Get UNSTUCK by Pat Flynn
Starting and growing a business can be hard, and sometimes you might feel stuck. Our weekly newsletter, Unstuck, gets delivered to over 100,000 people each week to help them get unstuck. We'd love to help you, too.
The power of “decision speed” to grow your business
Issue # 142 | May 13th, 2025 Presented by ScoreApp Hi, it’s Pat! A couple of years ago, I watched a competitor launch a product nearly identical to one I'd been planning for over a year. The difference? They went from concept to market in just 60 days, while my "perfect" version was still sitting in Notion, waiting for the right time. That night, I couldn't sleep. Not because they beat me to market — that happens all the time in business — but because I realized something uncomfortable. The...
How to stay committed when no one believes in your vision
Issue # 141 | May 6th, 2025 Presented by Relay Hi, it’s Pat! Last week, I had coffee with a student from one of my courses. As she shared her plans to pivot her business in a new direction, I could see the passion in her eyes — but I also saw something else: Doubt. Not doubt in her idea, but doubt planted by others. "My family thinks I'm crazy for changing direction now that I'm finally making money," she confessed. "My business friends keep telling me to stick with what's working.” Then she...
Why we only act when we have to (and how to use this in your business)
Issue #140 | April 29th, 2025 Hi, it's Pat! Last week, I was sitting at my desk, staring at a flight confirmation email. I'd known about this trip for months, yet somehow I hadn't packed a single thing, even though I was leaving the next morning. As midnight approached, I suddenly transformed into a packing superhero, efficiently filling my suitcase in record time. Sound familiar? This got me thinking about a pattern I've observed in my own behavior and in my business data since 2017: 75% of...
The comeback story: from worst to first (and what it teaches us)
Issue # 139 | April 22nd, 2025 Presented by Stan Store Hi, it’s Pat! Last week, I watched my friend Sean Cannell deliver the closing keynote at Social Media Marketing World 2025. The room was packed, the energy was electric, and Sean commanded the stage like he was born for it. But then he shared something that stunned the audience into silence: Years ago, at this very same conference, Sean had been rated the second-worst speaker out of more than 50 presenters. Let that sink in. The man...
Why the guy who knew less about golf destroyed me on the course
Issue # 138 | April 15th, 2025 Hey, it’s Pat here. Have you ever met someone who seems to master skills effortlessly while you're drowning in books, courses, and YouTube tutorials? I used to think those people were just naturally gifted. Then I met George and Terry — two co-workers from my architecture days — who taught me a lesson I'll never forget. What I learned from them completely transformed how I approach learning anything new. Let’s get unstuck… Quote of the Week "It ain't what you...
97% of creators ignore this (and leave money on the table)
Issue # 137 | April 8th, 2025 Hi, it's Pat! A common trap that creators and entrepreneurs — including myself — fall into is focusing too much on the future. “But wait, Pat! Aren't we supposed to be forward-thinking and innovative?” Yes, but here's what I've learned: The key to moving forward successfully often lies in carefully examining what's behind you. So, how do we do that? Whether you've just completed a major book launch or published a single YouTube video, the most valuable insights...
The surprising business lesson I discovered at my son's jazz festival
Issue # 136 | April 1st, 2025 Presented by Ignite Digital Hi, it's Pat! As I write this, I’m sitting between sets at a jazz festival where my son’s high school jazz band is performing. Fun fact: He’s playing the same trumpet that I played for over 15 years! Anyway, since he’s a few hours away from performing, I decided to sit in and listen to the other bands. What’s cool is that the judges, who are all professional jazz musicians, offer each band 15 minutes of their time to run a short clinic...
S.O.S.
Issue # 135 | March 25th, 2025 Presented by Relay Hi, it's Pat! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again (and I’m not going to stop): You NEED to learn how to tell a good story. Storytelling is the #1 skill that every creator, entrepreneur, and brand should be focusing on right now. Why? Because having information alone is no longer enough to capture and hold attention. It’s everywhere — freely available and no longer scarce. Before 2020, it was the age of information. Information ruled,...
“It’s too late.” 😔
Issue # 134 | March 18th, 2025 Hi, it's Pat! "It's too late." Those three words might be the most dangerous phrase you can tell yourself about anything in life. When you tell yourself, "It's too late," your mind immediately searches for evidence to support that belief: I'm too old. Someone already did it better. The market is saturated. I missed my chance. I have too many responsibilities now. And just like that, possibility turns into impossibility. The door to your dreams closes — not...
The fine line between inspiration and imitation (and how to walk it)
Issue # 133 | March 11th, 2025 Hi, it's Pat! Last week, in just 15 minutes, I received over 50 direct messages from friends, colleagues, and fans — all linking to the exact same video on YouTube. It was a video that another creator published, and it looked strikingly familiar. Too familiar, actually. The thumbnail, the cadence, the transitions, the hook — it was like watching myself. Except it wasn't me. It was a creator friend (and yes, he is a friend) who had clearly been inspired by my...
Starting and growing a business can be hard, and sometimes you might feel stuck. Our weekly newsletter, Unstuck, gets delivered to over 100,000 people each week to help them get unstuck. We'd love to help you, too.