The Daily Meaning
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A Posture of Gratitude
Every morning, we take a posture into our day. While no day will be perfect, and most days will surely throw us some unsavory curveballs, our posture will play a more significant role in how our day goes than the external forces that hit us.
The Admission Price
Later today, I'll be giving a talk to a group of young professionals. I couldn't be more excited. Also, I couldn't be more scared. This is my paradox with public speaking. It's simultaneously my greatest joy and my greatest fear. I could eliminate the fear, but it would require me to remove the joy. Or I can have the joy and keep the fear. See the dilemma?
It’s About More Than the Product
The Wall Street Journal is a wonderful paper. I very much enjoy the Wall Street Journal. It's worth every penny I pay for it. HOWEVER, it's about more than the product. Even if the product is amazing (like the WSJ), the other aspects of the relationship matter just as much. Despite having a significantly superior product (my opinion) at a reasonable price (also my opinion), it's simply not worth it if they don't deliver it promptly.
Migraines For the Loss
I get crushed with a crippling migraine about 4-6 times per year. I never see them coming, but they hit me like a brick wall. I just experienced two in the last seven days, including last night. As I'm laying in bed trying to rally, it's made me reflect about an idea.
Once You See It
Do you recognize this logo? Of course, it's the KFC logo! Most of us grew up with this logo in our lives, and its tasty fried chicken in our bellies. It's one of the most recognizable brands and logos in American culture. However, a few years ago, someone told me something that would forever change my life (ok, that's a bit of an over exaggeration). Are you ready for it? Ready for me to rock your world?
Protecting Yourself From Yourself
As much as we try, we humans are experts in the art of self-sabotage. Sometimes, we're oblivious to it, while other times, we know exactly what we do. Yet, we can't help but sabotage our own well-being.
Some Words Stick
Some words stick. Not all of them, and certainly not for all people.....but some do! Words have the power to transform lives. The problem is we never know which will be the right words for the right person.
The First Slice is the Best!
On my flight yesterday, I had a front-row seat to a little family struggle. Here's how it played out. Mom, Dad, and 12ish-year-old son sit down right in front of me. They had to hurry from one flight to the next, but they were able to grab some food and bring it onto the plane. After the plane took off, the mother distributed the food. Side note: it looked absolutely delicious.
To Coffee or Not to Coffee
We had a fantastic event last night in Los Angeles. I couldn't have been more grateful to be in that room. One of the points I wanted to drive home was the importance of each person spending their values. Not the values of their neighbors, family, co-workers, or the underlying culture. This seems obvious, but most people subconsciously spend other people's values.
Earning the Right: Part 2
The most prevalent feedback I received is from people who “feel bad” about charging for their work when they love it so much. They would probably do it for free if they could. But that’s the problem. To continue serving others with their beautiful gifts, they must charge enough to keep the financial train on the tracks. Therefore, charging a reasonable price for their work is a good and noble thing. If we believe this, it changes everything!
Earning the Right: Part 1
The idea that "money doesn't matter" is naive at best, and misleading at worst. Even in the world of Meaning Over Money, it doesn't mean meaning=100 and money=0. Here's why. At the end of the day, we need to feed our families. We live in a world that requires us to financially care for ourselves. Failing to do so has some pretty dire consequences.
Spice-It-Up Challenge
This is a beautiful act to practice. And just like anything else, we get better with practice. This has been a regular part of my life for about seven years. If I'm having a crappy day, I stop what I'm doing and find an opportunity to creatively give to someone. It never fails; that ALWAYS turns my mood around.
Letting the Wins Add Up
I recently received a call from a friend. He had a question. “I just got a $110k inheritance that’s sitting in my checking account. I need it in about a year for ______. I feel like I should do something with it between now and then. Do you have any good investing ideas?” It was an interesting question, and I had an immediate idea for him.
We Don’t (Completely) Live on an Island
It sometimes feels like we're living on an island. Whenever we talk about such crazy ideas as pursuing work that matters, not keeping up with the Joneses, and practicing radical generosity, criticism and hate start rolling in. I feel it daily, but I regularly get stories from you about the harsh words and criticism you receive. One of you left your job to pursue a career that makes a bigger impact, and a family member called you "irresponsible."
Get Your At-Bats
It will be the third time formally delivering my new keynote talk. This talk is the culmination of more than 100 non-related talks, thousands of client meetings and conversations, and all my content over the last decade. The first time I delivered this talk, I did it poorly (I know I’m hard on myself). The second time I delivered it, I did it ok. What about this time? There’s only one way to find out!
Cushion is Key
I'm notorious for floating counter-cultural and seemingly contradictive ideas to my clients. Stopping the use of credit cards makes our finances less risky and more streamlined. Creating more savings accounts makes our financial life simpler. Spending more on our wants (with less guilt) creates better control and restraint on our finances. Another seemingly contradictive idea came up this week while I was on the phone with a client.
Don’t Picture Them Naked
All of that was great advice…..until the whole naked part. Have you ever tried imagining the person you were talking to was naked? Never mind, don't answer that. So many people gave me that advice. Sure, sure, I'll just picture hundreds of people sitting shoulder-to-shoulder, naked, attentively watching me speak. Nothing weird about that. Yeah, that sounds like a perfectly normal and rational scenario.
You Have Two Choices Today
It's scientifically proven that 4PM on Sunday afternoon is the most depressing hour of the week. We've had a fun weekend, had lots of good food, spent time with people we care about, and haven't thought too much about work. But the weekend is winding down, and we realize tomorrow is quickly approaching. Considering 70% of Americans dislike or hate their jobs, the reminder of tomorrow is a sobering moment! Thus, 4PM is the most depressing hour of the week.
The Years Are Indeed Too Short
"The days are long, and the years are short." This phrase was said to me multiple times when my kids were infants. I definitely understood the "days are long" part. With newborn twins, just the 16 bottles per day part felt long. On the other hand, I didn't fully understand the "years are short" part. Everything just felt long....and exhausting.
Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too
Meaning doesn't pay the bills, or so I'm told. When I advocate for pursuing meaning over money, I typically receive criticism. I get called privileged, naive, short-sighted, and sometimes stupid. However, I think there's a misunderstanding about this entire meaning vs. money conversation.