As entrepreneurs, we’d never dream of blowing off an appointment with a client—so why do we so often blow off the appointments we set with ourselves?

In this episode, Chuck sits down with Mark Bellestri—a seasoned entrepreneur, 3to5 Club facilitator, and Crankset leader—to explore why honoring your own calendar may be the most important discipline in business ownership.

With a diverse career spanning real estate, insurance, banking, consulting, and business ownership, Mark has successfully grown companies in the locksmith, healthcare, and education sectors. Drawing from his wide-ranging experience, he shares why keeping appointments with yourself isn’t just a productivity hack—it’s a long-term strategy for freedom, balance, and abundance.

Together, Chuck and Mark unpack:

• The difference between signal vs. noise and why most of us get stuck in the noise.
• How “playing office” keeps us busy but not productive.
• The one thing you can do each week to create permanent momentum in your business.
• Why your strategic work needs a different place than your tactical work.
• How keeping appointments with yourself leads to less stress, more impact, and lasting freedom.

If you feel trapped by the tyranny of the urgent, this conversation is for you. Learn why your own calendar is the first place to start—and how committing to yourself can change your entire business trajectory.

What if you could look at your business like a map—one that clearly shows where you are today and how to get to the life you actually want?

In this powerful conversation, Chuck sits down with Bryan Farley, President of Association Reserves Colorado, to unpack the Seven Stages of Business Ownership—a framework that shifts the focus from just growing a business to building one that truly serves you. Together, they break down the journey from startup to freedom, share the pitfalls of getting stuck in “Stage Four” (where your business makes money but steals your time), and reveal the mindset shift that moves you toward a company that thrives even when you’re not there.

Whether you’re in survival mode, chasing stability, or ready to design your ideal lifestyle, this episode gives you the clarity and direction to move forward with intention.

🔗 Learn more about Bryan Farley and Association Reserves at reservestudy.com 🎧 Don’t miss Bryan’s first guest appearance in Episode 18: Unlocking Freedom in Business: The Power of Freedom Mapping — Listen here.

In this solo episode, Chuck Blakeman challenges one of the most deeply held beliefs in business: the idea that you have competition.

What if competition doesn’t exist?

Chuck shares how adopting a scarcity mindset—where business is a zero-sum game—leads to fear, stress, and toxic culture. But when you embrace an abundance mindset, everything changes. You stop chasing other people’s success, and start building something truly your own.

You’ll hear: ✅ Why “competition” is a distraction, not a threat ✅ How copying other businesses leads to mediocrity ✅ Why abundance-minded leaders build more successful (and joyful) businesses ✅ Real stories from Microsoft, Apple, and Chuck’s own journey that illustrate the difference ✅ How to focus your time and energy on your unique value instead of playing defense

💡 “You weren’t built to chase someone else’s dream. You were built to create your own.”

If you’ve been looking over your shoulder, measuring your value by someone else’s success, this episode is your wake-up call.