123. When Working Harder Isn’t Enough: How to Make Space for Growth with Mark Kull
Every driven professional eventually reaches a crossroads where working harder no longer produces the desired growth. Mark Kull found himself at this junction after achieving Northwestern Mutual's prestigious Forum recognition in consecutive years, only to realize he was trapped in an unsustainable cycle of effort.
What followed was a transformative journey from frantic producer to strategic business builder. Mark shares the counterintuitive wisdom that reshaped his approach: "You often have to slow down to speed up." This perspective shift led him to create what he considers more valuable than any to-do list – a comprehensive "don't-do list" that freed him to focus on his highest-impact activities.
The conversation explores Mark's deeply personal definition of success: being "front door famous" – showing up as the same authentic person whether with family, clients, or strangers. This consistency of character guides his leadership and life choices more powerfully than traditional financial metrics ever could.
Mark reveals the practical strategies that supported his transition, from calculating the true hourly value of his client-facing time to intentionally hiring team members with complementary strengths rather than similar personalities. He candidly discusses the challenges of letting go, acknowledging that "in our desperation to want to be everything to everybody, we don't really become much of anything to anybody."
Perhaps most surprisingly, Mark credits consistent sleep and wake times as his most important habit – a discipline that builds self-trust and reinforces his capacity for follow-through in every area of life. His approach demonstrates how elite achievement often comes not from doing more, but from doing the right things with remarkable consistency.
Ready to rethink your approach to growth? Connect with Mark at mark.kull@nm.com or visit https://cpp.nm.com/ to learn how strategic delegation and intentional habits might transform your personal and professional trajectory.
In this podcast you will learn:
• Redefining success as being "front door famous" – maintaining consistency of character across all environments
• Creating a strategic "don't-do list" rather than just focusing on to-do lists
• Calculating the hourly value of client-facing time to determine what tasks to delegate
• Hiring people with complementary skill sets rather than similar personalities
• Making the shift from "producing forum" to "being a forum producer" through systems and processes
• Building in non-negotiable growth opportunities like mastermind groups and industry conferences
• Using flexible growth methods like reading that can be done at various times without rigid scheduling
• Celebrating wins intentionally rather than constantly moving goalposts
• Maintaining consistent habits like regular sleep and wake times to build self-discipline
• Finding team members who genuinely enjoy the tasks on your don't-do list
Highlights:
0:00
Self-Actualization and Introduction
7:12
Defining Elite Success Personally
The Journey from Forum Producer
Building a Strategic Business
Creating Space for Growth
The Power of Consistency
Celebration and Final Thoughts
Interested in 1:1 Coaching?
Kristin partners with high-performing financial advisors, leaders, and business owners who are ready to lead with more clarity, focus, and intention.
Clients often come to her with a strong vision—but they aren’t sure how to close the gap between where they are now and where they want to go. Many are navigating a season of growth, stepping into expanded leadership, or realizing they’ve outgrown their current systems and ways of working.
They know they’re capable of more and want a strategic thought partner to help them get there—someone who will ask the tough questions, create space to think deeply, and offer a proven process for turning ambition into meaningful progress.
If this sounds like the kind of partnership you’ve been craving, email meet@kristinburke.com to learn more and connect.
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