Take-aways: Behind every story of success is a series of opportunities, and seemingly insignificant actions that lead to extraordinary results. While the level of effort necessary to reach prominent success is long and high, there may be more at play then just “the grind.” What does this mean for us mortals? Success isn’t genetic OR luck…. it exists at the crossroad of Preparation (within our control) and Opportunity (within our control to be open to it).

On this NextBetter Podcast recap of Episode EI007:

Unlocking financial independence is not a distant dream but a ladder waiting for you to climb, one rung at a time. Join us on the journey to financial wellness with practical advice, relatable anecdotes, and Jim's wisdom that cuts through the noise of financial complexity.

I’ve never been able to get behind the saying “Proper planning prevents poor performance,” attributed to former SoS James Baker. This may help you avoid a poor outcome, but science is pretty strongly in favor of approach motivation vs. avoidance motivation. So instead, what are we striving for?

My personal favorite version of this statement:

“Proper planning promotes Peak Performance.”

If you know me, you know I love systems. And since helping other’s perform is kind of my thing, having a system to peak performance is a must have for any decent Performance Coach. Here’s a look at my own personal system for high level performance.

Take-aways: The old way of measuring growth in our country (GDP) isn’t working anymore (if it ever did). It fails to consider two important aspects of humanity: well-being and sustainability. This book takes a look at how the governments of other countries are using policy to put the well-being of their people at top priority, through the GNH (Gross National Happiness). The book provides sound evidence for the benefit of the “Happiness" Movement”, and resources so that anyone in the community, from the citizen to the policymaker, can begin the process of making “happiness and well-being the purpose of [your] government.”

Imagine yourself doing something 60,000 times a day….and how you’re doing it is making your life hell.

Science shares with us the power of altering this daily habit to unlock a world of possibility, from improved relationships to enhanced productivity.

With just two minutes a day, you can change this habit, and your life.

Take-aways: If you want to receive (and you have to, it’s one of the 5 Laws of Stratospheric Success), you must start by putting others first. By focusing on what you have to offer the world, you’ll find that your value is directly tied to your ability to bring others value.

In business, a minimum viable product (MVP) is a version of a product with just enough features to satisfy early customers and provide feedback for future product development. (Wikipedia, Minimum Viable Product). What stops us as individuals from using a Minimum Viable PROCESS to satisfy our need for growth? To live a more fulfilling life? To serve others to the fullest?

"I'll start when everything slows down."

I've helped people for decades to find motivation to pursue that which they find important. But for as many people that I've helped, there has been a hundred who just "weren't ready” :

"Once I get a little closer to my goal, then I'll be ready to take bigger steps."

This is why that just won’t cut it.

I’m a big fan of metaphors. With one of my Strengths being “Ideation,” I am always looking for new ways to make connections between two thoughts, and then figure out a way to share that with my clients. So why people ask me "how do you stay so positive?,” I started to wonder the same thing myself. So of course, I thought about WHY!

Some things just come easy to us. But when Coach Woody was given a great grade and a poor review, he started to question…”was it enough.” The lesson he learned on leaning into his strength stayed with him for decades to come.

A life of Purpose is the most meaningful existence we can hope to live. But how can you hope to reach your Purpose, if you aren’t thankful for the clothes on your back? What is the process to get from where you are, to the best version of you that you can be? Here’s a start…