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Life

Life

Do You Have A ‘Great’ Idea?

February 17, 2010

There are ideas and then there are great ideas. The difference between ‘ideas’ which we think of everyday and the occasional great idea, is that great ideas compel us to tell someone and take action. Whether it’s a new way to improve public transit or new method of understanding online customers, great ideas are dangerous for one reason: they change the status quo.

For many, status quo means doing what everyone else is. In other words, fitting in.

So why do people like to fit in? The saying “go with the flow,” is popular among the masses and refers to complying with the systems set in place. Perhaps it is the convenience of having a system established on how to do things or the idea of ‘blending in,’ but what we all need to remember is that fitting-in means that you are boring. Applying Seth Godin’s concept of “the purple cow,” individuals that choose to ‘go with the flow’ and make no effort to be ‘remarkable,’ are replaceable. Continue Reading…

Life

Life Is A Board Game

October 7, 2009

Life Is A Board Game

If life were a ‘game’ we would have clear winners and losers. While life may not be as simple as rolling a dice and moving from spot to spot, life resembles many of the games we played as a child for fun, but with slightly different consequences. From a very young age we learn skills that will later help us in life. For most of us we play games as a form of relaxation and fun, but in the end what matters is who wins. While the actual events during the game matter, winning is just as important to the game. Life is similar to this. Some may disagree with this, but the truth of the matter is that anything worth playing must have some sort of payoff.

As we get older, the time we spend playing games like Monopoly, The Game of Life, and Scrabble may shrink, but we are still playing these game in one form or another. If you reflect upon many of the games you remember playing as a child, you would most likely be able to pull a lesson or skill from it that you now carry with you today. Although computers and high-tech toys have nearly replaced board games, the need for skill building tools still remains. Continue Reading…

Life

Can You Eliminate Fear?

September 8, 2009

One of the most famous quotes in U.S. history is by Franklin Delano Roosevelt when he said that “we have nothing to fear but fear itself.” While the words he spoke are nearly 70 years old, the meaning remains the same. For many of us, fear is our greatest enemy. The fear that Roosevelt refers to is the same fear that surrounds us and confronts us everyday.

For one to truly be successful they must learn to handle and ideally, eliminate fear. Failure to do so allows fear to paralyze one from progress. Roosevelt understood this best. With the coming of an economic depression, Roosevelt could sense ‘fear’ overcoming the nation. To this he confronted it head on. He made it clear that we must not allow fear to keep us mired in self-pity and loss but that we must eliminate fear. Continue Reading…

Life

How To Beat The World’s Fastest Man, Usain Bolt

August 20, 2009

As you begin your walk over to the starting line you go over everything that you have worked on up to this point. From the importance of your release to making sure you keep your stride strong and in check. The race will be over in less than 10 seconds and there is little room for error. There is nothing bigger than this stage and you know it. Win or go home. Can you beat Usain Bolt?

Start Strong, End Strong

As you wait at the starting block you can feel the tension build. With what seems like every photo lens, spectator, and fan locked in on your every move, you can’t help but feel nervous, excited, and focused all at the same time. Continue Reading…