Épisodes

  • Recipients Take Flight Weekly Episode #309: Fly Light
    Jan 20 2026

    Summary

    In this episode of 'Take Flight,' Jim Miller emphasizes the importance of elimination as the first step towards achieving high performance. He introduces the concept of 'flying light,' which involves clearing out unnecessary clutter—be it in business, personal life, or mindset—to make room for growth and productivity. Jim outlines the first pillar of his 'Take Flight' framework, focusing on vision, mindset, clarity, and boundaries. He encourages listeners to conduct an audit of their current practices and relationships, suggesting that pruning stagnant contacts and removing low-impact commitments can lead to greater focus and success.

    Jim shares practical strategies for strategic elimination, including reviewing and refining one's CRM, removing low-impact items, decluttering environments, and addressing unproductive habits. He stresses that high performance is not about doing more but about doing less with greater intention. By protecting boundaries and making conscious decisions about where to invest time and energy, listeners can enhance their productivity and fulfillment. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to assess their lives and businesses, ensuring they are aligned with their goals and values.


    Keywords

    high performance, elimination, productivity, business coaching, mindset, clarity, boundaries, CRM, personal development, Jim Miller


    Takeaways

    High performance starts with elimination.
    Small progress comes from addition; exponential results come from subtraction.
    If it's not a hell yes, it's hell no.


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to High Performance
    00:30 The Importance of Elimination
    04:11 Strategies for Strategic Elimination
    11:13 Decluttering Your Environment
    12:31 Addressing Unproductive Habits
    13:07 Managing Your Pipeline
    15:40 Protecting Your Boundaries
    17:09 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

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    18 min
  • Take Flight Weekly Episode #308: The Flight Path of Take Flight
    Jan 11 2026

    Keywords

    Take Flight, business growth, entrepreneurship, relationship management, frameworks for success, productivity, coaching, real estate, personal development, commitment


    Summary

    In this episode, Jim Miller reflects on his 10-year journey with Take Flight, sharing insights on building a successful business through relationship management and structured frameworks. He emphasizes the importance of commitment and execution in achieving growth and fulfillment in entrepreneurship.


    Takeaways

    This episode marks 10 years of Take Flight and 15 Years since I taught my first class.

    The journey of building a business can feel like rebuilding every year.
    Focus on relationships is crucial for success.
    The importance of mindset and clarity in business.
    Commitment and execution are key to achieving goals.



    Chapters

    00:00 Celebrating a Milestone: 10 Years of Take Flight
    02:53 The Journey of Building a Business
    05:48 Understanding the Importance of Relationships
    08:59 Frameworks for Success: The Five Pillars of Take Flight
    15:02 Commitment to Execution and Growth


    Episode 308 is a milestone episode.


    It marks 10 years since I branded Take Flight in March of 2016 and 15 years since I taught the very first version of this framework back in 2011. In this episode, I take you behind the origin story and why Take Flight was created, how it evolved, and why it matters more now than ever.


    Take Flight didn’t start as a course or a brand. It started as a necessity. After the 2008 financial crisis exposed the weakness of a transaction-based business, I was forced to rebuild from the ground up. What followed was years of study, testing, failure, refinement, and ultimately clarity around what actually creates stability, momentum, and predictability in a business.

    In this episode, I walk you through:

    • Why real estate is not a transaction business—it is a relationship business
    • The “30,000 feet” metaphor and what it really takes to get there
    • How habits, systems, and standards create flow instead of friction
    • Why elite producers stop chasing clients and start selecting them
    • The difference between being motivated and actually executing


    I also introduce the five core pillars of Take Flight that I will be teaching through the podcast in 2026:


    1. Three-Year Vision, mindset, clarity, standards, and boundaries
    2. Habits, routines, rituals, and execution rhythms
    3. CRM and relationship management
    4. Standard operating procedures and checklists
    5. Marketing, personal branding, and lead generation


    This episode is both a reflection and a reset. If you’ve been rebuilding your business every year, working hard without feeling in flow, or sensing you’re capable of more but lacking structure—this conversation is for you.


    Listen with intention. Execute what you learn. The goal is simple: help you move into the 3%, and then teach you how to operate at 30,000 feet where your business becomes predictable, sustainable, and aligned with the life you actually want.


    If this episode resonates, share it with someone who needs to hear it. We rise by lifting others.

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    18 min
  • Take Flight Weekly Episode #307: A Simpler Way to Win in 2026
    Jan 4 2026

    Keywords

    2026, simplicity, systems, processes, productivity, coaching, success, habits, routines, mindset


    Summary

    In this conversation, Jim Miller discusses the importance of simplicity and building effective systems for success in 2026. He emphasizes the need to focus on processes, habits, and routines rather than just outcomes. By adopting a mindset centered on simplicity and consistency, advisors can achieve sustainable success and productivity. Jim shares personal experiences and insights on how to prioritize tasks and eliminate noise to maintain momentum in business.


    Takeaways

    Simplicity is key for success in 2026.
    Focus on building systems, processes, and habits.
    Happy advisors produce more.
    Resist the urge to chase outcomes; build systems instead.
    Consistency in hard work leads to success.
    Evaluate your return on investment for every action.
    Eliminate noise to maintain momentum.
    Plan your week before it starts for better execution.
    Focus on what matters to protect your energy.
    Simplicity leads to elegance in business.


    Follow on Instagram at @askjimmiller to sign up for weekly newsletter.


    Chapters

    00:00 Embracing Simplicity for 2026
    07:30 The Power of Process and Consistency
    15:00 Building Systems for Sustainable Success

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    19 min
  • ✈️🏆 Take Flight Weekly, Episode #306: The 10 Characteristics of Super AchieversJM
    Dec 7 2025
    On this final Take Flight Weekly episode of 2025, Episode 306, I break down the ten characteristics that consistently show up in the top 10% of ELPs (Elite Level Producers). Success leaves clues.The gap between the 97% and the 3% is real. The gap inside the 3% is even more fascinating. These are the attributes I've seen across different markets, ages, backgrounds, and personality types.In Episode 305, I discussed the Top 10 Things I Learned in 2025. During that time, I was asked: "Jim, tell me what separates that top, top group of advisors from everyone else." So I kept writing. I connected dots from coaching calls, team meetings, and private conversations.What showed up was honest and consistent. The super achievers are not lucky. They're operating from high-performance characteristics that compound naturally.The 10 Characteristics of Super Achievers→ 1. Something Drives ThemThey often cannot pinpoint the origin of their drive. It's not always money. It's deeper. They operate with unconscious competence—the highest stage of mastery. Their execution feels effortless but is built on years of repetition.→ 2. They Are Borderline Obsessed with WinningThey've learned the fine line between healthy and destructive obsession. They possess a gear most don't have.→ 3. They Built a Powerful NetworkNinety percent or more of their business is driven by referrals and repeat business inside their Top 100.→ 4. They Care Deeply But Struggle with BoundariesTheir empathy is a strength but becomes a liability without structure. Finding that boundary line is one of the final steps.→ 5. They Are Risk Takers Who Invest in ThemselvesNot every investment pays off but they fail forward. They keep placing bets.→ 6. They Are High D, High I, or Both on DISCThey naturally default to action, influence, and competitive drive. They hire the S's and C's to manage details.→ 7. They Know Their Strengths and Own Their WeaknessesThey hire to their blind spots. They delegate without guilt.→ 8. Their Growth Outpaced Their StructureSuccess arrived before they had systems to support it. They built structure while flying at full speed.→ 9. They Often Peak Later in LifeWhen you hit the 7th inning of your career, urgency kicks in.→ 10. The Bigger Their Brand, the More They Qualify LeadsHigh brand equity attracts unqualified opportunities. They learn to separate true opportunities from consumers who misunderstand pricing realities.→ Bonus: The Basics Work Every TimeAs their business grew, they realized the basics just take more thought, design, and support.What's NextThis is my final episode of 2025. I'll be back January 5th with an Introduction to Take Flight. Take the remainder of this year and think about your VISION, your goals, and if 2026 is the year you go from the 97% to an ELP or from an ELP to a Super Achiever.In 2026, you'll get my evolved thoughts on building a scalable, enjoyable, and profitable business. Take Flight is "The How." It's the operating system for your goals.Thank you. I'm grateful for you and I'll be back in 2026.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🔔 SUBSCRIBE→ https://askjimmiller.com/contact/📲 CONNECT→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askjimmiller→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmillerchicago→ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AskJimMiller📚 RESOURCES→ https://askjimmiller.com/my-reading-list-2024/→ https://askjimmiller.com/take-flight-2/
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    18 min
  • ✈️ Take Flight Weekly, Episode #305: The 10 Patterns That Separate the 3% From the 97%
    Nov 30 2025
    On this 305th episode of Take Flight Weekly, I pull back the curtain on the 10 lessons that shaped me the most in 2025. I'm the President of Jameson Sotheby's International Realty, I coach elite-level producers across dozens of markets, and I continue to build my own business. That combination gives me a front-row seat to what separates the 3% from the 97%.These are the real patterns that separate the people who grow from the people who stay stuck.The 10 Patterns That Separate the 3% From the 97%→ Lesson 1: Vision Is an Emotional DestinationA true vision is a feeling. It's the emotional state you want to experience three years from now—clarity, control, energy, confidence, margin.→ Lesson 2: An Extra 0.25% on Every $10M in Production Is $25,000Elite producers understand the compounding effect of precision. Micro improvements stack, scale, and matter.→ Lesson 3: Is Planning Actually Procrastination?Too many advisors hide behind "planning" because it feels productive. But planning without execution is avoidance. Planning becomes procrastination the moment it delays action.→ Lesson 4: The 3% Are Willing to Fail to Learn and GrowFailing in public is the entry fee to elite performance. The 3% don't fear failure. They fear stagnation. Most optimize for safety. The elite optimize for growth.→ Lesson 5: The Basics Will Always Work. Less Is More.Top performers master the basics at a higher level. When business gets noisy, the elite simplify. Excellence is built through subtraction, not addition.→ Lesson 6: The Next Frontier Is Marketing Your Hyper-Local MarketAdvisors who master hyper-local expertise will own the next decade. The buying public chooses location first. AI is indexing geography at a micro level. Build a brand tied directly to location.→ Lesson 7: Only 4% of People Receive Two or More Handwritten Notes Per YearAuthenticity stands out. A handwritten note has the highest open rate in the world. Low cost. High impact. Underutilized.→ Lesson 8: If You Don't Plant, You Will Not HarvestInput always precedes output. You cannot take a season off from marketing, database management, and relationship nurturing and expect predictable revenue. Keep planting during your busiest months.→ Lesson 9: The Top 1% Are Obsessed with Reaching Their GoalsNot committed. Obsessed. The top 1% live in complete alignment with their outcomes. Their habits, calendars, and relationships match their goals. Elite performance is engineered.→ Lesson 10: Rightsize Is My Word for 2026Rightsizing is about stripping away clutter. It's about aligning your business, commitments, team, and inputs with your emotional destination. It's not about shrinking. It's about recalibrating to grow in the right direction.Here's my promise heading into 2026: I'm going to keep doing the work, connecting the dots, and bringing you the truth about what separates elite producers from the 97%. You show up and do your part, and I'll show up and do mine.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🔔 SUBSCRIBE→ https://askjimmiller.com/contact/📲 CONNECT→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askjimmiller→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmillerchicago→ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AskJimMiller📚 RESOURCES→ https://askjimmiller.com/my-reading-list-2024/→ https://askjimmiller.com/take-flight-2/
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    18 min
  • Take Flight Weekly Episode #304: Gratitude is a High Performance Strategy
    Nov 23 2025
    On this Thanksgiving week 2025 and episode 304 of Take Flight Weekly, I revisit one of the most powerful performance basics in my playbook: gratitude. Not the soft version. The real thing. The kind that rewires your brain and anchors you when life is chaotic.I'll walk you through my personal affirmation that starts with "I am so happy and grateful," unpack why I built it the way I did, and connect it to what the science of gratitude is proving right now. Then we'll get tactical with a simple, elite-level gratitude strategy you can execute in five minutes a day.In Q4 2010, I was under real financial pressure. The business was hard, the numbers were tight, and I realized I had zero chance of winning if I didn't get control of what was happening between my ears. My goal was simple: Keep my emotional frequency at 51 percent or higher. Slightly more optimistic than pessimistic.Around that time, I was studying Bob Proctor and John Assaraf. They made one point that landed hard: Success starts in your mind long before it shows up in your bank account. So I wrote my own affirmation, and I've now said it tens of thousands of times.Meta-analyses of gratitude interventions show consistent gains in life satisfaction and mental health. Neuroscience work shows that gratitude practices light up reward and regulation centers in the brain. It's not just a "nice idea" anymore. It's a proven performance tool.The Anatomy of My Affirmation→ "I AM" – The two most powerful words. Your subconscious accepts whatever follows.→ "So happy and grateful" – Happiness and gratitude are inputs, not trophies. They're a frequency you decide to live in.→ "That money, success, and introductions" – Gratitude keeps you focused on opportunities you already have.→ "Flow to me" – The kind of flow that shows up when your mindset, actions, and relationships are aligned.→ "In ever increasing quantities from a myriad of different sources" – Gratitude is a flywheel that compounds over time.→ "For the betterment of all those involved" – I never wanted success that only worked for me.→ "My life is perfect" – I choose to see my current reality as raw material, not punishment.→ "Every day, in every way, I am getting better and better" – Pure 1% better math.What the Science Says→ Gratitude improves mental health – Reduces anxiety and depression→ Gratitude changes the brain – Activates reward and regulation regions→ Gratitude improves physical health and sleep→ Gratitude strengthens relationships→ Structured gratitude tools work in as little as 6-10 sessionsThree Gratitude Habits for Advisors→ The 60-Second Morning AffirmationBefore you touch your phone, stand up, breathe deeply, and say your affirmation. Say it like you mean it.→ The Weekly Gratitude Text or Voice MemoOnce a week, send one client, mentor, or team member a note saying specifically why you appreciate them. No pitch. Pure appreciation.→ Gratitude Reset in Real TimeWhen anxiety spikes, stop for thirty seconds. Name three things you're grateful for in that exact moment. Use gratitude as a pattern interrupt.I coach to happy and grateful results, not production. Production is a lagging indicator. Execution of being grateful is a leading indicator. When you're grounded, happy, and genuinely grateful, your business expands with less friction.That's not woo-woo. That's strategy.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🔔 SUBSCRIBE→ https://askjimmiller.com/contact/📲 CONNECT→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askjimmiller→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmillerchicago→ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AskJimMiller📚 RESOURCES→ https://askjimmiller.com/my-reading-list-2024/→ https://askjimmiller.com/take-flight-2/
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    17 min
  • 💌 Take Flight Weekly, Episode #303: The Science Behind Gifting and Handwritten Notes
    Nov 16 2025
    On episode 303 of Take Flight Weekly, I walk you through one of the most overlooked yet powerful opportunities in our relationship business—holiday gifting and handwritten notes.Every advisor knows they should send something during the holidays, but few do it strategically. The difference between an average gesture and a lasting impression comes down to timing, thoughtfulness, and execution. This isn't about spending more money; it's about being intentional.Your goal isn't to impress—it's to express. The power of a well-timed, authentic note or gift lies in its ability to make someone feel seen, appreciated, and remembered.Timing is EverythingUSPS 2025 Domestic Mailing Deadlines:→ First-Class Mail: December 18→ Priority Mail: December 19→ Priority Mail Express: December 21Send early to stand out. Once you cross December 15, mailboxes explode. You want your message to land before the clutter.Best Practice:→ Send cards between November 29–December 8→ Ship gifts between December 10–15→ Send New Year's cards between January 2–10Strategic Playbook for 2025:→ November 15: Finalize your Top 100 list→ November 22: Order cards, gifts, and packaging→ December 1–10: Send handwritten notes→ December 10–15: Deliver gifts→ December 26–January 5: Send "New Year Gratitude" notesHandwritten Notes: The Data→ Open Rate: 90–99% versus 20–30% for email→ Response Rate: 10–15% engagement versus 1–3% for printed mail→ ROI: Nearly double compared to printed equivalents→ Retention: Clients receiving 2+ handwritten notes per year are 80% more likely to refer or transact again→ Physical mail activates stronger memory and emotional response centers than digital communication→ 70% of consumers say handwritten notes make professionals appear more trustworthyReal-World Results:→ Local company tested printed versus handwritten: handwritten cards generated more than double the conversion rate→ Luxury brands saw 16–56x ROI with handwritten direct mail→ Open rates increased from 42% to 90% by switching to handwritten notesHow to Write the Card3–5 sentences is the sweet spot.Structure:→ Greeting – Use their name→ Personal Connection – Reference something specific→ Gratitude – Acknowledge their trust→ Forward Look – End with optimism→ Signature – Hand-sign it. AlwaysTime: Plan 3–4 minutes per card. 50–75 cards = 4–5 hours total. Break into two or three 90-minute sessions.A four-minute handwritten card can sit on a client's desk for four months. That's marketing you can't buy.Gifting Principles→ Keep It Local and useful→ Stay under $100 per client→ Personalize with a handwritten note→ Align with your brandBirthdays MatterIf holidays are your annual gratitude statement, birthdays are your year-round connection opportunity. Clients receiving 3+ personalized touches a year are 70% more likely to reach out first when they have a need.The CloseCompare the ROI:→ $500 postcard campaign: 1% response rate→ $5 handwritten note: 10–15% response rate and deeper loyaltyThat's the kind of ROI you can't buy with clicks. It's earned through authenticity.If this resonated, share it. Subscribe at @askjimmiller.━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━🔔 SUBSCRIBE→ https://askjimmiller.com/contact/📲 CONNECT→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askjimmiller→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmillerchicago→ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AskJimMiller📚 RESOURCES→ https://askjimmiller.com/my-reading-list-2024/→ https://askjimmiller.com/take-flight-2/
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    21 min