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Creating a value inventory can be frustrating and uncomfortable exercise.  Especially if you’re too humble to turn off your modesty filter.  But if you’re willing to engage your imaginations, own your authentic power and honestly appraise that which your bring to the table, there’s no telling what you might accomplish.  I have a friend who loves to ask his clients: What can you do in five minutes that will…

Quicksand is a combination of sand, silt, clay and water.  But what’s interesting it, the material itself is harmless. Geologists figured out long ago that the density of quicksand is twice that of the human body. Sinking is scientifically impossible.  And so, the real danger is freaking out and fighting to get free. Because each time you try to put your leg up, the suction pulls you back in…

Few things were more infuriating than when your older sibling would play the stop hitting yourself game with you as a child.  He would use your own hand against you, playfully and annoyingly forcing you to hit yourself in the face while repeating the silly statement.  And all you could do was take it. Because the sole purpose of the game was to elicit a reaction from you. If you cried…

You don’t actually learn anything in college, it just shows you can complete something.  That’s far more significant and respected and attractive than the yawnable ability to solve equations and memorize dates and regurgitate an ocean of information about eighteenth century romantic poetry.  After all, we live in a world that rewards finishing. Following through. Fully and faithfully realizing the execution of a difficult, expensive, exhausting and long term…

Seventeen years ago, I started wearing a nametag twenty four seven, just to make people friendlier.  And it worked. Better than I could have possibly imagined. Thanks to my curiosity experiment, I’ve been able to connect with tens of thousands of people around the world whom I otherwise never would met, many of whom have become lifelong friends.  I even built a brand, a business and a career out…

I thrive on ritual and routine and structure and organization and decisiveness and commitment.  That’s how my personality orients itself to the external world. Through constants and practices that reinforce my sense of control over myself and my environment.  Even in the smallest degrees and most innocuous moments, I will find a way to intentionally design and manage the user interface of my daily existence, bringing a measure of…

Rand’s iconic protagonist asked the question: What greater wealth is there than to own your life and spend it growing?  It’s a deeply empowering philosophy because it reminds us that we don’t have to apologize for growing. Even if we feel survivor’s guilt about those we’ve left behind, the harsh reality is, we can’t bring everyone with us on the journey.  Each man is responsible for their own evolution, learning his…

Technology has a tendency to inflate the composition process.  Because when an artist starts with electronics, they can easily fool themselves into thinking that what they’re working on is better than it really is.  When the songs are buttressed by effects and computers and pedals and samples, they can’t always tell if the core idea is legitimately good, or lavishly produced.  Which doesn’t make the music any less enjoyable….

Tricking myself into feeling that Security, security, security It won’t free me, complete me, make me whole Phase me, amaze me, save my soul Cue the lights Start the dramatic score Glue my knuckles tight Zoom in on my lungs No chicken count Banner waving that Security, security, security It won’t free me, complete me, make me whole Phase me, amaze me, save my soul Cue the lights Start…

The scariest part about asking for help is, we risk sharing something that most people don’t want to share.  That we’re struggling.  That’s why asking for help makes us feel exposed. Because we’re opening up our deepest desires to the world’s scrutiny, rejection, disappointment and, worst of all, indifference.  But as terrifying as it is to swallow our pride, extend our arm, lay down our mask and surrender into…