In the first few moments of the movie Collateral, the taxi driver, played by Jamie Foxx, tells Tom Cruise’s character: “I’m not in this for the long haul. This is just filling in—I’m putting some things together—I’m going to open my own limo service.” Cruise asks him, “How long you been doing this?” To which…
DetailsI recently worked with a physician, a high level specialist who is respected nationally. Yet his description of his situation is summed up in – “I’m at the top of my game and I have no life.” Yes, working 100 hours a week will culminate in that unfortunate end result, no matter how excellent your…
DetailsTwo weeks ago my podcast theme was Stay Away From Negative Friends. I talked about my 3-hour rule where I’ll spend 3 hours a year with negative friends but certainly not 3 days or 3 weeks on a vacation. Well, I knew there was the elephant in the room and didn’t address it fully. I…
DetailsGrowing up in a home without radio or TV drove me to books as a way to expand my little world. And that little world has expanded from doing simple farm chores like baling hay and milking cows to writing, speaking and coaching today. Reading allowed to see more and expect more and ultimately to…
DetailsThis concept comes from a story I read in the classic little book I Dare You. A professor once hit upon a great discovery while buttoning up his vest. Or rather, he hit upon the discovery because his vest wouldn’t button up. His little daughter had sewn up some of the buttonholes by mistake. His…
DetailsA miser, to make sure of his property, sold all that he had and converted it into a great lump of gold, which he hid in a hole in the ground, and went continually to visit and inspect it. This roused the curiosity of one of his workmen, who, suspecting that there was a treasure,…
DetailsRemember the old Saturday Night Live skit where the character would stand in front of the mirror and say, “I’m good enough. I’m smart enough. And doggone it, people like me.” Well, I wish that were enough to be successful in business – but it’s not. I just spoke with a new author. She’s done…
DetailsMany of you have read The E-Myth by Michael Gerber. In that book Gerber describes what he calls the “Fatal Assumption.” The Fatal Assumption is this: that knowing how to do the technical work means you know how to build a business. Gerber clarifies a challenge we’ve all seen played out: If someone knows how…
DetailsThis is such a common question I wanted to share it here. Isn’t it cheapening the real process of creating art (music, sculptures, writing, visual art, coaching) if I expect money in return? Andy asks: “Dan, I’m an illustrator and my illustration business is doing well, but I’m afraid I’m more passionate about helping other…
DetailsWhile having dinner Friday night our waitress lamented to us that her 23-yr-old daughter was leaving yet another relationship. She told us how this daughter seemed to be pulled into relationships that looked great at the beginning only to deteriorate and crumble over time. And then she asked, “Has my own divorce made it impossible…
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