Not every lion who chases the zebra catches one, but every lion who catches the zebra chased one. At the end of every year, I always like to take stock of what I did right and what I missed. This year, in particular, was a year of change and new experiences for me, and I wanted to share five bits of wisdom I learned.   1) Don't be afraid to chase the zebra. "Not every lion who chases the zebra catches one, but every lion who catches the zebra chased one." New experiences offe

I recently made a two-hour drive to speak in another city. Along the way, I decided to play a little game and count the Dollar General stores we passed. In that relatively short drive, we passed ten of them (and two DG Markets)! Sometimes, they were literally the only thing in the area besides the woods. That familiar yellow sign was just poking out among the trees.   Dollar General is effective because their primary focus is to be available where there are few (or any) other

As we approach the end of another year, I want to share some insights I've gained over the past few years since I embarked on my journey as a full-time speaker. These lessons have not only shaped my career but also transformed the way I approach life and challenges. Embrace Your Identity 1. If you don’t know who you are, the world will decide for you. In all honesty, you probably won't be happy with their choice. It's crucial to figure out who you want to be and fight hard t

If someone were to ask you why you are doing the job you do, what would your answer be? Is it because you love your work? Or because you feel called to do it? Or is it just because you need to pay the bills, and you just fell into this job?   Motivation is a powerful thing. When we have already established our "why" in the good moments, we are prepared to refer back to it in the bad moments. When the job is aggravating, or it seems like we aren't making progress, or we just f

On July 26, 1992, Derek Redmond started running in the 400m semi-final race in the Barcelona Olympics. He was in the best shape of his...

Not as big as the actual guy, but a lot more fun! Confession time: I am a comic book geek at heart.   This weekend, I had some free time,...

In Brooklyn's Greenwood Cemetery, there is a beautiful gravestone that reads "Jane My Wife". It immortalizes in marble the last moment...

Speaking in front of a group can be one of the most intimidating experiences for many. Whether you are addressing colleagues, students,...

When you forgive and forget them, they lose any hold on your life

Each day is a journey, and each step is a step forward--no matter how small.

I recently read an article about a famous actor/singer from the 70's whose career was a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. The thing...

I'm not sure how it works for you, but if I head into Wal-Mart with a general idea of one thing I need, I am walking out with a dozen...

I'm a big fan of board games. I love chess, Clue, and Monopoly because there's something exciting about setting up the board and moving...

Have you ever gotten frustrated working on something that took up too much of your time and gave you too little of a return on it? When...

"The amateur does not know what to do. The master knows what not to do." - James Clear I love to learn new things. I don't develop a deep...

Thank you! This year was our biggest ever. I've spoken in three new states and met over a thousand new friends at our various events....

How do you feel about tomorrow? Are you excited? Or are you just expecting more of the same from yesterday and today? It's time to get...

Have you ever had a vacation trip go a little off the rails? Maybe you got stuck in traffic for hours when it was supposed to be a clear...

Several years ago, a hidden camera TV show decided to try a little prank/experiment. The object was to see how people would conform to...

A few years ago, I bought a small willow tree from a local store. It was about three feet tall with just a hint of green on a couple of...