“Raise your hand as high as you can,” challenged bestselling author Seth Godin from the stage. Over a thousand hands shot into the air, fingers stretched to the ceiling. Then Godin prodded, “Now raise your hands one more inch.” With giggles, outstretched arms extended higher in perfect unison. The extra inch was achieved with no injuries reported. … Read more
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As the New Year approaches, many organizations and individuals are deep in planning mode. Where will you make your bets to drive the best possible outcomes? What investments will hit pay dirt in the coming months and years? Of course, there is great debate on which investments are ideal. TV pundits scream stock tips into … Read more
Charlie “Yardbird” Parker transformed himself from decent professional saxophone player into one of the most influential jazz musicians of the last 100 years. The change happened during a 10-month period, when Parker essentially dropped out of the scene and worked deeply on his craft. By fully immersing himself in an environment that pushed his mastery, he … Read more
We all want to be attractive. To get to the next level in our lives, we are trying to “attract” people: investors, employees, voters, customers, suppliers, friends, a mate, Facebook friends, Twitter followers, etc. Of course, we need to turn up the attraction far beyond physical beauty and style to reach our goals in today’s … Read more
Drones, also known as unmanned aircraft, are getting a lot of attention in the media these days for the role they play in fighting terrorism. They’re certainly top of mind for those who enjoy learning (and dreaming) about the future. The emerging trend has expanded far beyond the military. Ambulatory drones are being used to deliver emergency medical supplies … Read more
How do you know if you’ve accomplished something today? What should you measure if you didn’t deliver something measurable? In an era of dashboards, metrics, and key performance indicators, should every ounce of your energy be directed at hitting near term deliverables? In studying the behavior of the most successful people, I’ve noticed that they … Read more
People are constantly asking me for advice on how to get promoted. They want to move up the ranks at their company, take on more responsibility, and expand their spheres of influence. While the notion of being a leader seems nice (but possibly far off), you’ve got it backward. It’s not suddenly that you’re anointed … Read more
When Darth Vader tried to persuade young Luke Skywalker to join the dark side, it wasn’t a very compelling proposition. Who wants to wear a creepy outfit, talk weird, and live like a monster? If the dark side were that unappealing, it would be easy to say no. But that’s not what modern-day darkness looks … Read more
Most of us face incredible challenges in our lives. Difficult people. Ruthless competition. Time constraints. But so many of us succumb to an imaginary and impotent demon that strangles our potential and restricts our progress. This fictitious monster is called simply … the past. While the past can be a great teacher, it can also shackle … Read more
Mention the word creativity, and people begin to squirm in their chairs. The very thought can prompt anxiety, fear, and doubt — even in the most accomplished professionals. Let’s explore some common myths, and uncover the truth behind this fuzzy topic. MYTH 1: Creativity is only needed at the top TRUTH: In today’s business environment, … Read more