All Episodes 151: John Solleder | The Long Game: Mindset and Achievement
151: John Solleder | The Long Game: Mindset and Achievement
John Solleder has been building businesses—and people—for more than four decades. As a top earner in four network marketing companies and mentor to over 5,000 entrepreneurs, John knows the difference between chasing short-term wins and building a life of sustainable achievement. In this episode of The Prestigious Initiative, Chris and John dive deep into what it takes to stay relevant and effective for the long haul. They explore how mindset drives outcomes, why self-development is the non-negotiable investment, and how balance isn’t just possible—it’s essential. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone working to align personal growth with professional goals, this conversation will give you a blueprint for building success that lasts decades, not just years.
What does it take to not just succeed, but to endure? In a world obsessed with viral moments and overnight sensations, how do you build something that pays dividends for decades?
This isn't a theoretical question for me. It’s the very heart of The Prestige Initiative. Every moment tests you. Every action defines you. And to explore what it truly means to build a legacy, I sat down with a man who has done exactly that for over four decades.
My guest was John Solider, a 40-year veteran of entrepreneurship and a top earner in four different companies. As I said in my intro, John’s story is not about an overnight success. It’s about building
"disciplines, mindsets, and systems that pay dividends year after year."
Our conversation was a deep dive into the engines of long-term success, and I’m excited to break down the key insights with you here. We covered everything from the non-negotiable role of personal development to the most pragmatic approach to the AI revolution. This is a playbook for the long arc.
The Fuel for a 40-Year Run: It’s Not What You Think
Right out of the gate, I had to ask John the question that was on my mind: after 42 years, through economic downturns, geopolitical shifts, and personal evolution, what keeps you in the game when so many others burn out?
His answer was immediate and profound.
“I have a love of people. I've never loved money.”
Let that sink in. From a man who has achieved staggering financial success, the primary driver isn’t the bottom line. It’s the building process—and specifically, building people. He painted a vivid picture that stuck with me:
“When I see a single mom, for example, that's struggling to pay her bills. And I coach her. And all of a sudden, a year, two years later, she's making more money than she ever could at a job... To me, that's invaluable. And when those people come back and thank me for helping them along the way, that's not something money can buy.”
This is the foundational mindset. When your purpose is tied to empowerment and human connection, the inevitable setbacks become challenges to overcome, not reasons to quit. You’re not just chasing a number; you’re fulfilling a mission. This is the core of what I believe here at Prestige Initiative: that character becomes legacy.
The AI Imperative: Adopt or Be Left Behind
Just as we grounded ourselves in that timeless principle, we pivoted to the most pressing modern tool: Artificial Intelligence. John isn’t just using AI; he’s excited by it. At 64, he sees it as the most dynamic force in business today.
His stance is unequivocal.
“You need to adopt AI in your business life or you're going to be left behind.”
He acknowledged the fear, citing his colleague’s stark phrase, “AI or die,” but he fundamentally reframes AI not as a job-stealer, but as the most powerful employee you’ll ever hire.
Think about his analogy. In the 80s, he spent $3,000 to reach 1,000 people via direct mail. Today, using AI, he can reach that same thousand for about $300. The efficiency is a game-changer. But his real insight was how we should think about integrating it.
“How do I do everything I can do through AI, I do. The things that only I can do, have conversations with real prospects, for example, that only I can do, let me spend more time doing that and less time writing content.”
This is the crucial takeaway. AI isn't here to replace the human connection that John holds so dear; it’s here to handle the ancillary tasks so you can focus on that connection. It’s about offloading the tasks that a machine can do better, faster, and cheaper, freeing you up for the high-value, human-centric work that actually moves the needle. As I reflected in our conversation, it’s like having a catalog of top-earner employees designed for specific jobs, working in the background to multiply your efforts.
The Unbreakable Habit: Your Personal Development Engine
You can’t talk about a 40-year career without touching on the fuel that sustains it. For John, that fuel is relentless self-development. This isn’t a hobby; it’s a non-negotiable discipline.
His list is simple but powerful:
Reading at least 30 minutes a day.
"Good content, not Harlequin romances."
Finding Mentors. He recalled the advice Ronald Reagan shared from a businessman he met in 1932: “You find a business you're interested in, and then you find a mentor to teach it to you.”
Taking Notes. This was a lesson he learned directly from the legendary Jim Rohn. John shared the story of being chastised for not writing things down. Jim Rohn told him that if a waiter said something profound and you forget it, it’s “gone forever.” John’s takeaway? “If you write it down, it becomes yours.”
He has books and tablets filled with ideas, and while he admits he may only use 1% of them, that 1% has made him successful time and again. This resonated deeply with me. It’s not about capturing every word, but about capturing the insights that spark your own connections. As I told John,
“when that old thought connects with the new thought, boom, then something actually amazing happens.”
The Power of Quiet: Letting Your Subconscious Do the Work
One of the most practical pieces of wisdom John shared was about meditation—but not the esoteric, clear-your-mind version. He practices a form of active quiet thinking.
“Sometimes I'll just sit in this chair here and I'll close down the world for about five minutes... And all of a sudden that gray matter goes to work. And it's like, what if instead of doing this, we tweak that?”
He calls it his “thought closet,” a place to shut out the noise and let the subconscious connect the dots. I’ve found this to be incredibly true in my own life. You don’t always find the answer by grinding away at a problem. Often, you find it by priming your brain with the question and then stepping away, allowing the solution to emerge in the shower, on a walk, or in a moment of quiet. This is where the magic of insight truly lives.
A Final Word for the Long Arc
John’s final thoughts were a charge, especially to those who might be thinking about winding down.
“Keep your brain working as you get older... You stop using your brain, you will go into dementia or Alzheimer's at a very premature time in your life.”
He sees the brain not just as a machine, but as a muscle. It must be used. Whether you’re 21 or 64, the mandate is the same: stay curious, stay connected, and never, ever stop building.
My conversation with John Solider was a powerful reminder that the path to a legacy isn’t found in the quick wins, but in the consistent application of timeless principles, augmented by modern tools. It’s about loving people, relentlessly developing yourself, and having the wisdom to use every tool at your disposal to amplify your unique, human impact.
If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Let’s continue to sharpen our edge, together.
Join us weekly for deep, unfiltered conversations about personal development, leadership, productivity, and excellence. Each episode is crafted to help you take initiative and unlock your full potential — both personally and professionally
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