Reach For Greatness

Hello, World!

2023-02-22T18:31:00.003-08:00

Just wanted to say hi after all this time. Maybe I’ll bring this blog back.

John

Trailblaze

2012-07-26T13:16:00.000-07:00

(Some) people take comfort in the fact that whatever they want to do has been accomplished before. They think, "Great! Someone else has already done this, so it isn't impossible." They are happy to follow a path thats already been set for them.

Others aren't. They gain their motivation from the fact that they are the first (ever) to do this particular thing. They believe it's possible and they're the ones to do it. They don't care if they're ridiculed or mocked while they (currently) fail. They understand that barriers are there to keep the first group out. Not them.

The first group succeed more often than the second.

But the second group have their names in textbooks.

Go.

2012-04-26T06:22:00.001-07:00

You will never get today back. Go make the most of it.

Shoot for the moon

2012-03-07T09:23:00.002-08:00

Start something, now. Go make something and show, give or sell it to the world. Could you fail? Of course.

But the only things that really succeed and make a splash are things that could've gone south.

I use the analogy of target shooting. Most people shoot at the ground directly in front of them. They get predictably mediocre results, every time. You will hit the ground 100 times out of 100 that you shoot for it. Successful people, however, shoot for the moon. Will they hit it every time? Nope. They might not hit it within the first two thousand times.

But that one time they do, they're set for life.

If you knew...

2012-03-07T09:09:00.004-08:00

If you knew you were Bill Gates or Timothy Ferriss or Rihanna, and no one else knew it yet, what would you do? Would you do the same things or go to the same places everyone else does?

Or would you act, think and be different?

If you were special, I think you would be starting a business, or writing a book, or promoting yourself. I imagine you would be doing amazing things.

None of these people started out extraordinary. They are extraordinary because they do extraordinary things. Not vice versa.

So, why not be spectacular, brilliant, and original? Why not start something that could fail?

Why School Misses The Point

2012-02-25T09:04:00.000-08:00

When you write, do you try to drag it out as long as you can? Do you fill the reader with useless information before getting to your real point? Of course not. Why do schools teach us this is the way to write?

I have been blogging and freelance writing for about 5 months now and I've had to unlearn everything I was taught. I don't need 1,200 words to get my point across. I need 300. I respect my reader's time, and therefore will not waste it writing a 1,200 word essay. Another thing, I don't do any prewriting. I don't sit down and chart out everything I want to say. I just write. There's a reason I get things done in 24 hours when other people need a week.

Don't get caught up in closing sentences, or making sure that your paragraphs are indented. Just write something people want or need to hear, and everything else works out.

Why talent gets overlooked

2012-01-10T12:40:00.000-08:00

When you see someone street performing, do you ever stop and listen? Do you ever say, "Hey, this guy is good! I think I'll stop and listen." to yourself? You generally have somewhere to be when passing by, but I don't believe this is why most people don't listen. Too many times we let talent go unnoticed or even worse, discouraged. It's because they truly can't tell when someone is (or is going to be) talented.

I see talent (and the potential for talent) everywhere. Does that mean that everyone who has the potential for making great music will make it? No. But as long as you recognize when someone is passionate about their art and striving to get better you'll be able to appreciate talent in the rough. In the wild. Before the mass market rewards this person for doing what they do so well. And that takes imagination.

Imagination is a virtue. Not everyone has it, but every child does. That's why all the children were trying to stop and listen to Josh Bell when he played in that subway in Washington D.C. Most of the adults didn't, but a few had enough imagination to listen for a few minutes. Obviously, most people don't have enough imagination to see talent in the wild. That's why when Micheal Jordan was in tenth grade, he was cut from the varsity team. Same reason Tim Ferriss was rejected by 26 out of 27 publishers.

Even when whatever they're doing isn't the best now, it totally could be. They are creating. Art isn't created from safety. It's created "out on a limb", says Seth Godin and I agree. It's easy to be a critic when there is nothing on the line. Critics aren't creating, and all they do is judge those who do. There is no such a thing as a world class critic.

Next time you see someone doing art on a small level, use your imagination. Think about where they could be, not where they are. See their drive, their passion and their talent. Then encourage them. Tell them what they could maybe work on, and what you really enjoy. What they go on to do might even surprise you.

Become skilled

2011-12-23T04:18:00.000-08:00

Become skilled in areas that will push you ahead. But be picky about which skills you hone.

You don't want to be well-rounded. Well-rounded only means mediocre in a plethora of categories.
You want to be sharp.

Image by Vlado

Focus on things that are: (1) Difficult to do, and (2) in high demand.

If you do this, the economy won't have you looking for jobs. The economy will have jobs looking for you.

Believe it or not, people still get job offers in a down economy. Why's that?

Because the people who are looking for jobs don't have skills.

Be relevant

2011-12-16T10:12:00.000-08:00

If you aren't relevant, why do you spread your ideas?

Answer: You probably don't.

Attention is so difficult to come by, so precious, there is hardly anyone spreading non-relevant advice.

There is such a huge tsunami of information out there, most (even the free stuff) is extremely timely and relevant.

So be relevant or be silent.

Plug your ears

2011-12-13T21:39:00.000-08:00

Know who you shouldn't listen to.

Here's the test. If they aren't (or won't soon be) where you want to be, disregard anything they have to say on the subject. No matter how good intentioned they may be, they obviously don't understand how to get there.

You might just be better off doing the opposite. Let's use olympic swimming as an example. If I want to be an olympic swimmer, I'm not going to listen to my mom on how to get there. Because she's not an olympic swimmer. I'm going to listen to Michael Phelps. Same goes for success.

If this person is telling me to go to school and they're $100,000 in debt, I probably shouldn't listen to them if I want to be successful. If Bill Gates tells me to go to school however, I should probably get my a** to class. (Sorry, I had to.)

Just remember that while they may have good intentions, plug your ears when (in my case unsuccessful) people give you advice.

4 ways to be productive (on the go)

2011-12-09T10:05:00.001-08:00

Being productive is hard to do when you are constantly moving. Being mobile can really put a damper on your productivity levels. If you'd like to enjoy and be productive, you just follow these tips.

Mark a certain time - When you have Wifi is ideal, because you (likely) won't have it all the time. Focus on the times that you do.

Touch it once - I totally stole this from the ultimate sales machine by Chet Holmes. The principle still applies and I believe that you could benefit from it. Whenever you start something, you finish it. This way you only touch it once. (i.e. don't check your twitter while your working on that term paper.)

Attack the most important things first - Of course. If you don't have time to work on that ebook, you certainly don't have time to check your email.

Focus on downtimes - Rather than feel guilty for not getting to tracking your finances while you're on that roller coaster, feel guilty during the layover between flights. Much more gets done.

If you do these four things, you'll end up with a lot more finished when you have to move again. Or get on that flight. Just remember to have fun.

Because sometimes having fun can be the most productive thing that you can do.

Steve Jobs: The Diamond Cutter

2011-12-05T05:34:00.001-08:00

Steve Jobs was more of a diamond cutter than all-out revolutionary innovator.

Why's that, you ask?

He didn't really come up with much first. He saw things in the wild, perfected them and sold them to the mass market. The mp3 player was out long before the iPod. The tablet computer was with us some ten years before the iPad. The cell phone came before the iPhone.

He saw diamonds in the rough, cut them into rare beauties, and sold them. He read the words that weren't on the page. He (and his team) had the foresight to see what was coming and create it. That's why they never relied on market research.

He said, "It's not the consumer's job to know what they want."

So true.

Estimate Accordingly

2011-12-03T16:04:00.001-08:00

Whenever estimating anything, there's probably going to be (a few) variables that you aren't considering. Also, since people don't often estimate unimportant things, you're going to want your estimates to be as accurate as can be.

I utilize this little trick whenever I estimate anything, and I can't tell you how many times it has saved me.

I always estimate against myself. I put on the most negative point of view I can, and I use the 20% rule. The 20% rule goes like this; "Since every variable cannot be taken into account, one should add 10% to every figure against them, and subtract 10% from every figure for them."

Basically it goes like this.

Let's say I'll need $500 to go on a trip. And I have $500. Good, right?

Maybe. But to be sure, your calculations should go something like this.

Instead of saving $500, I should save $550. Instead of having $500, I (act like) I have $450. So, I should end up with $600.

In simpler terms, just add 20% to every expense.

Now, 20% doesn't sound like much, but in many cases that's all it takes to hedge against disaster.

Tim Ferriss' new book

2011-12-01T05:43:00.001-08:00

So, you guys all know that crazy 4 Hour Workweek/4 Hour Body guy? Well, his name is Tim Ferriss (two s') has a new book on Amazon that I think should be checked out. I am pre-ordering a copy, and you should too.

In everything this phenomenal man does, he breaks everything down to the core and tests everything. He's a world class tango dancer, Princeton guest lecturer, and just a great all around guy. He's one of the smartest, classiest, most creative people I've ever come across.

Ladies, I think he's taken, so sorry.

(Also I may or may not be getting a Kindle Fire from this post, so keep that in mind. As you should too, by going to the link, here, and posting on Facebook)

Enjoy

2011-12-01T05:13:00.001-08:00

Enjoy yourself for one day. Just do everything you want today. Not everything you should do, or everything other people expect of you. Just everything you want, whether or not you can afford it. Even if it scares you. Because you should.

If you don't enjoy it, don't do it today.

Watch sunrises, take a walk, laugh, get lost, exercise (if you like & if you don't, don't), climb a tree, or make a connection with someone.

Just enjoy yourself today. You deserve it.

Be the Man

2011-11-30T04:57:00.001-08:00

Instead of utilizing someone else's program, make your own. Don't buy a franchise, create one.

Instead of being the middle man, be the Man. Why?

There's more money in it, and more publicity.

Sure, it's harder to create McDonald's than it is to buy a McDonald's franchise. But that's also why it's better and more fun and more profitable.

So go out, be the Man, and start creating.

Lessons learned from Carlos

2011-11-29T05:23:00.001-08:00

Carlos Slim Helú is the world's richest man by Forbes' last count. There's a reason for this. He focused on an emerging market.

Carlos didn't just have shares in emerging markets. He owned the market. Mexico's telecommunications is dominated by one man. That man does very well because of it. Therefore, rather than trying to start a small photo shop in Iowa, you should find something that's already successful in America and take it somewhere else.

When you start a business in an emerging market, it's like a boat and tide. The tide is the economy, and the boat is your business. Even when your business isn't growing too much, the economy is. When the tide comes in, all the boats rise, including yours.

You can call the shots in another country much easier than the US. You could control a monopoly in India, and command your industry there.

Unscripted (& genuine)

2011-11-28T07:53:00.001-08:00

How unnerving is it when you call the customer support line and you get a recording? How much worse does it make the situation when they tell you how "important" your call is to them?

It's scripted, fake, and automated.

Why is it so annoying when you get a recording? Because it's not genuine. If your call was really that important there would be a real person to handle it. And not one of those low paid call center people. An executive. Maybe the CEO.

Now I'm not saying that the CEO should answer all the phones, (it wouldn't hurt) but why not do whatever you can in your business to make a true, lasting connection? What if you did that where others couldn't (or wouldn't)?

Never build a product

2011-11-27T05:51:00.001-08:00

....without a market. Test first.

That small piece of advice could save you a world of trouble in the future.

Ship unprepared (if you must)

2011-11-26T13:15:00.001-08:00

Whenever you're in a situation you don't like, but are afraid of getting out of, set a date. And move on that date. Or quit on that date. Just make sure you have a date and something to keep you accountable. If things are prepared for you to move or whatever, great. If they're not, still do it.

You'll grow more, learn more, and be better if you ship unprepared.

You are alive

2011-11-24T07:18:00.001-08:00

Tragedy can be wonderful for your happiness levels. It brings you back to the basics, snaps you out of a sense of normalcy, and really makes you realize what you've got.

My friend once got hit by a semi truck when he was driving his Impala. He says that it was the worst pain that ever hit him; his car was totaled and he was pretty banged up. But it was one of the happiest times ever, too. While he was barely conscious in the emergency room, all he could think was, "I'm alive! This is awesome!"

What if we lived everyday like that? We woke up and thanked God for just being alive.

What if we just lived without worry because we made it this far?

Why you should write an ebook

2011-11-23T06:32:00.001-08:00

All monetary gain involves a transaction. Even when you work, you're giving something for money. Your labor. Therefore, if you don't like your job, change your commodity.

As long as it's something others want, you can make money giving it to them. Take an ebook for example. If there is relevant, useful information (that people want) in your ebook, you can make money selling it on your blog. Or facebook. Or personal website. Therefore, your new commodity is your writing and ideas. That's much better than clocking in to give up 8 hours of your life. It's also very scaleable. If you sell 2 or 200 you do the same amount of work. Except at work one would take you 5 minutes to make and the other 5 whole days.

That's why you should write an ebook. This way we get your ideas and you get income. Everyone is happier.

Do something that could explode, get huge, and make you rich.

Persistence

2011-11-22T05:34:00.001-08:00

"Energy and persistence conquer all things."
- Benjamin Franklin

The first time you rode a bike did you give up after you fell the first time? Did you say, "Well, this must be impossible..."

Or did you get back up, only to fall again?

How many times did the cycle repeat until you got it? How many failures for that one glorious success?

The same applies to life. If you don't get it the first time, change something. Or work harder. Or ask for advice. Just don't give up.

When you give up you have a failure rate of 100%. Remember that next time you think about quitting.

6 reasons passive income rocks

2011-11-21T04:24:00.001-08:00

Do you absolutely love your job? Would you do it without getting paid? If you answered no to either of those questions, you need passive income. Passive income is basically money you don't have to clock in for. You do have to start something that creates this for you, though. A monetized blog, an ebook, real estate, or dividend paying investments can all do this for you. Here's some reasons this is awesome.

Time freedom - This is the ultimate freedom. This is freedom many people don't get until retirement (or ever). What do you want to do now? Go do that. Because you can. Whether it's playing Call Of Duty MW3 24/7 or riding the wave of your life (everyday) you can do it.

Location freedom - Be anywhere you want to be. If you'd rather be backpacking across some mountains in Tibet, you can be on the next plane there. This is huge. Work from wherever you want.

Lasting impact - Every bit of time and energy you put into passive income projects pays out in the long run. You're not working toward a paycheck, you're working toward freedom. You could also be paid for the next 15 years if you do this well. If you do a good job at work you might get a 50 cent raise.

Money all the time - Whether it's a bull market or you're sleeping, you're making money. When you go out to eat, you make money. When you play video games, you make money. Whatever you do once you've got some passive income flowing, you make money at. Nice, right?

Whatever you want - Be whoever you want to be, go wherever you want to go, and do whatever you want. From now on, life truly is what you make it. So get out there and live your dreams.

Diversification of income - You are free to work on the next project. You don't have all your eggs in one basket. They're in 9 baskets. And you're working on the 10th. If one of your income streams stresses you out, you don't need it. Cut it out.

These are just a few reasons why gaining passive income could be one of the best financial (and personal) decisions you might ever make. I do hope you'll consider it, because you'll not only have a more fulfilled life, but the value you create with you're new product or ebook will (likely) help the rest of us out. So thanks in advance.

Survival

2011-11-18T09:56:00.001-08:00

Knowledge is one of the most important (and powerful) things known to man. Wisdom (applied knowledge) is doubly so. It will not only make you more effective at everything, but it helps you survive. Survival is it. That's what you should know before learning anything else. Take a class on it, or read books. Just get a basic knowledge of how to survive in different situations.

Why is survival so important? Because you can't do anything else unless you survive. You can't learn. You can't repent. You're done. It's over. That's why it doesn't matter what you must do, SURVIVE.

At all costs just make sure you're still breathing when the dust clears.