Here’s why:

Uncertainly is not going away in 2013.
The economy; the fiscal cliff; housing; jobs…
Need I go on?
Any certainty in any of those?

Nope.

With uncertainty comes fear, and if there’s one thing that can stop us dead in our tracks it’s fear. But what if we could override it? What if we could acknowledge it, react accordingly, and then move on; not letting it paralyze us as it often does; or worse still; react to the fear rather than the situation?

What would that look like?
What would life look like?

Enter the subject of Joe’s book; Freya Hoffmeister.

“Fearless” recounts Freya’s kayak trip around Australia.
Her “solo” kayak trip…
Her mostly unsupported kayak trip…
“Around” as in, all the way around; 8565 miles (13,790km’s).

The trip details are staggering themselves, but that’s not why you should read this book. You need to read this book to get a sense of what it looks like to live without fear.

Think about that for a moment…

Think about all the “motivational” quotes you’ve heard; you know, the ones like “what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail”, or “your deepest fear is that you’re powerful”, etc, etc…

All great quotes, but what does life look like without fear?

It means you waste zero energy worrying about things that haven’t yet happened. You prepare for them, yes. Worry, no.

It means you waste zero energy on things you can’t control; instead focusing on what you can control, and freeing that energy up for the job at hand.

Let me say straight up, this isn’t an easy book to read.
Actually, that’s not true; I devoured it in one sitting. It’s incredibly easy to read.

It’s Freya who isn’t easy to be with; to be around; even in reading about her in a book. The first half is filled with people who can’t stand this confident Amazonian, German woman. Who can’t stand the way she simply states what it is she shall do, and declares anyone who’s failed in the past as simply “not up to the task”, or “weak”….

She’s a piece of work; that’s for sure, and although she is an extreme example of what it takes to be fearless, here’s what’s true:

Going with the flow will take you where the flow is going. That might not be where you want/ need to go.
Not giving into fear and making courageous decisions will no doubt upset some people. That’s not your problem; it’s theirs.

So, what does this all mean for you?

You may be tempted to stay on safe ground in 2013. That’s great, but be ready to move. If you’re not ready, you won’t be in position to take advantage of opportunities that come your way, and there will be opportunities.

My commitment to myself in 2013 is to do everything in my power to not get left behind. To be vigilant; to be aware. To be prepared, and to be ready.

And to not get bogged down in fear.

What’s your commitment to yourself?
What’s your plan for 2013 to make sure you don’t get left behind?
Will you let fear become your modus operandi to the point where it paralyzes you to the point of inaction?
I hope not.

2013.
The year to be fearless.

Read it.
You won’t be sorry.

Warren

Buy Fearless on Amazon

With Christmas bearing down on us like a train, I wanted to share a great book with you that you might want to consider gifting to a friend. Actually, do yourself a favour and gift it to yourself first…

Here’s why: This could be one of the most important books you’ll read.

It’s certainly a book I wish I’d written, and I don’t say that often. I’ve had my issues with some of Randy’s writing over they years. His focus is primarily on prosperity, and the subject tends to attract a lot of folks looking for a magic pill.

In Risky is the new Safe; Randy makes it abundantly clear that it’s work that brings prosperity, but not the kind of work you’d expect…

It’s:

• The work you do on your personal development.
• The work you do honing your critical thinking skills.
• The work you do on your own self esteem; that brings prosperity.

It’s the work that, especially given the current economic climate; could make the difference between your very survival, or not…

Randy, like myself, is a big believer in the concept that we all create our own reality.
We do so by the choices we make, or not…

“Your energy and vitality are a result of the choices you make. By the food you eat (or don’t), the rest you give yourself (or don’t), the weight you carry around (or don’t), and the vices you abstain from (or don’t).”

Choose to read this book with an open mind.
It isn’t an easy read, but it is a must read.

Enjoy.
And please do let me know what you thought about Randy’s book in the comments.

Here’s the link to grab your copy: Risky is the new Safe

I created my Solution Revolution project to try and answer a question I’ve been asking for years:

“Why do some people make it and others get stuck?”

I had my own theory, but I needed outside perspective. I started interviewing people for The Solution Revolution; some who, like me had overcome physical adversity; others who’d simple become wildly successful.
I started to recognise a pattern. A Simple pattern…
It’s that pattern, that process that I want to introduce you to in the form of:

The Solution Revolution Boot Camp.

I’ve spent, let’s just say, quite a long time putting together this online program that I believe has the power to help you change the way you think.
It’s designed to help you “blow through” the creative blocks that have kept you stuck. Kept you paralyzed.

To celebrate the launch, because we like to reward folks who take action, you’ll have a 72 hour window to join the program for half price.

On September 18 (Tuesday), if you are the Solution Revolution email list [JOIN BELOW] you’ll receive an email from me with a link to a page that will be live for just 72 hours. On that page you’ll be able to register for the four week Boot Camp for $97. At midnight on September 20, the price goes up to the regular price of $199.

Don’t forget to enter your email below to get notified.

Warren

This has been way too long in coming, but for everyone that’s asked over the years, I’m psyched to announce that “A Test of Will” is now available in audio format from audible.com
Here’s the link: http://www.audible.com/pd/?source_code=ASRDG0001WS041112&asin=B00668IN3G
Enjoy!

ps
Just so you know, I recorded the audio myself over three of the most intense days of my life.
I somehow managed to convince myself that it would be a piece of cake, “How hard could it be to read my own book?”…
Boy, was I wrong!
I went through half a box of tissues during recording.
You’ve been warned…

“Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu”, until I get to “Bob Brown”…
“Who is Bob Brown?”

I first met Bob in 1995, huddled under a tarpaulin in a storm, by a campfire, in the northwest corner of Tasmania know as the Tarkine. I was with a group of activists known as the Tarkine Tigers; a ramshackle mob of young people who’d taken to protesting the destruction of the worlds largest intact temperate rainforest. Camped out to stand vigil, over weeks at a time in the middle of winter, was demoralizing work. We were few; the opposition many; the system “adjusted” to make it illegal for us to even be in the area. One by one they were picking us off; placing us under arrest and feeding us into a legal system that meant if we returned; next time we’d be facing criminal charges; not just a misdemeanor for not doing what we were told.

I’d been out doing some “surveillance”, and arriving back in camp; there was Bob, drying out his wet clothes by the fire; giving everyone an update on what was being done through the political channels to support us. A tall, bespectacled, lanky man; a doctor by trade, Bob looked totally at home surrounded by our crew; a pretty feral looking mob whom the media had painted as losers and no hopers who should go and get real jobs. Not only did he look at home; he respected us. Despite appearances and background; he was one of us; in many ways the grandfather of the movement we were now part of.

Three months later I was assigned to guide a young couple into one of our hidden camps. It was vitally important that we show people the Tarkine; that they get a taste for themselves of this wild place, and hopefully; moved by the experience, they would join us. Meeting early in the morning at our secret trailhead, I noticed the worn out boots on the man.

“Are they the only boots you have?”
“Yes” he replied, “they should be okay, shouldn’t they?”

At that moment another vehicle arrived, and out stepped Bob.
Greetings aside, Bob looked down at the mans feet and repeated the same question I’d asked earlier.

Same answer.

“What size are you?” says Bob.

Here’s where I should point out that at this point in time, Bob Brown was the leader of the Tasmanian Green Party.

We said our goodbyes; Bob wishing us luck, and after a dozen steps down our forest trail, I turned to see Bob walking back to his car; barefoot, carrying the mans shoes…

The next time I saw Bob was at his court case, whereby he was found guilty of breaking a court order that he not return to the Tarkine following an earlier arrest. He was bundled into a police car and taken to Risdon prison where he would spend the next nineteen days…

Commitment.

How many leaders have you seen display that level of commitment?
What would you do; how far would you go for a purpose bigger than you?

I watched Bob go on to lead the Australian Green party.
I watched him join the senate.
I watched him face ridicule as the lone voice for the environment amidst the muck raking and dirty politics he faced in parliament week after week.

I smelt the tear gas on the coat I lent him when he returned it to me after the S11 protest against the World Economic Forum in Melbourne, saw the bruises on his body where he’d been charged on the front line by police with batons on horseback. (This was in the year 2000 by the way, when people protested based on their beliefs; not because something had been taken away from them).

I watched him walk the talk.

That’s what a true leader does; he walks the talk.

Bob Brown is my hero.

Earlier this week, Bob announced his resignation as leader of the Australian Greens. It’s time to pass the baton. “After all” he said, “I am 67”…

I can’t thank you enough Bob for all you’ve done.
For the environment, for future generations; for humanity.
For the inspiration.
Many, many more will thank you as time goes on; including those happy to see you go.

Bob Brown
The Tarkine

That would be incorrect.
Wrong.

Here’s the deal.

We never stop learning.
That includes me.
It also includes you.

Two weeks ago in Canmore AB I crashed trying out my new skis. Not a major, high speed crash, but I came down solidly on my left ribcage (on the left pec to be precise).

It hurt. A lot.
Not enough to stop me skiing the next day, but enough to make me realise the day after that that skiing the next day probably wasn’t the smartest thing I’ve ever done.

Footnote: Although not my smartest move, I’m still glad to this day I did. It was kind of like a “screw you” to the crash; the kind of thing for some reason we seem to have to do as men. Reminds me of the time I shook a friends hand despite my broken finger, and had to explain to Margo as we drove away, me nursing my hand, why it had to be done…

But I digress.

The injury was one thing, but where the problem started was that I decided that what I needed to do was just keep going about my days, as best I could, and that my ribs would just have to get better. This wasn’t easy. Actually, moving at all wasn’t easy (make that, is still not easy). Try moving about without using your arms, or legs. See.

A full week later, I agreed to see a chiropractor.
The first thing she suggested is that I set about icing it fifteen minutes on, thirsty minutes off, fifteen minutes on; three or four times a day.

The first thing I realised is that this would have been way more effective if I’d started this routine straight away; say on the day after the crash; instead of going skiing…

So, I’m on the long road to recovery (with two subluxated ribs), all too aware (again) of the awesome power of denial.

Don’t do what I did.
Take time to stop, reassess and take action.
Kind of like I’m out to teach with The Solution Revolution.

Yes, we do teach best what we most need to learn…

Kyle and Team on the Summit of My Kilimanjaro

Twelve years ago, a co-worker tried to talk me out of climbing a mountain because there was a section of trail he was quite familiar with, that he couldn’t see me being able to navigate through. I knew back then as I know now, that by the time I reached that section of trail, I’d be seeing with a very different set of eyes than the ones he’d used the countless times he’d passed by.

I’ve had lots of people over the years tell me they’d love to climb Kilimanjaro, but that they didn’t think they could do it. My response is always the same.
1/ Decide to go. Make the commitment.
2/ Prepare. Put yourself in the best possible position for success.
3/ Enjoy it. Don’t turn it into a huge ordeal (see #2).

After all, if I could do it with no legs…
Well, the bar just got raised some.
Quadruple amputee and author of No Excuses Kyle Maynard just did it with no arms, or legs...

Now, I have to point out that Kyle’s is an awesome achievement, but that’s not why I’m writing this now.

Is there something you’ve always wanted to do, and have been making excuses?
Does Kilimanjaro seem just a little more achievable now that Kyle and I have done it?

Do you see your project now with a new set of eyes?

PS
I had the opportunity to interview Kyle before he left for Africa for my Solution Revolution project.
You can check out a snapshot of our interview HERE.

Trust me; you could be badder.
And I’ve got just the place for you to learn.
This Thursday and Friday (26th & 27th January), my friend JBT is hosting the first, the inaugural Badass Conference.

Here’s the blurb; you decide if it’s for you; or not…

“Imagine living a life with absolutely no excuses. No reasons for not being your best. No more bullshit.”

I’m in. In fact, I’m speaking.
On Friday.
At 3.40pm (Eastern Time).

Click on this link to The Badass Conference for details on how to join me.

Ps
To give you a sense of just how badass this event is going to be; guest speakers include:
Seth Godin
Julien Smith
Leo Babauta
Jonathan Fields
Brian Clark

I spent a lot of time this past year working with my friend Steve Satterwhite on breaking down what I know; pulling it apart in order to create a model we can all use to find solutions in situations that seem hopeless. (You’ll see more on this model when we launch www.thesolutionrevolution.com in a few months).

The model is based on three truths, three stages we need to move through in order to create something new; something better.

Acceptance.
Responsibility.
Questions.

Let’s start at the top.
Most (but certainly not all) have now accepted that a fundamental shift has occurred in the economy (it’s actually occurred in all aspects of our lives; let’s just stick with the economy for now).
Many (but again certainly not all) have also realized that we are all responsible (in some way, shape of form) for some of the changes taking place, and that we are also responsible for working our way through these changes.

And now, on the cusp of 2012, I believe we are entering the period where we begin asking questions. About everything. Where we begin to question not just the way we do business, but why we do business.

This is where interesting comes in.
If you’re creation is based purely on profits, and we don’t actually need it; I believe you’ll find 2012 “interesting”…

My questions for you:

What will “interesting” look like for you in 2012?
What will you create?
What kind of questions do you need to ask in order to create it?
What will your creation add to the world?

Here’s where Deepak Chopra comes in.
Take a few minutes to watch this interview, where Deepak gives his take on why business needs to become more than just about profits.

Enjoy!
And may 2012 be a year for creating for you!

Warren