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I was eating sushi when it happened. My friend Gil Wagner was expressing frustration about a colleague of his. Finally, his rant came to an end with the following comment: “I love her to death,” Gil said, “but I just can’t see anybody writing her a check.” I almost choked on my Spicy Tuna Roll. I can’t see anybody writing her a check. Ouch. THAT’S not good for business….

Cops. Judges. Parents. Teachers. Clergy. Chiefs. Experts. Administrators. Gurus. Leaders. Presidents. Politicians. Soldiers. Scientists. Robert DeNiro. These are the authority figures we’ve been taught to show respect TO and take advice FROM. Now, for the most part, I don’t disagree. The only stipulation I’d suggest is that you add one more person to your list of authority figures: Yourself. HERE’S WHY: The word authority derives from the Latin word…

Last time you read a list of things that don’t (really) exist, why they don’t exist, and what exists in their place. Today, I have more: Thirteen additional items that don’t (really) exist. Read them at your own peril… 1. “Must see” doesn’t exist. That’s just fancy, coma-inducing marketing language for, “Please addict yourself to our crappy programming so our advertisers don’t come to their senses and stop wasting…

Have you ever found yourself arguing about whether or not something (really) existed? I don’t mean existential ideas like God or space or reality. I’m talking about simple, basic things we encounter every day. Do they (really) exist, or has the steady stream of illusions veiled the truth from us? GOOD NEWS: I’m here to set the record straight. Below is a list of things that don’t exist, why…

1. Energy is the best attractor. People might not remember what you said – but they’ll never forget how your energy made them feel. That’s what brings them back for more of you. That’s what causes them to tell everyone they know about you. Whether or not your forcefield of aliveness helped them fall in love with themselves. How do you make people feel essential? 2. Execution is the…

Every Thanksgiving, I take a Gratitude Walk. Usually through Forest Park in St. Louis. It’s spectacularly crunchy and colorful in the fall. This past year, I took a break about halfway through my walk for a brief sitting meditation on a nearby park bench. As I sat down, I noticed a gold plate fastened to the top. It read the following: “In memory of Benjamin Harris Wells. The world…

According to the U.S. National Weather Service, the odds of being struck by lightning in your lifetime are 1 in 6,250. I like those odds. In fact, I believe that’s the BIGGEST secret to a successful creative practice. Making yourself more strikeable. I first learned about this concept from my pal, Don The Idea Guy. Possessing creative powers beyond those of mere mortals, Don rescues those in need of…

1. Coincidence is the wailing whisper of truth. Because there is no coincidence. The Universe just packaged it that way to grab your attention. Otherwise you never would have noticed it. What’s more, coincidence is NOT “God’s way of remaining anonymous.” We all know who did it. We all know who’s at work. And it isn’t us. Coincidence is God’s nametag. Is it sticking to you? 2. Complacency is…

Depending on the situation, you might try any of the following Phrases that Payses to diffuse their negative energy: 1. “You may be correct.” This phrase diffuses the energy behind someone’s attack and avoids threatening the attacker. And by giving an impression of active agreement – not passive acquiescence – you avoid adding fuel to the fire. What’s more, “You may be right” validates a particular part of someone’s…

My favorite scene in Steven King’s The Green Mile is when prisoner Eduard Delacroix and the Death Row guards rehearse their upcoming execution: “Walking the Mile, walking the Green Mile … I’m getting to my knees … I’m praying, praying … Lord is my shepherd and so forth and so on … I’m sorry for all the bad stuff I’ve done and people I’ve tramped on and I hope…