Michael Hyatt's Blog, page 182

#033: My Answers to Listeners’ Questions [Podcast]

I get lots of voice mail questions every week. Many of them don’t neatly fit into a single topic, so I thought I’d deal with them in this episode. I have grouped them around my standard categories: platform, personal development, publishing, and leadership.

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/[Photographer]

I start this episode with a very exciting announcement: Beginning today, we are taking registrations for the Platform Conference which will be held in Nashville February 11–13, 2013. We only have 135 seats available. They will go quickly.

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If you are a public speaker, blogger, recording artist, business owner, entrepreneur, sales person, mortgage broker, pastor, or corporate brand manager, this conference is for you!

We have a terrific line up of speakers, including Ken Davis, Pat Flynn, Jeff Goins, Stu McLaren, Cliff Ravenscraft, John Saddington, Carrie Wilkerson, Andrew Buckman, and Michele Cushatt. (See the bios here.)

The venue for the conference will be the the famous Sound Kitchen music studio in Nashville, regarded by many to be the best recording studio in Nashville. It will provide an incredible atmosphere of professionalism and intimacy.

Again, these tickets will go fast. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to take your platform to the next level. You can find the details on the Platform Conference website.

Listener Questions

As I mentioned I have grouped these questions around my major topics.

Alex Ferrero asked, “What are some of the hobbies you enjoy?”
Aaron Meyers asked, “How important is networking with other bloggers for growing a blog platform?
Brad Blackman asked, “What were the deciding factors in changing from one subject matter focus to another?”
David Specht asked, “How did you stay motivated to keep blogging in the early days?”
Emily Ryan asked, “Is it better to blog with others and reach as many people as possible, build a brand with your own name, or pursue a third option?”
Jason Gardner asked, “How do I get people to my site?
Scott Moore asked, “What advice do you have for people who want to build a platform but are stuck in the corporate world?”
Chelsea asked, “Where should my boyfriend fit into my life plan priorities?”
Jen McDonough asked, “Who do you let speak into your life? Who are some of your favorite podcasters, authors, etc.?”
Keven Quinley asked, “Would I consider doing an end-of-day ritual podcast?”
Otis Henderson asked, “What recommendation do you have for a self-leadership plan for someone who is not a new leader?”
Robbie Kleinburg asked, “What kind of advice do you have for people living in different decades of their life?”
Mark S. R. Peterson asked, “Does your book, Platform, apply to fiction writers as well as non-fiction writers?”
Mike Hansen asked, “Did I have to go through the book proposal process with your book, Platform, or any of your other books?”
Matt McWilliams asked, “What were your biggest fears and doubts when you became the CEO of Thomas Nelson? How did you overcome them?”

Special Announcements

Last week I passed a major milestone: my podcast episodes have now been downloaded more than one million times. I couldn’t have done this without you, so thank you so much for your support.
Just a quick update on the GetNoticed! WordPress Theme. We are making steady progress, but it has turned out to be a lot more work than we anticipated (shocking, I know). But this is going to be a killer theme. We really are giving this our best effort.

I are hoping to ship the beta before December 1. I will announce next week how you can be part of that, so stay tuned. We have not finalized the final shipping date. That is really going to depend on how the beta test goes.
My next podcast will be on the topic of “E-mail Etiquette.” If you have a question on any topic, please leave me a voicemail message. This is a terrific way to cross-promote YOUR blog or website, because I will link to it, just like I did with the callers in this episode.

Episode Resources

In this episode I mentioned several resources, including:

Book: Samson and the Pirate Monks by Nate Larkin
Book: Creating Your Personal Life Plan (FREE)
Book: Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World
Book: Radical by David Platt
Book: The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John C. Maxwell
Book: The Way of the Wild Heart by John Eldredge
Book: Thou Shall Prosper by Rabbi Daniel Lapin
Conference: Platform Conference
Course: Get Published
Podcast: Andy Stanley
Podcast: Cliff Ravenscraft
Podcast: Dan Miller
Podcast: Erik Fischer
Podcast: Pat Flynn
Podcast: Ray Edwards
Post: 8 Leadership Lessons from a Symphony Conductor
Post: The 3 Components of Job Satisfaction

Show Transcript

The transcript for this episode is not quite ready. I will post it here when it is.

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Questions: What questions do you have that I didn’t answer? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

4 Ways to Keep Inspiration Alive

We’ve all experienced it: the large bureaucracy where where the employees seem to be just punching the clock.

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/ZoneCreative

A while back I had to get my drivers license renewed. This meant a trip to the Department of Safety’s Driver Service Center. While the process was quicker and more efficient than I expected, the people working the counter seemed lifeless.No smiles. No warmth. Just marking time. It was a little depressing.

However, this happens in the private sector as well. I had a similar experience at a popular chain restaurant. I’m sure it happens in non-profits and church’s as well.

In fact, it happens any time people get disconnected from the their purpose.

As a leader, here are four ways you can keep inspiration alive in your organization:

Connect people to the larger story. People want to know the organization they work for matters. They want to know it is making a difference in the world. For this to happen, you must connect them to the larger story.

Why was your organization founded? Why does it exist? What would happen if it disappeared? What is really at stake? You can’t talk about this too much.
Remind people why they matter. It’s one thing to understand the organization matters. It’s another thing to understand they matter—and they do. But they must be reminded and affirmed.

They must understand how their actions contribute to the overall mission. While this might be clear to you, it is probably not clear to them. Your role as a leader is to help them “connect the dots.”
Resist creating new policies. I have seen this over and over again in organizations. Someone makes a mistake. Rather than dealing with the problem—which is likely an exception or an anomaly—the leaders create a new policy.

Over time, these policies slow an organization down, like the ropes that rendered Gulliver immovable. The better tactic is to deal with problems and people head-on and only institute a policy if the behavior happens repeatedly or spreads beyond the original situation.
Set the pace for what you expect in others. This is ultimately your most important leadership tool. You cannot create an inspiring organization without being an inspiring person.

If you want people to be positive and upbeat, you must be positive and upbeat. If you want people to be flexible and embrace change, then you must be flexible and embrace change.

Like it or not, your people will mimic your priorities, values, and behavior. To quote Gandhi, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

While there may be a tendency for your organization to become more bureaucratic and lose inspiration as it grows, it is not inevitable. However, it does take a leader who is determined to inspire himself and then inspire others.

Question: What do you do to actively inspire those who follow you?

Join Me for a FREE Get Published Teleseminar

I’d like to invite you to join me for a free, LIVE Get Published Teleseminar on Thursday, November 29th at 8:00 pm Eastern Time (7:00 pm Central, 6:00 pm Mountain, 5:00 pm Pacific).

During the call, I’ll share why you should consider writing a book, why now is the best time ever to do it, and how to get started. (Even if you are a published author, you will find this content useful and motivating.)

I’ll also answer questions LIVE—a perfect opportunity for you to ask me anything about publishing or platform-building. But you must register to participate.

What You’ll Learn

I will begin by sharing my publishing journey—how I went from 29 rejection letters on my first book to writing two New York Times bestselling books, including my most recent, Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World.

Specifically, you’ll learn:

5 reasons why you should publish a book and how it will forever change your life.
The #1 obstacle that stands between you and launching a successful publishing career.
The top 5 reasons why now is the best time ever to be an author.
Traditional publishing vs. self-publishing: the pros and cons.
The 3 actions you need first—before you write your manuscript—if you are serious about getting published.

And, as I mentioned, I will also answer your questions. The call will last 45 minutes to one hour.

How to Register

This call is FREE. You can access it LIVE by phone or a streaming web audio player. And yes, I will make the recording of the call available sometime after the call—for a one-time fee of $19.97.

Please note: I only have room for 3,000 people on this teleseminar. (That’s the limit imposed by our hosting company.) Therefore, you must register now to participate.

Register for the FREE Get Published Teleseminar

I am really excited about this online event. I want to give you a jumpstart in your publishing journey. I know personally what this can mean for your future.

If you still have questions, read the FAQs below.

FAQs

Q: What is a teleseminar?

A: Think of it as a giant conference call. You dial in (or listen via streaming web audio), along with others and listen while I share and answer questions.

Q: How much does this cost?

A: It’s free. If you choose to access the LIVE call via phone, you may incur standard long-distance charges if you choose a dial-in number that is not local to you (there are multiple dial-in number options). Other than that, no fee at all.

Q: What is the date and time?

A: The LIVE call will take place on Thursday, November 29th, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time (7:00 pm Central, 6:00 pm Mountain, 5:00 pm Pacific).

Q: How can I access the LIVE call?

A: You’ll have two options. Our call capacity is 3,000 total. Five hundred can access the call via phone, the rest via streaming web audio (listening via your computer). Access is on a first-come, first-served based on registration and which access option you chose. We will notify you prior to the call with the specific phone number and web address.

Q: I can’t make the LIVE call. Will there be a recording?

A: Yes, I will make the recording available after the LIVE call for $19.97. You’ll have the option to listen to the replay online or download an MP3 file.

Q: How do I ask a question for you to answer during the call?

A: When you register there will be an option for you to submit a question. I’ll do my best to answer as many questions as possible during the LIVE call. However, I will likely not get to all of them. I’ll try to make sure I address common themes.

Q: Do I need any special equipment?

A: No, nothing special needed. You won’t need to download anything to access the call. If you use the dial-in access then you simply make a phone call. If you use the streaming web access then you simply open a web browser, click play, and listen. I will send the instructions to you via email.

Q: When do I get access information after I register?

A: I will send you access information via email a day or two before the call and a reminder email on the day of the call.

Question: What do you hope to get from the teleseminar? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

5 Elements of Powerful Stories

This is a guest post by Matt Ragland. He is a writer who explores the motivations behind our choices and how people prioritize what is really important to them. You can read more from him on his blog and then follow him on Twitter.

When I was in college, I cared about what people thought of me. Too much. It affected how I dressed, spoke, ate, exercised, and what classes I took. I rearranged my life to make others happy, and went with the ebbs and flows of their opinions. I didn’t serve my true self, or the calling that was inside me.

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/LuisPortugal

Then I heard a story that changed me.

Once, there was a community of wise monks who lived in the desert. One day, a man arrived at the monastery, asking if he could stay and learn wisdom from the monks. The old abbot came out and greeted the traveler, then asked why he had come.

The man answered, “I want to be wise, but I only have the weekend.”

The abbot smiled, because many men hoped for the wisdom which had taken him a lifetime to accumulate. He replied, “To begin, go to the graveyard and spend the day cursing the dead. Tell them they lived useless lives, and the world is better off without them.”

The man thought this was strange, but he did as he was asked. The next day, the abbot asked the traveler, “So, what did the dead say?” The man replied, “Nothing, they’re all dead!”

The abbot told him, “Today, go to the graveyard and spend all day praising the dead! Shower them with blessings, exhort them, and speak of the many ways society has benefited from their life’s work.”

Now the man was thoroughly bewildered, but he did as he was asked. The next day, the abbot asked the traveler, “So, what did the dead say?”

The man replied, “Nothing! They’re all dead! And I have to leave today!” The wise old abbot looked at him and said,

“What wise men they must be, to not be swayed by either the empty blessings or angry curses of other people. They must know true happiness.”

I remember sitting in a tent, listening to that story. I had heard before that I shouldn’t allow the opinions of others sway me, and to be true to myself. But this was different, and I heard the advice in a new, compelling way.

Ever since then, I have been fascinated with stories. What makes them so important to our shared culture and experience? How can they be used to change us?

Here are five elements that you will help you tell more powerful stories:

Powerful stories resonate within us. A good story connects in your soul. We’ve all read or been told stories where the actions of the characters have stirred something inside of us. We identify with the heroes and the villains, because we all have those tendencies inside of us. Look for ways where your story shares a common thread with the story of humanity.
Powerful stories show the light and the dark. Whether you are telling a personal story, or a fictional one, it’s tempting to make the hero invincible and the villain the very definition of evil. But this is rarely the case, and something people cannot relate to.

When something goes right in our life, it’s easy to celebrate. When something goes wrong, and we make a mistake, it is crucial to be honest and work toward making the wrong right. In most cases, people will forgive the mistakes they are made aware of but are furious when even little things are covered up or ignored.
Powerful stories point to a greater cause. In the movie Gladiator, the dying emperor Marcus Aurelius, asks Maximus,

Marcus: “Why are we here?

Maximus: “For the glory of Rome”

Marcus: “What is Rome, Maximus?”

Maximus: “I have seen much of the world, and it is cold, and dark. Rome is the light”

Marcus: “Yet you have never been there!

Maximus believed in the glory and purpose of Rome, despite having never seen it. What purpose do you live and work for, despite it only being a whisper in your soul?

Your company, and your life, is not about you! This can be the hardest lesson we ever learn. Our lives must point to a purpose greater than our own well-being. People will rarely align with your self-interest, but they will align for a common goal.
Powerful stories teach—but in a different way. To speak the truth, we can easily put together a chart, graph, collection of numbers, or bullet points. Those have their place, but we need to use them to support why a story is powerful.

In your life, telling a powerful story and being open to your true self is one of the best ways to lead others. When they see your honesty, it inspires them to lead honest, open lives as well.
Powerful stories leave room for interpretation. We don’t have to explain everything! This is such a temptation in our culture, which seeks quick answers we can easily file away. Remember when you explain, it’s simply your interpretation, which becomes a part of the listener’s interpretation.

Leave room for the listener to form their own ideas, and ask questions! Allowing this space will create the opportunity for future conversations and engagement.

Our stories define us.

How do we tell stories (including our own) that allow people to develop their life story, and be unafraid of what defines them? People will not align with what is a lie. The authenticity you show as a person or a company will have a major influence on your success.

With the power of social media, this is the new direction of business and relationships. People connect with other people. It’s no coincidence that people and companies who tell powerful stories are the ones who have the most passionate tribes. We desire to be known, and to know others.

It’s time to think about what story you are telling.

Questions: What are other important elements to a story? Do you think this is important for people and businesses who want to change? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

#032: How to Create a Life Plan [Podcast]

As you may know, I wrote an e-book called, Creating Your Personal Life Plan. It has been downloaded more than 170,000 times. In this episode, I share what a life plan is, why you need one, and how to begin creating one.

Behind the Scenes with My Virtual Assistant

I started working with Tricia Welte, my virtual executive assistant (VEA), about fifteen months ago. She works for eaHELP. She has become an integral part of my team. So much so, that I don’t even think of her as “virtual.”

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/wildpixel

I thought it might be interesting to give you a “behind-the-scenes” look and interview her here on my blog. I started with the basics and then moved onto the deeper questions. If you are considering hiring a VEA, this might help you see how it works for me and how it might work for you.

Me: What kinds of things do Virtual Executive Assistants (VEAs) do best?

Tricia: There are many different types of VEAs with a variety of skill sets, making each one uniquely perfect for the right person. The key is in determining what you need and then finding the right person to meet those needs.

For example, in serving you, my main focus is on managing your calendar, processing your e-mail, tracking your expenses, and booking your travel. This is exactly what you need, and it works for me.

However, this might not be the right combination for others. Our VEAs at eaHELP typically perform a wide variety of tasks:

Meeting management—creating agendas, taking notes virtually, capturing actionable items, and distributing to the parties involved
Social media assistance—scheduling tweets, updating Facebook (or other services), and posting blog content
Writing and editing—creating first drafts or editing our client’s drafts
Editing and proofing—working on a variety of documents or other content
Project coordination—managing complex projects or simple task management
Marketing support and design—overseeing the process or, depending on the skills of the VEA, actually doing the work
CRM or database management—entering new records, tagging records, or organizing lists
Presentation creation—creating or editing PowerPoint or Keynote presentations
Online file management and data collection—organizing files, collecting responses, or managing surveys
Research and fact-checking—doing the “leg work“ on various projects and gathering the resources
Transcription—transcribing speeches, interviews, podcasts, or other audio or video content

Me: What are some examples of things VEAs can’t or shouldn’t do?

Tricia: There are certain areas that really require a specialist. These might include things like accounting or outbound sales efforts.

There are also the obvious tasks that typically require a person’s physical presence (e.g., sorting mail, running errands, physical filing, etc). And most importantly, we cannot read minds—though we are working on this at eaHELP!

It won’t be clear to your VEA what your needs and expectations are unless you tell them. Luckily, I have never found myself in this position with you. You are very clear with what you need, how you need it, and when.

Me: How does a person know when he or she is ready to hire a VEA?

Tricia: Well, here are some signs:

You cannot do the things you want or need to do because you are buried in administrative work.
Your work/life balance it out of sync.
You have a set of tasks you need completed that are outside your personal skill set or know-how.

At eaHELP, our mission is to free leaders up from these things, so they can invest time in the areas where they add the most value. We give them the time to focus on their passions and the things they are best equipped to do.

Me: What is the biggest mistake people make when hiring a VEA?

Tricia: First, it’s a mistake when clients hire merely on the basis of an impressive resume or the fact that the VEA seems highly motivated. While these are important, those two items alone do not guarantee a good fit or great performance. (See my blog about hiring a a Virtual Executive Assistant.)

You also need to consider work habits and style, strengths and weaknesses, and personality type. These are all critically important and may, in fact, be more important to a successful partnership than either someone’s experience or level of motivation.

One the reasons you and I work so well together is that we have a similar work-style and personality type. We both work at a similar pace and schedule. We both appreciate each other’s responsiveness and communication style. Rarely, are either of us waiting on the other.

Second, it’s a mistake when clients fail to invest the time upfront to make the relationship work. They haven’t thought through their expectations or clearly communicated those to their VEA.

Like anyone else, your VEA will perform best where she knows what you want and how you want it done. This will make her feel successful from the get-go and give you both the momentum you need to make the relationship work.

You did a great job at preparing for my start. You were thorough, and I felt I was setup to succeed. It laid a great foundation for our partnership.

Mike: What does the ideal VEA client look like? (In other words, what “markers” do you look for in assessing whether a relationship with a prospective client will be successful?)

Tricia: Our ideal client is comfortable with technology, a good communicator (responsive and detailed), relational, and believes in investing in people. He (or she) is self-aware and understands his strengths and weaknesses. He knows where his passion is and what he is trying to achieve.

Me: Where do your clients typically underutilize their VEAs? Specifically, where am I underutilizing you?

Tricia: Many leaders underestimate the value their VEA can bring to the table. When we are in a situation where we have a client who is overwhelmed and just unsure where his (or her) VEA can help, we ask him to sit down and make a list of all the things he does in a day, in a week, and in a month. Then we invite him to step back and review the list.

Chances are at least half of those things can be done by someone else. Sometimes it is just a matter of perspective and letting go. The question to answer is, “Where can you add the most value?” Hang onto those items and delegate everything else you can.

If you invest the time upfront to train an VEA on a set of tasks, you will reap the gift of time in the long run. The mentality of “it will be faster if I just do it myself” will kill a relationship with your VEA.

By the way, we see many leaders do tasks that a VEA could do for them because they want to feel a quick sense of accomplishment. As a leader, they are typically dealing with long-range projects or projects that take forever to accomplish. Checking an item off a list creates a psychological sense of accomplishment, but it can also be a distraction to getting more important work done.

In terms of how I support you, I think most people would be surprised to know that I do not assist you in your social media in any way. This may seem ironic because it is where you spend much of your time.

We spoke about this many months ago and determined that although you spend a ton of time there, it is what you enjoy doing, so it does not make sense to delegate it. It is a perfect example of how the other things I take off your plate allow you the time to spend doing this.

Another area where I see opportunity for additional support would be project coordination. You have a management team that spearheads those things, but I could see being more involved with those projects and assisting your team. (Hint, hint.)

Me: What do clients sometimes do that drive VEAs crazy (or at least make their lives more difficult)? Specifically, where could I improve?

Tricia: The things that drive me nuts are poor response times and ambiguity or vagueness. Luckily for me, you are neither. Whew!

I think each EA has a different set of “what drives them crazy” based on who they are, but generally speaking, here are a few that come to mind:

Not giving enough detail on a task to get your VEA going.
Not giving deadlines and VERY clear expectations on when you need things completed. Clarity is KEY.
Not allowing enough time for the big projects to get done. No one loves a pressure cooker situation.

As VEAs we can help bring clarity to an assignment by asking questions. We can ask who, what, when, why, and how. This will usually fill in the blanks.

Me: What is the one thing clients can do to take their VEA relationship to the next level of effectiveness?

Tricia: That’s simple: communicate, communicate, communicate. And when in doubt, communicate! This is especially important in the first two to three months. It may feel like you are over-communicating, but it is essential to success.

And do not be afraid to use your technology to do so. Whether it is e-mail, instant-message, text, FaceTime or Skype, use it. Whatever it takes, stay connected!

Without a consistent flow of information, the relationship will suffer. Challenge your VEA to suggest where else she may be able to help you. You may be surprised with what she suggests.

I would also suggest clients explain the why behind the task at hand. This is so helpful. It communicates respect—the client regards the VEA as a full partner, rather than merely a task hungry subordinate. When a VEA knows the why, she can shift her focus to delivering outstanding results rather than simply checking off an item on a list.

Finally, clients should be gracious when something doesn’t work. You have done a good job here. You have been understanding about the things I am just not good at and honestly, never will never be. You focus on my strengths and we have found other ways to cover my weaknesses.

Me: If someone is interested in exploring a VEA relationship with eaHELP, what should they do next?

Tricia: They should visit our website and then click on the button that says, “Get a proposal.”

Question: What questions do you have about how a relationship with a VEA works? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

Wanted: Podcast Producer [Announcement]

Wanted: Podcast Producer

I am looking for a smart, reliable, can-do person to manage the production of my weekly podcast, This Is Your Life. After producing thirty-one episodes myself, I want to outsource the post-production aspects of my workflow, so I can focus on creating the content.

If you are interested—or know someone who might be—click here for more information, including the

Take Ownership of Your Life in 4 Steps

This is a guest post by Anne-Sophie Reinhardt. She is an anorexia survivor, body image expert, and the owner of aMINDmedia. She empowers you to achieve a healthier and smarter life by returning to your true purpose and values. You can read her blog or follow her on Twitter.

“Remember, ultimately you are in control of your workout! I can motivate you to push harder. I can try to keep you from giving up, but in the end, it’s all up to you.”

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/Lorado

This statement of our cycling instructor stuck with me because I see people give up control over crucial areas of their lives all the time.This lack of ownership reaches from personal health to thriving in our jobs and the level of destruction we create is often not realized until it is too late.

When I gave my eating disorder power over me, I stopped functioning, lost myself, and almost my life. When my brother beat me up over and over again for years, I resigned and stopped fighting. When I worked for Starbucks, I gave my boss the power to decide how much money I could make any given month.

Three completely distinct areas of a life. Three ways of giving up control.

Your areas of struggle will be different, but the lack of owning up to personal responsibility is the same.

If you’re ready to reverse this process and finally want to take control of your life, the following steps will help put yourself back on track.

Start dreaming. How do you want your life to look? What have you always wanted to do? We cannot make any changes in our lifestyle if we don’t know what it is we actually want.

Maybe you want to move to a different country or travel around the world.
Maybe you want to sell your big house in the country and move into a small apartment in the city.
Maybe you dream of giving up your well-paying job and pursue the career of your dreams.
Maybe you secretly wish to end your relationship and be solo for a while.


Determine what is holding you back. Once you’ve determined your dreams, try to zone in on what exactly the reasons are for you not acting upon what you truly want.

Why do you let other people rule over your life?
Why don’t you go after that job you’ve always wanted?
Why do you keep finding excuses for traveling the world?
Why do you envy others for having the guts to constantly evolve in all aspects of life but you never step outside your comfort zone?

Be honest with yourself. Be ruthless. Take some time for yourself and really dig deep.
Face your fears. Analyze what it is that scares the heck out of you. When I started to gain weight, I was terrified of being judged, harassed, and even left by my husband. Yet none of those fears were rational. My life didn’t fall into pieces because of a few pounds more on my hips. Instead it improved in ways I cannot even begin to describe.

So, whatever your insecurities are, ask yourself if they are valid ones.

Does your fear of financial bankruptcy really hold true?
Does your relationship really keep you alive?
Do your toxic friendships really prevent you from being lonely?
Is the job you have really the only alternative to living on the street?

Try to be as objective as possible, even if it feels very uncomfortable. You’ll soon see that most of your fears are just as irrational as my anxiety of social disgrace because of looking healthy.
Make the changes. Now that you know why you’re not in control of your life and what it is your afraid of, it’s time to make changes. Start small in order to not get overwhelmed.

Maybe your diet is worse than it should be. So, start eating healthier food.
Maybe your exercise routine is non-existent. Start building one.
Maybe your time online is preventing you from moving your business in the direction you want it to go. So, reduce the time on the web to a bare minimum.

You don’t have to quit your job in order to take back control, you can start small and work your way up to the bigger life changes. Start growing confident and then rock the world with your newfound freedom.

There is nothing more rewarding than being in full control of your life. Once you realize that, “Yes, I can have that power too,” there is no end to the possibilities and opportunities that will present themselves. You’ll soon see that the world is only waiting for you to make a dent in the universe. What are you waiting for then?

You owe it to yourself to take this leap before it is too late.

Question: What do you need to do next to take back control of your life? You can leave a comment by clicking here.

New E-mail Button on ShareBar [Announcement]

New E-mail Button on ShareBar

We just added an e-mail icon to the ShareBar which is displayed above and below main posts and below most mini-posts. It looks like this:

An Interview with Marcus Buckingham About Authenticity [Video]

If you can’t see this video in your RSS reader or email, then click here.







In this backstage interview at the Chick-fil-A Leadercast 2012, I asked Marcus Buckingham about authenticity and its role in leadership. We discussed how this builds trust and why our choices are so important. I also asked him about his newest book, Stand Out: Find Your Edge, Win at Work , and how our strengths help us make better, more authentic choices.

This would be another great interview to watch with your team, take notes, and then discuss.