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An essential skill to freak out a bartender or lead a revolution.

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On Sunday morning, I had a seemingly ordinary brunch in New York City. I didn’t think I was doing anything strange until I realized I was freaking out the bartender.

I was just trying to chill.
I’d just left a pretty intense training session. My teacher suggested I keep my mobile phone turned off to help integrate the learning. I did.

At the restaurant, I sat down at the bar in one of 20 or so empty barstools. The bartender chatted me up and took my order.

Then he and the restaurant manager started hustling behind the bar to fill a large drink order for a table of impatient guests.

I just watched.
With no phone to hold, I propped my elbows on the bar and looked around . . . at the displays of liquor on the shelves . . . at the industrial design features of the room . . . at the two people rushing to make the drinks.…[Continue Reading]

He imitated his way to the top. And so can you.

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Willson Contreras, the 26-year-old catcher for the Chicago Cubs will play in his first All-Star game tonight. That’s one of the biggest honors in his profession. When he found out he’d made the team, he cried.

You probably would have too if you’d have worked that hard — especially if one of your idols had tried to hold you in place, telling you to “respect the ranks” as you started gaining ground.

Regardless, you can steal his path to all-star status starting today. And perhaps your success will threaten some of your idols, as well.

Playing in the All-Star game was a predictable outcome.
Contreras used a method that almost every superstar or uber performer in any field, including business, has used since the beginning of humanity. …[Continue Reading]

One important question to ask yourself at New Year’s

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Something small but important happened to me this weekend. It could help you change the way you think about 2018 and beyond for yourself.

On Friday, I drove back to my hometown in Illinois to spend some time with family. My parents’ old house is for sale, so I stopped by the house to check it out.

I was locked out.
I usually enter through the garage door but the door opener had a dead battery. No luck. And all of the doors were locked.…[Continue Reading]

There’s a first responder in all of us

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In the last month in the US, we’ve been reminded that we cannot go it alone. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma have put many people in danger and turned their worlds upside down.

In both situations, people are stepping up to support each other. They’re making sacrifices and taking risks often for total strangers they’ll never see again.…[Continue Reading]

Rethinking your sources of wisdom

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I sat and listened intently as my mentor shared with me some pretty amazing wisdom. His perspective and experiences were so different than mine that I needed to stop him every few minutes and ask for clarification.

Not everything he said made sense, but parts of what he shared was exploding in my brain. I’d just never thought of things the way he was describing them.…[Continue Reading]

Her window of opportunity closed in 3.9 seconds

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Last Friday night, Morgan William from Mississippi State caught the basketball at mid-court with 3.9 seconds left in a tie game. Her window of opportunity opened and closed in less time than it took you to read this paragraph.

Her story is one that can inspire and instruct every one of us who wants to make our dent in the Universe.…[Continue Reading]

When this guy talks, nobody moves

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Could you boil your best life’s insights into 18 minutes? That’s what you’re expected to do in a TED talk.

Lt. Colonel Scott Mann, Green Beret (retired), is one of the most impressive human beings I’ve met. An amazing leader and teacher in combat and civilian life.

Scott just condensed some of his hard earned lessons into a TEDx talk. I think you’ll want to put them into action.…[Continue Reading]

Legalized mind control that keeps you watching the Olympics

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For 10, 15, and 20 years, elite athletes have been preparing to win Gold in Rio. But for much longer, TV network executives have been preparing in a different way to guarantee you’ll stay tuned in.

Their secret is 100% relevant if YOU want to win Gold in the areas that matter to you.

How do the TV networks keep you coming back?
It’s hidden in plain sight: Storytelling.…[Continue Reading]

Why watching the Olympics will make you better at work – and everywhere.

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The Olympic Games kick off this week. Be selfish. Watch them. You will be better for it. Do you know why?

Catch the Champion virus.
While people are talking about the Zika virus in Brazil or complaining about the pollution in the water, Olympic athletes are focused on their goal: to win a Gold medal.

Being a champion is all about overcoming obstacles. Zika, dirty water, and other problems are just the next obstacles they’ll encounter.…[Continue Reading]