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5 rules to prevent your “big next” from becoming a big mess.

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The recent launch of my new book, Free the Genius, was a tutorial for me in how to stretch beyond old limits to my own “big next.”

If you’re building something new and different, let these universal rules-of-the-road help you stay on track and in motion.

What is a “big next”? It’s that idea, dream, or contribution that you must bring to life. It may feel impractical and difficult to achieve . . . yet, it won’t leave you alone until you begin. It’s your big next.

Here are five principles I just learned and re-learned that you can apply to bring your big next to life:…[Continue Reading]

This virtuoso gave a better answer than my question warranted. So worth it!

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I had the chance to have a brief conversation with celebrated, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Ron Chernow, recently.

While we spoke, he made a comment that rang a bell in my head that will no doubt be valuable for you, too, if you intend to make a meaningful impact in your world.

He’s a true virtuoso.
Chernow is best known for writing the book, Hamilton but every book he writes is an award winner. Chernow’s biography, Hamilton, inspired Lin Manuel-Miranda to write the earth-shaking musical of the same title.…[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]

Seeing his world changed mine

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In November 2013, I spent 10 days in Nepal trekking in the Himalayan Mountains. There were no paved roads above 10,000 feet, which meant no motorized vehicles.

It was just silence and the unfamiliar.
Beneath the quiet sky, we ascended, descended, and ascended more, for hours each day. Around every turn was wind, sun, and endless ranges of jagged peaks shooting toward the heavens.…[Continue Reading]

How your double standard is failing you

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I love reading biographies of great people — warriors, titans, artists, athletes, crusaders for a cause.  There’s a theme that runs across them.

Not only did those people have historic impact. They’re full of foibles and flaws.

Sometimes, it’s shocking what poor judgment or bad behaviors such brilliant people could exhibit. That is, at least when they were out of the public view.

And still, they changed the world.…[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]

He didn’t know any better, and he paid for it.

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Cooper (aka, Coop) is a strapping 16 year-old kid who just didn’t know any better.

His ONE DREAM is to play college basketball. Okay, in full disclosure, he also seems to dream about Mexican food pretty often.

He knew the first step to his big dream was to play high school basketball. And he wanted to be ready.

He logged thousands of hours of practice and play through 8th grade. Thousands.…[Continue Reading]

Her Path to #1 — She lost more than the rest

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On Sunday, Angelique Kerber won her first US Open Title and earned her first-ever #1 world tennis ranking. At 28, she’s the oldest woman to ever achieve the #1 ranking for the first time.

Ever worry your ship already sailed without you?
Kerber’s path to the top reminds us that there is always another ship to catch. That is, if you keep playing.

She shows us that late bloomers aren’t just slow or lucky. They’ve been preparing for years, readying for their opportunities.…[Continue Reading]

What would you have done if you’d gotten the call?

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Last week, Gwen Jorgensen won her first Olympic Gold medal in the women’s triathlon. In 2009, she was a 23-year old tax accountant for a Big 6 accounting firm. Her Olympic journey began with an unexpected phone call at work.

It’s a story of hope for anyone with a dream.
As the story goes, the US Olympic committee was frustrated the US hadn’t had more success in the triathlon and went searching for candidates to recruit into their program.

The ideal candidates were runners and swimmers. Jorgensen had been a swimmer and runner at the University of Wisconsin, so her profile was a perfect match.

The Olympics was not in her career plan.…[Continue Reading]