Performance & Productivity, Personal Development

Want A Secret Tip To Hit Your Goals? Don’t Do What This Guy Did …

I am a huge TED fan - I enjoy just about every speaker that hits the stage - even the ones I wholeheartedly disagree with. Here is one for your viewing pleasure that you should ignore the advice in: Not telling people your goals. Don't ever do this. Shout your goals on the rooftop to the world and beyond. Write them on your bathroom mirror. Tell someone to check on you all the time to see where you are. Publish them on your blog. Keep people updated about them. I still believe that sharing what you want to do with other climbers like you helps keep everybody accountable.

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Performance & Productivity, Personal Development

Video: The Importance Of Imperfect Daily Action

This is this the phrase that I have on my cell phone home page: Imperfect Daily Action. 

In reminds that small forwards steps are the best way forwards towards any achievement. It also helps me accept my imperfection and not get so down on myself for minor setbacks. Watch the video and let me know what you think.


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Personal Development, Staying Healthy

Richard Branson Lessons: Fear, Resistance, Procrastination

What you better learn from Richard Branson about overcoming fear, resistance, and procrastination …

Richard Branson sure is a cool dude. And he’s done some incredible stuff in his life. 

He’s also had some stupid, massive failures. 

Have you ever heard of Virgin Cola? Their bottles were called “The Pammy” because they were shaped like Pamela Anderson. Really, Richard? You are the same guy that started Virgin Airlines? How about Virgin Brides? Yikes. 

(Yes, that’s him in the picture dressed up as a bride.) 

Richard Branson as a Virgin Bride

It’s easy to laugh at when he swung and missed, though we all know he’s the man. And a big reason is that he doesn’t let a few whiffs stop him from going balls in the next time. And the next time. And the next time. How can you have the same go-for-it attitude that he does? Simple. The next time you want to make a change in your life—want to start something new -- you Experiment. 

Why Experiment?

Simple: we procrastinate because we don't want to mess up. We are afraid of not being perfect. (Want to know the psychological reasons why you procrastinate? Watch the video here.) 

See, the purpose of an experiment is to learn. The great thing about it is that the only way you fail in an Experiment is not to conduct it. Because I don't know about you, but I learn best by doing. There is no substitute for experience. When someone learns to fly, he reads. Then he Experiments in a flight simulator. Then he Experiments by flying with someone else. Then he is ready to go solo. 

Our brain gets freaked out when we want to make a change or try something new -- especially if it’s something big. When you want to make a change, how can you break that change down into the smallest experiment you can? If you decide you want to run your first marathon, you might then become paralyzed with fear: Do I have the right shoes? Do I run before or after work? Am I ready to commit to running five times a week for the next fifteen weeks? 

You don't have to answer any of these questions. All you have to do is perform an Experiment this next week. Try two Experiments: run once, for 15 minutes before work, and run again for 15 minutes after work. See which one fits best in your schedule. See if you need better shoes. Is it easier to commit to running almost every day for the next four months, or twice over the next week? 

This concept works so well that I’ve written a whole book about it, which has become a #1 bestseller in both the Creativity and Business Leadership Training categories. It is a modern business fable, where a business owner -- who wants to make changes in his personal and work life -- meets a coach, who walks him through these changes through a variety of Experiments. 

Take the next project you have. Is it a book? Starting a business? Getting healthy? What is the tiniest step you can take? Do that step. Then evaluate; what worked? What didn’t? What is your next step from there? What do you think Richard Branson’s next Experiment will be? Virgin Butter? Virgin Flypaper? 

Doesn't really matter, because he’s still the coolest guy in the world. And he’s going to keep Experimenting until he dies. And his Experiments change the world. 

Will yours?

BIO: 

Richard Michael Anderson, M.B.A., M.A., is a global speaker, radio show host, and author who specializes in leading businesspeople to happier lives. 

In fact, his new book, The Experiment, has reached the #1 Bestselling spot on Amazon in the Self-Help -> Creativity and the Business -> Leadership Training categories. If you are stressed, overwhelmed, or burned out, visit ExperimentToday.com NOW to start reclaiming your life!


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Staying Healthy

I Hate Running. But I Love The Feeling Afterwards.

I don't understand people that get that runner's high. It's never happened to me. On my best days with my best times, I still can't wait until I'm done with the entire course. That is exactly how I felt when I made this quick video after running recently. I hate running. But I still encourage people to do it because there is no better test of health than how your body reacts right after a run. Check it out. 

(Be sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel after watching. You don't want to miss another chance to see me out of breath and sweaty).

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Performance & Productivity, Personal Development

Can You Sit Still For 180 Seconds? I Dare You.

Your ability to focus and properly allocate your time is instrumental to any success that you hope to achieve. However, the world, and specifically the internet, is not designed to help you focus. It is design to grab your attention with a compelling headline and suck you away from whatever you are working on to read some trivial piece of information that has nothing to do with your dreams, hopes and fears. 

There is no special cure for managing your distractions. There is no special app, no browser plugin, and no list of "The Top 10 Ways To..." that the world can ever give you that will help you be less distraction. 

Focus and concentration are a choice. Choose to focus and win the attention game. 

Or not. 

I dare you to watch this video for the next 180 seconds and do nothing else.

Do not pick up your phone. Do not move your mouse. Do not touch your keyboard. Use this as a simple exercise in concentration. Even I had a hard time doing it. But if you can do it, you'll start to understand the kind of focus that you will need to get other things done. Enjoy.

Click to play

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Attitude Adjustment

Have You Found Your ‘Thing’ Yet?

Every single one of us on this planet has at least one 'thing' on this planet that makes us come alive. We may have discovered it as a kid (like me). Or it may have taken several decades for us to peel back the layers of your soul enough to get to the heart of it. And some of you reading this still may not know what that magical thing is. 

To you I say - keep peeling back the layers. One day that magical 'thing' will hit you and you'll wonder how you lived without it. 

Why do I bring this up? What many of my friends may not know is that I am a pilot. Right behind my driver's license I carry an equally important card with me every place I go. It will be in the wallet the day that the air leaves my lungs. That is my pilot's license. It says that I am allowed to crawl into a small metal machine and escape the surly bonds of earth. 

That is my 'thing'. 

If you are ever hanging out with me and something with wings passes overhead, whatever we are talking about probably disappears into the background of my brain. I will turn my head. I will look up. Because I know that in that little metal box, I will find a kindred soul. He is in heaven just like I would be (or at least he is 2000' AGL closer to heaven). I was reminded of 'my thing' when I saw the video below earlier in the week, and then again today when Mr. Cliff Shaw shared it. 

Flying is my thing. When I am there, I am in heaven. And when I am not there, I wish I was. I share the video below with you and I hope you get a kick out of it. I know that I have some pilot (or pilot-in-training) friends who will say 'yeah. this!'. 

Take 60 seconds and think: What is that ONE thing that gets you excited and makes you drive faster - literally or figuratively?

Enjoy! 

ERIC MAGNAN - Director Showreel from AIRBORNE FILMS on Vimeo.


 
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Attitude Adjustment, Leadership Lessons, Staying Healthy

All Major Life Decisions Are Based On Love or Fear

The title above was one of many gems that came out of this university commencement speech by Jim Carrey.

It is not uncommon to have celebrities speak at commencement ceremonies.
This one was special and has some very deep words that you should listen to and put into practice in your own life.


What did you think?

Come over to the Facebook Page and let me know what you took away.

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Attitude Adjustment, Leadership Lessons, Performance & Productivity, Personal Development

How You Can Become a Thought Leader

I don't know that I am a thought leader. But I was called one about eight months ago. It is not something I was working on - it just kind of happened. It is not something I am going to brag about in books or put behind my name in every conference presentation. I think that the "status: kind of just developed over time. But my insight may help you to see how to get your thoughts noticed.

If you were to talk to my close friends and family, they would probably tell you that I am "argumentative". Of course, I've never seen it that way, and what do they know right? But I do tend to look at conversations and situations from a jaded point of view. Or at least from a point of view that most people do not approach. When people say that "A B C are facts" I'll tend to challenge them and make the conversation go deeper. When I go to conference after conference and I see experts on stage all saying the same thing about a topic, I tend to start investigating the topic on my own time and see how much of what they say is fact and how much is self-aggrandizing speaker hot air. (I hope other speakers and conference attendees do that about what I say. I might be lying!)

About a year ago I was having drinks with a very smart gentleman named Corey Perlman who is a brilliant social media speaker. 

How You Can Become a Thought Leader

We are both members of the National Speakers Association and were both at the same annual conference. (Sidebar: You should look at joining the NSA. There is no better place to network with successful speakers). He said something to me that I'll never forget:

“Patrick - I love the stuff you post online. You are such a contrarian.”

"Wow" I thought. Corey is a pretty popular guy in his field so to get a compliment from him felt pretty good. Plus, we were a bunch of professional speakers out having drinks and the truth usually comes out when we've had a few. Fast forward to eight months ago. I was approached by one of the editors of Speaker Magazine (the official magazine of the National Speakers Association) who wanted me to write a featured article for one of the sections. Part of the email that encouraged me to write said: “A fellow NSA member, and friend of yours, recommended you as a thought leader on social media and marketing, if that helps sway your opinion one way or another.”

 I've got an ego just like everybody else - of course this is going to sway me. That phrase had never been used on me before and it felt great. Since that initial email the phrase has been used several more times about me - publicly and privately. I run a private Facebook group that helps speakers market themselves better in the world. I've received constant praise for my work in that group. I didn't think I was doing anything special; I'm just helping out a bunch of speakers in a quiet, spam-free environment. And that brings to me how I think YOU can become a thought leader also.

Here are the behaviors that I believe caused someone to call me a "thought leader" status:

Having a Voice - This is the most important step. Too many people in this world "talk about talking". And few ... very few ... actually stand up and voice their opinion on a topic. Most people would rather keep their heads down and blend in. Life is safe when you just keep ducking and keep your mouth shut. However, if you want to be recognized for your opinion or your accomplishments, you cannot be shy with your voice. When your become a blogger, a speaker, a teacher, or a television personality you are going to have to get past your shyness and get on a platform.

Being a contrarian - If you ever hear something in a conversation that sounds stupid or read something on the internet and think "well that just sounds stupid" THEN SAY SO (even if it comes from me). Be tactful about it but jump on it if it just does not seem right and share your opinion about it. There will be at least one person who will agree with you. But they don't have the courage to say it. So, when you do voice your contrarian opinion you are likely speaking for several people. (This is the reason that it has always annoyed me that Facebook only gives you a LIKE button and not a DISLIKE button.)

Don't be afraid to call experts out - This is kind of like being a contrarian, but with the addition of addressing specific people that you do not agree with. When several popular experts tend to have the same opinion about a topic, it is time for someone to look at the other side. And if you don't agree with what an expert says, feel free to call them out on their opinion via video, blogging or social media (or even in person if you get the chance). We tend to believe anybody that stands on stage and speaks. There is a dangerous trend in the world of speakers/experts. They tend to repeat each other. I'll take social media as an example. All you have to do is go to about two social media conferences and you would likely hear everything you'd hear at a future conference. Experts (of which I like to think I am one) tend to parrot each other. They/We will go to conference, see someone say something that appears insightful, and then repeat it to our tribe. This can be dangerous if the original source of the information didn't have their facts straight.


I'd like to wrap this up with a great quote I heard recently.

“You don't have to be best in the world. You just have to be the best in THEIR (i.e. Your audience) world.”


Being a thought leader means being the best you can be for YOUR tribe. If you follow my guidelines above will be on the right path. Have you ever been called a thought leader?

Follow me on Facebook or Twitter and share your story.

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Personal Development, Self-Confidence

Three Mindset Changes To Improve Your Self-Confidence

The world loves a person with self-confidence.

We will gladly give our time, attention and money to a person who knows what they are talking about. Or at least thinks they know they are talking about. But self-confidence does not come naturally to a lot of people. I think our upbringing drastically affects whether we leave the nest with a ton of self-confidence or very little.

Self-confidence is the ability to believe and display the attitude that you know what you are doing. It is a virtue desired by employers, mates, and friends. The world is a beautiful balance of people who have varying levels of self-confidence. The people on one end of the scale are fearful that they are not good enough or don't know enough to open up and share their wisdom. The people on the extreme other end of the scale of self-confidence are brash, arrogant, and generally unpleasant to be around. If you can find a way to be confident but be just below the extreme, the world will love you and eat you up. They will applaud you and live vicariously through you. And as a bonus - they will pay good money to be around you and learn from you.

Here are the mindsets that you should remember when you are not quite sure of what you are getting ready to tackle - or even if you should be doing it:

Do less wishing and comparing, and more DOING. If you spend a lot of your time watching people that are at the level of life where you want to be, you will become jealous very fast (click here to see my post of being jealous of successful people) . It OK to take some time to study how they got to that level. But I would recommend severely restricting that time. Self-confidence comes doing something that you've never done before. Spend more time working on completing things you think are impossible. Start small. Try to make incremental steps in things that are just a little bit outside of your comfort zone. Then keep expanding those. Keep finding ways to put yourself in situations that make you a little uncomfortable. Want to write a book? Quit reading about how to write a book and start writing. Keep it down to just a paragraph a day. Eventually your speed will increase and before you know it you will have a completed book (something that I am working on right now too). The same rules goes for being in sales, for public speaking, or for any of the other numerous areas where people don't feel sure of themselves. Don't shoot for the big improvements. Work on the small ones and you will wake up one day and be sitting next to that guy/gal who has the same self-confidence that you don't think you have.

Know that you will make mistakes and fall. It is 100% guaranteed. But taking non-physical risks will rarely kill you. I believe that some people suffer from a lack of self-confidence due to the fear of failure and embarrassment. I will tell you firsthand that both will happen, and neither one has ever killed me. When you attempt to do something that you are not confident you can complete, understand that you just might crash and burn. But your desire for achievement needs to be just a little higher than your fear. The fear will never (and should never) go away. The fear is what helps you plan and protect yourself. But the fear should not stop the forward progress.

Believe that there are plenty of people want to know what you know and be where you are. Several years ago, I gave a presentation at a Toastmasters conference that talked about to get paid for your knowledge. (If you'd like to see the video click here.) One of the first topics I covered is believing that you have something to offer to the world. Whether you are 20 or 90, you've experienced some things that nobody else around you know about - but they want to know what you know. I made the audience yell "I believe" several times because I wanted to cement that in their head. You must believe in your story and your wisdom. It may seem very trivial to you. But it has shaped you in ways that you will carry to your grave. Be confident in your wisdom and your history because someplace out there, you have a fan that is waiting to hear from you.

Bonus:
When you see people that appear "self-confident" and wish you were more like them, remember this: They may have the same fears and insecurities that you do. Fifteen minutes before you saw them, they may have been sitting in their car doing self-talk to get up the courage to do what you are seeing them do now. Some of the people that appear confident in public are terribly insecure in private. They are just really good actors, and their desire for accomplishment is greater than their fear of failure.

What do you think?

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Generating Wealth, Personal Development

The Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires

The basics of a successful mindset never die. Every day you will see someone come at you with a new mind trick or a new philosophy on success.
But there are basic rules that you need to be successful never change.

Set aside time to watch this classic video from Brian Tracy about what self-made millionaires do differently. Take good notes. And then practice them. Don't just watch - act. Brian gives you all the answers you need right here in this video. It is up to you to either A) Believe them and act on them or B) Ignore them and go looking for the next big thing.

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Attitude Adjustment

Video: The Case For Simple Goal Setting

When I was in Seattle recently, I shot a quick video that talked about taking the simple goal setting route, and why you would want to do it. And I managed to not fall in the water and break my neck.

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