I just handed out two Five Minute Journals last week!

I’m pleased to now have another go-to gift book, "You. Are. The. One." by Kute Blackson! I just ordered a stack, and look forward to giving these out as gifts too. This holiday season, I already have a list of friends and co-workers who will receive this book from me – how neat! (As a bonus tip: Whether I’m giving away The Five Minute Journal or You. Are. The. One., I like to take the time to write a heartfelt message inside the cover. It’s all about making gifts personal and meaningful!)

Say Thank You To PPC Ian – My MentorBox Affiliate Link

Stanford University (My Alma Mater) Is The Perfect Place To Take In Mentor Box

Before I sign off for today, I want to let you know that I am an affiliate of MentorBox. What does this mean? When someone purchases via my affiliate link, the customer pays the same price, however I earn a commission. If you enjoyed my review today and plan on signing up for MentorBox anyways, I would be forever grateful if you signed up via My MentorBox Link (affiliate link). It would mean the world to me, and help keep the lights on here at PPC Ian.

Of course, you can always head directly to MentorBox as well. At the end of the day, I just want to see you thrive. I wish you all the success in the world!

Want To Learn Even More?

Want to learn even more about MentorBox? I have a variety of posts here, and YouTube videos too! I hope you enjoy all of them. Another fun recent one is My 15-Day MentorBox Challenge. Learn how I personally approach MentorBox each month, getting maximum time efficiency and results. On a related note, my other recent post Is MentorBox Worth It? (Of Course!) elaborates on my MentorBox process even more. I think you will enjoy these posts, as they mark the evolution of my own personal self-education strategy. Just beginning on your journey? My Original Mentorbox Review is a brilliant place to start, offering an overall review of the program and also several video reviews. It’s the hub of all things Mentorbox here on PPC Ian.

Affiliate Disclosure: I am a MentorBox affiliate. If you find my review helpful and end up purchasing via my affiliate link, I will earn a commission and be grateful for your support.

Is Mentorbox Worth It? (Is It Worth The Money?)

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Sep 30 2

I’m back with another Mentorbox challenge! If you’ve been following PPC Ian for a while, you know that Mentorbox (a product founded by Tai Lopez and Alex Mehr) has been taking my business, entrepreneurial, and life skills to the next level. You also may know that I recently completed My Mentorbox 15-Day Challenge with great success.

Well, this month, it happened again. I have to admit: I procrastinated and let a week slip by with no Mentorbox. It was just sitting there. I got caught up in my day-to-day work. That’s not right and not aligned with my goals, so I decided it’s time for another challenge. There’s nothing like a good challenge to push momentum in my favor. This time, I’m going to challenge myself to complete Mentorbox in 7 days. And then, I’ll have the entire rest of the month to implement lessons learned and take my new found life and business to the next level.

Just like last month, I’m going to share my personal journal and chronicle my 7-Day Mentorbox Challenge, right here for you to see. And, I’ll catch you again after my journal with major conclusions and thoughts. Ultimately, the purpose of today’s post is to discuss the question: Is Mentorbox worth it? Is Mentorbox worth the money? Let’s follow my Mentorbox challenge and see. See you below, after my journal.

My Personal Mentorbox Journal

Day 1, Part 1 (5 minutes): It all started by watching the intro video to learn about this month’s themes. Alex and Jonathon explain that this Mentor Box offers insights on how to get ready for the long-haul. Do I have a moonshot dream in my personal life or business life? I need to think into the future. What would I like to have happen? Sometimes we are so focused on "the now." We say, "I want a return right now." That being said, wouldn’t it be nice if my product sold in 50 years, in 70 years? What if my product had a real lasting value? I’m really pleased with this month’s themes because I regularly think about these very questions. At heart, I’m all about the long-term and love long-term goals because I believe that compound interest applies to all aspects of life (not just financial).
Day 1, Part 2 (60 minutes): Next, I transitioned into the video for A Mind for Numbers by Barbara Oakley. When I first received this month’s Mentorbox, I was a bit confused by the title of this book and thought that it would help me be better at math. It turns out that this book is not about math at all! Interestingly, this video covers two of Barbara’s books. It covers Mindshift too, which is not included as a physical book but covered in the video. This particular video presented so many amazing insights that I was regularly pausing to catch up on my note taking. While I experienced at least ten big takeaways, I want to highlight two of my favorites: (1) Selective ignorance. You should say "no" to most requests and a strategic "yes" to a few. I have learned this lesson in the real world, and just completed a blog post and video about The Power of Saying No. (2) If you create a habit of procrastination, it can change your life for the worse. Best way to tackle it is the Pomodoro Technique. Here’s how: Turn off all distractions. Set a timer for 25-55 minutes. Go into deep work. When you’re done, award yourself. I love this!
Day 2, Part 1 (30 minutes): Today, I got out my office and went out into the field. I took at working sushi lunch followed by some time at one of my favorite coffee shops. I have found that Getting Out of The Office Increases My Productivity. During my working lunch, I completed a good portion of A Mind For Numbers workbook. A few big breakthroughs that came from this exercise. (Breakthrough 1) I want my second skill to be videography. In particular, I want to become an expert on filming, acting, and producing the best YouTube videos in the financial space. I’m already making great progress, and you can read more about my Top 20 YouTube Tips in my recent blog post. That said, I have a long way to go until this is a true second skill the way that digital marketing and investing are primary skills. I will be able to evaluate my success by hitting 100,000 YouTube subscribers, a lofty goal. (Breakthrough 2) Selective ignorance: It’s ok to say "no". This topic is very timely for me because I just got finished saying "no" to a particular opportunity. I have gotten a lot better at this over the years. (Breakthrough 3) I face the challenge of being distracted by my phone and social media. I will practice the Pomodoro Technique to break the cycle and become even more productive.
Day 3: Very busy day with work, unfortunately did not get to Mentorbox.
Day 4: Very busy day with work, unfortunately did not get to Mentorbox.
Day 5: Very busy day with work, unfortunately did not get to Mentorbox.
Day 6 (73 minutes): Another busy day, but had to jump back into it. At the end of the day, despite being a bit tired, I decided to finish A Mind For Numbers. I finished the video and completed the workbook during the video. Following are a few interesting thoughts and lessons from today’s Mentorbox session. Never brag about not getting enough sleep. You have neurocognitive needs to solve big problems. That said, if you have the next big idea, it’s ok to lose sleep from time to time. (Reminder To Self) This is something that has been a personal focus on mine. Need to stay focused on getting quality sleep. (Reminder To Self) There is no better way to learn than testing oneself. While I’m already a really great investor, I can always be better. This is one more reason that my YouTube Investing Videos are so important. They help others, while training the teacher as well! (Reminder To Self) I need to remind myself daily of how it will actually feel to achieve my goals. In addition to writing down my goals, I literally need to visualize and feel what it will be like!
Day 7 (15 minutes): Today, during some downtime at Starbucks between meetings, I jumped into Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday. I’m really excited since I truly enjoy and identify with Ryan’s work (perhaps because we both have digital marketing backgrounds). This book is all about creating work that lasts and adds value forever (a theme I really identify with). Following are some lessons from the video interview with Ryan Holiday. You should spend 80% of your time making and 20% marketing. (Cool Thought From Ryan) Your idea should be this secret plan that you are quietly working on. Don’t tell anyone!
Day 8, Part 1 (40 minutes): While I’m now officially behind deadline, that’s ok! I wanted to finish in 7 days, but it’s now looking like 9 days. 9 days is great and still leaves me plenty of time to apply Mentorbox lessons to my real life, before the next one arrives. Today, I continued watching the Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday. Your first attempt at a book (or project) is not good enough. You need an editor and should have four or five submissions (rounds of revisions) before you are complete. The role of the editor is huge. Take advice from people who are better than you. It’s important to create an email marketing list. (Action Item) I need to spend more time building my email lists. I have lists, but have not focused enough effort on them.
Day 8, Part 2 (23 minutes): Next, I transitioned into the bonus workshop, Your Hero’s Journey, based on The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell. Everyone is on a hero’s journey. When you are facing a big calling in life, you will be faced with doubt (all hero’s face this). Then, you will be a new world and face trials (with a big trial at the end). You find a mentor. Different hero’s journeys for different areas within your life. Ultimately, when you finish the journey, you become a leader and train others.
Day 9 (30 minutes): Today, I completed the Perennial Seller workbook. This one was really great. (Breakthrough) I basically formulated the blueprint for building my own YouTube channel to 100,000+ subscribers, and a huge brand within personal finance. (Reminder to Self) Refer back to this particular workbook whenever I want to craft a business plan for future businesses.

How Did I Do? This Month’s Mentorbox Challenge Stats

While I was hoping to finish in 7 days, it took 9 days (2 extra days). During the middle of my Mentorbox challenge, I got sidetracked with work, and that’s ok. The main purpose of this challenge is to push myself to complete Mentorbox quickly (and receive the full value of the program). In past months, in the absence of a challenge, I sometimes did not finish all of Mentorbox. So, I’m really happy that I finished. And, I’m thrilled that I did even better than last month. Let’s look at the numbers:

Days from start to finish: 9 days (Last month: 14 days)
Days of actual work: 6 days (Last month: 8 days)
Total minutes invested: 276 (Last month: 215 minutes)
Total hours invested: 4.6 (Last month: 3.58 hours)
Total minutes per day over course of 30-day month (theoretical): 9.2 (Last month: 7.16)

Is Mentorbox Worth It?

Stanford University (My Alma Mater) Is The Perfect Place To Take In Mentor Box

This month’s Mentorbox was serious, and really packed with value. Even before I discovered my new Mentorbox Challenge technique, Mentorbox was worth it to me. Now that I am getting even more value than ever before, Mentorbox is so worth it! It’s worth the time and the money for sure. Here are some of my biggest takeways from this month’s Mentorbox:

(Focus) There is power in saying "no", and I need to remember to focus.
(Productivity) I need to put the Pomodoro Technique into action. This will take my productivity to the next level.
(Second Skilling) Videography will be my second skill. I will become one of the best YouTubers in the personal finance space.
(Life) I need to focus on sleep. Loss of sleep is never worth bragging about.
(Goals) I love The Five Minute Journal, and leverage this great journal to achieve my goals. In addition to writing down my goals, I also need to visualize them and feel what it will be like to achieve my goals.
(Goals) While I’m working aggressively to scale my YouTube channel and achive my goals in the finance space, it’s ok to fly under the radar and keep things quiet. In fact, that is advantageous.
(Tactical) I need to re-focus on my email lists, and start building them again. I lost sight of the value in email marketing, and am totally convinced to invest in my lists again.
(Life) I’m on a hero’s journey, as is everyone else. The challenges I face are predictable and normal on my path to the next level. This is a fun way to look at things.
(Breakthrough) Thanks to the Perennial Seller workbook, I have a business plan for my YouTube channel and related businesses. This workbook is pure gold, and is perfect for developing a business plan. I’m going to refer back to this regularly.

My New Newsletter: PPC Ian’s Mentorbox Tips

Putting this month’s Mentorbox into action, I decided to create a new email newsletter! Do you enjoy these Mentorbox blog posts? Want to follow my Mentorbox journey? Do you want to learn my personal Mentorbox tips? Sign up for my newsletter and you’ll receive periodic updates about how I’m getting the absolute most from Mentorbox. Whether you are an existing customer or a potential one, these updates are sure to provide value. I will never sell your info, and you can opt out and cancel your subscription at any time.

Want To Sign Up For Mentorbox? Consider Using My Link

I want to share with you My Personal Mentorbox Affiliate Link (affiliate link). If you sign up via my link, you will pay the same price as if you went to Mentorbox directly. And, I will also receive a commission! If you want to say "Thank You, Ian" for all of the work that I invest in these blog posts and videos, this is the greatest way you can thank me. If you choose to sign up via my affiliate link, I will be forever grateful. If you prefer to go direct, that is just fine too. At the end of the day, it makes me happy to know that I am helping out others.

Can’t Get Enough? My Other Mentorbox Blog Posts

If you want to learn even more about my experience with Mentorbox, you may want to read my Mentorbox Review and My Mentorbox 15-Day Challenge. Both are great posts!

Affiliate Disclosure: I am a Mentorbox affiliate. If you find my review helpful and end up purchasing via my affiliate link, I will earn a commission and be grateful for your support.

My 15-Day Mentorbox Challenge: Investing In Myself

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Aug 17 4

Those who have been following PPC Ian for a while know that I’m a huge proponent of Mentorbox by Tai Lopez and Alex Mehr (also known as Mentor Box). In fact, My Mentorbox Review is one of the more popular posts on this blog. And, my three YouTube videos have done quite well too:

Ian Lopuch Mentorbox Stanford University

Ian Lopuch Reading Mentorbox At His Alma Mater, Stanford University

I Have Something To Admit: I Underinvested In Myself Last Month

I have something to admit: Some months I don’t get as much out of Mentorbox as I could. Sometimes I’ll get so busy with work and life that I don’t take the time to invest in myself. I don’t take my own advice! Perhaps I’ll skip one of the books. Or, I’ll forget to watch some of the video content. (Of course, I still get incredible value out of Mentorbox and make sure it’s always present and always a critical part of my self-education.) That being said, I sometimes short change myself by not taking advantage of the entire program. Last month was one of those months. This month will not be the same!

My 15-Day Mentorbox Challenge

Over the next 15 days, I will challenge myself. I will go "all out" and make full use of this month’s Mentorbox, and all of its value. I’m giving myself 15 days (instead of 30) for a few reasons:

I want to "get it done". By shortening the timeframe, I will over-invest in myself this month, early on. I will make myself the priority.
I want to leave a buffer just in case I run over. Rather be safe than sorry.
I want to prove to myself and everyone reading that one can obtain the full value of Mentorbox quite easily. It doesn’t take a huge commitment. Rather, investing in small increments each and every day have big results.
I want to leave extra time to execute upon the breakthroughs and lessons that I learn from this month’s Mentorbox. I want to take theory into practice.

My Personal Mentorbox Diary

I’m ready! Following, you will find my day-by-day 15-Day Mentorbox Challange diary. Each day, I will report back here highlighting what I accomplished, how long it took, and what I learned. Whether you’re an existing Mentorbox customer or considering the program for the first time, I think you’ll find this view of my day-to-day quite helpful and actionable. I hope you enjoy my diary, and don’t forget to scroll to the end, as you’ll find my big takeaways on the other side!

Day 1 (invested about 35 minutes): I started with the intro video by Alex and Jonathan. Helped me frame the two books this month in that they offer tools for me to overcome obstacles that may be holding me back. Jumped into the first video for The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. Some takeaways: If you understand habits, you can change them at any scale. 45% of what we do every day is a habit. In a habit, we stop thinking about what we do. Cue awareness is key. What cue is triggering the habit. For every habit, there is a reward. The reward is even more key. You can’t break a habit, but you can change a habit. Insert a new routine to fit the cue and reward. At a high level, started thinking about my own habits, and which ones I want to change. At the top of my list is my habit for frequently checking social media accounts, rather than focusing on other activities.
Day 2 (invested about 40 minutes): Continued to watch The Power of Habit video with author Charles Duhigg. In forming a new habit, need to experience small wins. Need to have reward. Keystone habit: A habit that affects every other habits. Exercise is a keystone habit. Exercise changes how you see yourself. Willpower is like a muscle. It is finite. Willpower depletes throughout the day. Be careful when you use your willpower muscle. Also, find ways to exercise it so it gets stronger. It’s ok to let your willpower rest before a big event/project. Started filling out the workbook. Determined that my queue for social media consumption is taking a break from an intense work. The reward is getting to do something mindless. I’m going to replace my cell phone / social media routine with something else that can produce relaxation: meditation, doing push-ups or sit-ups, walking around the block, or even watching a Mentorbox video.
Day 3 (invested 0 minutes): Sick Day
Day 4 (invested 0 minutes): Sick Day
Day 5 (invested 0 minutes): Sick Day
Day 6 (invested 0 minutes): Sick Day – I learned through the last several days that it’s key (for me) to over-invest in Mentorbox certain days. I have found it easier to chunk my time, making room for the inevitable. I will still get through my Mentorbox 15 day challenge, thanks to the fact that I over-allocated in the beginning, and will continue to do so going forward. I also realized via getting sick and not having the strength to work on Mentorbox the last few days, that my 15 day challenge should be my own personal challenge each and every month. I want to finish ahead of schedule. Aiming for 15 days gives me a 15 day buffer should I run over.
Day 7 (time invested 15 minutes): I completed watching The Power of Habit video and completed my workbook. I will introduce the following new habits into my life. (New Routine 1) In addition to filling out my Five Minute Journal, my morning routine will now include 10 minutes of Bible reading and at least 10 minutes of Mentorbox (or reading) every single morning. (New Routine 2) I will film a weekly video on investing for my YouTube channel. I have been on a roughly every other week cadence, and will changing this to every week. (Bad Habit Change) Also, as discussed previously, I will be eliminating my cell phone / social media habit. I have a variety of alternate routines that I’ll be testing to substitute that habit. Thanks to this Mentorbox, I have not only identified these new and old habits, but also have the tools and frameworks to experience success.
Day 8 (time invested 40 minutes): Started watching the video for the second book this month, Scrappy by Terry Sjodin. Some takeaways: Being scrappy allows you to stand out from the masses. Don’t ever settle. Being scrappy allows you to achieve your goals faster. Scrappy ideas have the potential to blow past traditional approaches. There is usually a back door that will be cheaper, faster, and easier. Scrappy people get irritated enough that they will no longer accept the status quo. What is something you complain about? How can you change it? You are responsible for changing your circumstances. Even small efforts can make a difference. Trick your brain with discomfort to get it into a different thought pattern. Always create an audacious goal. We all create excuses and self-sabotage our big goals. Don’t "not try" because you’ve already decided in your head it won’t work. Don’t have to score on every play, just advance the ball. Nurture networking relationships that allow you to get elegant introductions to others. Felt that I was losing attention at the end of 40 minutes, so probably try to keep to a maximum of 30 minutes per day going forward.
Day 9 (time invested 35 minutes): Continued watching the video for Scrappy by Terry Sjodin. Some more takeaways: If your first strategy does not work, you may need to try a second or third time. Don’t give up. Your brainstorming creative time can be in the shower or during a run. Your strategy has to be in alignment with your core values and your brand, but also needs to be in alignment with the recipient’s expectations. If someone says "no", it’s not the end of the game. Sometimes the win is immediate, sometimes the win can come years later. What you do today will have a lasting impact. Showing up is the most important part of execution. (This is huge.) Put yourself in the game. Keep a journal of your progress. Mentorship is protege-driven.
Day 10: Found real-world organizational application of The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg. Mentorbox is making me better at my job, and making me look really good at work! I finished this Mentorbox book just in time to experience the benefits at work.
Day 11: Took day off, got caught up in work and had to skip Mentorbox.
Day 12: Took another day off, got caught up in work and had to skip Mentorbox.
Day 13 (time invested 25 minutes): Decided to skip ahead to the bonus workshop before filling out the Scrappy memorization booklet. Watched the Reach Out by Molly Beck bonus workshop video! My takeaways: What is the difference between my average friends and my super successful friends? It really comes down to who you know. Your business and your social network. Helps you in both good and bad times. You have to make active and conscious decisions to build your network. Doesn’t matter if you are an introvert, just have to reach out. The one thing that will change your life: Make reaching out a daily habit. Every single day, reach out to a new person. Put it into your calendar. Put it into your schedule. Five days a week (workdays only). Who do you reach out to? You need to start with five names. There are contacts in your phone right now that have gone to the shadows. What articles are you reading? What blogs are you reading? What books? These are influencers you may want to reach out to. Who do you look up to? Who would you like as a mentor? Any connection is give and take. You need to give something, then you should also have a favor to ask. Have a call to action. Filled out workbook and determined five people I’m going to reach out to. Also remembered my People Day and People Database and realized I need to do another one of these, as it’s way overdue.
Day 14 (time invested 25 minutes): Completed the Scrappy memorization booklet. While I have a variety of virtual mentors (such as the Mentorbox program), I have been struggling to decide (1) who I should target as a real life mentor and (2) how I will approach them. I experienced a breakthrough in this particular book, and identified a few people I would like to target. Additionally, this memorization booklet helped me form a strategy to take one of my companies, IJL Productions, to the next level.
Day 15: I finished early. Gives me more time to execute on my action items from this month’s amazing Mentorbox.

Summary and Conclusion: My 15-Day Mentor Box Challenge

I impressed myself. I experienced Mentorbox like never before and successfully completed my challenge. And, four days were sick days, two days were days off, and one day was extra since I finished early. Moral of the story: I experienced the entire benefit of this program with only 8 days invested! This is critical because it gives me extra time to really take the theory and put it into action, in my life.

Also, time commitment in terms of raw hours was not bad either. I ended up investing 215 minutes, or 3.58 hours. Taking 215 and dividing by 30, I get 7.16 minutes/day if I did theoretically spread over 30 days (one month), although that will not be my strategy going forward since I just don’t work like that. I have proved that Alex and Jonathon are right, you really can change your life with just a few minutes per day invested!

Support Me: I’ll Be Forever Grateful If You Use My Mentor Box Affiliate Link

Stanford University (My Alma Mater) Is The Perfect Place To Take In Mentor Box

I care about everyone reading and want you to experience the growth that I have experienced in my career and life. If you found this blog post helpful and you plan on signing up for Mentorbox, I would be forever grateful if you sign up via My Mentorbox Affiliate Link. You will pay the same price that you otherwise would, and I will receive a commission that helps pay the bills here at PPC Ian. Readers like you who choose to support PPC Ian make an incredible difference in my life and the lives of everyone reading. I thank you for your continued support and wish you all of the success in the world. And, I’m happy to answer questions and help in any way I can. If you have a question, please feel free to ask below! Here’s to your future!

My New Mentorbox 15-Day Challenge Video

I just created a YouTube video to complement this blog post. Want to learn even more about my 15-Day Challenge? I hope you enjoy my video review!

My Latest Mentorbox Challenge

I just published a new Mentorbox blog post! This one features my 7-Day Challenge and ponders the question, Is Mentorbox Worth It? (Hint: Of course it is.) I’m really proud of my latest post. If you liked this one, you are sure to find incredible value in my new post as well. In addition to featuring a 25-minute video, my newest Mentorbox post shares my latest and greatest tips and strategies for getting the most out of this amazing self-education program.

Affiliate Disclosure: I am a Mentorbox affiliate. If you find my review helpful and end up purchasing via my affiliate link, I will earn a commission and be grateful for your support.

My Mentorbox Review

By PPC Ian Leave a Comment Feb 9 27

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you can probably tell that I’m heavily invested in my career and professional success. This can be a good thing, a great thing. It can also be a risky thing if you forget to invest in yourself. After all, you are your greatest asset and any investment you make in yourself will multiply many times over in your career, life, and overall success. Even during the busiest times at work, make time for yourself.

For me, 2016 was all about getting into great physical shape. Thanks to my amazing wife engineering a complete overhaul of my diet, thanks enjoying a more active lifestyle than ever before, and thanks to a renewed fitness routine, I lost 25 pounds while gaining lean muscle. I’m in the best shape of my life.

Continuing my theme of growth and personal improvement, 2017 is my year of knowledge. Many of you know that I made a career shift from technology into commercial real estate. I’m like a sponge, absorbing everything I can. My knowledge growth is in full effect, and I couldn’t be more excited about my professional growth.

However, I have long been aware that the greatest leaders are not just proficient within their area of focus. Rather, they become experts across a variety of subjects. They bring forth knowledge from different corners of the world to create something completely new. In fact, this is why many believe Bill Gates has his famous book retreats. It’s said that he’ll sit down with a stack of books, all of which are completely different, and read them in parallel. This process challenges the mind and forms new connections.

This all got me thinking: I want to invest more time reading. I want to greatly expand my knowledge. I know that this process will trigger exponential growth in my career, life, and overall success. However, like many of you, I realized that I just don’t have spare time. I’m willing to make some spare time, but cannot read all day.

Then, while on Facebook one day, I noticed that Tai Lopez (avid reader and social media legend) and Alex Mehr Ph.D. (previously co-founder, CEO, and President of Zoosk) launched a new business called Mentorbox. As soon as I learned about this new product, I was immediately intrigued and signed up. Now, three months later, I want to share my experience with all of you.

What Is Mentorbox?

Here are the basics on Mentorbox:

It’s literally a box that you receive in the mail each month, packed with two curated books, helpful materials, and knowledge.
Each month’s Mentorbox includes: two curated books (related to health, wealth, love, and/or happiness), two cheat sheets that summarize the books, two study guides that transform reading into action, two bookmarks with notes specific to each book (a small but very helpful feature), a USB flash drive with helpful videos walking you through the books, and a motivational quote magnet. It’s a lot of value for sure!
Mentorbox costs $89.95 per month.
It appears to be easy to cancel at any time. Before my order goes through each month, I get an email asking me if I want to keep going or cancel. I have no intention of canceling anytime soon, but feel good about the way Mentorbox treats customers.

Why Do I Love Mentorbox?

I truly look forward to receiving my Mentorbox each month. Here’s why:

As a really busy professional, I don’t have a lot of time to curate my own books. I want to read the best books, the ones that will give me the most value. However, I just do not have hours on end to research. It has been said that Tai Lopez has the second largest book club around, second only to Oprah’s. This is the guy who reads a book a day and has leveraged his knowledge to do some pretty amazing stuff. As someone with a digital marketing background, I respect what Tai has accomplished in social media. I find incredible value in the fact that Tai and Alex are personally curating books each month, keeping me focused on the books that will drive the most value for me.
Continuing upon the last theme, the cheat sheets and study guides save me a tremendous amount of time. It can take a lot of time to read a book, especially when one of them is 660 pages (Money: Master The Game By Tony Robbins). Here’s my strategy: I like to start with the cheat sheets. Then, I proceed to go through and start filling in the study guides. Then, I’ll read the book. I will not read every single word. Rather, I will really hone in on the chapters and concepts that appear most interesting to me. As I read through, I like to refer to the reminders on the bookmarks, too. Last, I’ll fill out the study guide if I have additional time. This process not only saves me time, but also increases my comprehension, retention, and action.
Given all of my responsibilities, I feel like two books per month is an aggressive cadence for me, a perfectionist. I’m the kind of person that has to read books cover-to-cover, and therefore I’ve historically been a slower reader. This new Mentorbox paradigm has challenged my process and pushed me out of my comfort zone. Two books per month is currently challenging me (along with all my other responsibilities in life), but I enjoy the challenge.

What Could I Be Doing Better?

As mentioned earlier, Mentorbox comes with a USB drive each month with helpful videos. I have not taken full advantage of these yet. Why? It really comes down to time. I just don’t have much time. I have found that Mentorbox works for me without the videos. Could my experience be enhanced with the videos? Without a doubt.

I just checked out the latest USB drive and it includes so much value, including a proprietary video interview with the author of one of this month’s books, The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday. In fact, Ryan worked with the Mentorbox team on the study guide. How amazing is that?

Here’s the critical point, however: You don’t have to take advantage of everything in Mentorbox to get tremendous value. The key point, in my opinion, is to just get started and then grow from there. I’m still evolving my own process.

Is It Worth The Money?

The value created, in my opinion, far surpasses $89.95 per month. Just think: How much do you spend on your cable television each month? What’s more important to you: reading/learning or watching TV? I’m not saying to give up TV. In fact, I do enjoy watching some good shows. That being said, $89.95 seems so reasonable to me. How much of my time would it take to simply curate two books each month? How much faster am I at reading and absorbing the concepts thanks to the cheat sheets and study guides? Can I even put a price on the fact that I truly look forward to Mentorbox each month and it motivates me to stay in my high growth zone?

Conclusion and A Closing Idea

These days, you’re going to see a lot more posts on my blog about business, investing, and growth in general. I’ll continue to include digital marketing-specific posts, from time-to-time. However, my mind is in other places these days. I’m thinking beyond digital marketing, and want to share that journey with all of you. I hope you find this review helpful, and I hope I’m able to impact at least one of you to pick up reading.

As a closing thought, I want to share an idea… Do you manage a team at work? If so, you’re probably looking for ways to add value and keep your team in high growth mode. Why not purchase Mentorbox for your company? This could be an amazing team exercise and team motivator to have this wealth of knowledge coming into the office each month.

Anybody else reading on the Mentorbox program? Please share your experience, would love to learn what you think about Mentorbox.

Support PPC Ian By Signing Up For Mentorbox

If you find this review helpful and are considering signing up for Mentorbox, I encourage you to use My Mentorbox Affiliate Link. I’ll earn a commission which helps me keep the lights on here at PPC Ian. If you sign up via my affiliate link, I’ll be forever grateful. Thank you in advance for supporting my blog.

My Mentorbox Video Reviews: Why I Love Mentor Box

If you found this written review helpful, you may want to watch my video reviews as well. In my first video, I’m thrilled to share the top five reasons why I love Mentorbox.

In my second video, I’m thrilled to unbox my newest Mentorbox right before your eyes. If you’re wondering exactly what you’ll receive in Mentorbox, this video is for you.

In my third video, I share my top five lessons learned from Mentorbox so far. You’ll get to see all of the books and materials I have received, and enjoy insights from my personal journal.

In my fourth video review, I address specific questions from Mentorbox skeptics. If you’re still unsure whether Mentor Box is for you, and you may even have some active concerns running through your mind, this video may be of particular help.

My Mentorbox 15-Day Challenge: How I Like To Experience Self-Education

As a new update, I just completed my first ever 15-Day Mentorbox Challenge. What’s this challenge all about? I pushed myself to complete this month’s Mentor Box program in just 15 days. I actually ended up finishing in 8 days (since 7 of the days were sick days). Read about my experience and check out my extensive Mentorbox diary, highlighting my challenge in its entirety. (Also, my write-up has a really neat video review too.) My conclusion: This experiment worked really well and I will always be experiencing Mentorbox this way going forward!

My Newest Mentorbox Blog Post

Learn even more about Mentorbox in my brand new blog post titled Is Mentorbox Worth It? (Is It Worth The Money?) This blog post highlights (in great detail) my journey to complete Mentorbox in 7 days! And, it goes through the question of whether Mentorbox is worth it. (Hint: It’s totally worth it.) As an added bonus, my new post has a really detailed video review of my latest Mentorbox! I put a ton of effort into this blog post and hope you enjoy it thoroughly.

My Favorite Mentorbox Book (So Far)

Here on PPC Ian, I receive many questions about Mentorbox. One of the very popular questions goes something like this: "Ian, Is Mentorbox primarily focused on sales, marketing, and business books?" While these topics are represented (and I love reading about them), Mentorbox features an amazing mix of books covering a variety of topics (all pertaining to improving one’s life). While the program includes sales, marketing, and business titles, there is also strong representation from other topics such as health/wellness and spirituality. In fact, my absolute favorite book from Mentorbox so far, a game-changer for me, is one all about spirituality. My latest Mentorbox Book Review covers my favorite book in great detail (and also offers a video review too). If you are considering Mentorbox, you will certainly find a great array of books!

Affiliate Disclosure: I am a Mentorbox affiliate. If you find my review helpful and end up purchasing via my affiliate link, I will earn a commission and be grateful for your support.